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

Advice on employment rights

Steps to follow If you have a contract of employment you’ll usually be classed as an employee and are therefore entitled to a number of employment rights. These include statutory... read more

Age discrimination (personal)

Since 1 October 2006, age discrimination in the workplace has been banned, meaning employees are legally protected from discrimination on the basis of their age, just as they are from sex... 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

Becoming a British citizen

There are six forms of British citizenship, some of which are defined in the British Nationality Act 1981. They are: British citizenship; British overseas... read more

Business restructuring

Business restructuring can mean a host of different things, including downsizing the workforce, mergers, acquisitions, debt for equity swaps, and corporate simplification. Businesses... read more

Buying leasehold vs freehold

Property law is widely acknowledged to be a particularly complicated area, so it’s little wonder that some people are confused by the different terms. Though most of us will have... read more

Buying or selling a business

There are a number of steps that need to be worked through when you are buying or selling a business. These include: valuing the business tax advice sales... read more

Buying or selling business premises

Buying Businesses tend to rent premises rather than buy them as finding vacant commercial premises for sale is often hard. Buying also tends to tie up what could be crucial capital and... read more

Can I cut the pay of my staff?

In harsh economic times, most companies start to examine how they can cut costs and save cash, with eyes almost inevitably turning to the company’s employee wage bill which will... read more

Can I represent myself

An individual is entitled to represent themselves or their business at a court or tribunal. This is the case whether the individual is a claimant or a defendant. It may seem a daunting... read more

Checklist for selecting a lawyer

Whatever your legal problem, you take a big step towards resolving it when you hire a good lawyer. This in itself, however, can be tricky. Where do you find the best lawyer for you, how do... 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

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

Choosing a personal injury lawyer

Have you been injured in a road traffic accident, or developed a psychological condition that you believe is the result of an earlier trauma? Did a doctor fail to diagnose an illness, or... 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

Choosing an employment lawyer

Employment Law If your dream job is turning into a nightmare, or your ‘perfect’ employee is wreaking havoc in the workplace, then you may need the help of an employment... 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

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

Commercial leases

Renting a commercial property for your business requires less financial outlay than buying, freeing up your capital to plough into your business and, unless you plan to sell the remaining... read more

Contesting parking tickets

They’re the bane of motorists’ life, and among the most unpopular of all professions. While traffic wardens play Tom and Jerry with hapless drivers up and down the country,... read more

Dealing with consumers

Relevant legislation If you’re a trader who sells to consumers, under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (SOGA) you must ensure the goods you sell are: as described; fit for the purpose... 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

Defences to divorce

Although the pain of a relationship breakdown might spur an angry spouse into fighting a divorce, you should think long and hard before doing so: contesting a divorce petition can be... read more

Defending copyright and trademarks

Copyright and trademarks fall into the field of intellectual property. Copyright protects written, theatrical, musical and artistic works. It exists automatically, but in order to... read more

Disability discrimination (business)

All employers, bar the armed forces, have a legal duty not to discriminate against employees or job applicants on the grounds of disability. This has been the case since October 2004 (prior... read more

Disability discrimination (personal)

If you are an employee or a job applicant and you have a disability, then you have certain rights under UK law. These include the right not to be discriminated against at work or during the... read more

Disputing fees with lawyers and suing your lawyer

Has your latest bill from your lawyer left you reeling in shock? If the fee was larger than you expected, you can dispute it. Lawyers, as heavily regulated professionals, are obliged to... 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

Divorce or nullity? Is there a marriage?

For a couple to divorce, there must first have been a marriage. While this statement may seem obvious, there have been cases where an apparently married couple were found on a... read more

Do I need a lawyer? (business)

Legal problems arise in business all the time and the temptation might be to run to a lawyer every time to get them to sort the problem out for you. There is no doubt that in some... read more

Do I need a lawyer? (personal)

There are many ways to resolve legal problems, the overwhelming majority of which do not involve going to court and some of which do not require the attention of a solicitor. Having... read more

Drugs and their classifications

Illegal drugs are classed A, B, or C under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Class A drugs are considered the most dangerous, and carry the most severe penalties. The laws concerning drugs... 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

Franchises

You want the challenge of running a business but want to minimise the risks. Above all, you want to know your business idea is viable before you start. A good solution may be to take on a... read more

Generally meeting with your lawyer

Before your initial meeting with your lawyer, you may be wondering what will happen at the meeting. What will be discussed, and what questions should you ask? What will the lawyer ask... 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

Getting through a divorce

Making the decision to get a divorce can be difficult. Once the decision is made there are a number of stages to go through before the divorce can become a legal reality. With so much to... read more

Gross misconduct or being fired

Gross misconduct or being fired Gross misconduct is behaviour in the workplace which is so serious that it warrants dismissal for a first offence without... 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

How do solicitors charge?

