The Building Safety Act 2022 – 3 Years On
Work to escalate safety in the construction industry continues following the approval of the Building Safety Act in 2022 (the Act). Statistics confirm that 3 years on, several thousand residential buildings still have unsafe cladding waiting to be removed. The wholesale review of building regulation and practice has resulted in a surge of construction claims […]
Martyn’s Law – Compliance with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 was made law on 3 April 2025, introducing a comprehensive framework to improve public safety by requiring organisations to take proactive measures against terrorist attacks. The legislation, commonly known as Martyn’s Law, named after Martyn Hett, a victim of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, aims to ensure that […]
Marks & Spencer cyber attack: Business continuity and legal fallout explained
Marks & Spencer (M&S), the iconic British multinational retailer, recently suffered a cyber attack that underscores a critical truth in today’s digital economy: no organisation, regardless of its size, heritage, or IT budget, is immune to cyber threats. Early investigations suggest the breach originated from a third-party supplier with access to M&S customer systems, a […]
Fail to Prepare, prepare to fail – A look at the fall out for businesses following the Power Blackout in Spain and Portugal
When the widespread power and internet outage struck the whole of Spain, Portugal and parts of France recently, businesses of all sizes found themselves unexpectedly offline. Retailers were unable to operate tills or process card payment machines; restaurants found themselves turning customers away, unable to cook, with degrading freezer stock becoming unusable by the hour. […]
Creating a Culture of Trust – Does your workplace go far enough to support Whistleblowing?
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has published a commitment to promote incentives for corporate whistleblowers. With workplace wrongdoing under the spotlight following revelations arising from the Inquiry into the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower, the Horizon Inquiry into the Post Office Scandal, sexual harassment allegations at Harrods, and with a 92% increase in employment tribunals from […]
Fail-safe or failure: Does your organisation have measures to prevent fraud?
New Offence On 1 September 2025, the UK’s new corporate ‘failure to prevent fraud’ offence introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) will come into force. The new offence is part of wider corporate crime reforms in the UK. It targets large organisations with the aim of encouraging a shift in […]
What to do if you receive a Complaint about your Fitness to Practice
Complaint to the Regulator If you are involved in an investigation being carried out by a professional regulator or body responsible for bringing enforcement action against its members, you will need to understand the process, your rights and what to do next. Fitness to Practice (‘FTP’) is a professional’s ability to practice safely and effectively […]
When Justice Disrupts: A Closer Look at the Power of Arrest
Imagine going about your regular daily routine. You could be at work with your colleagues, relaxing at home with your loved ones or even tucked up in bed and fast asleep when uniformed police officers suddenly turn up and arrest you. So far as you are aware, you haven’t committed any crime, and you have […]
Is Your Business Ready for the Unexpected? Why You Need a Business Continuity Plan
If you’re reading this, you’re most likely not in the midst of a business crisis. But, if one were to strike, would you be prepared? We all know that unforeseen events can impact any organisation — whether the result of a natural disaster, a cyberattack, or an unexpected staff shortage. Whilst these disruptions can be […]
A – Z of Legal Support offered at Harold & McCormack Law
Navigating legal challenges can be overwhelming, but with the right support, no issue is too complex. Here’s a quick look at the broad range of services we offer:- Advocacy and Appeals Business Crime Critical Incident Response Defence Work Environmental Breaches Fitness to Practice GDPR and Data Compliance Health and Safety Inquests and Inquiries Judicial Review […]