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GLOSSARY

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What does Business mean?

The term "business" used in the UK legislation must be construed, as far as possible, to give effect to Directive 2006/112/EC, which uses the terminology "economic activity".

The term is not defined exhaustively, and it may not be possible or desirable to do so. Similar activities carried on by different persons may constitute a business in some cases but not in others, and the term may not have the same meaning wherever used in the VAT legislation. The following, amongst other things, have been identified in the relevant legislation and decided cases as a "business": carrying on any trade, profession or vocation; exploiting tangible and intangible property for the purpose of obtaining income on a continuing basis, but not in the passive role of an investor; the provision of facilities or advantages by a club, association or organisation to its members for a subscription or other consideration; admitting persons to any premises for a consideration; specified activities carried on by states, regional and local governments authorities, and other bodies governed by public law, unless the activities are carried out on such

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Determining applicable law and jurisdiction, and the territorial scope of statutory employment rights—checklist

Determining applicable law and jurisdiction, and the territorial scope of statutory employment rights—checklist This Checklist provides an overview of the questions to be asked when determining: • which system of law is applicable to a contract of employment or employment relationship (applicable law) • whose courts and/or tribunals should decide an employment case (jurisdiction), and • how the courts and employment tribunals decide what statutory rights, if any, an employee who works abroad and/or has a foreign employer (territorial application or scope of statutory employment rights) Brexit impact From exit day (31 January 2020) the UK ceased to be an EU Member State but, in accordance with the transitional arrangements provided in the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK was in an implementation period (IP) until 11pm on 31 December 2020, known as ‘IP completion day’. During this period, the UK continued to be treated by the EU as a Member State for many purposes. While it could not participate in the political institutions and governance structures of the EU, the UK...

A summary checklist and timeline for bringing misfeasance, fraudulent trading and wrongful trading claims under sections 212, 213, 246ZA, 214 and 246ZB of the Insolvency Act 1986

A summary checklist and timeline for bringing misfeasance, fraudulent trading and wrongful trading claims under sections 212, 213, 246ZA, 214 and 246ZB of the Insolvency Act 1986 Checklist This Checklist is in relation to claims under sections 212–214, 246ZA and 246ZB of the Insolvency Act 1986 (IA 1986), being commenced by an insolvency office-holder. For further reading on claims under IA 1986, ss 212–214, 246ZA and 246ZB generally, see Practice Notes: • Misfeasance claims under section 212 of the Insolvency Act 1986 • Fraudulent trading claims under sections 213 and 246ZA of the Insolvency Act 1986 • Wrongful trading claims under sections 214 and 246ZB of the Insolvency Act 1986 Step/action Time (days) Section/rule 1. Investigate the events and circumstances leading to the insolvency of the company and the matters giving rise to the claim(s) against the respondent(s). This would include obtaining the company's books and records, interviewing directors, former directors and any persons with information concerning the promotion, formation, business, dealings, affairs or property of the company.It...

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Forms of business vehicle—fundamentals

There are many forms of business vehicle and it is important that the most appropriate form of vehicle is chosen to carry on a business; the choice of vehicle may have a bearing on the business’s success or failure.Not every vehicle will suit the needs and demands of a business. Each vehicle has its advantages and disadvantages. The decision as to which vehicle to use to carry on a particular business will be complex and is dependent on various legal, tax and commercial considerations; there may not be a perfect fit.In addition, the vehicle originally chosen to carry on a particular business may not continue to be the right choice for that business as it develops and matures. The vehicle chosen to carry on a business should be kept under periodic review. If the original choice of vehicle to carry on a business becomes unsuitable, an alternative vehicle may take over that business, although a change of vehicle may be costly, depending on the circumstances.This fundamentals note considers the different...

Family businesses

Many family businesses start out with quite an informal governing structure in place; the family members have an understanding of their roles and relationships with each other, and decisions are made quickly at the kitchen table. The nature of many family businesses is that they are informal and flexible and their objectives are often driven by doing the best for the family according to the family's values, rather than purely for the profit of the owners. However, as the business grows and more members of the family and other employees start working with them, it becomes more and more difficult to manage the business in this way.This Practice Note considers the advantages and disadvantages of formalising the family business, choosing a structure for a family business and family charters.Formalising the family business—advantages and disadvantagesThe main advantage of having an informal structure for a family business is flexibility. An informal structure gives family members the ability to make quick decisions and the freedom to run the business in any way they...

