All the latest news from Caunce O'Hara http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news/index Insurer’s surveys will commonly result in the Risk Surveyor issuing either ‘requirements’ or ‘advice/recommendations’ and often a combination of both with very definite timescales for completion.   The timescale is a good indication of the ‘priority’ of these requirements.   Typically, any item with significant loss potential will require immediate attention.   The Surveyor will usually (but not always, as sometimes there is a need to discuss furt http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=4013 Introduction HMRC is using increasingly imaginative ways to maximise tax revenues. One way to do this is to limit the use of consultant’s providing their work through service http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=4003 We are delighted to be offering a range of liability insurance policies for the Institute of Paralegals members under a bespoke on - line scheme. For those working in this sector it makes good sense to visit the Institute's site at          www.theiop.org               for further details. A number of professions and occupations can be insured under the on - line scheme and members of t http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3803    We’ve been offering on – line insurance schemes to clients for over twelve years enabling us to become an award winning firm.   http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3993   Buying distressed businesses Jon Davage, corporate partner with law firm Bermans in Manchester, has some pointers for those seeking acquisition opportunities in a tough market   With continuing pressure being placed on business cashflows, it is a sad reality that many businesses will go into administration in 2012.   It is not all doom and gloom though, as insolvencies provide buyers with the ability to acquire assets and valuable customer contracts at reduced prices. However, acquisitions of this typ http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3983 IR35: WARNING TO CONTRACTORS NOT TO BE COMPLACENT OVER TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT   A recent first tier Tax Tribunal decision sent shockwaves across the independent contractor community when it decided that a contractor’s notional status for IR35 purposes changed during the period of his engagement with the client. (JLJ Services Limited v. Revenue & Customs [2011] UKFTT 766 (TC)).   In this case the contractor concerned provided services through his personal service company to a http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3973 Regarded as one of the best places in Europe for wind energy development, the UK has seen capacity increase over the last ten years form 406 MW to over 5,200 MW. 40 new wind farms came online in 2010 totalling almost 1.000 MW of additional capacity and the pipeline is looking strong with around 2,500 MW under construction and over 6,000 MW with consent. Plans for a further 9,200 MW is on the drawing board. Most UK wind farms are in Scotland, the NW and in Wales. Data produced in late 2010 reveals the fact that the renewables sector contributed to the UK's electricity http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3483 The Health and Safety Executive intends to charge £133 per hour for its inspectors’ time. The HSE plans to recover the costs it incurs from offending employers while it investigates a material breach of Health & Safely and any additional costs in providing the employer with a solution. If implemented in their present form, these proposals are likely to have serious financial implications for employers that are found to be in breach of Health & Safety laws. If, as seems likely, the proposals are adopted, the new system of charging co http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3963  We have, for many years, provided bespoke on – line insurance solutions for freelance professionals. Today we insure thousands of consultants in hundreds of occupations and professions.  Not only do we provide professional indemnity and other liability insurances for our clients but we’re experts in offering on – line schemes that can be white labelled (at no cost) by institutes and associations.  If you’re heading up a UK based institute, association or trade body and http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3903 The theme of recent bulletins relating to risk management and business continuity planning focus on steps that business owners can take to reduce future problematic issues. To enhance Caunce O'Hara's risk management and mitigation service we are recommending to clients that they consider a Legal Health Check to ensure procedures in place are sufficiently robust should issues arise, of a litigious nature particularly. Caunce O'Hara do not provide legal advice but are recommending that appropriate legal health checks are sought from experts in this fi http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3433 We're seeing more traffic visiting our websites and more people are joining our media sources daily. The site PRESS OFFICE provides  visitors with topical news on a range of subjects including industry developments, new initiatives from the firm, risk management news and more. We are active on Linked in so why not join the Caunce O'Hara Group today. Adrian Stewart's regular updates on Energy issues via twitter are to http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3553 Our bespoke on - line scheme for energy professionals   www.energycontractors.co.uk    enables applicants to select , purchase and have appropriate insurance certificates to hand in a matter of minutes. The wide cover available through  our policies ensures that industry professionals are equipped to carry out their duties with confidence. The vast majority of clients find the ease of purchase crucial as delays in being "on risk "c http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3393 CHAS is established as the market leader for Health & Safety pre-qualification in the UK. It is a non-commercial scheme available to suppliers and to organisations looking for suitably competent suppliers. CHAS isn't just for construction companies, it assesses Health & Safety for a whole range of suppliers, from care services to demolition contractors, designers and consultants. Increasingly CHAS is being used by organisations as a benchmark to assess the competency of its suppliers and potential suppliers.  Themis can put together your proposal and guide you though the applic http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3463 We recently launched an on – line scheme to meet client demand to be found at       www.freelanceinsure.ie If you’re based in Eire and are freelancing as an IT consultant, contracting in the construction sector, are media specialists or work in the legal arena we can help with your professional indemnity and other liability insurance requirements.  