Cost is always going to be a concern when using legal services, and you may be wondering how lawyers charge? First of all, solicitors have a professional duty to follow rules set down... read more

How to complain about your barrister, legal executive, or licensed conveyancer

We all expect a high standard of advice and conduct when we consult legal professionals. Usually, this is the case. Sometimes, however, things can go wrong. When they do, the prospect of... 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 am a victim of discrimination

Steps to follow It is illegal for your employer to treat you less favourably (ie discriminate against you) because of your: gender; marital status; gender reassignment; pregnancy and... read more

I am being bullied

Steps to follow If you’re being bullied, your first move – if you feel able to - should be to talk to the bully and tell them, in a calm and controlled manner, that you find... read more

I am being bullied, I am a victim of discrimination (employees)

Steps to follow Bullying in the workplace is where someone tries to intimidate another worker. It is defined by Acas as “Offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour,... read more

I am being investigated for fraud

Steps to follow Have you failed to report a change in your personal circumstances to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or council or deliberately provided incorrect information... read more

I am having a baby, I need flexible working hours, I am owed money

Steps to follow If you’re pregnant, you’re allowed time off work for antenatal care. This can include medical appointments, as well as antenatal or parenting classes if... read more

I am in debt, I have debtors

Steps to follow Are you owed money and beginning to get fed up of excuse after excuse? Or, do you have debts that you can’t pay? Either way, take action and sort the problem... read more

I am interested in a franchise

Steps to follow Do you want to run a business, but feel uncomfortable about the risks involved? Franchising may be the answer. It allows you to learn the ropes but minimise the risk and... read more

I have a benefits issue

Steps to follow Do you think the Benefits Office or another body (eg, CSA, HMRC, local council) has made a mistake in calculating your benefits which has resulted in you not receiving the... read more

I have a dispute

Steps to follow Do you feel you are owed money by someone and all attempts to resolve the dispute without resorting to court action have failed? If you decide to take the matter to... read more

I have a dispute with a builder

Steps to follow If you feel your building work has been botched or isn’t finished, first work out who your contract is with. This could be the builder, architect/ structural... read more

I have a health and safety issue

Steps to follow If you’re worried that conditions at your workplace are a potential threat to your health and/ or safety, first of all explain your concerns to your employer, or... read more

I have a health and safety issue

Steps to follow Employers have a duty of care to their workers and to visitors to their premises. Their duty extends to providing a safe place to work, preventing risks to health,... read more

I have a housing dispute

Steps to follow Landlords and tenants have various rights and obligations: as a tenant, for example, you have the right to have your accommodation kept in a reasonable state of repair,... read more

I have a medical injury

Steps to follow If you have a medical injury caused by the negligence of someone in the NHS and feel you’re entitled to compensation, take legal advice as soon as possible. A... read more

I have a motoring injury

Steps to follow As soon as the accident has taken place, obtain and exchange information with all other drivers involved including full names, registration numbers, insurance company... read more

I have a planning issue

Steps to follow Some building work to your home is allowed under permitted development and therefore won’t require planning permission, but before you start to make alterations to... read more

I have a problem with my bank

Steps to follow If you think your bank is treating you unfairly – eg overcharging you for a service or selling you a product without explaining the risks – your first move... read more

I have a problem with my pension

Steps to follow If you have a problem with your state pension, first contact your pension centre and explain what you think is wrong. They will aim to investigate your complaint within... read more

I have a tax issue

Steps to follow If you’re unhappy with HMRC’s service – eg unreasonable delay, an avoidable mistake, or how you’ve been treated – first talk to the person or... read more

I have a tax issue (corporate tax)

Steps to follow If you are a limited company, you will have to pay corporation tax on any profits at the end of the financial year. Partnerships have to pay income tax. Then there are... read more

I have an employment issue

Steps to follow Are you an employee? Your employment status determines what rights you have. If you are paid a salary, do the work personally (rather than sub-contract it out), if your... read more

I have an environmental issue

Steps to follow Are you an individual? You may be worried about air or noise pollution, or concerned about the impact of a major road or property development in your area. You may be able... read more

I have been accused of a crime

Steps to follow If you’ve been accused of a crime the police will no doubt want to talk to you about it. If the offence you’ve been accused of carries a power of arrest (eg... read more

I have been given a poor service

Steps to follow Have you received poor service from a plumber, builder or other provider of services? If so, is your complaint about the quality of work, the time it took to... read more

I have committed a traffic offence

Steps to follow Police have the legal right to stop any motorist at any time. They don’t have to give you a reason and it’s a criminal offence if you fail to stop.... read more

