Sale and Purchase Agreement
Sale and purchase agreements are crucial documents when it comes to selling a company or company stock, or any other high value business assets. Ensuring that the agreement reflects and protects your business interests, as either a buyer or seller, is paramount to a smooth and successful outcome. Below we look at what these types […]
Heads of Terms Agreement
When selling or buying a business or corporate entity, or entering into any other complex sales transaction, the sale process will typically involve several stages, including preparation of agreed Heads of Terms. In this guide, we explain what a Heads of Terms Agreement is, and when and why these types of agreements are used. We […]
What is a Patent?
The law provides a number of ways for people to protect their intellectual property. With your IP protected, you can fully capitalise on the commercial potential your invention or idea, while preventing exploitation from others. Patents are one such type of intellectual property protection. In this guide, we outline what a patent is, what is […]
Redundancy Matrix & Selection Criteria
The redundancy process is fraught with legal risk. To avoid potential unfair dismissal claims, employers are required to follow a lawful process at each stage, including the redundancy selection procedure. Redundancy selection procedure Provided there is a genuine redundancy situation, the first stage will be to consult with affected employees. This will involve ascertaining if […]
UK Financial Services Regulation Guide
Regulation of the UK’s financial services sector is vital in ensuring fair competition and protecting consumer interests and rights. This guide provides an overview of financial services regulation in the UK, from who is responsible for UK financial regulation, to which organisations are regulated and the potential consequence for organisations of failing to comply with […]
HMO & Private Rental Guide for Landlords
Your property may be deemed a ‘House in Multiple Occupation’ (HMO) if you rent it out to numerous tenants who aren’t family members and who share certain communal areas and facilities. HMO properties have become increasingly common in the private rental market as they are generally more profitable for landlords than conventional renting options. However, HMO landlords are […]
What is Passing Off?
Passing off is when one party, whether intentionally or unintentionally, offers services or goods in a way that makes the purchaser believe they are buying from another party. This is seen as a misrepresentation that can damage the goodwill, profit and reputation of a person or business. Passing off is similar in principle to trademark infringement, except […]
Non Disclosure Agreements: How to Use NDAs
A non disclosure agreement in the course of business expressly prohibits the disclosure or use of proprietary information without permission. It is a legal contract by which one or more parties agree not to disclose confidential information as a necessary part of doing business together. Non disclosure agreements are also commonly referred to as confidentiality […]
Can I Dismiss An Employee Who Is Off Sick?
In very simple terms, you may dismiss an employee who is off sick, provided you follow the correct dismissal procedure. This means having fair grounds for dismissal, acting reasonably in all the circumstances and following a fair process. The following guide for employers on dismissal due to sickness absence looks at what amounts to potential […]
How to Buy a Business (Brief Guide!)
Buying a private, limited company can bring many challenges. This makes it important to understand the process of how to buy a business to help navigate each of the stages. In this guide, we outline the key points to consider when deciding if buying a business is right for you, and the stages of the […]
How to Deal With Flexible Working Requests
Flexible working practices can be beneficial not only to your workforce but also to your business. For employees, making a flexible working request, flexible working can offer a better work-life balance. Employers may benefit from improved performance and productivity, as well as a reduction in absenteeism and staff turnover. Flexible working may also facilitate the […]
Disqualification of Directors Explained
Directors of limited companies have to meet a number of legal duties. You can face disqualification from acting as a director if you have failed to meet these legal responsibilities by participating in unfit conduct, or wrongful or fraudulent trading. What are a director’s legal responsibilities? The Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 is the primary legislation […]
HGV Driver Temporary Concession
A new immigration route has opened allowing non-UK HGV drivers to come to Britain to work on a temporary basis. The HGV driver temporary concession applies to fuel tanker drivers from non-visa national countries coming to the UK between 1 October 2021 and 15 October 2021. Eligible individuals can request to enter the UK border […]
Dealing with Sex Discrimination at Work
Sex discrimination refers to when someone is unfairly disadvantaged in the workplace because of their gender. Most sex discrimination is directed towards women, but it is equally unlawful to discriminate against a man because of his gender. Sex discrimination remains a common workplace issue, as can be seen by the number and type of employment […]
Statutory Notice Periods: Employers’ Guide
Dismissing employees is part and parcel of running and managing a business. It can also expose employers to considerable legal risk. Not only does the reason for dismissal have to be lawful – such as conduct, performance or due to redundancies – the employee continues to have certain rights and protections throughout the dismissal process […]
Do Interns Need a Visa to Work in the UK?
Under the UK’s immigration rules, non-UK nationals have to have permission to work in the UK, which includes doing an internship, short-term work experience and training. The following guide explains the type of temporary work visa you would need to do an internship in the UK, including the eligibility requirements, the application process, the costs, […]
Care Workers’ Vaccine Rules
Care sector employers are now under a legal obligation to ensure all care home workers in England are fully vaccinated by the cut-off date in 16 weeks. From 11 November 2021, Care Quality Commission-regulated service providers of nursing and personal care services in England must not allow entry into care homes for anyone who has […]
How to Introduce Hybrid Working
As employers adapt to the post-pandemic normal, traditional working arrangements are being set aside in favour of greater flexibility in working hours and locations. Hybrid working in particular is becoming increasingly common in UK workplaces. Introducing hybrid working within an organisation, as with any change or variation in working terms or conditions, brings legal considerations […]
Statutory Guarantee Pay For Lay-Offs
If your business is experiencing reduced demand, you might need to temporarily ask staff to stay at home. Although temporary layoffs are typically only used by employers as a last resort, they offer a temporary reprieve and more preferable alternative to making workers redundant. There are, however, risks associated with laying off staff. There is […]
Can You Delay or Refuse Parental Leave?
As an employer, you will want to encourage a healthy work/life balance for your workforce while also meeting your legal obligations and ensuring time off work for employees does not significantly interfere with the running of your business. The following guide for employers looks at the rules relating to parental leave in the workplace. What […]