What is Constructive Dismissal (A Short Guide!)
Constructive dismissal is a common type of claim brought before employment tribunals. Constructive dismissal occurs where an employee resigns as a result of their employer having breached their employment contract, which causes the employee to reasonably believe that continuation of employment is impossible. What is constructive dismissal? Grounds for a constructive dismissal claim Not every breach […]
Trademark Registration Process (A Guide!)
Trademark registration offers legal protection for you and your business against your brand, company name, product and/services. So it’s important to register your trademark properly to avoid any negative impact on your business and its reputation. If another business copies your brand such as your products’ packaging or visual identity for instance, then it will […]
Moving House Checklist
Like most large projects it’s worth having a ‘moving house checklist’ to remind you of everything you need to action when vacating your current property and to keep you on track for moving into your new home. You may have your checklist ready with the excitement of your offer being accepted or you may be […]
Wills and Probate (What you need to know?)
Having the foresight to prepare your will and probate (if relevant) will protect your family and yourself from any heartache in the future. It will ensure you have peace of mind now that your affairs will be dealt according to your wishes and in your best interests by those who you trust. Once you have […]
What is Power of Attorney
Lacking the ability to make decisions and losing your independence are difficult enough to contemplate either for yourself, close family or friends. What if someone else will be managing your affairs when you die which is not in your best interests? Learn how a Power of Attorney can protect your family and yourself before it’s […]
What is a Remortgage?
Remortgaging is the process of switching your current mortgage to a new mortgage deal. This could be with your existing lender or a different lender. You don’t have to move home as the new mortgage is secured against the property you already own. A remortgage, like any mortgage, is a long-term commitment so you should […]
6 Top Tips for Moving House
Moving house can be either overwhelming or a smooth experience as each property, individual circumstances and the legalities of the conveyancing process can be very different. There are some factors which can be out of your control and others which you can prepare for, with both the support of a Conveyancer Solicitor and reading our […]
House Completion (the Final Stage in Buying a House!)
Buying a house can take anywhere from 4 weeks up to 4 months depending on any unexpected discrepancies which may arise during the conveyancing process, as well as issues which may crop up from additional buyers and sellers, if there is a lengthy chain. Though for cash buyers and where there is a short chain, […]
Beware Chancel Repair Liability When Buying a House?
If you are buying a property (flat or house, old or new-build) that is in the boundaries of an Anglican Parish Medieval Church and the Church was built prior to 1536 then you may be subject to Chancel Repair Liability. This means that the Church could enforce the homeowner to pay for the full amount […]
What is Transfer of Equity?
A Transfer of Equity refers to the process by which one or more people are added or removed from ownership of a property and one of the original owners remains on the legal title after the Transfer of Equity is completed. Below we examine the meaning of ‘equity’, the circumstances in which you might want […]
What are Letters of Administration?
To enable you to handle the financial affairs of a close relative following their death, you may need to apply for Letters of Administration. The Grant of Representation: Probate or Letters of Administration? A ‘Grant of Representation’ is the official document proving your legal entitlement to deal with the estate of someone who has died. […]
How to Complain about Faulty Goods
If you have purchased an item that is not as described, of satisfactory quality or fit for the purpose, you have the right to complain to the retailer and you may have a claim under the Consumer Rights Act. When you purchase goods or services, you as the consumer agree to the terms of service and […]
Can My Employer Change My Contract?
‘Can my employer change my contract?’ remains a commonly asked question by UK employees. Unfortunately, the law governing contracts of employment is not always straightforward to interpret. [toc] Below we look more closely at contracts of employment from an employee’s perspective, and specifically at what you can do to redress any contractual changes made by […]
What is Paternity Leave?
Paternity leave is time qualifying employees can take off work to care for their newborn baby or following the adoption of a child. Paternity leave is not an entitlement, as such it will be important to understand if it as available to you. You may also be eligible for paternity pay whilst you are on […]
Claiming Criminal Injuries Compensation
Criminal injuries compensation is a form of compensation that can be claimed when a blameless person becomes the victim of a violent crime. This is a crime where violence is threatened or used upon that person and results in physical or mental harm. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is the government body that administrates […]
Returning Faulty Goods: A Buyers Guide to Unsatisfactory Purchases
Faulty goods are items which either do not fit their pre-sale description, are of unsatisfactory quality, or are unfit for purpose. Even the most careful consumer occasionally finds that an item they have purchased is not up to standard, and may rightly seek a remedy of some kind. Recent buyers are protected from faulty goods […]
What are My Statutory Rights as a Customer?
The main piece of legislation determining your statutory rights as a customer is the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The Act consolidates outdated laws in this area and supplements newer legislation such as the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, simplifying and updating your statutory rights. The Act was drafted to reflect modern shopping habits and addresses four […]
What are Tenants in Common?
If you are looking to buy property with your partner, a relative or friend, or perhaps you have jointly inherited a property, there are two different types of property ownership options: ‘tenants in common’ or ‘joint tenants’. The type of ownership you register with HM Land Registry will affect how you legally own the property […]
What is a Compulsory Purchase Order?
Discovering that the property you own or occupy may be compulsorily acquired can be very distressing, particularly if you are unaware of where you stand legally. Below we examine in more detail the question of ‘what is a compulsory purchase order?’, including your rights as an owner and what an authorised body is required to […]
Vacant Possession (An Explanatory Overview!)
Vacant possession is the contractual right to exclusive use of a property, both physically and legally, following the sale of a property or grant of a lease. The purchaser or tenant must be free to enjoy the property for the purpose intended, without hindrance from any physical presence or legal impediment. By way of example, […]