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The main provisions of the Good Work Plan come into effect today . Firstly, a reminder of what had already been implemented previously: Two changes took effect on 6 April 2019:- All employees and workers became entitled to an itemised payslip setting...
The Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984, Part III, enables people to apply to courts in England and Wales where there has been an overseas divorce and no, or inadequate, financial provision has been made. It is necessary to apply for permission, or...
This is one of a series of blog posts specifically catered to address some of the questions the planning team has been receiving relating to issues that have an impact during the current Covid-19 crisis. Are you at risk of not being able to implement...
In ordinary times, the proportion of workers in the UK who work entirely or mainly from home is relatively low. We find ourselves in something of an extraordinary time, when the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic has resulted in the majority of non- key...
The ongoing coronavirus has seen us all adapt radically in our day to day routine. Some of those changes are voluntary, many more of course have been imposed on us. One area of change relates to exercise, and more specifically cycling. Whilst...
These are unprecedented and uncertain times. The daily headlines in the media are dominated by the coronavirus pandemic and we are all concerned about our health and the health of our loved ones. Sadly injuries continue to happen, but if you...
Since the Government’s announcement of lock down, it seems likely that many more individuals will be looking to get their daily fix of exercise by alternate means whether that be walking, running or cycling. It therefore feels an apt time to talk...
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) have produced a letter which can be used by workers in the food supply chain when travelling for work purposes. The letter can be found here: ...
If you are contemplating assisting with the current crisis, you should first consider the terms of your charity’s existing charitable objects which are set out in your governing document. Objects that might already allow you to offer support include: ...
On Saturday 28 March 2020 the Business Secretary, Alok Sharma, announced a range of interim relief that will become available for companies who, during the Covid-19 pandemic, face the difficult task of having to balance survival against the longer-term...
Often when we think of personal protective equipment, we have visions of hard hats, steel toe capped boots and high-visibility vests. However, PPE is relevant in a whole host of situations outside a building site. We are hearing a lot about PPE across the...
British Summer Time officially started on the last Sunday in March, but in another unprecedented event, many parts of the UK experienced temperatures below freezing and saw snow fall. Weather in general always sparks conversation, and whilst snow and ice...
*Updated guidance has been provided on 27 March 2020 – this note includes that guidance* Who is eligible for the scheme? Any UK organisation with employees can apply, including: businesses charities recruitment agencies (agency workers paid...
The Government has announced yesterday (26 March 2020) the introduction of a package for self-employed individuals called the Coronavirus Self-employment Income Support Scheme. This is different to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) which was...
Coronavirus has impacted on all our lives. From Roythornes’ point of view, most of our staff are working from home and continuing to provide the high level of service for which we are known. We have received several questions about conveyancing...
With the current situation taking the country into a lockdown, we are being asked by our clients if we can still pursue debtors on their behalf. The easy answer to the question is yes , however careful thought and consideration should be given to the...
In this article we consider some of the options for farmers with small-scale commercial tenants whose businesses are affected by the developing coronavirus crisis. Many farmers have diversified into small-scale commercial lettings on their farms. In some...
The Coronavirus Bill has not yet been enacted but we are expecting its provisions to be approved and brought into law imminently. One of the five key areas set out in the Bill relates to Emergency Volunteer Leave . What is Emergency Volunteer Leave? A...
The Government announced the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme on 20 March 2020, which provides for grants of 80% of an employee’s salary up to a maximum of £2,500 per month in circumstances where otherwise the employee could expect to be laid-off...
The Department for Transport has carried out a review of its guidelines in respect of MOT testing for cars, motorcycles and light goods vehicles. Following the review, vehicle owners will be granted a 6-month exemption from MOT testing from 30 March...
Understandably, many charities are currently very concerned about their financial position. As a priority, trustees should consider what are their short, medium and longer term priorities, and see if they need to amend their financial planning...
If you are considering whether a force majeure clause can assist in dealing with current circumstances, we have set out below a summary of the main points to consider. The key take-away is not to assume that a standard force majeure sweeper/general...
The Charities Commission assured charities last week that their approach to regulation during this uncertain period will be as flexible and pragmatic as possible in the public interest, and they will be helping trustees to be aware of and think about the...
