Introduction to FRI Leases (A Deep Dive!)
A full repairing and insuring lease, known as an FRI lease, is a commercial lease which gives the tenant sole responsibility for the maintenance, repair, and insurance of the property for the duration of their tenancy contract. This means that for the duration of their tenancy, the tenant assumes full responsibility for the upkeep of […]
Stamp Duty on a Commercial Lease (A Guide!)
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) must be paid on land transactions in England, including commercial leases over a certain threshold. SDLT may be payable on the grant, assignment, variation or surrender of a commercial lease. The rules surrounding SDLT are complex and it is the tenant’s responsibility to calculate and pay any stamp duty on […]
Guide to the GDPR for Businesses
The GDPR is an acronym for the General Data Protection Regulations. This a European-wide Regulation from the European Union and has a direct effect in every member state. In an age of ‘big data’ and high profile data breaches, the aim is to enhance protection and control of individuals’ over their personal data, while standardising […]
How Businesses can avoid GDPR Fines
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force on the 25th May 2018. It replaced the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC with the purpose of strengthening and unifying data privacy laws across Europe. The EU directive has had far-reaching impact for all organisations that handle individual’s personal data, irrespective of where the organisation is based […]
Ultimate Guide to Franchising Your Business (Insights!)
Franchising is a strategic expansion model where a business (the franchisor) grants another party (the franchisee) the right to operate a business or sell goods and services using the franchisor’s brand, model, and system. Franchising presents an unparalleled opportunity for business expansion and brand recognition in the United Kingdom, offering a strategic pathway for businesses […]
Data Protection Law – Where are We Now?
Data protection law exists to protect the privacy and personal data rights of individuals. This area is primarily governed in the UK by the Data Protection Act 2018. The Act was passed to provide enhanced legal rights and responsibilities in respect of how data should be handled by organisations, businesses and the government than was […]
Guide to the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations
The PECR, or Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003, exist to protect the data privacy rights of individuals and businesses online in response to the proliferation in online business and marketing activity. Alongside the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), the PECR ensure organisations use data responsibly by requiring any organisation that uses electronic […]
How to Complete the Power of Attorney Form
The Power of Attorney form you will need to complete will depend on the type of Lasting Power of Attorney you are creating. These are Form LP1F for financial decisions and Form LP1H for health and care decisions. A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal way of giving someone else the authority to make […]
Can Visa Dependants Start A Business in the UK?
Dependant visa holders are generally permitted to start and run their own business in the UK, provided they have lawful status and remain eligible under their visa conditions. In this guide, we explain the rules on setting up a business if you have a dependant visa. Who are visa dependants? Visa dependants, or dependant visa-holders, […]
Do Academic Visitors Need a Visa for the UK?
To visit the UK for academic purposes as an overseas national, you may need an academic visitor visa. Not all visitors to the UK need to apply for a visa, but travelling to Britain without the relevant permission can result in you being refused entry at the border. This makes is critical to understand what […]
Innovator Founder Visa for Business Owners
Following the closure of the Start up visa and Innovator routes, the sole route for foreign nationals to set up and manage their own business in the UK is the Innovator Founder route. The Innovator Founder visa is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs who want to start and run a successful business in the UK. […]
Health & Care Worker Visa Requirements
If you are a healthcare professional looking to relocate to the UK for work, it’s likely you’ll need to apply for a Health and Care Worker Visa. The Health and Care Worker Visa is a dedicated immigration route for qualified medical professionals. The UK has a shortage of workers in the health sector, and this […]
Global Business Mobility Visas
Following an overhaul of the UK immigration system post-Brexit, the Home Office opened the Global Business Mobility Route in 2022. The visa categories under this route are highly specialised and designed for specialist overseas workers to come to the UK on a temporary basis to meet specific skill needs. This article will outline the five […]
Business Visitor Visa Guide
If you are coming to the UK for the purposes of business, you’ll need to ensure you have the relevant permission. Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a Business Visitor visa, or you may be able to travel visa-free. The following guide for foreign nationals looking to come to the UK […]
Skilled Worker Visa Overview
The Skilled Worker Visa is the primary work-related visa category under the new Points-Based Immigration System available for those seeking to move to the United Kingdom. At first, the Skilled Worker Visa process may seem daunting, but once you have confirmation of an eligible job from an approved employer it is overall a simple application […]
Losing Your Job As A Skilled Worker Visa Holder
One of the conditions of the Skilled Worker visa is that the holder has a qualifying role and is sponsored by a Home Office approved employer. Should the visa holder lose their job, however, this will impact their permission to remain lawfully in the UK. Your former employer will be required to notify the Home Office […]
What is a Sponsorship Licence?
Recruiting a skilled workforce from overseas has become vital for employers across the UK economy. If you are a UK employer and want to recruit foreign national workers under a sponsored work route, such as the Skilled Worker or Scale Up visas, your organisation is required to hold a valid sponsorship licence. To obtain a […]
How to Make a Sponsor Licence Application
Most UK employers will need a sponsor licence in order to hire workers from overseas. A sponsor licence is effectively the permission granted to an organisation by the Home Office, allowing them to employ foreign, non-UK resident workers in specific types of roles. In this guide, we explain the rules and requirements when applying for […]
Sponsor Licence Compliance: Essential Guide
As a licensed sponsor you have a number of duties and responsibilities so as to ensure compliance with the immigration rules and prevent abuse of the system – both by you as a sponsoring employer and by any migrants that you sponsor. Failure to meet the Home Office requirements can lead to sponsor licence suspension […]
What is a Certificate of Sponsorship?
Those entering the UK workforce from outside the UK often require sponsorship from a licensed UK employer. This sponsorship system acts as a bridge, connecting skilled individuals from overseas with job opportunities and facilitating their legal entry and residence in the UK. The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a crucial aspect of this system, enabling […]