NI meaning

Loss of earnings claims frequently arise in personal injury matters and can represent the biggest category of compensation in many cases. This checklist sets out the key points to weigh up when assessing historic earnings loss in practice. For guidance on general damages, including pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA), see: Valuing general damages—checklist. Considerations Details Potential evidence Further reading 13-week approach Where the claimant had stable employment, pre-accident net pay is usually derived from the average taken across the three months (13 weeks) immediately preceding the incident, producing a representative net pay figure. Potential evidence: payslips covering the three months/13 weeks before the accident. Further reading: Practice Note: Past loss of earnings; Commentary: Earnings: Butterworths Personal Injury Litigation Service [1303]–[1366]. Alternative approach If a 13-week mean is unsuitable or unrepresentative—such as with seasonal roles, fluctuating pay, bonuses, atypical weeks, holidays or overtime—use a longer look-back, for example the prior 6,...

In this issue: UK digital markets UK competition policy UK private actions EU antitrust Daily and weekly news alerts Caselex UK digital markets CMA opens first ‘SMS investigation’ under the DMCCA 2024 into Google’s general search and search advertising The CMA has begun an ‘initial SMS investigation’ under Part 1 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA 2024). This is the authority’s first SMS designation probe under the new DMCCA digital markets framework. The CMA’s power to designate undertakings with SMS, and potentially impose conduct requirements, took effect on 1 January 2025. The Investigation Notice states that Alphabet Inc, Google LLC, Google Ireland Limited and Google UK Limited (Google) provide general worldwide web search and information return (general search), and advertising to users of general search (search advertising). The CMA considers these meet the definition of a digital activity and can be treated as one activity. The Notice excludes specialised search service interfaces, such...

In this issue: Key developments and materials Air emissions and climate change Energy efficiency and buildings Energy efficiency of products Energy for environmental lawyers Environmental disputes and proceedings ESG and sustainability Hazardous substances and chemicals Marine Nature, biodiversity and habitat conservation Waste Water, flooding and drainage Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Trackers Useful information Key developments and materials Northern Ireland’s first Environmental Improvement Plan On 27 September 2024, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) unveiled Northern Ireland’s (NI) inaugural Environment Improvement Plan (EIP). Brendan Martyn, Director, and Caitlin McPeake, Solicitor, at Cleaver Fulton Rankin, share their views on the EIP. See News Analysis: Northern Ireland’s first Environmental Improvement Plan. UK Industrial Strategy Green Paper and Legal Services Invest 2035, the government’s industrial strategy green paper, was introduced at the International Investment Summit on 14 October 2024. A finalised...

In the matter of an application for Judicial Review by JR123 (Appellant) (Northern Ireland) [2025] UKSC 8 Background This appeal considers whether Northern Ireland’s arrangements for when convictions become ‘spent’, under the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1978, are compatible with the appellant’s Article 8 right to respect for private and family life in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). At the time of writing, the appellant is presently 66 years old now. In 1980, when aged 21, he was convicted of arson and of possessing a petrol bomb in suspicious circumstances. He received concurrent terms of imprisonment of five years and four years respectively, and he was released from custody in 1982. The appellant states that he is a fully rehabilitated member of society, expressing shame and regret for his offences. The respondent, the Department, does not seek to dispute that account at all...

The UK’s rules on hybrid and other mismatches Since 1 January 2017, the UK’s hybrid and other mismatch rules (described in this Practice Note as the hybrid rules) have been in force, designed to neutralise tax mismatches arising from how a hybrid instrument or hybrid entity is treated for tax. Although the hybrid rules typically apply to cross-border dealings involving two or more jurisdictions, they can also apply to transactions that are entirely UK domestic. They specifically address: deduction/non-inclusion mismatches (D/NI mismatches), i.e. where a payment under a hybrid mismatch arrangement is deductible in the payer jurisdiction for tax purposes but is not included in the taxable income of a payee or a related party investor; and double deduction cases (DD cases), i.e. where a payment under a hybrid mismatch arrangement gives rise to more than one tax deduction. For more detail on the hybrid rules, see Practice Note: Hybrid mismatches—introduction to the rules. For an overview in table form of...

