The South East’s position as one of the more prosperous areas of the UK, in terms of both lifestyle and work looks set to continue, as demonstrated by the findings of Lambert Smith Hampton’s UK Vitality Index Report 2015 in which Guildford came out as the top destination in the UK, with other cities in the region dominating the list.

The trustees of the Olympic Airlines SA Pension and Life Assurance Scheme -v- Olympic Airlines SA

On 29 April 2015, the Supreme Court handed down its judgment in relation to the trustees’ appeal. The unanimous decision was in favour of Olympic Airlines SA (the respondent). The Supreme Court agreed with the Court of Appeal that the High Court was wrong and confirmed that in order for there to be an ‘establishment’ there must be some business dealings with third parties. The trustees’ appeal was therefore dismissed.

TECHNICAL UPDATE - APRIL 2015

The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (“the Act”), which received Royal Assent on 26 March 2015, contains a number of changes and additions to the Insolvency Act 1986 (“IA 1986”). 

A summary of the changes, as they relate to insolvency proceedings, are highlighted below but for full details as to the newest additions to the IA 1986, please see s117 to s146 of the Act which can be located at:

spring 2015 contentious business update hilldickinson.com Law in Action Page 6 Consumer Rights Bill - all change? Page 8 Mediation – when is it reasonable to refuse? Page 12 Serious Fraud Office (SFO) -vWest, Stone and Sustainable Agro Energy plc (SAE) Gary West, the chief commercial officer of SAE and Stuart Stone, director of SJ Stone Ltd, were convicted of offences under the Bribery Act 2010 in the context of an overall prosecution for fraud against officers of SAE.

Prayers are answered in the Gamestation verdict, reports Richard Palmer, as the liability of administrators of insolvent companies to pay rent has been clarified.