Is my marriage legal?
The Court of Appeal has recently ruled that an Islamic marriage ceremony falls short of the legal provisions for marriage under English law. As a result, the couple in question…
Sharon Giles LLB (Hons)
Partner
Can a furloughed director fulfil their statutory duties?
The government guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (the “scheme”) confirms that a director who is paid via PAYE can be furloughed. That same guidance also states that the…
Helen Howes LLM
Trainee solicitor
COVID-19 and filing obligations - the latest from Companies House
The current situation of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic makes it difficult for companies to remain compliant with their filing obligations. In this article, we explain some of the key changes…
Helen Howes LLM
Trainee solicitor
Corporate transactions: Getting back to business
The current coronavirus lockdown has inevitably resulted in numerous transactions and commercial initiatives being put on hold or, worse, aborted. This includes company and business acquisitions and sales and commercial…
Paul Symes-Thompson MA (Cantab)
Partner
Free 30-minute legal consultation for businesses affected by COVID-19
Lawyers from our Legal 500-rated corporate & commercial, employment, commercial property and dispute resolution teams are pitching in to offer their support to businesses navigating their way through the pandemic,…
Willans
Solicitors
EMI share options: a SME-friendly, tax-efficient weapon in the ‘war for talent’
Attracting and retaining key talent isn’t easy for any business, but it is particularly challenging for smaller, higher-risk, growing companies. Without the financial resources to offer large salaries and extensive…
Chris Wills LLB (Hons)
Partner
Non-resident capital gains tax: what you need to know
If you own property in the UK but do not live in the UK, you should make sure that you comply with non-resident capital gains tax (NRCGT) rules, including the…
Hannah Wall BA (Hons), MA
Associate, solicitor
The probate process: key steps explained
When someone dies, you may need to apply for a grant of probate or letters of administration in order to deal with their estate. For ease, references in this article…
Jennifer Cockett LLB (Hons)
Solicitor
Residence Nil Rate Band allowance increase: are you up-to-speed?
On 6 April 2020, the Residence Nil Rate Band allowance increased to its maximum limit of £175,000. The Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB) was first introduced in April 2017 to…
Laura Stone LLB (Hons)
Solicitor
Furloughed workers and annual leave
The government has provided some long awaited guidance on the treatment of annual leave for furloughed employees affected by the coronavirus pandemic. One of our senior employment lawyers, Jenny Hawrot,…
Jenny Hawrot LLB (Hons)
Associate, solicitor
COVID-19: The landlord's dilemma
Much has been made of the steps which have been taken by the government to protect both commercial and residential tenants during the current crisis, which in many cases has…
Nick Southwell LLB (Hons)
Associate, solicitor
Automatic stay in squatter possession proceedings removed
Pressure from property litigation professionals has seen the Master of the Rolls modify the automatic stay in all possession proceedings, imposed on 26 March by a Practice Direction, when the…
Nick Cox LLB (Hons)
Partner
Business immigration and COVID-19: FAQ for employers
For employers, keeping pace with employment law guidelines in the light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis is no easy task, and businesses who sponsor workers from overseas face another layer…
Helen Howes LLM
Trainee solicitor
Domestic abuse during the COVID-19 lockdown: Q&A
The lockdown associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has resulted in a dramatic change to daily life for most of us. Despite the necessity of lockdown to protect the NHS,…
Jonathan Eager FCILEx
Senior associate
Coronavirus cash grants for charities: What support is available?
On 8 April, the Chancellor promised a £750m support package to boost the charity sector, of which £370m will go to smaller local charities supporting vulnerable people. The aim of…
Charlotte Brunsdon LLB, BA (Hons)
Solicitor
Employing people from outside of the UK after Brexit: Q&A
The government has unveiled further details about a new immigration system that will be introduced as a result of the UK’s exit from the European Union. In this article, we…
Helen Howes LLM
Trainee solicitor
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme guidance & updates
Our employment lawyers summarise the latest developments on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to emerge. Thursday 14 May 2020 The government has published guidance today on holiday during furlough. In…
Matthew Clayton MA LLM (Cantab), CIPP/E
Partner
Corporate & commercial issues: COVID-19 FAQ
The global outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) and the government’s resulting emergency measures have had severe implications for many businesses. Read on for answers to some frequently-asked questions on corporate &…
Sophie Martyn BSc (Hons)
Associate, solicitor
Fixed price legal advice for SMEs & the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) has thrown a much-needed lifeline to businesses experiencing cashflow difficulties as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The eligibility criteria of CBILS was…
Chris Wills LLB (Hons)
Partner
Coronavirus: Q&A for employers and HR professionals
The last few weeks have seen a seismic shift in the numbers of the UK workforce now working from home, following the coronavirus lockdown. While businesses should always seek employment…
Jenny Hawrot LLB (Hons)
Associate, solicitor
Coronavirus: Furlough leave and holidays
One of the big unanswered questions which has been exercising the minds of HR professionals and employment lawyers alike since the announcement of the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS),…
Matthew Clayton MA LLM (Cantab), CIPP/E
Partner
COVID-19: Holiday time for guarantors?
