Antony Wilson

antony.wilson@legalstudio.co.uk

CORPORATE RECOVERY & INSOLVENCY SPECIALIST

I qualified in 1992 at Gordons LLP. Before joining Legal Studio in February 2016 I was a partner in a number of medium and large law firms such as Cobbetts, DWF and Lee & Priestley.

I came to Legal Studio with a proven track record of delivering exceptional results in a challenging field and currently deal with complex bankruptcy cases, administrations and substantial liquidations. 

When I’m not at work I enjoy snowboarding, wake boarding, mountain biking and golf. 

Specialist Areas of Interest

Bankruptcy

Insolvency

Business Restructuring

Partner Disputes

Antony's Latest Blogs


With every year comes a whirlwind of new laws and regulations.
 
This blog sets out a few new laws and regulations that will come into force in 2018.
 
EMPLOYMENT ALLOWANCE RESTRICTED FOR ILLEGAL WORKERS (PROPOSED): APRIL 2018
 
The UK Government intends to introduce further deterrents to prevent the employment of illegal workers within the UK.
 
What’s new?
 
  • An employer will be unable to claim the Government Employment Allowance for a period of one year if they have:
    • Hired an illegal worker
    • Been penalised for their actions by the Home Office
    • Exhausted appeal rights in relation to the imposed penalty
 
DRONE BILL (PROPOSED): SPRING 2018
 
The Government intends on publishing a draft law which will require the registration of drones that fit certain criteria.
 
What’s new?
 
  • Drones over 250g will need to be registered;
  • Leisure pilots need to complete a pilot test;
  • Safety awareness tests are required to ensure a drone’s flight is safe and legal;
  • Police seizure powers of illegal drones; and
  • ‘No-fly zones’.
 
 
THE IMPOSITION OF GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATIONS: MAY 2018
 
This is the biggest change in data protection rules in over two decades. It replaces the Data Protection Directive 1995. It will also survive Brexit. If you’re currently subject to the DPA, you will likely be subject to the GDPR.
 
What’s new?
 
  • Rights for individuals to access the information that companies hold about them;
  • Universal application to all controllers and processors of personal data;
  • An obligation for better data management of businesses;
  • Increased requirements for the appointment of a Data Protection Officer;
  • Increased consent requirements; and
  • Increased fines for non-compliance.
 
The full GDPR can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/justice/data-protection/reform/files/regulation_oj_en.pdf
 
EU TRADE SECRETS DIRECTIVE: JUNE 2018
 
This directive will harmonise the definition of trade secrets. It will put companies, investors, creators and researchers on an equal footing, however journalists will still be free to investigate and publish business affairs as they do today. If you’re in business, it will require a refresh of your contractual terms, policies and procedures.
 
What’s new?
 
  • Harmonised definition of trade secrets;
  • Reasonable steps to keep matters secrets;
  • Companies must follow legal obligations to disclose information of public interest;
  • Safeguards for those acting in public interest who disclose a trade secret to reveal illegal activity, misconduct or a wrongdoing; and
  • Secondary liability.
 
The full TSD can be found at http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32016L0943
 
 
HOUSING AND PROPERTY
 
In the wacky world of housing and property, we have the following to get excited about:
 
  • The Government announced on 28 December that they would re-visit Houses of Multiple Occupancy, primarily widening mandatory licensing and introducing minimum room sizes.
  • At the same time, the Government also announced plans for a ‘rogue landlord’ database. The Greater London Authority already has one.
  • There are plans to review new-build leaseholds, namely scrapping ground rents (for both houses and flats) and preventing houses being leasehold.
  • The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation and Liability for Housing Standards) Bill gets its second reading on 19 January 2018. This is an important Bill which aims to review existing legislation in order to set a minimum level of standard for residential accommodation.
  • The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 will soon come into effect. That means that from 1 April 2018, residential properties which are let (including any renewal) must have an Energy Performance Certificate rating of at least E. There will be some minimum exemptions.
  • The Land Registry intends to keep data on their top 500 customers, and share details about conveyancer’s mistakes.
 
 
The changes are coming. Be ready.
  2018 01 08
Antony Wilson