Read our latest articles, news briefs and legal updates across all our different services.
The government is urging private companies to follow the example of the public sector and start providing employees with loans to cover deposits on rented accommodation. It’s part of a push to provide a bigger and better private rented sector. In February, all government departments agreed to offer deposit loans to staff wanting to take
A court has ruled that investors in a failed restaurant venture were entitled to get their money back because their names had not been placed on the lease as agreed. The case involved a businessman who identified an opportunity to lease and run a restaurant business. He secured an investment of £255,000 from five individual
Employers needing to lay off staff could be spared time and expense following new guidance about collective redundancies from one of Europe’s top law officials. The law relating to collective redundancies applies when an employer wishes to lay off 20 or more workers within a 90-day period. In those circumstances, the employer has to consult
A surgeon who was sacked after allegedly making racist remarks has failed to get an injunction preventing his employer going ahead with the dismissal. The case involved a consultant general surgeon who attended a meeting with a number of other doctors. After some of those doctors had left, he allegedly made remarks about them that
A government minister says it’s scandalous that so many rogue employers are getting away with not paying tribunal awards on time. Business Minister Baroness Neville-Rolfe warned firms that they could soon face penalties if they continue to delay compensation payments to employees. New enforcement measures are being introduced as part of the Small Business, Enterprise
Pre-nup agreements are often associated with the rich but they are now being used by couples from all walks of life. They are particularly popular with people entering second marriages who want to safeguard their assets for their children from a previous relationship. People who have inherited money or perhaps been awarded compensation for an
Shared parental leave comes into effect in April, giving families more flexibility than ever before. Under the scheme, working couples will be able to share untaken maternity leave and pay, following the first 2 weeks’ recovery period that mothers have to take off after birth. It means that up to 50 weeks leave and 37
Lasting powers of attorney (LPA) are a tried and trusted way of enabling a person to nominate someone to look after their affairs if they ever lose the capacity to do so themselves at some point in the future. They have helped millions of families achieve peace of mind over many years. While the vast
It could soon be easier for people in shared ownership homes to sell their property. The government funded schemes enable people to buy a share in a property, with a registered housing provider owning the rest. Typically, a purchaser may buy a 50% share in the home with the option of increasing their stake if
Family courts in England will soon be able to order DNA tests to establish a child’s parentage. It’s hoped the move will reduce delays and unnecessary arguments during divorce cases. The move follows concern that courtroom disputes over parentage are slowing down proceedings and making it harder for couples to reach a fair settlement. Two