Posted on 10/11/11, filed under News | No Comments
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) announced last week that it plans to cut the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) for solar energy installations in half with effect from 12 December this year.
DECC justify the level of the cut on the basis of the falling cost of manufacturing and installing photovoltaic (PV) solar panels which they estimate at around 30% and the need to keep within the budget for the scheme which they suggest is at risk.
In addition it is proposed that from April 2012 any property wishing to benefit from the scheme will have to meet a minimum energy efficiency threshold.
Industry experts had been anticipating a cut but nothing quite so drastic. Many now fear that the radical changes could result in businesses leaving the fledgling market and job cuts.
In particular, it is likely that the number of firms offering “free solar” (where the solar energy firm agree to install and maintain the PV solar panels at their own cost in return for receiving the FiT Tariff themselves) will dramatically decrease as a result of the decline in the return on investment for such schemes.
The Property Department of Bennett Griffin can provide home owners with cost effective and expert advice on entering into agreements and leases with firms relating to the installation of PV solar panels on their property.
If you have any questions regarding this article or would like further advice or assistance please contact Darren Edwards, Associate Solicitor on 01903 706971 or de@bennett-griffin.co.uk.
Posted on 10/11/11, filed under Personal Injury (PI) | No Comments
Nick Hind, associate solicitor in the personal injury department of Bennett Griffin, Worthing, comments:-
“The Catholic Church and errant members of its clergy seem to be never far from the headlines these days, and thankfully there was a victory for common sense and the victims of abuse at the High Court today when the Court ruled in a test case that the Church is responsible for the damaging behaviour of its clergy despite there being no formal contract of employment between the Church and its priests. The Church should therefore be treated in the same way as any other employer in respect of any harm done by its employees. It’s called vicarious liability.
Despite the Church’s apparent commitment to investigate instances of alleged abuse and to root out the perpetrators, it has still decided to seek leave to appeal against the ruling leaving the victim, and potentially thousands of others, in limbo.”
Posted on 08/11/11, filed under Personal Injury (PI) | No Comments
Nick Hind, associate solicitor in the personal injury department at Bennett Griffin in Worthing comments:-
“Very interesting comment piece by Peter Wilby in The Guardian yesterday arising out of the news last week that road deaths are on the increase this year and in the aftermath of the tragedy on the M5 over the weekend.
Ministers have been talking recently about raising the motorway speed limit to 80mph and there has been a widespread assault on the existence and purpose of speed cameras by government and media alike. The raison d’etre is that speed might be good for business. However it might not be so good for those unfortunate enough to get in the way when things go wrong, as they can do at 80+ mph.
Even if no legislation arises, perhaps the wrong message is being put out - speed is good; safety can be compromised; an increase in death and serious injury is regrettable collateral. Perhaps it is affecting behaviour already.
At the same time the balance is as we speak shifting away from the innocent victims of accidents when it comes to making a personal injury claim. Legislation is currently proceeding through Parliament that will profoundly affect the ability of accident victims to bring claims and obtain proper compensation.
In my view, a rethink is required”
