For small businesses, the prospect of entering into a legal battle with larger, more established companies can seem daunting. However, in England, several smaller entities have emerged victorious, proving that with the right legal guidance and resilience, smaller firms can take on their Goliath counterparts. In this post, we delve into a few recent instances where smaller companies triumphed in litigation, leading to substantial payouts.
As lockdown measures finally ease, it is hoped that the economy can start on the road to something resembling recovery. For many businesses, however, the impact of coronavirus is likely to be far-reaching and will extend much further than mere lost time.
While construction contractors who have faced delays and/or increased costs due to the lockdown are likely to be reviewing their entitlement to relief under their existing contracts, it would be wise for the industry as a whole to swiftly begin the process of looking forward. This will undoubtedly mean considering how the risks of COVID-19, and perhaps further pandemics, can be addressed in future contracts.
Read more: Construction Contracts in the age of the Pandemic
In the admirable hit Netflix series “Stranger Things”, the principle conceit which gripped the viewers and help make it the most watched Netflix series ever was the terrifying creature lurking in the shadows.
In today’s high velocity business world, we are increasingly used to working in fully magnified open view. The temptation is to look for ways in which we can retreat back into the shadows. But particularly for those of us who have relatives, friends, or business associates who are company directors, or for professional advisors of companies or their directors, there can be significant jeopardy lurking in the shadows.
Anyone involved informally in the activities of a company may be surprised to learn that, despite not being officially appointed as a director, duties and personal responsibilities and liabilities similar to that of a director may arise. In particular the risks are:
Under the Companies Act 2006, a shadow director is defined as a person in accordance with whose directions or instructions the directors of a company are accustomed to act. It is not an offence to be a shadow director but it does give rise to a number of onerous responsibilities and duties and can lead to those individuals unwittingly adopting significant personal liability. Shadow directors commonly owe fiduciary duties, and can reasonably be expected to assume responsibility for the company’s dealings and act in the company’s interests (rather than their own), when giving directions and instructions. Importantly, a shadow director can be liable for wrongful or fraudulent trading and is also subject to the threat of director disqualification. Typically you won’t be covered by the company’s directors and officers liability insurance (if any).
The clients I talk to often have the common misconception that they can only be a “shadow director” if they are the puppet master of the company, controlling a board from the sidelines. In fact, it is unnecessary for a shadow director to have any form of control. Instead the key factor is the influence that person has over the directors, namely to what extent the board is accustomed to acting in accordance with the person’s instructions.
Experienced business people and entrepreneurs are increasingly encouraged to see themselves as Dragons Den type advisors, providing informal advice to company boards, directors, family members and friends. Given their hard earned reputation for astute commercial acumen, such advice is more often likely to be followed leaving them most at risk.
Members of senior management, who are not directors, may have trusted views about the decisions which the company makes or may be the only person with expertise in a certain area (such as accountancy). Family members and friends, particularly if they are shareholders, may also routinely offer advice or have influence over the decisions which the directors take.
Although there are some additional safeguards for professional advisors, (particularly where retainers are in place) where a professional goes beyond that retainer as a trusted business advisor they may also find themselves at risk.
So what are the 6 things should anyone concerned about that their involvement with a company do now to protect their position?
As the residents of Hawkins, Indiana found out, the creature lurking in the shadows can provide a terrifying and unwelcome surprise.
In March 2015, the Government launched the next step in their strategy to make the Court Service largely self-funding by increasing Court Fees for civil claims to recover money.
The personal information of employees at 280 UK businesses may have been compromised following a data security incident at Sage.
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