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Key Points on the Government's Good Work Plan

on January 22, 2019

At the end of 2018, the Government published details of its Good Work Plan, setting out its plans to introduce a number of reforms designed to improve protection for agency workers, zero hours workers, and others with atypical working arrangements.The Good Work Plan is the Government’s considered response to Matthew Taylor’s rep ... Continue reading

Brexit Notes: No-Deal & Consumer Rights

Business

on January 11, 2019

by Business Team

As 2019 dawned, there was hope in some quarters that a renewed commitment to common sense might have dawned with it and that our intrepid politicians might return to work determined to agree upon a way forward for Brexit. It is quite clear, not least in light of the House of Commons’ rejection of the Government’s Brexit deal on ... Continue reading

Fire Safety - Changes to Statutory Guidance - Approved Document B of the Building Regulations

Health & Safety , Property

on January 08, 2019

by Health & Safety Team

Approved Documents are statutory guidance published by the Government on how to meet the Building Regulations for building work carried out in England only.The Government has published changes to Approved Document B (Volumes 1 and 2) of the Building Regulations, which deals with fire safety. These changes come into force on 21 J ... Continue reading

Call for Evidence on Improving Building Safety

Health & Safety , Property

on January 08, 2019

by Health & Safety Team

The Government has published a Call for Evidence – ‘Good practice on how residents and landlords/ building managers work together to keep their home and building safe’. Landlords, building managers, and residents are all encouraged to respond.This Call for Evidence invites views on how residents and landlords/building managers w ... Continue reading

Elective and Cosmetic Surgery and Your Employment Policies

Employment

on December 04, 2018

by Employment Team

In November, we updated our Sickness and Absence Policy to include a section on elective and cosmetic surgery.For these purposes, cosmetic surgery may be defined as surgery which is intended to improve a person’s appearance rather than their health. Elective surgery, on the other hand, refers to any surgery that is scheduled in ... Continue reading

Employed vs. Self-Employed - Can You Spot the Difference?

Employment , Business

on November 01, 2018

by Employment Team

A self-employed/independent contractor working arrangement has considerable attractions for both the employer and the self-employed worker, but it can be difficult definitively to identify the difference between employed and self-employed status.HMRC provides helpful guidance that employers and workers can use to determine if an ... Continue reading

Charities and Safeguarding

Charities

on October 04, 2018

by Charity Team

Recent High-Profile Safeguarding IncidentsThis month we consider the important and sensitive issue for charities of safeguarding. There have been a number of fairly recent high-profile failures by charities to ensure adequate safeguarding. In early 2018, the Department for International Development called for assurances from aid ... Continue reading

Charity Trustees' Conflicts of Interest

Charities

on September 28, 2018

by Charity Team

Trustees’ Legal DutiesThe role of a trustee of any charity (“trustee”) is an honorary one, i.e. it is unpaid, and it is often supposed that trustees therefore have few or no legal duties. This is far from the actual position.All trustees have numerous legal duties, as outlined in our Guidance Note on Charity Trustees’ Duties, Re ... Continue reading

HMO Reforms From 1 October 2018

Property

on September 21, 2018

by Property Team

New rules relating to houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) apply from 1 October 2018. The key reform is the extension of mandatory licensing of HMOs. There are also new provisions regarding minimum room sizes and the management of household waste. Criminal and civil penalties can be imposed for non-compliance.Extension of Mandat ... Continue reading

Reminder to Landlords and Agents - Section 21 Reforms Apply to All ASTs in England from 1 October 2018