We’re also able to insure freelancers who are interim managers, http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3913 Themis evolved following the Wolfe Reforms in 1998 which saw the birth of the current ‘No Win No Fee' compensation culture. Initially the Company investigated alleged personal injury claims that were often exaggerated and even totally spurious. With the benefit of our thorough investigation, we were able to assist Companies defend these claims. Themis was thus ideally placed to advise and assist organisations set up, implement and monitor a good Health & Safety management programme which both helped them defend claims and create and maintain a safe, healthy http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=2523 We routinely offer the above liability covers but many clients seek clarity on the difference between the two. Business is based on a varied range of processes and activities that lead to risk and such risks have the potential to affect third parties. Those parties could include members of the public, sub-contractors, visitors and even trespassers who may be physically injured or whose property is damaged (or both). The insurance required to protect against such eventualities is PUBLIC LIABILITY (PL) INSURANCE. In the event that an employee or a sub-contract http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=2953 It’s been a memorable year here at Caunce O’Hara. New team members, a move to prestigious city centre offices, a third year on the run win at the CII Manchester awards and a number of exam successes for our number.   We continue to dominate the professional indemnity market with our award winning on &nda http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3953 Christmas office decorations, playground snowball fights and coins in puddings have all been wrongly banned as Health & Safety risks! Pantomime performers have also been stopped from throwing sweets to the audience using the “ridiculous” reason that it was a hazard. The HSE has published a list of so-called Ch http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3943 Christmas should be a safe aswell as a happy time and our dedicated Risk Surveyor, Steve Haines has thefollowing tips for reducing fire and safety risks during the season. Choose a fresh Christmas treewith higher moisture content that stays greener and position away         from ‘inception' hazards such as fire placesand televisions. Never use lighted candles on        Christmas trees! Artificial trees anddecorations sho http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3933 The widespread use of modern methods of construction together with the re emergence of timber frame construction has significantly increased the ‘fire risk’ during and after construction of many of multi storey buildings. The advantages of quick and low cost construction must be set against this increase in risk.   Although incidents of fire are rare they are increasingly hitting the headlines and causing concern to Insurance underwriters. http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3923 With plenty of sunshine, mild temperatures and talk of one of the warmest Autumns on record, the title to this note may seem somewhat optimistic. Should conditions take a turn for the worst, however, it is important that employers and occupiers are prepared and aware of their duties to staff and visitors in the context of the risk of possible injury presented by snow and ice.   Occupiers of Premises The Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 section 2(2) imposes a duty to ta http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3893 There are a number of simple actions to avoid potentially serious disruption to commercial risks during the cold weather and these are outlined. Ensure all stock is clear of the floor by at least 100mm with no contact with roof or walls. Staff should be aware of the location of the water supply stop valve and how to turn the supply off. Pipes and tanks vulnerable to freezing should be lagged. Background fixed heating should be used. Care must be taken combustible material is not sited near heaters. External pipes should be i http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3883 Excellent night had by all. A real mix of professional consultants, who play a significant part in the running of UK plc, turned out for the NFD event in the city. Great question & answer session to end. Star of the show?  - Kamal Ahmed of the Sunday Telegraph. Whilst the Market out there is challenging, the entrepreneurial streak wired into UK contractors will see them thrive. That was the clear message from keynote speakers and delegates alike. A real success for the PCG last night on all levels. http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3873 Delays in the discovery of fires and further delays in calling the fire brigade are major factors contributing to heavy fire losses.   An alarm helps ensure the fire brigade arrives at the premises before a fire gets out of control and also warns the occupants so the building can be safely evacuated at an early stage.   An effective automatic fire alarm system consists of fire detectors and manual call points throughout a building in zones. These are wired to control equipment which shows the location of the alarm call and actuates audible a http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3863 We're pleased to be supporting the PCG organised event at LSO St.Luke's in the city of London tonight.  Adrian Stewart will be there from 6:00 pm if you need guidance on our stable of bespoke on - line insurance schemes.  The event is set to be a great platform for vibrant discussion and will be supported by telegraphmediagroup. http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3853 The firm will be moving to a new office on 21st November. At the heart of Manchester city centre, our new address will be: 82 King Street Manchester M2 4WQ All telephone numbers and e mail addresses remain unaltered. http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3843 Target areas and cash offices are naturally often the most vulnerable areas to a determined attack in a risk premises. These include offices and store rooms where high concentrations of high value and ‘attractive' stock, components, equipment are kept and also cash offices.   Target areas should be sited within the main core area of the building, away from perimeter walls and preferably above ground floor with good intruder alarm/CCTV coverage. Good physical security can be supplemented with steel grille reinforcement to walls and ceilings and electronic a http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3833 Adrian Stewart's attendance at the Society of Petroleum Engineers Arctic & Extreme Environments Technical Conference & Exhibition held in Moscow (18 - 20 October) showed Caunce O'Hara's commitment to supporting and understanding the challenges faced by UK supply chain operators now that agreement has been struck by Russia and its neighbours regarding the division of land in the Arctic shelf region. Russia - in the words of many who attended the two day event, is fated to be wealthy as it becomes the world leader in oil & gas reserves and res http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3823   The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires any occupier of a premises to have "a suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment" in place. Failure to have a Fire Risk Assessment in place could lead to a fine, imprisonment or the closure of a premises by the Fire Officer. At present, your local Fire Officer is targeting businesses where there is a significant risk of a fire occurring such as restaurants, cafes, pubs and hotels. As a specialist Health & Safety Company with a wealth of knowledge and ex http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3813 Caunce O'Hara is delighted to announce the launch of a new site that enables contractors in Eire to buy on - line. Our current, market leading scheme for freelancers            www.freelanceinsure.co.uk            &nb http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=3793