Changes have been made to the family court system with the aim of improving standards and speeding up the process. The new measures mean that only the most qualified, experienced and recognised professionals will be allowed to give evidence in family cases where children are involved. These expert witnesses can only give evidence if the
The government has simplified inheritance laws in order to modernise the process of dividing the assets of a person who dies without making will. It follows a review of intestacy law and a consultation carried out by the Law Commission. Under the new laws, if a person dies intestate, that is without leaving a will,
The government is to introduce new measures that will make it easier for people to build their own home. Under the Right to Build scheme, people who want to build their own home will be able to get help from their local council to find a suitable plot of land. The scheme will be trialled
Business secretary Vince Cable has launched a wide ranging employment review which could potentially benefit up to a million British workers. Many people on zero-hours contracts are on ‘worker’ employment contracts, as opposed to ‘employee’ contracts. That means they have fewer basic rights, such as maternity pay, the right to request flexible working hours or
Expectant fathers now have the right to take unpaid time off work to attend two ante-natal classes with their partners. The entitlement, which came into effect on 1 October, applies to all expectant partners including husbands, spouses, civil partners and anyone in a long-term relationship with the mother. Expectant fathers who are not in a
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Were you aware that employees with Breast Cancer and other Cancers have protection from disability discrimination from day 1 of their diagnosis even when their condition is in remission? You may be an employee working through your Cancer. You may be the employer trying to support your employee in
A woman whose millionaire husband lied about the extent of his wealth during their divorce has won the right to take her case to the Supreme Court. Alison Sharland was married for 17 years to Charles Sharland, the founder of AppSense, a successful software company which was valued at £47.25m at the time of the
The Court of Protection has helped a family to settle a disagreement about the best way to care for their 84-year-old mother. The mother suffered from dementia and lived in a care home. She lacked the capacity to make the decision for herself about where she should live. As her condition worsened she moved into
A manager of a golf club bar has won an unfair dismissal claim after his bosses said he had falsified weekly bar statements. The manager was suspended from his job when annual accounts showed a deficit of around £5,300. His bosses claimed that the deficit was due to him making handwritten alterations and deducting the
The government has sent information to social housing tenants reminding them of the Right to Buy scheme. The leaflets offer advice to tenants on how to exercise their Right to Buy and become first-time homeowners. The scheme allows social tenants in London a maximum discount of up to £102,700. The maximum discount in other parts