Blogs
Freedom Day is coming… what employers need to know
Following a four-week delay on 21 June, so called ‘Freedom Day’ is almost here – exactly 480 days after England’s first lockdown measures were introduced. On Monday 19 July 2021, all remaining legal coronavirus restrictions in England are set to be lifted. However, with the Delta variant of....
The eviction ban has ended but landlords should still proceed with caution
In March 2020, the government introduced a series of emergency measures to protect residential tenants from the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic. One of these measures was a ban on residential possession proceedings and eviction, with the aim that “no renter in either social or privat....
Enforcement of possession orders in the post-COVID era
On 1 June 2021, the ban on residential evictions was lifted in response to the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions. The enforcement process The first stage of an eviction is for a court to issue an order for possession telling your tenant to leave, or a suspended order for possession,....
2022 will see ‘no fault’ divorce become law
In April 2022, the much-awaited Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 will introduce what has become known as ‘no fault’ divorce. It has long been seen by campaigners and legal professionals as a much-needed amendment that will greatly reduce the stress, expense and acrimony that charact....
Business owners: don’t forget about succession planning
According to a study conducted last year by the Institute for Corporate Productivity, 44.4% of businesses had no formal approach to succession planning, while 10% performed no succession planning whatsoever. Even the largest companies struggle; research suggests that two thirds (68%) of all FTSE 10....
Lifetime gifting and the ‘presumption against double portions’
The rules around inheritance are highly complex, as many of those who have had to go through probate or deal with Inheritance Tax issues know all too well. Because so few people fully understand them, however, they may risk unintentionally jeopardising the inheritance they leave behind for their be....
The return to work: your questions answered
Rising cases and the transmissibility of the ‘Delta variant’ of COVID-19 may delay the UK’s ‘freedom day’ of 21 June; even so, increasing numbers of people are either making or soon expect to make the transition back to the office. If you have any questions about the return to office life....
Pensions on divorce
When a relationship sadly breaks down, the primary concern for both parties will be the issue of where they (and any children) will live and how they will afford their daily living expenses. During such a challenging and emotional time, it is common for one of the couple’s largest assets to be ov....
I’m buying my first home, when should I give notice on my rented property?
Once you’ve had your offer accepted on the property you’re planning to buy, it can be tempting to think about giving notice to your landlord. However, as you’re probably aware, things don’t always go as smoothly as we’d all like when it comes to buying and selling properties. Once you’ve....
New planning rules will help high streets “bounce back”
A relaxation of planning laws will “revitalise England’s cherished high streets and town centres”, the government has said. Conversion of commercial premises The new rules, introduced on 31 March and effected on 21 April 2021, will allow commercial premises to be converted into resi....
Guidance for employers: facilitating employees’ access to coronavirus tests
While the vast majority of international travel to and from the UK is currently prohibited in order to protect the country from the spread of coronavirus, employees working in certain jobs may qualify for travel exemptions. This includes those whose work regularly takes them abroad, elite sportsper....
Employment tribunal payouts to increase
On 6 April 2021, the statutory limits on certain employment tribunal awards and other amounts payable under employment legislation will increase according to the Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2021. The two main points of note are: The limit on compensatory awards for ‘ordinar....
