IoD Publishes Proposed Code of Conduct for Directors

The Institute of Directors has released a consultation document on a proposed Code of Conduct for Directors. The Code aims to serve as a practical tool to aid directors in making improved decisions. It also offers organisational leaders a behavioural framework designed to build and sustain public trust in their business operations. The document was […]
Consultation to Relax Non-Financial Reporting for Medium-Sized Companies

The Government is currently consulting on proposed changes to the UK’s non-financial reporting regime, which aim to reduce the burden on medium-sized companies. A company qualifies as “medium-sized” in a financial year if it meets at least two of the following three criteria: a. Annual turnover exceeding £10.2m but not more than £36m. b. Balance […]
Draft Legislation to Protect Residential Addresses on Companies House

The Government has released draft regulations aimed at enhancing the protection of individuals’ usual residential addresses (URA) from being publicly accessible at Companies House. Under the new regulations, individuals would be allowed to suppress their URA from public view if it has previously been used as a company’s registered office address, a provision not currently […]
Companies House Issues Draft Rules for Director ID Verification

Companies House has unveiled draft rules concerning the identity verification of directors, persons with significant control (PSCs), and others under forthcoming changes. The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 amended the Companies Act 2006 and the Limited Partnerships Act 1907, introducing requirements for certain individuals to verify their identity. This applies to individual directors […]
2023 Logbook Pilot Challenges Assumptions

During the summer of 2023, conveyancing solicitors in a working group questioned the belief that introducing a property logbook would streamline the conveyancing aspect of purchasing a home. In response, the Home Buying & Selling Group’s (HBSG) Logbook Working Group decided to initiate a new pilot to address the concerns raised by lawyers and conveyancers […]
Inflation Dips as Mortgage Market Recovers

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicate that the inflation rate for March was 3.2%, a slight decrease from February’s 3.4%. This update comes after the Bank of England’s (BoE) decision to maintain the interest rate at 5.25%. With inflation showing a downward trend, there is less pressure on the BoE […]
2024 BASPI Update: Enhancing Property Information

Trade and representative organisations from the conveyancing, legal, surveying, estate agency, and property management industries, including the Conveyancing Association, unveiled the latest version of the BASPI—Buyer’s and Seller’s Property Information form on March 28th, 2024. The BASPI is crafted by the upfront information working group within the Home Buyers and Sellers Group (HBSG) and acts […]
Revised TA6 Form Boosts Clarity

The Law Society of England and Wales has introduced a revised TA6 Property Information Form, aligning with the National Trading Standards’ guidelines on essential property information. This updated form includes details recommended by the National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT) for property listings, urging sellers to involve their solicitors early in the […]
UK Inquiry into Conveyancers and Sales Practices

Parliamentarians are set to scrutinise the roles of conveyancers, the provision of upfront information, and referral fees in a comprehensive examination of the property transaction process. The House of Commons’ Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities Committee has called for submissions, seeking insights into various facets of property buying and selling mechanics, information availability and delivery, […]
March 2024: New Provisions In Force Under Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023

In late October 2023, the Economic Crime and Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) was enacted, marking a significant reform in company law and the most substantial overhaul in the history of Companies House. The implementation of ECCTA’s measures will be phased and are contingent upon the enactment of secondary legislation. 1. New Provisions Effective From […]
Employment Tribunal Compensation Limits Increasing

Individuals bringing employment tribunal claims in the UK will see a notable increase in the maximum compensation they can be awarded. Under the Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2024, the following limits will apply from 6 April 2024: Maximum compensatory award The maximum compensatory award rises from £105,707 to £115,115, allowing individuals to potentially […]
Child Maintenance Service Application Fee to be Waived
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is to scrap the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) application fee from 26 February 2024. Anyone with children under 16 (or under 20 if they are still in full-time education) can use the government’s CMS to arrange child maintenance payments if a financial arrangement cannot be made by the […]
New Ban on Disposable Vapes

Disposable vapes are to be banned in the UK, under new laws proposed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. It is already illegal to sell any vape to anyone under 18, but the government said disposable vapes – often sold in smaller, more colourful packaging than refillable ones – are a “key driver behind the alarming […]
Sponsor Licence Renewals Abolished from April 2024
The requirement for UK sponsors to renew their sponsor licence every four years is being abolished from April 2024, under new Home Office rules. In light of the changes, UK sponsor licences expiring on or after 6 April 2024 are now being automatically extended by 10 years. Licences that are automatically extended will not end […]
Company Law Reform: Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act Now In Force

After passing through parliament, the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act has now become law. The Act aims to enhance measures against economic crime and increase transparency of corporate entities. It follows the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022, which enabled the government to impose sanctions more rapidly, established a register of overseas entities […]
ACAS Opens Consultation on Predictable Working
ACAS has launched a public consultation on its draft code of practice for responding to requests for a predictable work schedule. The draft statutory code outlines the procedures that employers must follow when responding to requests for more consistent working schedules or hours. These procedures include the practical considerations employers should take into account when […]
Immigration Health Surcharge to Increase No Earlier Than 16 January 2024

Following publication of the Immigration (Health Charge) (Amendment) Order 2023, it has been confirmed that the UK’s Immigration Health Surcharge will increase no earlier than 16 January 2024. The Immigration (Health Charge) (Amendment) Order 2023 is the draft legislation that will implement the fee changes. According to the draft, the increases will take effect between 16 January 2024 and […]
Care Workers Permitted to Pursue Unfair Dismissal Claim for Refusing Covid Jab

Three care workers who refused to have the Covid-19 vaccine have been given permission to continue their claims for unfair dismissal. Ms Dimitrova, Ms Chadwick and Ms Hussain were employed by UK care home provider Barchester Healthcare, which implemented a ‘no jab, no job’ policy within the organisation in 2021. The policy was in effect […]
New Smoking Law to Create Smoke-Free Generation

The UK government will create a “smoke-free generation” by ending cigarette sales to those born on or after 1 January 2009. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has revealed plans to introduce a new law to stop children who turn 14 this year or younger from ever legally being sold cigarettes in England. In a statement on […]
MAC Recommends Reforms of UK Shortage Occupation List

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published its latest review of the UK’s Shortage Occupation List (SOL). The review was originally commissioned in August 2022 and covers information from the MAC’s own research as well as input from wider stakeholder engagement through its Call for Evidence. In the report, published on 3 October 2023, the MAC […]