The Chancellor announced last week, funding would be made available to cover a portion of wages where employees are laid off during the Coronavirus crisis. This is known as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. What will the scheme do? In certain...
For those employees who have been advised to self-isolate due to coronavirus, either because they have symptoms or they live with someone who has symptoms, evidence of sickness absence can now be provided by ‘isolation note’. To produce an...
The family courts have explained that they will continue to deal with family law court appointments and hearings, but with some practical changes. There is now an assumption that they will be dealt with remotely, using email, conference call facilities or...
The Government has announced that due to the ongoing COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic, there is to be a ban on all new possession proceedings for all residential tenancies for at least three months, whether it is social housing or privately rented. The draft...
Following the current issues in the wake of Covid–19, the Government has announced that the reforms to IR35/off-payroll working rules will now be postponed by a year (from 6 April 2020 to 6 April 2021). What is IR35? The IR35/off-payroll working...
With the coronavirus outbreak causing strain in the high street it’s even more important than ever to manage your cash flow. In the last few days we have seen an increase in the number of enquiries from clients and potential clients asking how...
In this article we consider some of the issues facing farmers and grower employers in the light of the developing coronavirus crisis. Farms are not professional services firms where remote working may be an alternative to being physically present on site....
Published 16 March 2020. For a .pdf of this information please click here A Pay and Sick Pay In what circumstances is SSP payable? The introduction of regulation 2(1)(c) Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) Regulations 2020 -...
Pay and Sick Pay In what circumstances is SSP payable? The introduction of regulation 2(1)(c) Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) Regulations 2020 - with effect from today’s date - means that an employee who is in...
We are fast approaching that time of year when we celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD). This year, the marked event will take place on Sunday 8 March, but did you know it has been celebrated from as far back as 1911? (I...
Published 5 March 2020 Further to our blog yesterday, there has already been up update: sick pay for self-isolating workers. Workers will now receive statutory sick pay from their first day off work as opposed to the previous rules,...
In response to the recent article in the Lincolnshire Reporter, (“Lincolnshire hospitals payout over £30 million for medical negligence”), and as a medical negligence solicitor at Roythornes, I felt the attached screenshot could not be more...
When I’m meeting with a client to discuss a lease extension, I can guarantee they ask me the same three questions: Why do I have to extend my lease? What is the process? How much will it cost me? A lot of buyers assume that when they purchased a flat,...
Consider the case of MB v EB . The parties separated in 2004 after only three or four years of marriage. In 2011 they agreed a separation agreement where the husband, a struggling artist, received £245,000, from his wife, to purchase a property and...
This blog highlights some legal considerations for landowners and tenant farmers to bear in mind when applying to the Government’s new Woodland Carbon Guarantee scheme (WCaG), supported by an associated woodland creation project. The long-term...
With less than two months to go before the main provisions of the Good Work Plan come into effect, it’s time make sure you have everything ready. Firstly, a reminder of what has already been implemented: Two changes took effect on 6 April 2019: ...
In honour of World Cancer Day, medical negligence specialist Rob Dempsey answers your frequently asked questions regarding missed diagnosis of cancer. What do the guidelines say regarding missed diagnosis of cancer? To establish...
Recent news reported Swedish giant Ikea had agreed to pay $46m to the parents of a child killed when the company’s Malm drawers toppled over, suffocating him in May 2017. This may shock some, given the presence of the Malm range in so many homes...
A report in the news today (15 January 2020) highlights findings that miscarriage may lead to long-term post traumatic stress. The study of 650 women carried out by Imperial College in London found 29% of women who had had a miscarriage showed the...
Every week, The Law Society invites law firms to take part in #solicitorchat hour on Twitter, which provides the opportunity to answer popular legal queries. On 23 January, I took part in the Personal Injury session (and won!) Here’s...
In light of the recent news that Scotland is set to ban children under 12 heading the ball in a game of football, we felt this earlier blog was particularly apt to share. It shows that the consideration of development of later health issues as a result of...
If someone dies without a will (or without one that is valid), the intestacy rules dictate how much of their estate their partner, children and other relatives inherit. Legislation passed yesterday – the Administration of Estates Act 1925 (Fixed Net...
