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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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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,... 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,... 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,... more

Overview of motor accidents

There are thousands of motor accidents on the UK’s roads each year. If you are unlucky enough to be involved in a motoring accident, you are likely to be involved in a subsequent... 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... more

Drink driving and defences to drink driving

Drink driving ruins lives. There is no safe limit of alcohol, because each person’s tolerance depends on a range of factors such as metabolism, stress levels and weight. If you have... 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... more

Overview of sex discrimination in employment

Under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (SDA 1975), it is illegal for your employer, or a prospective employer, to discriminate against you because of your gender, your marital status or... 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... more

I want to make an insurance claim

Steps to follow Have you suffered some sort of loss which is covered by an insurance policy? If so, first check your policy to ensure it’s worth making a claim – most... more

Overview of sex discrimination

The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (SDA) outlaws discrimination in the workplace on the grounds of sex, marital status, civil partnership status and gender reassignment. It covers job... 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... 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... 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... 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... more

Parking tickets

Millions of parking tickets are issued in the UK each year, presenting a valuable revenue-gathering opportunity for local authorities. The reason for the huge amount of these... 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... more

Overview of child support

Having children is, as they say, a lifelong commitment. Regardless of whether or not the parents stay together (or ever were in a relationship at all) they have a responsibility to support... 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... 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... more

What constitutes gross misconduct?

Dismissing staff is a fraught area for employers. Rules and regulations must be strictly adhered to, and efforts must be made to be as sensitive as possible to employees during this... 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... 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... more

Overview of race discrimination

The Race Relations Act 1976 outlaws race discrimination in the workplace (as well as in education, transport and the provision of goods and services). This means all employees and job... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... more

Age discrimination (business)

Many employers have, in the past, opted for youth over experience. This may be partly because they know they can pay young people less, and partly because of misconceptions and myths about... more

Age discrimination (personal)

On 1 October 2006, age discrimination in the workplace was banned. This means employees are legally protected from discrimination on the basis of their age, just as they are from sex or... 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... more

Bankruptcy basics

If the demands from credit companies are piling up on your doorstep, then you may be considering filing for bankruptcy. Bankruptcy no longer carries the stigma that it once had,... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... more

Choosing a wills and probate lawyer

According to lawyers in the know, 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... more

Claiming asylum

Who may claim asylum? To be recognised as a refugee and thus claim asylum in the UK, you must have left your country and be unable to go back because there is a real danger that... 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... more

Company filing requirements

Every company has a duty to prepare a set of accounts which report on the company’s performance and activities during the financial year. A copy of these accounts must be sent to... 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,... more

Criminal justice process

Many people and organisations make up the criminal justice process, from police officers to criminal barristers to prisons. The following is a brief guide to what happens and who is... more

Crown Prosecution Service

Once the police have arrested a suspect and gathered evidence on a crime, the case is then handed over to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS - www.cps.gov.uk) so that a prosecution can be... 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... 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... more

Dealing with the bankruptcy of a supplier

No matter how prudent you are with your own financial dealings, you cannot fully protect yourself against the financial misfortunes of others. In times of economic uncertainty, the... more

Defences to divorce

Contesting a divorce can be expensive and time-consuming. Most lawyers advise against it. Uncontested divorces run a lot more smoothly. While the drama of the courtroom may seem attractive... 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... 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... 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... 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... more

Dividing property on divorce

The family home should be a place of security, a major investment in emotional as well as financial terms. Where a married couple split up, however, the family home can become the subject... 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... 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... 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... 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... more

Eviction from a home you are renting

All homes rented from a private landlord after 28 February 1997 will automatically be an assured shorthold tenancy unless your landlord has given you notice in writing that it is an assured... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... more

How to get access to and manage the estate of a deceased loved one

The death of a loved one is a distressing time. There are practicalities surrounding death which need to be taken care of, such as arranging the funeral and winding up the estate of the... 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... more

I am bankrupt

Steps to follow Do you have debts which you are totally unable to repay? You can declare yourself bankrupt which is a means of clearing debts you can’t pay. If you owe... 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 a manner, that you find... 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,... 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... more

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

Steps to follow If you are pregnant, you are allowed time off work for antenatal care. This can include relaxation classes and parent-craft classes. You may have to show your employer... more

I am having problems with my local council

Steps to follow Call the council and tell them you want to make a complaint. They will be able to tell you which department you need to complain to and who in that department you should... 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... 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... 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... more

I have a dispute (customers and suppliers)

Steps to follow Are you in dispute with a customer over goods or services that you supplied, or are you a customer who is dissatisfied with your supplier? The best solution is to try to... 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,... more

I have a pension issue

Steps to follow What kind of pension do you have? Is it an occupational pension, a personal pension, a state pension or a stakeholder pension? The type of help you can receive depends on... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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. When... more

