DPA's come into play

New plea bargaining measures called deferred prosecution agreements (or DPAs) may be used to combat corporate economic crime from today.

Damian Green, the justice minister, said: “[DPAs] will give prosecutors a much–needed new tool to hold wrong–doers to account, secure compensation for victims and enforce organisational reform to prevent future criminal behaviour."

(source: The Daily Telegraph - Business)

Commercial Landlords win legal battle over unpaid rent

Game, the computer game retailer, will have to pay £3m to a collection of Britain’s landlords after it lost a landmark legal case about unpaid rent.

 

The ruling by the Court of Appeal closes a legal loophole that meant companies could avoid paying rent for three months if administrators were appointed shortly after the quarterly rent day.

 

The case came to court after a consortium of property companies including Hammerson, British Land and Land Securities claimed they missed out on millions of pounds in rent when Game called in administrators in March 2012.

 

(source: Financial Times)

 

The ruling means that companies no longer have a rent free period by calling in administrators and using the legal loophole to their advantage.