Asylum Seeker (Essential Information)
Every person has the right to live free from persecution, or the fear of persecution, based on their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Though every government is obligated to provide this right, many fail. Every year millions of people face persecution for traits they cannot control or exercising […]
Asylum Statement Sample (Preparing your Claim)
To improve your chances of getting asylum, you should draft a written statement that explains your story and why you need protection. Using a sample written asylum statement as a basis, you can make sure you are including the right information to help with your claim. The following questionnaire will prompt you and help you […]
What is a Refugee?
It is enshrined in law that everybody has the right to seek asylum in other countries for protection from persecution in your home country. Chances for recognition as refugee vary from country to country, depending on factors such as what happened to the individual in their country of origin and what will happen to them […]
Refugee Children (How to Claim UK Asylum)
Asylum in the UK is available to refugee children who are unable to live safely in any part of their own country because of fear of persecution. A person of any age may qualify for refugee status under the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees where they fear persecution because of their […]
Mobility clause: advice for employers
Mobility clauses can be a blessing and a curse. If drafted carefully and with thought, they can assist an employer to maintain its workforce if the workplace has to change location and so provide certainty in this regard. However, if the wording is drafted too widely, is unreasonable or the employer fails to adequately consider […]
Working from home policy: HR guidelines
Permitting employees to work from home is by no means a new concept for many companies and organisations, but the number of employees working from home in consequence of the coronavirus outbreak is unprecedented. For employers where homeworking has not previously been used, or at least not on such a large scale, it has become […]
Consumer Rights: Faulty Goods under Warranty
If an item you have purchased develops a fault, should you rely on your legal rights or make a claim under the warranty? What is a warranty? A warranty is, in essence, an insurance policy for your purchase. It is in addition to your statutory legal rights. It may be provided by the retailer or […]
ID1 Form Land Registry (How to Complete it!)
The ID1 form is used to provide evidence of identity to the Land Registry for a private individual in respect of certain property-related applications. The ID1 form is required when making one of the following applications: a) a transfer of land or a transfer of a mortgage b) an amendment to a deed or […]
Employment case law update April 2020
A number of key employment law cases of significance for employers have recently been decided. Vicarious liability WM Morrisons Supermarkets plc v Various Claimants [2020] UKSC 12 and Barclays v Various Claimants [2020] UKSC 13 On 1 April 2020 the Supreme Court handed down two judgments in Barclays Bank Plc v Various Claimants [2020] UKSC […]
Home Working Risk Assessment (Employer Guide)
Given the current work from home requirements due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the phased return to work post-lockdown, home working is expected to become more widely adopted. For employers, this means giving full consideration as to how home working will work on a longer term basis, and what this means in terms of assessing […]
Should I Furlough My Employees?
Businesses forced to close to reduce the spread of coronavirus and those that are still operating but seeing no or very little work are now looking to lay offs, asking workers to take unpaid leave or to furlough employees to reduce their outlay on salaries. Can you force employees to take unpaid leave? Despite the […]
Statutory layoff pay: guide for employers
In the current climate, where the coronavirus crisis has forced the closure of many UK businesses, or resulted in a significant downturn in profits, employers may be looking to temporarily suspend workers’ employment. To avoid use of layoffs and redundancies, the Government has introduced the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which reimburses employers employment costs such […]
Home working: employer guidance
Given the current work from home requirements due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the phased return to work post-lockdown, home working is expected to become more widely adopted. For employers, this means giving full consideration as to how home working will work on a longer term basis, and what this means in terms of assessing […]
SSP1 Form (Employer Guide)
Understanding how Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) works is an important part of being a responsible employer, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic. If you want to find out more about SSP and when to use the SSP1 form, the following guide covers the rules on employee entitlement, notice, self-certifying and fit notes, as well as […]
Protected Characteristics in the Workplace
The Equality Act 2010 was introduced as the primary piece of legislation for the enforcement and prevention of discrimination. Its powers extend to the workplace, supporting anti-discrimination in all areas of employment. The Act covers the specific ways in which certain personal characteristics known as protected characteristics are safeguarded, and looking specifically at employment, sets […]
MOTs Extended Due to Coronavirus
MOT expiry dates are being pushed back for some cars, motorcycles, light vans, lorries, buses and trailers in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. MOTs for cars, vans and motorcycles MOTs due on or after 30 March 2020 For cars, vans and motorcycles with MOTs due on or after 30 March 2020, the MOT expiry date […]
Compulsory redundancy: employer guidance
To ensure the survival of your business you may find yourself forced to make financial cuts, including reducing your payroll liabilities. Alternatively, your organisation may have undergone a complete restructure, or you may have invested in new technology, making certain roles obsolete. Whatever the business driver behind redundancy, employers must in all cases follow a […]
Coronavirus: Making Workforce Changes
Employers are having to make difficult workforce decisions in response to the coronavirus outbreak. [toc] While the Government introduces emergency schemes to avert widescale layoffs and redundancies, employers need to be aware of the employment law implications of making changes to a worker’s contract terms. We look at some frequently asked questions from employers relating […]
Family Court Issues Coronavirus Child Arrangements Advice
The Family Court has provided guidance for parents concerned about complying with child arrangement orders (CAOs) during the coronavirus crisis. Alongside the Stay at Home Rules issued on 23 March 2020, the Government provided specific guidance relating to child arrangement orders, stating that “where parents do not live in the same household, children under 18 […]
Coronavirus: Caring For Dependants (Employer Guide)
Update to article following Government guidance on 4th April: Furloughing workers to care for dependants On 4 April, the Government issued specific guidance expanding the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to allow employees to be furloughed to carry out caring responsibilities. The guidance states that workers unable to do their jobs because of caring responsibilities resulting from […]