I have debts

Steps to follow Is your bank account continually in the red? Are you falling further and further behind with you bill or mortgage payments? Are you being turned down for credit with high... 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... more

I need advice with a mental health issue

Steps to follow  If you feel you have a mental health problem, your first stop should be your GP. They can provide advice or refer you for specialist services. Professionals who... more

I need help with an elderly relative

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... more

I need help with immigration

Steps to follow 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 work there. However, the rules are... 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... more

I need to borrow money

Steps to follow How much do you need to borrow? How soon can you pay it back? How quickly do you need it? What assets do you have? These questions need to be answered before you can... 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... more

I want a divorce

Steps to follow Do you wish to petition for divorce/civil partnership dissolution on the basis of adultery, unreasonable behaviour, separation or desertion? If separation, have you... 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... more

I want a pension

Steps to follow The state pension is worth less than £5,000 per annum for a single person, and about £7,500 for couples. You can draw it, if you have paid enough national... 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... 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... 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... more

I want to close a company

Steps to follow Make sure you tell all the relevant people. The bigger a business you have, the more people you will have to inform before you close. If you are a company or limited... 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... 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... 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... more

I want to start a company

Steps to follow Start small, think big. Keep your expenses as low as possible, but leave yourself scope to expand. On the other hand, don’t choke off possible growth by scrimping on... more

I want to trade internationally

Steps to follow Where do you want to trade? Is it within the EU or outside? You will need to do thorough research to ensure you are complying with all relevant laws and... 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.,... 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... 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... more

Is bankruptcy right for you?

Bankruptcy is an option – sometimes an unavoidable one – available to individuals who are unable to pay their debts and are thus insolvent. You can declare yourself bankrupt or,... more

Is liquidation right for you?

If you are company is struggling to trade and pay its debts when they become due, and you discover that your assets are worth less than your debts, then your company is insolvent. If this... more

Making staff redundant

There are various 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... 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... 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... more

Overview of bankruptcy

What is bankruptcy? If you are an individual and you are insolvent, i.e. you have debts which you are totally unable to repay, then you may have to consider bankruptcy as an... more

Overview of business property

Finding suitable business premises is a major decision. A business will have to decide on location, and on whether to buy or rent their property. There are many factors to consider, and... 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... more

Overview of commercial agreements

Joining commercial ventures with other businesses may be an attractive proposition, especially, for example, if you or the other party want to sell your products in unfamiliar... 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... 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... 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... 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... more

Overview of environmental obligations

A complex and large body of environmental laws and obligations affect businesses. These vary according to the type of business, and it is best to seek specialist advice when considering... more

Overview of environmental, health and safety requirements

Employers must ensure they comply with a wide variety of requirements on health and safety and the environment. Many of these are specifically set out in law, while others are part of a... 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... more

Overview of identity theft

You are a victim of identity theft if someone pretends to be you in order to steal money or gain some other sort of benefit. Offences It is an offence to possess, control and intend... 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... 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... 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... 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... more

Overview of replacing your lawyer

The decision to replace your lawyer is not one you should make lightly. There are times, the night before a tribunal hearing, for example, when it may cause more problems than it would... more

Overview of retirement

Retirement Age You can retire at any age you want – as long as you can afford it – but the default retirement age in the UK is 65. When you reach this age your employer can... more

Overview of speeding laws

Speeding laws exist for a purpose—breaking the speed limit contributes to more than 727 deaths and 4,555 injuries every year. It was a factor in a quarter of fatal road accidents in... more

Overview of stakeholder pensions

Duty to provide stakeholder pensions Under the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999, most businesses which have five or more employees, are required to provide access to a stakeholder... more

Overview of starting a new job

Pre-employment checks You’ve made it through the interview and you’ve been offered a new job – all good news, but it’s a wise idea to get the job offer in... more

Overview of taxation of losses

Limited companies and other organisations such as clubs, societies, associations and other unincorporated bodies have to pay corporation tax on the taxable profits they make. The... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... more

Sexual harassment

Employees have a right not to be sexually harassed in the workplace, and employers have a duty not to let this happen. It causes stress and humiliation, and benefits no-one. Ultimately,... more

Status of prenuptial agreements in divorce

  Pre-nuptial agreements are not the easiest of subjects to bring up with your significant other. They seem to fly in the face of the commitment you’re about to make.... 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... 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... more

The points system

Driving carelessly, while over the limit, or too fast, means you may have points added to your licence. Once you have a certain number of points, you may be banned from driving for a... 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... 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... more

What is redundancy?

If your employers are considering making you redundant – which will result in the termination of your employment – they have a duty to treat you fairly and there are number of... 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... 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... more

Workplace bullying

Acas defines workplace bullying as: “Offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means intended to undermine, humiliate, denigrate... 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... 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... more