Protections from reduncancy for new mothers will become legislation

A bill that will prevent women from being laid off from the time they inform their employers that they are expecting until 18 months after giving birth has passed the House of Lords' third reading and has now been given the Royal Assent. Previously, if an employee was on maternity leave, shared parental leave, or adoption leave, an employer was required to give them a suitable replacement vacancy if one was available. These rights will be extended to expectant mothers and new parents returning to the workforce after a qualifying leave under the Pregnancy and Maternity Discrimination Bill, which was…

Cohabitation agreements: how do they work?

A cohabitation agreement is a document setting out arrangements for property, children and finances between an unmarried couple who live together should the couple split up, fall ill or pass away. It is a good idea for unmarried couples, or even people who will live together non-romantically (e.g. siblings, friends), to get a cohabitation agreement sorted before they move in together. Reasons to consider a cohabitation agreement Even if you have lived with your partner long-term, you do not have the same rights as a married couple should issues arise. Having a cohabitation agreement would give you peace of mind…

The legal marriage limit increased to 18 in England and Wales

With the legal marriage age in England and Wales increasing to 18, vulnerable children in both countries will be better shielded from the negative effects of coerced marriage. The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 received royal assent in April last year and came into force on 27 February 2023. This means that even if they have parental consent, 16 and 17-year-olds will no longer be permitted to get married or form a civil union. The arrangement of a susceptible child's marriage is now prohibited and punishable by law, regardless of whether force is used…

To deal with labour shortages, a third of leaders have hired remote-only employees

According to a survey, nearly a third (29%) of company executives say they have only hired remote workers in reaction to labour shortages and rising support for new working arrangements. The Center for Growth at Boston Consulting Group has published its first business study, 'State of UK Business 2023: Squeezed but still standing', which demonstrated that while some businesses are urging employees to spend nearly all of their time in the office, this idea does not "chime with" the opinions of the business leaders surveyed, with only 8% of them believing the shift to remote working had a negative impact…

A trial programme for family court reporting will launch in England and Wales

Journalists may cover the proceedings as long as they maintain the confidentiality of the families' identities. As part of a long-awaited trial project to increase transparency in the justice system, journalists will be able to report what they see and hear in the family courts in three sites in England and Wales starting next week. Reporters are now permitted to attend closed hearings, but they are only permitted to report on what they see if the court agrees to change the automatic reporting limits put in place to safeguard the privacy of minors. In the pilot, which will debut on…

2,600 UK employees to benefit from implementation of four-day work week

In a UK-first, 2,600 employees at 100 different British companies will move to a four-day work week while still earning the same wage. Atom Bank and Awin (who each have around 450 staff members) are two of the bigger companies signing up for a four-day week. Adam Ross, Chief Executive of Awin, has commented on the move, saying, "Over the course of the last year and a half, we have not only seen a tremendous increase in employee wellness and wellbeing, but concurrently, our customer service and relations, as well as talent relations and retention also have benefited.' The four-day…

Queens Memorial

Her Majesty the Queen 1926-2022 Thank you for a lifetime of loyal service. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family.

Have you been made redundant? What to do next

Going through redundancy is a stressful time. You may be facing uncertainty about your future professional life. However, one thing you can be certain about is that here at Owen White & Catlin, we will fight your corner.  If you are being made redundant, you have the right to be treated fairly and involved in the process. Your employer must follow a fair redundancy process and satisfy certain statutory requirements. If you feel as though these things have not been done, you may be able to challenge your redundancy and even claim compensation.  Contact us free today to discuss your…

What do the new divorce laws mean for you? The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020

On 6th April 2022, divorce laws changed for the first time in 50 years in England and Wales with the introduction of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020. This law changes the process of divorce as well as the legal requirements associated with it.  So, what does this mean for you? This article explains all you need to know to understand the positive and simplified changes made to divorce procedures.  Why has the law on divorce changed? This new change to the divorce laws in England and Wales is a welcome change by many in the legal profession. Divorce law…

New meeting rooms in Addlestone available

We are pleased to announce that we now have new premises to meet with clients in Addlestone. The new premises are located at the Bourne Business Park, 500 Dashwood Lang Road, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 2HJ and meetings are by appointment only. There is free parking for visitors directly in front of the building and there is disabled access. Our telephone numbers and email address remain the same. All arrangements can continue to made by telephone and email as before. Please contact us with any queries. Best wishes Owen White & Catlin