Why are construction products regulated? Construction products are regulated to: confirm that any item entering the market meets all legal obligations, and build trust among consumers, public authorities and manufacturers regarding product conformity What sort of products are affected? ‘Construction product’ means any product or kit manufactured and placed on the market for permanent incorporation in construction works, or their parts, where its performance affects how those works satisfy the basic requirements. This includes items such as doors, windows, shutters and gates, membranes, thermal insulation, chimneys and flues, sanitary appliances, fire alarms, flooring, fire-retardant products, space heating appliances, power cables, glass, fixings, and many others. Key definitions Placing on the market ‘Placing on the market’ is the first time a construction product is made available on the GB market, as described in UK government guidance. Making available on the market ‘Making available on the market’ means any supply of a construction product for distribution or use...

This tracker monitors relevant EU-UK environmental law divergence and will be of interest to environmental lawyers. It captures significant areas where EU and UK rules diverge, though it is not an exhaustive catalogue. Where relevant, it flags internal UK differences (for example, between GB and NI, or between devolved administrations and the EU). The focus is on departures from EU Directives and Regulations; Decisions are not covered. UK consultations on principal divergence themes are noted. EU initiatives to introduce or amend legislation are added once the Council of the EU and the European Parliament have reached provisional agreement on the texts, enabling an indicative timetable for entry into force and applicability to be given. For a view of all EU environmental initiatives across every legislative stage, refer to our complete suite of EU environmental law trackers listed below. In this Practice Note, ‘divergence’ denotes differences in legislation, guidance or required standards arising after IP completion day (11 pm on 31 December 2020, marking the end of the...

To: Newcastle Pension Centre, Futures GroupThe Pension Service9 Post Handling Site AWolverhamptonWV98 1AFUK Date: [ insert date ] Dear Pension Service Our client: [ insert client’s name ] Date of birth: [ insert dd/mm/yyyy ] National Insurance number: [ insert NI number ] We represent [ insert client’s name ] in connection with divorce and financial proceedings. Please find enclosed: a letter of authority executed by our client permitting you to disclose information to us concerning their state pension [ a completed Form BR19 ] [ a completed Form BR20 ] We would be grateful if you would provide us with a [ state pension statement AND/OR cash equivalent (CE) valuation of any additional state pension ]. We look forward to hearing from you. Yours faithfully [ firm name ] Enc [ Form BR19 ] [ Form BR20 ]...

Basic Principles/Instructions for claiming 1 Statutory power for compiling an elected members’ allowance scheme The council, acting under powers granted by the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003, SI 1021/2003, hereby makes this scheme. It shall be known as the [ council name ] Members’ Allowances Scheme and takes effect from [ date ], remaining in force until amended or superseded by the adoption of a new scheme...

An apprentice qualifies for the lower apprentice rate of the national minimum wage (NMW) (currently £3.50 per hour) This entitlement applies where the individual is a worker who either: Is employed under: A contract of apprenticeship An apprenticeship agreement (as defined by section 32 of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (ASCLA 2009), since repealed but subject to transitional and saving provisions) An approved English apprenticeship agreement (as described in ASCLA 2009, s A1(3)) Or is regarded as employed under a contract of apprenticeship by virtue of taking part in one of these government schemes: England: Apprenticeships, Advanced Apprenticeships, Intermediate Level Apprenticeships, Advanced Level Apprenticeships, or Trailblazer Apprenticeships Scotland: Modern Apprenticeships Northern Ireland: Apprenticeships NI Wales: Foundation Apprenticeships, Apprenticeships, or Higher Apprenticeships Where any of the above apply, the worker meets the conditions for the...

Where an employee may hold potential claims against their employer under the Employment Rights Act 1996 (or under other employment legislation), or might otherwise have a claim for breach of contract, the parties can, in most circumstances, enter into a settlement agreement (previously called a compromise agreement) to bring the employment to an end on the terms specified in that document. Among other matters, the settlement agreement will set out and govern all sums and benefits due, or to be provided, to the employee by the employer...