Steps to follow If you have an elderly relative who increasingly needs looking after and you’re responsible for sorting out their care, you must first decide where they are going to... read more

What documents do I need when meeting a lawyer?

You want to ensure that your first meeting with your solicitor is as useful as possible. To ensure your solicitor thoroughly understands your problem and can provide you with proper legal... read more

Overview of sex discrimination

The Equality Act 2010 outlaws discrimination in the workplace on the grounds of sex, marital status, civil partnership status and gender reassignment. It covers: recruitment and... read more

I am a victim of crime

Steps to follow Report the matter to the police as soon as possible. Dial 999 if it’s an emergency, otherwise, report it to your local police station either in person, via phone or... read more

I want to hire an employee, I want to fire an employee, I am being made redundant, I have been fired

Steps to follow Have you been fired following a certain number of warnings? Or fired on the spot? You can only be fired for a first offence if there has been gross misconduct. This... read more

Repossession of a home you own

Pre-action protocol There are certain steps your lender must take before it takes action to repossess your home, which are set out in a ‘pre-action protocol’. This applies... read more

A relative has died

Steps to follow If a relative has died and you’re in charge of sorting out their affairs there are a number of people and organisations you need to inform starting with the family... read more

Overview of civil partnerships

Same-sex marriages finally got the go ahead back in December 2005 after much government debate and a delay of almost a year to allow changes to tax laws. The Civil Partnership Act formally... read more

An employee has committed a criminal offence

Steps to follow Do you genuinely believe on reasonable grounds that the employee committed the offence? This is the test that a tribunal will apply if you dismiss the employee and the... read more

Grounds for divorce

Famously, one in three marriages ends in divorce. This is a depressing statistic. Divorce can be a hugely traumatic and costly experience for both parties. A divorce is the ending of... read more

I need a will

Steps to follow There are a number of good reasons for making a will: not least that you can arrange your affairs so your loved ones pay less tax after you’ve gone; and you can... read more

Rights of carers

If you are a carer who looks after a relative, friend or neighbour who needs support because of their sickness, age or disability, you have a number of rights at work and you may be... read more

Claiming asylum

The UK has signed up to the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, which means that under certain circumstances it will offer asylum to people who may be persecuted... read more

Welcoming a child

There are laws specifically designed to protect prospective or new parents and there are a range of benefits and allowances that you are entitled to as well. Pregnant employees If... read more

Making a will or probate

Making a will gives you the power to decide how your assets and possessions are divided up after you pass away. It means you can protect your final wishes and safeguard the interests of... read more

Choices if you cannot afford a lawyer

Lawyers don’t come cheap, and sometimes the people who need them most can’t afford to pay. If you are unable to pay a lawyer, then there are several options available to... read more

My child has been excluded/expelled

Steps to follow If your child has learning difficulties or disabilities which affects their behaviour and makes it harder for them to learn or communicate than most children of the same... read more

Special needs education

Steps to follow If your child has learning difficulties or disabilities which affects their behaviour and makes it harder for them to learn or communicate than most children of the same... read more

I want to adopt

Steps to follow If you are over 21 (over 18 if part of a couple and one of you is the birth parent) and healthy enough to provide a long-term stable environment for a child you may be... read more

Which businesses require licensing?

There are a range of businesses in the UK which require a licence. These are generally issued, administered, and policed by local authorities. Licensing authorities must carry out their... read more

I want a pre-nuptial agreement

Steps to follow Are you planning to get married or to enter into a civil partnership but want to protect some of your assets if everything should go wrong? Or is there a significant... read more

Overview of personal tax

The government collects taxes from individuals through HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) under a variety of different headings including: Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax (CGT), Inheritance Tax... read more

Dealing with domestic abuse

Nobody should have to live with domestic abuse. The abuse can be physical, sexual, financial, psychological, or emotional. It is mainly carried out by men towards women, but also happens in... read more

Status of prenuptial agreements in divorce

Pre-nuptial agreements (pre-nups) are not the easiest of subjects to bring up with your betrothed. They seem to fly in the face of the commitment you’re about to make. They’re... read more

Civil partnership dissolution

Just as civil partners enjoy the same rights as mixed-gender married couples in the UK, they also have to apply for dissolution from the courts if they choose to end their partnership. In... read more

Overview of marriage

Who can get married? Any two people can get married in the UK provided they are: Aged 16 or over Of different sex Not too closely related Unmarried and not in... read more

How long does a divorce take?

Once a couple has made the difficult decision to end their marriage, it’s only natural to want to keep the divorce process time to a minimum. A smooth and straight-forward divorce is... read more

Getting divorced later in life

In recent years law firms have reported a significant increase in the number of couples deciding to divorce later in life. Official statistics have also revealed that couples married for... read more

I want a divorce

Steps to follow Have you been married for at least a year? You can’t file for divorce unless you have. Has your relationship irretrievably (permanently) broken down? The court... read more

Overview of child support

Having children is a lifelong commitment. Regardless of whether or not the parents stay together – or ever were in a relationship at all – they both have a responsibility to... read more

Estates planning

Estate planning is the process of disposing of an estate in a way which is designed to eradicate uncertainties over the administration of a probate and maximize the value of the estate. If... read more

Dividing property on divorce

When a marriage breaks down, one of the main bones of contention will be deciding how the assets of you and your partner will be divided. Contrary to popular belief, a couple’s... read more

Fostering a child

What is fostering? Fostering places a child into the care of a family when it cannot live with its own parents. This may be because its parents have problems, cannot cope and need a... read more

Writing a will

Why write a will? Failing to make a will means your belongings will be distributed according to the laws of the country you live in – which may not be in the manner you would... read more

Overview of adoption

Adoption is a legal device designed to provide permanent new homes and families to some of the thousands of children in the UK who are orphaned or who have birth parents either unwilling or... read more

Changing or cancelling a will

Your will is probably not the highest item on your list of concerns. After all, we tend not to think too much about what will happen after we die. As your life progresses and your... read more

Choosing a wills and probate lawyer

An increasing number of disputes over wills are ending up in the courts. These disputes are often bitterly contested and can have a devastating effect on the family unity. One reason... read more

Overview of occupiers liability

The occupier of premises has a legal duty to do everything reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure that lawful visitors are reasonably safe when using the premises for the... read more

Preparing for a divorce

Divorce can be a painful and protracted experience. Preparing for it, and exploring all the available options, however, can go a long way towards reducing the stress. Marriage guidance... read more

Child access rights for fathers

After a separation or divorce, arrangements for caring for and seeing your children are sometimes a difficult and emotionally-charged issue. If both parents remain amicable it is much... read more

Introduction to child custody

If you are separating from your partner or getting a divorce, then the question of where your children will live, and how often each partner will see them, are tough decisions to... read more

Related legal terms

Legal terms related to your search

Children Panel
Solicitors who are trained and assessed...
Child Care
The body of law that protects children...
Juvenile
Juvenile offenders receive special...

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