Category: Your business

By Sajjid Kurmani, Consultant Solicitor at BMA Law GP partnership disputes rarely arise from one isolated event. More often, they develop gradually through a combination of governance gaps, communication breakdowns, historical decisions, and personal dynamics. When matters finally tip over the line into an open dispute, partners often feel pressure to act quickly. But acting without fully understanding the landscape can create significant risk. Over…

By Julian Norris, Consultant Solicitor BMA Law & Alya Yasmin, Consultant Solicitor BMA Law Lease renewals can be a challenge for GP practices. Unlike many other businesses, GP surgeries and other healthcare practices can’t just up sticks and move easily. They’re often tied to a location because of their contract with the commissioner, specialist layouts and regulatory hoops, leaving landlords with the upper hand when…

by Julian Norris   Partnership expulsions are often messy affairs, whether there are clear grounds to expel a wayward partner or the other partners have come together to make a decision under a green socks clause, often under the premise that they can no longer work with the partner that they propose expelling.   Even more organised terminations, where an amicable exit arrangement has been agreed,…

by Julian Norris The Partnership Act 1890, provides at section 1 (1), “Partnership is the relation which subsists between persons carrying on a business in common with a view of profit. ” Of course there is often a bit more to it than this and whilst there are usually profits to share, these can fluctuate and there can sometimes even be losses as well as…

by Daniel Jones Retiring from a GP Partnership requires a careful and structured approach to ensure a smooth transition and to avoid the possibility of a dispute (which are usually costly). The process of retirement for a GP Partner will vary depending on whether there is a Partnership Agreement in place. This article summarises the retirement process, covering both the process where there is a…

by Sofia Fadra Partnership Deed Q&A – is it time to update your partnership deed? Ensuring that you have an up-to-date partnership deed is essential. Your partnership deed will govern how you operate in partnership together. It will also help you navigate a partnership dispute if one arises.  To make a partnership deed as effective as possible, it is vital to keep it up to…

Can health workers be forced to vaccinate? The biggest vaccination programme in NHS history has been launched across England, with delivery to employees in the health and social sector a top priority. This is a momentous event and a huge moment in the battle with COVID-19, but it’s not without complications. The government have now announced that COVID-19 vaccinations are to become compulsory for staff…

As general medical practices continue to work hard to overcome the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the increased pressure on the partners in the partnership could trigger a partnership dispute. When partners fall out, it is important that the dispute is resolved quickly to minimise any disruption to the patients, the practice and the partnership. In certain circumstances, the other partners may feel…

Whenever you enter a new partnership, it is vital to have a written partnership agreement, to avoid it being deemed a Partnership at Will, governed by the Partnership Act 1890 (the “Act”). Here, Sana Sadiq, senior solicitor at BMA Law, explains the pitfalls of this default arrangement. What is a Partnership at Will? A Partnership at Will is a form of partnership that operates under…

Sana Sadiq, senior solicitor at BMA Law, looks at what the New to Partnership Payment scheme means for you. The New to Partnership Payment Scheme was announced in the Update to the GP Contract agreement 2020/21 – 2023/24. It was primarily designed to attract healthcare professionals in general practice into partnership opportunities by creating a learning fund to develop skills, coupled with a financial payment.…