Blogs
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....
Kate Garraway stuck in a ‘legal rabbit hole’ without LPA
Over the past year, we have watched the figures mount to shocking levels as increasing numbers of people have lost their lives to the COVID-19 virus. We have previously spoken about the importance of making a Will, to ensure your loved ones are protected should the worst happen. However, television....
How walking can keep our heritage alive during the COVID-19 pandemic
During the coronavirus pandemic, we have seen hundreds of heritage sites, including stately homes across the country, close their doors to the public. With successive lockdowns attempting to stem the spread of the disease, these houses – which serve as such important reminders of our country’s ....
Budget 2021: What employers need to know
In his Budget on Wednesday 3 March – probably one of the most eagerly awaited in many years – Chancellor Rishi Sunak stood before the House of Commons to outline the government’s spending plans for the year ahead. Despite the government’s towering debt – a result of its heavy borrowing in....
Home working won’t end with COVID
Many businesses preparing for the end of lockdown say they won’t end flexible and remote working practices, with firms such as John Lewis Partnership and Metro Bank planning to introduce ‘blended’ and ‘hybrid’ models of working going forwards. A spokesperson for John Lewis said its new wo....
Legal advice for employers as redundancies soar
Recent UK labour market data has revealed that redundancies reached record levels between September and November 2020 – the largest annual decrease in a decade. Meanwhile, February figures show there are now 726,000 less employees on UK payrolls than in February 2020 (although the larger falls oc....
No jab, no job?
In an ITV interview, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland suggested that companies may theoretically be able to turn down job candidates who refuse to get a COVID-19 vaccine, by writing it into their contract as a condition of employment. Firms are taking a stand The comments come after some....
Delayed IR35 changes to be implemented in April
Delayed IR35 changes to be implemented in April Controversial changes to IR35 ‘off-payroll’ tax regulations are finally to go ahead on 6 April 2021, after being postponed due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on businesses. However, a survey undertaken at the beginning of 2021 sh....