I have injured myself at work

Steps to follow If you’ve been injured at work, you should (if you are capable of doing so) record the details of the incident in your employer's accident book. (All employers,... 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

I need help with a contract

Steps to follow A contract is an agreement between two or more persons, which gives rise to obligations that are enforceable by law. Has an offer been made? In legal parlance, an... read more

I need help with immigration

EEA & Swiss nationals If you’re from Switzerland or the European Economic Area, you and your family will usually have the right to freely enter the UK and live here, as long as you... read more

I need help with power of attorney

Steps to follow If you feel there may be a time in the future when you don’t want to make decisions about your property and financial affairs or your health welfare, or you feel you... read more

I need to restructure my company

Steps to follow There are many reasons for restructuring a company—realising value from assets, downsizing the workforce, streamlining and simplifying, taking it in another... 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

I want a mortgage

Steps to follow Make sure your credit rating is in good shape – some companies do free credit checks. You can improve your credit rating by: registering on the electoral roll at... 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

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

I want to buy or sell a property

Steps to follow Seller issues the contract package which consists of a draft contract, Official Copies of the legal title, copies of any deed/documents which affect the title, a Sellers... read more

I want to buy premises, I want to sell premises

Steps to follow Do you want to change business premises? Whether buying, selling or renting premises, it is a good idea to use a specialist commercial property solicitor who will be able... read more

I want to rent or let a property

Steps to follow Renting The easiest way of finding a private residence to rent is through a letting agency. The agency may also manage the property on the landlord’s... read more

I want to sell my company, I want to buy a company

Steps to follow Whether you are buying or selling a business, the first step is to put a value on it. This is a negotiable matter. Valuing a business is a complex process, so consider... read more

Injury of a member of staff at work

Employers have a duty to tell their employees about health and safety issues that may affect them, to provide relevant safety equipment and training, and to provide a safe place to... read more

International trade

Sales and distribution overseas   If you want to sell your wares overseas, you need to decide how you’re going to distribute them. You might opt to sell them directly, e.g.,... read more

Invasion of privacy

Personal information is freely given in everyday transactions, from paying for goods at a supermarket to filling in health insurance forms. Consequently, there is a vast amount of... read more

Living together wisely

Despite popular belief, there is no such thing in the UK as “common law marriage”. If you and your partner are living together you have considerably less rights than couples who... read more

Making staff redundant

There are many reasons why you may need to make staff redundant including closure or relocation of your company, a need to cut costs by reducing headcount or simply because some posts... read more

Managing debtors

Late payment of invoices can make or break a company – especially a small one. Many businesses are often not keen to chase debtors too hard for fear of damaging their relationship... read more

Missing mortgage payments

In times of recession, a great number of homeowners fall into arrears with their mortgage. If you are in this situation, you are best to seek help as fast as possible. If you... read more

Outsourcing agreements

Outsourcing is an increasingly popular option for businesses wishing to cut their costs, make use of outside expertise, and focus on their core purpose. Outsourcing is where a business... read more

Overview of accidents at work

Earning a living can be hazardous. And it’s not just occupations like firefighting and construction work that are dangerous—office work can also lead to injury. Unfortunately,... 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

Overview of buying and selling a property

Buying or selling a property is, for many, a major life event. It can be a complicated process, but there will be plenty of professional help on hand to guide you through the various... 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

Overview of copyrights, trademarks and intellectual property

  Scientific inventions, commercial designs, songs, sculptures, novels and dramatic performances all share one thing in common—they are protected by Intellectual Property... read more

Overview of crime and criminal law

We all think we know about crime—it is a theft, murder, fraud or assault. The British public are avid watchers of television crime dramas, and readers of crime fiction. But what... read more

Overview of employment rights (business)

As an employer in a UK company you have a number of duties and obligations to the people working for you under employment legislation. The duties you have depend largely on what category... read more

Overview of employment rights (personal)

Employees and workers in the UK enjoy a number of employment rights by law. You are classed as an employee if you are a working under a contract of employment. Employment... read more

Overview of fraud in businesses

Definition of fraud  In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the fraud laws were overhauled by the Fraud Act 2006 which came into force in 2007. It introduced a statutory... read more

Overview of immigration to the UK

Various different rules and criteria apply depending on whether you want to visit, work/ study in or permanently settle in the UK.  Visiting the UK Most foreign visitors to the... read more

Overview of insolvency

A company is insolvent when it cannot pay its debts and its assets are less than its debts. Unless you can find a way to pay off those debts pretty quickly then the insolvency may lead to... read more

Overview of insurance for business

There are numerous types of insurance cover available for businesses. Some must be taken out by law, others aren’t mandatory but are highly advisable for all businesses, while still... read more

Overview of loans, mortgages and guarantees

Businesses often have to borrow money, and how to do this is a question it pays to research. Borrowing may be necessary while the business is starting up, if a big order comes in, or if... 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

Overview of medical injuries

What is a medical injury? If the treatment you received from a doctor, hospital, dentist, nurse, midwife or other healthcare worker/ organisation falls below what is accepted as being... 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

Overview of overtime

Introduction There are times in the life of a business when staff are going to be required to work extra hours – if you have a rush of demand for your goods or services or during... read more

Overview of pay (pay rises, pay cuts, notice pay, etc.)

