Business Groups Warn Against Post-Brexit UK Immigration System
The CBI has warned the introduction of an arbitrary £30,000 salary threshold for all migrant workers would not be workable for the UK economy. The warning comes in response to the Government’s white paper on UK immigration, published in December 2018. White paper on immigration In the document, the Government proposes a fundamental overhaul of […]
Future of McKenzie Reforms Remain Unclear
The government has been called on by the Judicial Executive Board (JEB) to rule on the future role and status of McKenzie Friends in court proceedings. The use of McKenzie friends has risen notably in line with the number of litigants in person under the Legal Aid reforms of 2013 under the Legal Aid, Sentencing […]
First Time Buyers Make Up Biggest Part of UK Property Market For First Time in 25 years
First time buyers are making up the biggest part of the UK housing market for the first time in almost a quarter of a century, according to the latest Halifax First-Time Buyer Review. The number of first-time buyers has gone up two per cent in the last 12 months, continuing an upward trend over the […]
Millions of UK Adults Prepared to Contest Family Wills at Court, Says Research
12.6 million Brits said they would contest a loved one’s will if they were unhappy with how the estate had been divided, according to research by Direct Line Life Insurance. The poll looked at responses from across the UK, with those most willing to dispute in Southampton (31%), London (29%) and Norwich (29%). Whether the […]
Updated guidance published on age discrimination in the workplace
New age discrimination guidance for employers has been published to help businesses tackle the root causes of discriminatory acts in the workplace. In the 27-page document, ACAS provides best practice guidelines for the prevention of age discrimination in the workplace and highlights potential pitfalls in recruiting, training, performance management and dismissal in terms of the […]
Businesses warned to consider effect of non-compete clauses
The case of Egon Zehnder v Tillman has brought the use, reach and effect of non-compete clauses by employers to the fore. Ms Tillman was hired by global recruitment company, Egon Zehnder, in 2004. Having reached the position of global head of financial service, she handed in her notice in January 2017 with the intention […]
Fine for H Samuel Over Unfair Pricing Promotions Online
High Street jewellery chain H Samuel has been fined £60,000 after pleading guilty to 17 breaches of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations. The company, owned by Signet Trading Limited, was investigated by the trading standards service of Torfaen Council in Wales for use of unfair pricing promotions online. The breached related to sale […]
High Court Rules in Accordance With Certified Copy of Will Where Original May or May Not Have Been Destroyed by Deceased
The High Court has ruled that an estate be administered in accordance with a certified copy of a will against a claim of revocation of the original by destruction. In Blyth v Sykes, the court considered how to deal with the presumption of revocation of a will by destruction when the original will cannot be […]
Cohabitants Warned Not to Fall Foul of Common Law Marriage Myth
A recent survey has revealed common law marriage remains a commonly held myth. 46% of the public believe that cohabiting couples form a common law marriage, according to the British Social Attitudes Survey 2019, conducted by The National Centre for Social Research. This figure increases to 55% among those with children, whereas 41% of households […]
Single Parents of Surrogate Children Granted New Rights to Apply for Parental Orders
Single parents of surrogate children are now permitted to apply for parental orders following a welcome change in the law. Under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018, the rights of single parents have been brought in line with those of couples in being able to apply for parental responsibility where there […]
Changes to UK Immigration Rules January 2019
In its Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules, the Government has laid down the latest changes affecting UK immigration policy. New Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme for Non-EU workers 2019 will see the introduction of a new two-year pilot scheme for seasonal employment in the horticultural sector. The scheme will initially be trialled with selected operators, […]
Immigration Health Surcharge has Doubled
From today, the UK’s immigration health surcharge has been doubled from £200 to £400 per visa applicant per year. The increase also applies to those eligible for the discounted rate, which has risen from £150 to £300. This affects students and those on youth mobility schemes. The new rates apply to all relevant applications made […]
Licensing Act 2003 Committee Review
The government’s response to the Lord’s’ review of the Licensing Act 2003 could arguably be described as one of “thank you but no thank you”. On the one hand, the government recognized the Lords’ report as making an “important contribution” to the possible future of the act; on the other hand, it rejected many of […]
Low risk gaming operators exempted from new AML rules
Money laundering is a centuries-old problem and one which has become a major concern in an age which is both global and digital. The nature of the gambling sector is such that it can be an attractive target for criminals, which is why reputable gambling operators have long seen the implementation of anti-money-laundering strategies as […]
Gambling operators to see new changes to fee structure in 2017
A new fee structure is coming into force for UK-licensed online gambling operators during 2017. The majority of operators will see a discount while a number will see an increase in their fees. The UK Gambling Commission along with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have been working together on a consultation, with the […]
Family Law Litigant in Person: Family Justice Council Releases Guide
Cuts to legal aid provision have led to an increasing number of people appearing as a family law litigant in person, particularly in divorce cases. The Family Justice Council have released a new guide, titled “Sorting Out Finances on Divorce” to help a family law litigant in person navigate the complicated issues involved. The guide […]
Fatal Injury Rate in the UK
The UK consistently has one of the lowest fatal injury rate across the EU according to HSE statistics. Thankfully fatal injuries, classed as a personal injury resulting in the death of an injured person, are rare events In 2012 the standardised fatality rate was 0.58 fatalities per 100,000 workers. This compares favourably with other comparable […]
Family Law Reform From the Queens Speech
The recent Queen’s Speech contained a number of key family law reform for various areas of the law. In particular, the speech unveiled a set of proposals aimed at reforming family law. The biggest set of family law reform contained within the speech relates to care and adoption. The Children and Social Work Bill has […]
Is it Illegal to Deny Prisoners Legal Aid?
Refusing prisoners legal aid in both England and Wales which would enable them to question the way in which they are held could be illegal according to the Court of Appeal. The Howard League for Penal Reform and the Prisoners’ Advice Service (PAS) charities have both been given permission by senior judges to put forward […]
New Law Introduced Under the Small Business Enterprise and Employment Act 2015
New law introduced in May under the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 The first commencement order made under the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 has been published. From 26th May 2015, this brought into effect the following: Section 153 which inserts a new section 27A into the Employment Rights Act 1996 […]