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In a bizarre new legal ruling if you go to court and defend yourself against a speeding offence, and get acquitted you will still have costs to pay under new Government rules. The new Ministry of Justice scheme will result in a defendant acquitted in the courts to only be reimbursed at current legal aid rates, regardless of their actual level of costs. In many instances this could lead to innocent people paying Read more »

It has been estimated that there are in excess of 1 million businesses in the UK considered to be running ‘small fleets’ of company vehicles (25 or less). It would seem that the vast majority of these businesses don’t see themselves as running a ‘fleet’ of vehicles but they should be aware that the same rules and regulations regarding duty of care, health and safety and the Corporate Manslaughter Act along with Read more »

Corporate Manslaughter has now become real with the announcement that the first trial, as a result of charges under the Corporate Manslaughter Act, will take place next February and should serve as a wake up call to businesses that think it could never happen to them. Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings have been charged for breaches of the Act along with breach of section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act following the death of junior geologist, Alexander Wright on 5^th September 2008. Wright was Read more »

Even in these enlightened times and a greater awareness of employer responsibilities when it comes to health and safety at work relating to those who drive a car on business, a recent survey revealed that a third of drivers opt for the cash alternative to a company car. This is so dangerous as drivers who need as much money as they can save to simply pay their household bills, Read more »

 I have just read about a most bizarre scheme that seems to have the support of the courts but has caused lawyers and businesses great concern. It came to light in a recent case where the driver of a car involved in an accident  was handed a card by the at fault driver giving details of his employer and offering to assist with the repairs and arrange a replacement vehicle free of charge. The claimant rejected Read more »

The Health & Safety Act 2008, which increases penalties for those who break health and safety laws, has received its royal assent. The act raises the maximum penalty from £5,000 to £20,000 and the range of offences for which an individual can be imprisoned has also been broadened. I will hopefully be able to bring you more information over the next few weeks. Don’t forget that health and safety at work extends to vehicles used for company business. By Graham Hill

Finally it would seem that fewer people are using private cars for business since the Government chose not to adjust the Approved Mileage Allowance Payment (AMAP) in line with increasing running costs especially the increase in fuel costs. The rates are still set at 40 pence per mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25 pence per mile thereafter, tax and NI free. This rate was set six years ago Read more »

Warnings have been issued by Specsavers Corporate Eyecare regarding the lack of eye tests being insisted upon by employers. They recommend that all employees that drive a car as part of their job should have their eyes tested every year and at worst every other year, if not this lack of management could lead to prosecution of the employer in the event of a fatal injury. Their investigation found that 84% of employers recognised the need for Read more »

As the Government stands firm on it’s 6 year old Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAP) you should now consider the real benefits of paying for your own car personally and charging the business compared to having a company car. To remind you the AMAP rates are 40 pence per mile for the first 10,000 business miles and 25 pence per mile thereafter. The charge is tax and NI free but even 40% taxpayers are seeing the benefits badly eroded. The charge is to recover not just fuel but all Read more »