Your employer should tell you when you start work how much you will be paid, how it will be paid to you and when. This must be put in writing within two months of you starting... read more

Overview of product liability and product liability defences

  If you supply products to consumers you need to make sure they are safe. The main responsibility for ensuring this safety lies with the product’s manufacturers but if your... 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

Overview of the minimum wage

National Minimum Wage rates Since April 1999 most workers in the UK have been legally entitled to a minimum wage. The national minimum wage (NMW) rates are set based on recommendations... read more

Overview of winding up a business

If your company is insolvent – i.e. it doesn’t have enough money to pay off its debts – there are several different possible outcomes. Some of these could involve allowing... read more

Penalties for drink driving

A conviction for drink driving could lead to a six-month jail sentence, a fine of £5,000 and a driving ban of between 12-36 months. Penalties change according to the seriousness... 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

Preparing to meet your lawyer

Once you have arranged your first meeting with a solicitor, it’s a good idea to gather your paperwork together and work out what questions you want to ask. Otherwise, you could end up... read more

Problem tenants

Renting out property is not as easy as it might look to the outsider. The landlord has many responsibilities towards the tenant, and must take care of a multitude of repairs, insurance and... read more

Problems with goods and services

Goods  All consumers have rights when they buy faulty goods from someone acting in the course of trade, although the type of rights you have may depend on what you bought and how... read more

Problems with your landlord - private landlord

The days of slum landlords have—in theory at least—ended. As a tenant, you have a right to live in a safe home free from an intrusive or unscrupulous landlord. What you are... read more

Questions to ask when meeting a lawyer

Sometimes you will have no choice but to seek advice from a lawyer about a legal problem. If you meet a lawyer and decide that you want to engage their services, you will want to get the... read more

Recovering debts from other people or companies

It’s infuriating, sometimes embarrassing, and can be costly. There are, however, various avenues open to you when a debtor refuses to pay up. First steps When attempting to... read more

Renting a business property - obligations on a commercial tenant

A lease or tenancy is an "estate in land" and is a legal agreement between you and the landlord allowing you to use the premises, subject to pre-agreed conditions. It can be... 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

Requirements to provide pensions to employees

There are two main types of pension in the UK: money-purchase and final salary schemes.   Money-purchase schemes include occupational money purchase, personal pensions, stakeholder... 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

Rights to maternity leave

If you’re an employee and expectant mum, you’re entitled to 26 weeks of ordinary maternity leave (OML) and 26 weeks additional maternity leave (AML) which – as long as you... read more

Salvaging a business

Every company has its ups and downs but you need to ensure your business can run as a viable concern in the good times and bad. If your company is having problems, there are several things... 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

Terminating franchise agreements

A franchise is a mutually beneficial business agreement, where the franchisor (for example, a large business such as McDonald’s) allows a franchisee to use its business idea. This... read more

Termination of employment contracts

If you or your employer wants to terminate your employment, your employment contract will usually set out how much notice one must give the other before you leave. This may be more generous... read more

Types of businesses

Different types of business have different legal structures and the kind you choose will depend on the sort of business you have and what you want out of it. The tax/national insurance and... 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

What constitutes gross misconduct?

If you have done something at work which is so damaging to your employer’s business or organisation that it amounts to “gross misconduct”, your employer can dismiss you... 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

What to consider when selecting a lawyer

There are several points to think about when choosing a lawyer, and the most important one is to select a lawyer with experience in the right area of law. Solicitors are usually highly... read more

What to do if you believe your lawyer is negligent

If your solicitor has not returned your calls and letters, presented you with an unexpectedly large bill, or not done what you asked them to do, then you may have a legitimate... read more

What to know when buying a leasehold

Purchasing a property is a milestone for some, an investment for others. But whether you are looking for a new home or a secure asset, it’s essential you understand the legal points... read more

Who works in law firms?

Law firms are busy places. They come in various shapes and sizes, from sprawling multinational operations to just one solicitor working as a sole practitioner from a high street... 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

Your consumer rights

Whether we purchase goods from a shop, another person, or across the internet, we have legal rights as consumers. We also have rights when we hire goods or enter into a hire-purchase... read more