Right to Repair Law to be Introduced this Summer
A new law is due to be introduced this summer giving consumers in the UK the ‘right to repair’ on the electronic goods they buy. The new law aims to extend the lifespan of appliances such as fridges, TVs and washing machines by up to ten years and to make them cheaper to run through […]
Statutory Declaration: A Complete Guide
Despite their historic origins, dating back almost two hundred years, statutory declarations are still commonly used to allow an individual to declare something to be true for the purposes of satisfying some legal requirement or regulation, often when no other evidence is available to prove the matter in question. The following guide examines the nature […]
Guide to UK Obscenity Laws
The obscenity laws in the UK are not limited to a single piece of legislation, nor indeed any one criminal offence. Following the introduction of the Obscene Publications Act 1959 — the first statute to criminalise the publication of obscene material — there are now a number of obscenity-related offences under several different pieces of […]
How to Get a Non Molestation Order
For victims of domestic abuse, a non molestation order can be used to prevent your abuser from harassing you further. In this article, we explain how to apply to court to get a non molestation order and what to do if you need to make an emergency application. What is a non molestation order? A […]
UK Immigration Rules: Upcoming Changes Announced
The Home Office has published a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, HC 1248. The majority of the amendments affect UK work and study visas under the points-based system, with most due to take effect on 6th April 2021, unless otherwise stated. Graduate route From 1 July 2021, student visa holders in the UK […]
Stamp Duty Holiday Extended Until 30 June
The UK Chancellor has confirmed in his Budget today that the £500,000 threshold for stamp duty will remain in place until 30 June. Under the temporary rules, homebuyers in England and Northern Ireland can continue to benefit from a higher threshold for stamp duty on house purchases. The tax break can see some homebuyers save […]
Furlough Scheme Further Extended to September
The UK Chancellor has confirmed in the 2021 Budget that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be further extended until September 2021. The furlough scheme has been subject to earlier extensions. Most recently, it had been scheduled to end in April, following a planned phase out as government contributions were set to decrease gradually in the […]
8 New Freeports Set to Launch in England in 2021
Eight new freeport sites are to be launched later this year in England. The sites will be at East Midlands Airport, Liverpool, Felixstowe, Humber, Plymouth, Thames, Teesside, and Solent. Freeports are international gateways offering a number of benefits to businesses operating on the sites, including “more generous tax reliefs, simplified customs procedures and wider government […]
Supreme Court Rules Uber Drivers Are ‘Workers’
The Supreme Court has upheld earlier courts’ rulings in a landmark decision that confirms Uber drivers are ‘workers’ and not self-employed subcontractors. The Court unanimously upheld a 2016 Employment Tribunal decision that said drivers are in a “position of subordination and dependancy to Uber“. While the decision relates to a limited number of drivers who […]
Bad Weather Policy (Employer Tips)
Extreme weather conditions can be hugely disruptive to business operations, if employees are snowed in at home, while others arrive several hours late due to travel disruption. Living in the UK, with its unpredictable and varied climate, it makes sense for employers to have a bad weather policy. This will help to minimise operational impact […]
Latest UK COVID travel restrictions
What are the latest COVID travel restrictions affecting arrivals into the UK? Travel corridors closed All quarantine-free travel corridors for people arriving into the UK have been closed indefinitely, and all arrivals from anywhere outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man must now present a negative Covid-19 test issued no more than […]
Why Ladies Night is Illegal: Nightclub Policy & Equality Act
From refusing entry to groups of men to offering discounted drinks for women, nightclubs risk breaking the law with discriminatory policies that could see them face claims for discrimination. Nightclub policies & discrimination: what the law says While nightclubs may have a general right to refuse entry, by law they have to ensure […]
Tier 2 General Visa Guide
The Tier 2 (General) visa is now closed to new applicants, and has been replaced by the Skilled Worker route. This article relates to the requirements for the old Tier 2 visa. If you are making a new visa application, you should apply under the Skilled Worker route. What is the Tier 2 (General) Visa? […]
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (How to Claim)
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been extended until 31 March 2021. The Chancellor has effectively reverted the scheme back to the August provisions, namely, that the Government will cover 80% of furloughed employees’ wages for businesses affected by the COVID-19 restrictions. Employers will be required to pay national insurance and pension contributions. Government contribution up […]
New food labelling guidance issued ahead of Natasha’s Law
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued detailed guidance for companies on new labelling laws coming into force in 2021. Under Natasha’s Law, allergen labelling rules will become a legal requirement on all ‘prepacked for direct sale’ food, with labels on affected products required to state all ingredient and allergen information. This includes food that […]
Conveyancing & witness-free electronic signatures – guidance imminent
HM Land Registry is expected to shortly release draft guidance on the use of electronic signatures that would exempt the requirement to have a witness to a conveyancing transaction. In a blog post last week, HMLR general counsel Mike Harlow said the organisation was “close” to sharing draft practice guidance for qualified electronic signatures. Land […]
Indoor & Outdoor Social Gatherings Above Six Banned in England from 14 September
Social gatherings of more than six people in England will become illegal from Monday 14 September. The new rule applies to people of all ages and will ban larger groups meeting anywhere socially indoors or outdoors. This includes gatherings in private homes, indoors and outdoors, and places such as pubs, restaurants, cafes and public outdoor […]
Compulsory Face Covering Rules Now in Force
The rules on wearing face coverings in England and Scotland have been extended from 8 August 2020. People must now wear face masks in museums, galleries, cinemas and places of worship, as well as shops, indoor shopping centres, transport hubs, supermarkets, takeaways, banks and on public transport. The mandatory requirements have become enforceable by law. […]
Home Office to End Use of Controversial Algorithm
The Home Office has confirmed it will cease use of its controversial algorithm within UK visa application processing. The announcement comes as migrant rights groups the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) and Foxglove prepared to challenge the use of the software by way of judicial review. Campaign groups claimed the tool was […]
High Court Rules Humanist Marriages Not Legally Recognised – Yet
Six UK couples have lost a landmark challenge over the legal recognition of humanist marriages. The High Court found that, despite constituting “discrimination”, humanist weddings are not legally recognised in the same way as religious ceremonies, but stopped short of saying the government is acting illegally. Under current law, couples marrying in a humanist ceremony […]