Do I Need a Break Clause in a Tenancy Agreement?
A break clause permits you as the landlord or your tenant to end a tenancy agreement within the arranged fixed term period, bringing the tenancy agreement to an early end. A break clause generally carries a number of conditions that must be fulfilled before the tenancy agreement can be brought to an early end, such […]
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 […]
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 […]
What is a CCJ?
A CCJ (County Court Judgement) is a court order issued to a person or business that has failed to pay money owed to another party. CCJs apply in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, the process is referred to as enforcing a debt by diligence. A CCJ generally must be preceded by some form […]
Manual Handling Regulations (A Guide)
The Manual Handlings Operations Regulations 1992, later amended by the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002, places a legal requirement on employers to avoid dangerous manual handling, to assess any risk of injury from manual handling, to train all employees who are involved in manual handling at work, and to reduce any risks as […]
Fire Safety Regulations (Employers’ Guide)
Employers are legally required to carry out a fire risk assessment in the workplace and put resulting fire safety measures in place to ensure the safety of their workers and the general public in the case of a fire. This requirement is in accordance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and […]
RIDDOR Regulations – Reporting Accidents at Work
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) sets out the guidelines and requirements of responsible parties, such as employers, to record and report work-related incidents. Who is responsible for reporting under the RIDDOR regulations? Any employer who is in control of and responsible for a work premises is required to report […]
Employers’ Liability: Your Health & Safety Responsibilities
As an employer, if you fail to take reasonable steps to ensure a safe working environment, and an employee is injured or suffers illness as a result, you may find yourself defending a claim for compensation. The following guide looks briefly at the law relating to employers liability claims and, in turn, what steps can […]
Minimum Working Temperature – What the Law Says!
Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, employers are required to keep the temperature in the workplace to a ‘reasonable’ level. In practice, what would be classed as ‘reasonable’? Minimum working temperature There is no set minimum working temperature, however, the Workplace regulations suggest that the general minimum working temperature should be 16 […]
What does RIDDOR stand for?
A common health and safety question asked by employers is “What does RIDDOR stand for?” RIDDOR refers to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013, which place a legal duty on employers and other individuals responsible for work premises to report and keep records of certain serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and […]
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Employees Responsibilities
Ensuring your employees understand their duties in respect of health and safety and that they are supported in meeting these duties is critical to creating and maintaining a safe and compliant working environment. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 places legal responsibilities on employees to exercise reasonable care concerning the health and safety […]
What Makes Contract Terms Legally Binding?
When drafting or entering into a commercial contract it is important to understand how legally binding contract terms affect all parties to the agreement. Well-drafted contract terms should provide certainty and clarity in respect of the contractual obligations and of the remedies available in the event of a breach of contract. Importantly, however, a contract […]
Patenting in the UK (FAQs)
To protect your invention from being used, made or sold by someone else, a patent can provide legal protection for your intellectual property for a limited period of time. The process of obtaining a patent is in itself protracted and can take up to five years from filing. After this initial period, annual renewal and […]
Poaching Staff (Can We Stop Our Competitors Taking Staff?)
Poaching staff and hiring talent from a competing company can help bring commercial and tactical advantage to your business. But if it is your employees that are at risk of being ‘poached’, this can have a devastating effect on your business, not least where a particular individual or team of employees are highly valued within […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]