Visiting Rights to Legally Become Part of Health & Care Settings
New secondary legislation is set to be introduced giving the legal right for visits in health and care settings. Under plans announced by the Department of Health and Social Care, visiting is to become a legal requirement for hospitals, care homes, mental health units and other health and care settings. The move follows Labour MP […]
Landlords’ Guide to Sitting Tenants
In this landlords’ guide, we will cover what you need to know about sitting tenants, including what the term means, their rights and obligations, and what you can do when selling or buying property with a sitting tenant. What is a sitting tenant? A sitting tenant, also known as a tenant in situ, is a […]
New Economic Crime Bill Amendment Tackles SLAPPs
The UK government has announced new legislation to prevent large corporations and wealthy individuals from hindering investigative journalism and free speech using so-called SLAPP (strategic litigation against public participation) claims. Under the proposed amendments to the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill, judges will be given new powers to dismiss claims deemed to have been brought […]
CMA Increases Reward for Cartel Informants to up to £250,000
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is enhancing its enforcement efforts against illegal cartels by offering a reward of up to £250,000, up from £100,000, to individuals who report illegal cartel activity. Illegal cartels, which consist of businesses agreeing not to compete in order to keep their prices high, prevent consumers and other businesses from […]
Not Getting Paid for Work I’ve Done: Your Rights
If you’ve not been paid for work you’ve completed, you will want to understand your rights and options. The following guide on your right to be paid, and to be paid on time, examines the employer’s obligations around the issue of pay, and whether or not they can refuse to pay or pay when they […]
Postnuptial Agreement Guide
When you’re getting married, it can seem counter-intuitive to contemplate separation or divorce. Still, it is not uncommon for couples to plan for the possible breakdown of their relationship by way of a prenuptial agreement. But even without a prenup in place prior to marriage, an agreement can be reached at any point after the […]
IVF Laws in the UK
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) has become one of the most revolutionary medical and scientific advancements of our time. IVF is the process of fertilisation that takes place outside of the human body with the embryo being returned to the body to be carried through to birth. While the treatment is not guaranteed to be successful, IVF […]
Prenuptial Agreements: Not Just For the Rich & Famous
A prenuptial agreement can help provide more clarity and certainty about how assets, funds and debts are dealt with after a couple divorces. Traditionally considered to be the preserve of the rich and famous, prenuptial agreements are becoming increasingly common as couples look to exert more control over their finances should they separate. Perhaps you […]
Rights Without a Lease (A Guide for Commercial Tenants!)
Ordinarily, commercial property landlords and business tenants should sign a written tenancy agreement setting out the terms of the lease. This provides certainty of both parties’ rights, obligations and clarity of how to resolve any disputes that may arise. It is not generally advisable to lease a commercial property without a written agreement. Issues typically […]
Government set to stop student visa holders bringing family members to UK
The UK Government has announced visa changes that will prevent most international students from being able to bring family members with them to the UK as dependants. A joint statement issued by the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, and Education Secretary, Michelle Keegan, on 23 May 2023 stated that the UK’s student dependent visa is to […]
How to Complete C100 Form
Where parents are separating, there can often be disagreement as to the custody or contact arrangements for their children. In these cases, a formal application may need to be made to the court by one parent for a Child Arrangement Order using Form C100. The following article to the C100 form looks at the nature […]
Surrogacy Laws: Rights of Parents & Surrogates
Surrogacy is an arrangement where a woman agrees to carry a baby for someone else, usually where that person is unable to conceive or carry a baby for themselves. Using a surrogate or agreeing to become a surrogate is a huge life decision, making it important for those involved to understand their legal rights before […]
Child Arrangement Order: Essential Guidance
A child arrangement order is a court order stipulating who has primary care of the child(ren), and the nature of any contact with the non-resident parent or wider family members. It is not uncommon for divorcing or separating parents to struggle to reach an agreement about child custody or contact, especially if the separation has […]
Grandparents’ Rights to Contact with Grandchildren
The role of a grandparent has become increasingly important in modern family life. When a family dispute comes in the way of that relationship, do grandparents have any rights to protect access to their grandchildren? Do grandparents have the right to see their grandchildren? The current legal positioning England and Wales is that only people with […]
Divorce Mediation: Practical Guide
Divorce mediation can offer separating couples a quicker, more cost-effective and risk averse approach to dealing with child arrangement and financial orders. In this practical guide, we look at what’s involved in the divorce mediation process when deciding post-separation financial arrangements. What is divorce mediation? When you decide to divorce or end a civil partnership, […]
Spousal Maintenance Rules
When a married couple or civil partners separate, it is not uncommon for the financially weaker spouse or partner to seek regular payments from their ex to help with living costs. The following comprehensive guide to spousal maintenance for separating couples looks at the key aspects of this form of financial arrangement, from what this […]
Prohibited Steps Order Guide
If you have serious concerns about decisions being made in relation to your child’s upbringing, you may be able to apply for a Prohibited Steps Order (PSO). What is a Prohibited Steps Order? A Prohibited Steps Order is used to prevent someone from exercising their parental responsibility and taking specific action regarding a child. Under […]
Types of Trust: Guide for Families
Trusts offer a way to protect and manage your assets both during your lifetime and after your death. Assets that can be put into trust include money, shares and investments, and property. But with so many different types of trust, how do you know which is best for your needs? What is a trust? Although […]
No-Fault Evictions to be Abolished
So-called ‘no fault evictions’ are set to be abolished under new government plans aimed at tackling rogue landlords. The new Renters’ (Reform) Bill will eliminate the right to evict tenants without having to prove fault. Communities Secretary Michael Gove said the measure is aimed at a “minority” of landlords who mistreat their tenants, as he […]
Do You Need a Declaration of Trust?
A declaration of trust is commonly used to define ownership rights in relation to a property where multiple parties have contributed to the purchase price. It acts a written record of the financial arrangement between the owners, outlining the proportion of the purchase price that each party paid and the conditions of the ongoing ownership. […]