Unregistered Land and Property Fraud

Property fraud is where fraudsters will attempt to sell or mortgage your property without your knowledge by impersonating you. Unfortunately, property fraud is on the rise but there may be steps you can take to reduce this risk. When it comes to property fraud, one of the high risk categories are those properties which are…

Fathers Day

Father’s Day is a day to celebrate fatherhood and paternal bonds but for many fathers and children it can represent a difficult day, especially for those who are separated from their children. In May 2021, the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service, (Cafcass) reported an increase in the number of applications made to…

Long COVID: is it a disability and what do employers need to know?

It was announced by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) earlier this year that an estimated 1 in 10 people who have had COVID-19 continue to experience symptoms and an impaired quality of life over 12 weeks after the initial infection. This condition has become commonly known as “long COVID”. There is very…

Renegotiating Spousal Maintenance Payments To Reflect Your Post-pandemic Finances

In recent weeks, we have seen some of the tightest pandemic-related restrictions eased in line with the UK’s roadmap out of lockdown. Whether it be the reopening of gyms, non-essential shops or pubs/restaurants, there is a definite cause for optimism following a long winter lockdown. However, for some, the financial impact of the pandemic has…

Trademarks in Chocolate Cake

There’s confidence to say that most people have had a chocolate caterpillar birthday cake at least once in their lives. And if not for them personally, their children, relatives or friends have. This week, Marks & Spencer commenced legal proceedings in the High Court against Aldi arguing that the latter’s “Cuthbert the Caterpillar” infringes M&S’s…

IR35 and Off Payroll Working: What’s Next?

Preparation and changes from 6 April 2021 From 6 April 2021 the Government has made changes to the IR35 tax regime, designed to prevent tax-avoidance of contractors by the use of an intermediary company (usually a personal service company, or “PSC”). In simple terms, the regime makes sure that workers who would have been an…

Employment Law changes for April 2021

April is a busy month for employment law changes and updates.  We have set out below the main changes that employers ought to be familiar with ahead of 1 April. Changes to National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage The National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage rates will increase on 1 April 2021…

Spring 2021 Budget – Key announcements for employers

On Wednesday 3rd March 2021, Rishi Sunak announced his eagerly awaited Budget.  Generally, the Budget has continued the Government’s message that it is aiming to protect the “jobs and livelihoods” of the British people.  The Budget was presented as a long term response to the issues presented by Covid-19 and the Chancellor warned that the…

Divorce and Privacy

Love, Honour and Obey…but do not look at my bank statements! The question of whether a person has the right to open their partners post if they suspect them of having an affair may, at first glance, appear to deal with issues of morality and privacy, but sometimes it becomes a question of legality. Couples…