With many tenants seeking rental holidays most landlords may be shaking their heads over a loss or reduction of income for one, two or maybe more quarters. Tenants are pressing…
Nick Cox LLB (Hons)
Partner
A guide to some of the April 2020 employment law changes
One of our senior employment lawyers summarises the changes in the law which take effect from today. What’s new for April 2020? Written statements of employment particulars From 6 April…
Jenny Hawrot LLB (Hons)
Associate, solicitor
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: New guidance from government
The government has published further details of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (also known as the ‘furlough scheme’) as part of the emergency measures surrounding the coronavirus outbreak. The Coronavirus…
Matthew Clayton MA LLM (Cantab), CIPP/E
Partner
Where there’s a will, there’s a way…
Traditionally, the practice of making a will or lasting powers of attorney has been somewhat ‘hands-on’, involving face-to-face meetings, signatures in the presence of witnesses, and so on. The coronavirus…
Simon Cook LLB (Hons), TEP
Partner
Commercial contracts & coronavirus: What are the implications?
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic develops, we have seen significant disruption to businesses across multiple sectors in the UK. Understandably, this has led to widespread concern about the implications for…
Sophie Martyn BSc (Hons)
Associate, solicitor
Coronavirus: What it means for residential landlords
The government has passed emergency legislation to protect tenants from eviction during the COVID-19 pandemic, by the Coronavirus Act 2020. These changes affect nearly all tenants in the private rented…
Nick Southwell LLB (Hons)
Associate, solicitor
Family law issues & coronavirus: Q&A
The coronavirus pandemic has thrown family life into a tailspin, and for those with current relationship, family and divorce issues, things may get even more complex while the crisis is…
Sharon Giles LLB (Hons)
Partner
Rules relaxed to allow UK workers to carry over annual leave
Another change to UK employment law has seen the government relax the rules on the date by which workers must use annual leave. Ordinarily, UK workers are unable to carry…
Matthew Clayton MA LLM (Cantab), CIPP/E
Partner
Coronavirus and lease obligations: Q&A for commercial tenants
You’ll no doubt be aware of the concessionary measures that are being introduced by the government to help ease the potential economic fallout of COVID-19 on UK businesses. In the…
Nigel Whittaker BA (Hons)
Partner
What does 'furlough' mean? A quick definition for employers
As part of the emergency measures surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has unveiled a plan to support employees who would have otherwise been laid off during the crisis.…
Willans
Solicitors
Who will make decisions about your health and welfare, if you became unable to?
Simon Cook discusses the importance of health & welfare lasting powers of attorney. Though no-one likes to think about losing the ability to manage our own affairs, it can happen.…
Simon Cook LLB (Hons), TEP
Partner
Taxation of settlement payments
Associate solicitor Jenny Hawrot outlines the upcoming changes to the taxation of settlement payments and explains what these may mean for employers. Payments are often made by an employer to…
Jenny Hawrot LLB (Hons)
Associate, solicitor
Terms & conditions: Don’t let the ‘small print’ become a big issue
Whether you’re a start-up or a fully-fledged operation, properly drafted terms and conditions are a must. Associate solicitor Sophie Martyn explains why… When starting or growing a business, putting in…
Sophie Martyn BSc (Hons)
Associate, solicitor
Does a director owe a fiduciary duty to a company’s shareholders?
New case law has thrown directors’ duties into the spotlight once again. Trainee solicitor Helen Howes explains more… Under the Companies Act, a director owes fiduciary duties to the company…
Helen Howes LLM
Trainee solicitor
An e-sign of the times?
Times are changing but there’s still a place for pen and ink when it comes to legal property documents, explains paralegal Yasmin Lewis. In the commercial property sector there is…
Yasmin Lewis LLB (Hons)
Paralegal
