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There is often confusion between the rights and responsibilities afforded to married couples as opposed to unmarried couples, with many unmarried couples still believing in the myth of the “common law spouse” and the misapprehension that they have the same rights as a spouse. One of the differences between married and unmarried couples is in
Employers have had to pay out more than £83,000 under the tribunal penalty regime that came into force last year. Firms now face penalties of up to £5,000 for non-payment of tribunal awards under the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act. The regime applies to judgments made on or after 6 April, 2016. The Department
The government says it wants to provide mothers and pregnant women with better protection against the threat of redundancy. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is to hold a public consultation on the issue and consider new ways to ensure women are not subjected to discrimination at work. It follows a report by
Machins Solicitors regularly advise start-up businesses on the legal aspects of their new venture. Set out below is a basic checklist of the main points for you to consider and which we are usually asked to advise on: Business Structure Choose an appropriate business structure. The most common are: Sole trader – is when you
What is a Legal Services Payment Order? A Legal Services Payment Order (LSPO) is an order whereby one party is ordered to pay to the other party a sum of money to enable them to obtain legal services. For example, a working husband may be ordered to pay his non-working wife a sum of
Many will be familiar with contracts in one way or another. However, to some, preparing or reviewing such documentation may seem like a wasteful expense, particularly for a new business as the cost would cut into that all important bottom line. Legally, a contract can be written or spoken and therefore an effective agreement could
With Family Mediation Week due to take place between 23-27 January 2017, we explain some key points about Family Mediation and how the process works. Family Mediation – What is it? Family Mediation is designed to assist divorcing or separating couples reach an agreement in relation to financial and/or children matters that arise as a
A beauty therapist who was made redundant by the Bannatyne Fitness group because she was unable to work weekends has been awarded £18,000 for unfair dismissal and injury to her feelings. The Employment Tribunal heard that Emma Holt had worked at Bannatyne Fitness in Carlisle for nearly 10 years. She had a flexible hours agreement
The director of an employment agency has been fined £17,000 for eight breaches of regulations relating to his business sector. Stephen Paul Harvey, who is aged 63 and from N10 in London, was also banned from being a company director for two years. Mr Harvey’s offences related to the operation of two companies, one incorporated
A landlord is not liable to pay council tax if a fixed term tenancy ends early. The payment remains the responsibility of the tenant even if they are no longer resident. That was the decision of the Court of Appeal in a case involving Leeds City Council. The landlord in the case had granted assured