Employer Withholding Pay? (What to Do!)
An employer withholding pay, whether in part or in full, is also known as a deduction of wages. A deduction is when you are paid less than the total amount that you are due. There are limited circumstances in which an employer can lawfully deduct or withhold your wages, but where these do not apply, […]
What is Extradition?
Extradition is the process whereby one country requests that another country returns to them an individual accused of or guilty of a crime for the purpose of trial or imprisonment, and that the individual is transferred to the requesting country. The governing legislation in the UK is the Extradition Act 2003. Where an extradition treaty […]
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (A Guide!)
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 has set the legal basis and framework for health and safety in the UK workplace. Under the act, employers have a number of responsibilities towards employees and others in their company workplaces including temps, casual workers, the self-employed, clients, visitors and the general public. Failing to meet your employer […]
Faulty Goods under Warranty (Your Consumer Rights!)
Where an item under warranty develops a fault, the path to remedying the situation may be as straightforward as claiming against your warranty but there are other options that may prove more effective. What is a warranty? A warranty is, in essence, an insurance policy for your purchase. It may be provided by […]
Sale of Goods Act (Your Consumer Rights!)
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 they were manufactured for. The Sale of Goods Act was replaced by the Consumer Rights Act in October 2015. The Consumer Rights Act also replaced the Supply […]
What is Freehold Property?
In England and Wales, there are two main categories of property ownership: freehold and leasehold. Your legal rights and responsibilities over the property and its land are determined by whether you own the leasehold or freehold. In addition to this, there are further rights and restrictions in relation to freehold property depending on the type […]
I Have No Employment Contract (What are My Rights? )
“I have no employment contract what are my rights?” Many people assume a contract between an employer and employee must be written to be effective and enforceable, but a contract of employment will usually exist even if it is not in writing. This also means you will benefit from certain rights as an employee. I […]
Making a Will? (What You Need to Consider!)
Making a will allows you to exert control over what happens to your assets after you die. In addition to specifying who will benefit from your estate, the will also enables you to make inheritance decisions fully informed of the taxation and related implications of your final will. Dying without a will leaves your estate […]
Health and Safety legislation (A Guide for Employers)
In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, employers are responsible for managing the health and safety of their business, and for ensuring that their employees and anyone affected by their business are protected in the areas of health, safety and welfare. They must assess any risk in the workplace, keep […]
What is Probate?
Probate is the legal process of settling the estate and affairs of a deceased individual. This typically requires the executor to notify the relevant authorities and organisations of the individual’s death, to settle any outstanding debts, and to distribute and transfer the remainder of the estate in accordance with the deceased’s wishes. Where there is […]
What is a Mesher Order?
There are many ways the family home can be dealt with as part of divorce proceedings. One such outcome is a Mesher Order, or an order for deferred sale. A Mesher Order is a court order delaying the sale of the matrimonial home when a couple are divorcing. Under a Mesher Order, the property is […]
What are the Grounds for Divorce?
To apply for divorce, you will have to show there has been an irretrievable break down in your marriage. This is the only ground for divorce under current law in England and Wales and it must be evidenced in the divorce petition by reference to at least one of five ‘facts’. 5 Facts that establish […]
Gross Misconduct in the Workplace (A Guide!)
When an employee commits an act that is so bad it warrants immediate dismissal, this is often referred to as ‘gross misconduct’ in the workplace. In some cases, an employer may be in their right to dismiss the employee without any notice and without having to offer them any extra pay. A lot of different […]
Can You Sue for Copyright Infringement?
With access to many ways to showcase our businesses, if it’s via online channels or more traditional ways with leaflets, it’s becoming easier for other businesses to lift your business material without your permission. Though this doesn’t mean it’s legal, as it can be seen as copyright infringement. Prove that you were the originator of […]
Divorce Solicitors (and What I should Expect from Them!)
Divorce is not an easy journey for many couples when there are important decisions to be agreed over financial assets and potentially children. So achieving the right outcomes are essential. With the support of a good Divorce Solicitor, potential pitfalls can be overcome and the stress involved in ending your marriage or civil partnership be […]
Dress Code at Work (Do Employers Have a Say? )
Having a dress code at work does not apply to every workplace however in some industries you have to dress a certain way. Whether it is due to health and safety regulations or to maintain a corporate image, as an employer you have the right to enforce a dress code at work as long as […]
What is a Gagging Order?
A gagging order is an injunction issued by the court to restrict or prohibit the public disclosure of private or confidential information on a particular matter. It is a legal means of protecting the privacy of an individual and as such is legally referred to as a ‘privacy injunction’. Gagging orders are commonly sought by […]
What is Product Liability Under the Consumer Protection Act?
As a consumer, when we buy any product, be that a washing machine, building materials, or a child’s toy, it is with the expectation that the item will be safe. So, what happens when we, our families or our property suffers damage from a faulty product? Under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, manufacturers, distributors, suppliers […]
What is Constructive Dismissal (A Short Guide!)
Constructive dismissal is a common type of claim brought before employment tribunals. Constructive dismissal occurs where an employee resigns as a result of their employer having breached their employment contract, which causes the employee to reasonably believe that continuation of employment is impossible. What is constructive dismissal? Grounds for a constructive dismissal claim Not every breach […]
Trademark Registration Process (A Guide!)
Trademark registration offers legal protection for you and your business against your brand, company name, product and/services. So it’s important to register your trademark properly to avoid any negative impact on your business and its reputation. If another business copies your brand such as your products’ packaging or visual identity for instance, then it will […]