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Six-week follow-up evaluation form

Six-week follow-up evaluation form Background information Name Role Department/team Contact details Course attended Course date Course evaluation Has the business need originally identified been addressed? ☐ Yes☐ No If yes, please confirm how this has been addressed.If no, please specify why not. Have your two key learning objectives/expectations been met? ☐ Yes☐ No If not, please specify why not. Is any further training required? ☐ Yes☐

Consultancy agreement—company and individual—pro-client (short form)

Consultancy agreement—company and individual—pro-client (short form) [ON HEADED NOTEPAPER OF CLIENT COMPANY] [Insert consultant’s name] [Insert consultant’s address] [Insert date] Dear [insert consultant’s name] [ Consultancy agreement OR Insert name of project ] Further to our recent discussions, I am pleased to confirm the terms of our agreement regarding the provision of your consultancy services to [insert name of client company] (Company). 1 Term 1.1 [Subject to the terms set out in this letter, your engagement [will commence OR commenced] on [insert date] and will continue unless or until either party gives to the other not less than [insert number] [weeks’ OR months’] prior notice in writing. OR 1.2 Your engagement will be for a fixed period of [insert number] months from [insert date], subject to the terms of this letter and subject to the right of either the Company or you to give to the other not less than [number] [weeks’ OR months’] notice in writing during such fixed period terminating the...

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Where can I find information relating to FCA perimeter issues?

Where can I find information relating to FCA perimeter issues? The FCA's Perimeter Guidance manual (PERG) provides guidance about the circumstances in which authorisation is required, or exempt person status is available, including guidance on the activities which are regulated under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the Act) and the exclusions which are available. Application of the Perimeter Guidance manual (PERG) PERG applies to: • a person who is considering carrying on activities in the United Kingdom which may fall within the scope of the Act and is seeking guidance on whether he/she needs to be an authorised person • a person who seeks to become an authorised person under the Act and who is, or is considering, applying for Part 4A permission to carry on regulated activities in the United Kingdom • a person who is seeking guidance on whether any communication he/she may be seeking to make or cause to be made will be a financial promotion and be subject to the restriction...

I have a client who is UK tax resident but non-domiciled. He holds some dollar bonds in his clean capital accounts. Can I check whether foreign currency bonds are exempt from capital gains tax as qualifying corporate bonds (QCBs)? Can you please confirm the rules in relation to them? Separately, on remittance does any gain on QCBs have to be declared?

I have a client who is UK tax resident but non-domiciled. He holds some dollar bonds in his clean capital accounts. Can I check whether foreign currency bonds are exempt from capital gains tax as qualifying corporate bonds (QCBs)? Can you please confirm the rules in relation to them? Separately, on remittance does any gain on QCBs have to be declared? In this Q&A, we have assumed that the individual is a remittance basis user by way of claim and the bonds are non-UK situs assets for the purposes of capital gains tax (CGT). For CGT purposes, a bond is a qualifying corporate bond (QCB) if it is a security the debt on which represents a normal commercial loan ‘expressed in sterling’ with no conversion into or redemption in another currency (section 117 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 (TCGA 1992)). Bonds that are dollar denominated are unlikely to meet the requirement of being expressed in sterling and therefore will not be a QCB...

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CMA publishes guidance on 4Ps under the Digital Markets Competition Regime

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published guidance on 30 April 2025 on how it intends to implement the "4Ps", ie the four key principles it had announced in the context of its 2025–2026 annual plan in March 2025: pace, predictability, proportionality and process. The CMA's annual plan set out how the organisation intends to work with the new powers granted to it under the new Digital Markets Competition Regime by the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. The CMA aims to promote business trust and confidence through the 4Ps and encourage investment and innovation. The guidance sets out what the CMA has done previously to deliver on each principle, and what it intends to do in future.

EU Competition law—daily round-up (30/04/2025)

A round-up of EU competition law developments, including (amongst other things) (1) the General Court dismisses Symrise’s appeal against dawn raid in fragrance cartel investigation, and (2) the General Court dismisses appeal regarding Deutsche Lufthansa’s challenge against Commission decision to grant Frankhurt Hain airport following referral back from Court of Justice.

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