Updated guidance published on age discrimination in the workplace
New age discrimination guidance for employers has been published to help businesses tackle the root causes of discriminatory acts in the workplace. In the 27-page document, ACAS provides best practice guidelines for the prevention of age discrimination in the workplace and highlights potential pitfalls in recruiting, training, performance management and dismissal in terms of the […]
Businesses warned to consider effect of non-compete clauses
The case of Egon Zehnder v Tillman has brought the use, reach and effect of non-compete clauses by employers to the fore. Ms Tillman was hired by global recruitment company, Egon Zehnder, in 2004. Having reached the position of global head of financial service, she handed in her notice in January 2017 with the intention […]
Fine for H Samuel Over Unfair Pricing Promotions Online
High Street jewellery chain H Samuel has been fined £60,000 after pleading guilty to 17 breaches of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations. The company, owned by Signet Trading Limited, was investigated by the trading standards service of Torfaen Council in Wales for use of unfair pricing promotions online. The breached related to sale […]
High Court Rules in Accordance With Certified Copy of Will Where Original May or May Not Have Been Destroyed by Deceased
The High Court has ruled that an estate be administered in accordance with a certified copy of a will against a claim of revocation of the original by destruction. In Blyth v Sykes, the court considered how to deal with the presumption of revocation of a will by destruction when the original will cannot be […]
Cohabitants Warned Not to Fall Foul of Common Law Marriage Myth
A recent survey has revealed common law marriage remains a commonly held myth. 46% of the public believe that cohabiting couples form a common law marriage, according to the British Social Attitudes Survey 2019, conducted by The National Centre for Social Research. This figure increases to 55% among those with children, whereas 41% of households […]
Single Parents of Surrogate Children Granted New Rights to Apply for Parental Orders
Single parents of surrogate children are now permitted to apply for parental orders following a welcome change in the law. Under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018, the rights of single parents have been brought in line with those of couples in being able to apply for parental responsibility where there […]
Changes to UK Immigration Rules January 2019
In its Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules, the Government has laid down the latest changes affecting UK immigration policy. New Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme for Non-EU workers 2019 will see the introduction of a new two-year pilot scheme for seasonal employment in the horticultural sector. The scheme will initially be trialled with selected operators, […]
Immigration Health Surcharge has Doubled
From today, the UK’s immigration health surcharge has been doubled from £200 to £400 per visa applicant per year. The increase also applies to those eligible for the discounted rate, which has risen from £150 to £300. This affects students and those on youth mobility schemes. The new rates apply to all relevant applications made […]
Claiming Under the Sale of Goods Act (What You Should Do!)
Claiming under the Sale of Goods Act is the route a consumer should take if they have purchased an item that isn’t of the quality they expected. The Sale of Goods Act 1979 states that all goods purchased or sold in the UK must be as described, of satisfactory quality and fit for the purpose […]
Claims: How the MOJ Portal Works
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) claims portal is an online hub where all parties to the claim enter required information, basic validation checks can be carried out, notifications can be sent to all parties to keep the claim process moving and time limits and deadlines can be set and clearly communicated to all parties. Initially […]
Using the Small Claims Court
If you are owed money by a person or a business, you may seek to obtain that money through the small claims court. Strict limits apply to the amount you can recover in the small claims court. In England and Wales, the total you can claim is £10,000. In Scotland, the total is lower, at […]
What is the Difference Between a Lawyer and Solicitor?
What is the difference between a lawyer and solicitor? ‘Lawyer’ is generally understood to be an umbrella term for a qualified legal practitioner, and can include both a solicitor and a barrister. A solicitor is qualified to provide legal advice and representation directly to members of the public. Below we look at the different roles […]
How Does Domestic Violence Affect Child Custody?
When there have been instances of domestic violence, this further complicates the issue of child custody between separating parents. It becomes even more challenging to decide on the issue of child custody as the focus needs to be not only on the safety of the child, but also on the safety of the parent who […]
Making a Joint Custody Agreement
Joint custody, or joint residency as it is referred to in the UK Children’s Act 1989, is a legal decision regarding where the child or children of separated couples will live. Joint custody does not necessarily indicate a 50/50 split for the parents, it is simply that both parents have the child living with them […]
Consumer Rights Act 2015: How to Claim a Refund
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, should you purchase an item or service that is faulty, you may be eligible for a refund. To be considered faulty, your purchase has to meet at least one of the following conditions: It isn’t of a satisfactory quality. It isn’t fit for purpose. It isn’t as described. There […]
Gas Safety Regulations (How to Comply)
The Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998, and the subsequent changes made to the legislation in 2018, outline the legal requirements placed on any person responsible for the installation, servicing, maintenance or repair of gas appliances, fittings and flues in most domestic and commercial premises, with the intention of protecting the public from gas-related […]
Health and Safety First Aid Regulations 1981
The Health and Safety First Aid Regulations 1981 place an obligation on employers to make available to their employees an ‘adequate and appropriate’ first aid provision. The first aid regulations apply to all workplaces, regardless of the number of employees and to self-employed individuals too. What is seen as adequate and appropriate will vary depending […]
RIDDOR Employee Responsibilities (What They Should Do!)
Although all employees have a role to play in reducing health and safety risks in the workplace, the duty to report specific incidents under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) applies only to certain individuals, known as ‘responsible persons’. RIDDOR does not impose responsibilities on ‘ordinary’ employees. While employees who […]
Guide to the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957
The Occupiers Liability Act 1957 states that the occupier of a premises in England and Wales may be held responsible where a visitor to that premises is injured or their property is damaged. The Occupiers Liability Act 1984 was created to clarify the position of occupiers’ liability with regard to trespassers by separating out lawful […]
Distance Selling Regulations (Your Consumer Rights!)
Distance selling is the sale of goods or services through mail order, digital TV, phone or text message. Consumer rights in this area were previously covered by the Distance Selling Regulations. These regulations were replaced by the Consumer Contracts Regulations in June 2014. Since October 2015, the delivery of goods, including those purchased via distance […]