PCG Newsletter - 27th November, 2001 - 36/01 JR Appeal

In this issue:

• PCG Appeal of judicial review set for December 4-6, 2001
• PCG Shop and book discounts
• Members Resolutions
• Real Life Meetings

PCG Appeal of judicial review
The PCG is taking the Government to the Court of Appeal from December 4-6, 2001 to seek to prove that IR35 is illegal under European law.

Earlier this year, the membership of the PCG decided to continue the legal process and fund the Appeal, which will claim that IR35 contravenes European legislation on two counts - illegal state aid and a barrier to free movement - and therefore should be removed from the Statute Books.

The original judicial review was held in the High Court in March 2001; and on April 2, 2001, Mr Justice Burton found against the PCG on the points of law; but found in the Group's favour on all findings of fact and was critical of the Inland Revenue's approach to the legislation.

PCG's Chairman, Jane Akshar, said: "The High Court found in PCG's favour on so many factual issues that we felt it was only a small step to prove that not only is this law unfair and uncompetitive - it is also illegal."

The PCG will be operating an office throughout the case and any members of the PCG and their contacts are invited to call in at any time to meet other members, directors, suppliers and some of PCG's contacts and associates.

The PCG office will be in:

The Cheshire Cheese,
5 Little Essex Street,
London WC2 - close to the High Court from early til late each day (December 4-6, 2001).

(PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese in Fleet Street).

Details of arrangements are on the PCG's press forum in a number of threads - look out for titles starting with JR:....
www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/wwwthreads.pl?a=l&f;=press&p;=0&v;=c&s;=5

NB. To make this link you must be a full member of PCG and logged into the discussion forums – see info at end of message.

Counsel for PCG are Mr Gerald Barling QC and Miss Kelyn Bacon both of Brick Court Chambers. They are instructed by Tony Askham, head of litigation at Bond Pearce, Solicitors.

PCG will be posting a comprehensive background briefing about the case and regular statements and updates on a dedicated site: http://www.ir35update.co.uk.

Additional background information on the legal process and history of the IR35 JR is available in the legal section of the PCG site:
www.pcgroup.org.uk/members/legal/index.html

PCG Shop and Book discounts
PCG-branded merchandise is now available, including

• Document bags
• 2002 Diaries
• Mousemats
• Lapel badges

Details of prices and how to order are available:
www.pcgroup.org.uk/members/resources/pcg_shop.html

Also, members are now able to purchase two key IR35 related books at special PCG rates. The books are written by two of PCG's key advisors, Dave Smith of Accountax and Anne Redston of Ernst & Young:

Use the link below to buy IR35:

• Personal Service Companies By Anne Redston, for £44.50 (save £5)
• Tolley's IR35 Defence Strategies: From Contracts to the Commissioners By David Smith. £22.50 - 50% discount

www.pcgroup.org.uk/members/book_order.html

Members' resolutions
There is a members' forum on the site where members can post their own resolutions and seek support. Current 'live' resolutions can be viewed at:
www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/wwwthreads.pl?a=l&f;=28

REGIONAL NEWS

Real Life Meetings
For the latest information and to start a local group see www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/wwwthreads.pl?a=l&f;=meet

To promote your local meet through the newsletter - email [email protected] with REGIONS in the subject matter, details of the event and a name and email contact point/or phone number for further information.

Herts - Old Welwyn
Christmas meal: Thursday 29th November at Jade Palace, 23-25 Middle Row, Old Town High St, Stevenage, Starts at 8pm

Cheshire Cheese, London 4/5/6 December (JR Appeal)
Tuesday 4th Dec - Upstairs (old War Room) available all day. Wednesday 5th Dec - Upstairs (old War Room) until 1700, then basement. Thursday 6 Dec - Basement bar all day.

Amsterdam
Thursday 6th December Venue: "In de Wildeman" which is in easy staggering distance of Centraal Station. Time:From 8pm

Christmas meal
Under discussion - see CLC Xmas Bash – Friday 7th December, Details to be released shortly here: https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-4221&p;=0&v;=c&s;=5

Yorkshire
Yorkshire RLM Xmas Dinner Friday 7th December Time: 7.30pm Venue: Jinnah on Micklegate in York

Newcastle upon Tyne
Tuesday 11th December Venue: The next meeting will be in the Carriage pub (Archbold Terrace - 2 minutes from Jesmond Metro station) Time: 7.30pm

Thames Valley
Thames Valley Xmas Meal - Tuesday 18th December Venue: Yangze Chinese Restaurant – Windsor Contact: Robert Broxup -

Glos/Wilts/Worcs
Christmas 'Do' Tuesday 18th December Time: Lunchtime Venue: Golden Heart, Nettleton Contact: Susie Haigh

Please follow this link to Real Life meetings to get involved
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/wwwthreads.pl?a=l&f;=meet

Mark Roderick
(PCG Executive Team)

This newsletter is published by the Professional Contractors Group. Please feel free to circulate the newsletter to other independent contractors who you know, and who may be interested in joining the PCG. Some links in the newsletter will take you into the password-protected members' area of the PCG website. If you have forgotten your password, contact https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/scripts/public/access/form.pl

To view the Forum links in this newsletter, you must be first logged into the Forum. Further details available at https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/members/discussion_forum.html