Can Police Retain DNA & Fingerprints?
If you have ever been arrested and had to provide your fingerprints or a DNA sample, you may want to know how long the police will retain your biometric information, especially where your arrest did not lead to charges or a conviction. What are the rules in England and Wales on DNA and fingerprint retention […]
Divorce Settlement FAQs
A divorce settlement is the part of the divorce process when assets are divided and any other financial arrangements are decided. In this guide, we answer frequently asked questions about financial settlements in divorce proceedings. Even in the most amicable scenarios, where agreement has already been reached between former spouses or civil partners on mutually […]
Form E Divorce Financial Statements: Everything You Need to Know
Courts rely on financial disclosures when determining financial remedies in divorce and dissolution of civil partnership proceedings. This guide to the Form E explains what Form E is, what information it requires parties to disclose, and the potential consequences of lying on Form E, including the consequences of lying about cohabiting on Form E. What […]
Form D81 & Consent Orders
Form D81 is used to provide information about divorcing parties’ financial situation in support of an application for a consent order. If you and your former spouse are able to agree on how to split your money and assets on divorce or civil partnership dissolution, you can avoid a contested hearing and the acrimony and […]
Former UK Twitter Employees Threaten Legal Action for Unfair Dismissal
Dozens of former Twitter employees in the UK are preparing to bring legal action against the tech giant for unfair dismissal. A letter seen by the Financial Times was sent to Twitter on 10 January by law firm Winckworth Sherwood on behalf of 43 former Twitter employees, claiming “unlawful, unfair and completely unacceptable treatment” to […]
Can Directors Sell Company Assets Without Shareholder Approval?
When disposing of company assets, there are specific statutory provisions in place which mean that shareholder approval must first be obtained in certain circumstances. The following article provides a detailed response to the commonly asked question: ‘Can directors sell company assets without shareholder approval?’. Can directors sell company assets without shareholder approval? There are many […]
New UK Laws For 2023
What new laws are set to be introduced in the UK in 2023? We summarise the key legislative changes for the year ahead. Removal of EU law When the UK left the EU in 2020 all the EU laws were effectively changed into British law to allow for as smooth a transition as possible. The […]
Solicitors
Solicitors are regulated professionals. To be called a solicitor, an individual has to be an authorised member of the industry’s regulatory body, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). The SRA acts to maintain standards across the industry and issues a practising certificate annually to all qualified individuals. The SRA maintains a register of all qualified and […]
How to Make a Personal Licence Application
Under the Licensing Act 2003, every sale of alcohol from licensed premises in England and Wales must be authorised by a personal licence holder. The following guide looks at the eligibility criteria when making a personal licence application, as well as some of the practical challenges you might face when applying for a personal alcohol […]
Model Articles for Private Companies
The Model articles are the default set of articles for UK limited companies incorporated on or after 1 October 2009. In this guide, we look at what Articles of Association and Model Articles are, as required when setting up a new company under UK law. What are Articles of Association? Articles of Association are a […]
Repudiation of Contract
Sometimes, the parties to a contract do not always perform their contractual obligations in the way they agreed. This can lead to a breakdown in relations between the parties and ultimately it can mean the end of the contract. Repudiation of contract is a serious breach of contract, which gives the innocent, or aggrieved, party […]
24/7 Support Line For Rape Victims Launched
Rape victims in England and Wales now have access to 24/7 help, with the launch of a new 24/7 Support Line from 7 December 2022. Specialist operators will be accessible 24/7 through telephone or webchat to give victims critical information and emotional support, including referrals for longer-term, local resources such as Independent Sexual Violence Advisors […]
How to Get a Dog Breeding Licence
Dog breeders are required by law to meet various health and welfare conditions, including obtaining and retaining a dog breeding licence. The following guide to the law on dog breeding looks specifically at the licensing requirements, from who needs to obtain a dog breeding licence (in England) and the conditions that must be met, to […]
Workplace investigations: your employees’ rights
Before an employer takes any disciplinary action, they first have to carry out a balanced and unbiased workplace investigation to establish the facts and ensure objective decision-making. This guide to workplace investigations will help employers understand their employees’ rights and their own obligations under UK law. What is a workplace investigation? A workplace […]
Apprenticeship levy: who pays?
Apprenticeship levy: who pays? The apprenticeship levy equates to a relatively small monthly tax charge for large employers, but can be hugely beneficial to all businesses, providing essential funding to develop invaluable apprenticeship programmes and to boost workforce training. However, it is important for employers to fully understand how the apprenticeship levy scheme works, to […]
Statutory employment payments 2023-2024
Statutory employment payments 2023-2024 Employers must ensure they are paying the correct rates for statutory employment payments, and take action to review and update policies and documents to reflect changes in the prevailing rates. Statutory sick pay (SSP) From April 2022, statutory sick pay is set at £99.35 per week. From 2 April 2023, SSP […]
The key to inclusive leadership
Inclusive leadership has emerged as a unique and essential tool to help businesses adapt to diverse markets, customers, talent, and ideas. It balances all these elements by using their talents to swiftly react and adapt to alternate perspectives and diverse scenarios with a non-judgmental and open approach in order to bring about the best possible […]
Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill Set For 2023
The UK government is expected to publish the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill imminently. The new law is set to overhaul UK competition and consumer protection laws. The Bill implements the government’s digital markets strategy, introducing reforms to consumer protection and competition law, while giving the Digital Markets Unit (DMU) new powers to enforce a […]
Health and safety induction checklist
Health and safety induction checklist As an employer, complying with your statutory duty to ensure the health and wellbeing of your workforce, (as well as customers and visitors) runs throughout the lifecycle of employment, from day one. An effective induction procedure should include information about workforce health and safety best practice. A health and safety […]
How to Use Right to Work Share Codes
How to Use Right to Work Share Codes Employers in the UK are under a legal duty to check the right to work status of all its workers. One of the ways employers can do this is using online status checks. This guide on right to work share codes is for employers, managers and HR […]