Neurodiversity in the workplace: challenges strengths and legal considerations for employers
Neurodiversity celebration week, the worldwide initiative to celebrate individuals with neurological differences, takes place from 17 – 23 March 2025. This includes those diagnosed with conditions such as autism, ADHD,…
Hifsa O'Kelly LLB (Hons)
Senior associate, solicitor
Updates to the Renters’ Rights Bill: what do they mean for tenants and landlords?
The Renters’ Rights Bill is in the committee stage in the House of Lords and predicted to be enacted this year. As it nears approval, several key updates to the…
Bethen Abraham LLB (Hons), LLM
Solicitor
Inheritance disputes are on the rise: what are the most common causes and how can you avoid them?
It has recently been reported that a soaring number of inheritance disputes is leading to thousands of families becoming embroiled in lengthy and emotionally-taxing court cases. Here, our inheritance &…
Claire Cox LLB
Partner
How will the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 impact you?
If you own a leasehold and wish to extend your term, how will the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 impact you? Here, our freehold and lease extension expert explains…
Dorcas Guillebaud BA (Hons), MA (Hons)
Associate, solicitor
Domestic abuse and settling finances on divorce
There are calls for a shift across the family justice system to more effectively address the needs of victim-survivors of domestic abuse who are seeking to settle finances on divorce.…
Kristie Silsby LLB (Hons)
Associate, solicitor
Max George and the importance of making a valid will
A recent case reported in the media sheds light on the importance of making a valid will, as well as raises the question: should the government make electronic wills legally…
Leah Vincent LLB (Hons), LLM, TEP
Solicitor
When landowners become land-defenders: how to protect your land from new public rights of way
How can you protect your land from the implementation of new public rights of way? Our agriculture, land & development expert explains what landowners should do. A public right of…
Sophie Oakes LLB (Hons)
Solicitor
Case law update (February 2025): Dismissals, religious beliefs & racial harassment
Our employment law & business immigration experts delve into some recent case law that could prove relevant to you and your business. In our February edition of Dispatches, we look…
Simon Pathé FCILEx
Partner, chartered legal executive
Popular fast-food chain continues to face abuse & harassment claims
Popular fast-food chain, McDonald’s, continues to face more employment tribunal harassment claims from its employees. McDonald’s is once again in the news in relation to employees bringing harassment claims. It…
Hifsa O'Kelly LLB (Hons)
Senior associate, solicitor
Business immigration: The latest changes to UKVI guidance
Our business immigration experts highlight the latest changes to UKVI guidance. The last day of 2024 brought further changes to immigration policy. These changes were introduced by the Home Office…
Klára Grmelová MGR (LLM Czech)
Solicitor
When to put a pre-nuptial agreement in place
With wedding season on the horizon, newly-engaged couples may wish to consider putting a pre-nuptial agreement in place sooner rather than later. If you are in the early stages of…
Kristie Silsby LLB (Hons)
Associate, solicitor
How do companies become GDPR compliant?
It is nearly seven years since the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force. However, it is as important as ever that data protection compliance doesn’t fall off the…
Matthew Clayton MA LLM (Cantab), CIPP/E
Partner
Employment status – the importance of getting it right
When an individual provides services to a business, it is important for all concerned to understand the nature of that relationship. The individual could be one of three things: an…
Simon Pathé FCILEx
Partner, chartered legal executive
Helping Joedan on their journey
For almost three decades, Willans has advised a nationally renowned specialist in trade supply and home and commercial improvements. Here, in the first of a series of articles, we reflect…
Willans
Solicitors
Unfair prejudice petitions: Recent shareholder dispute case overturns 40-year precedent
In a recent shareholder dispute, it’s been found that unfair prejudice petitions are subject to statutory limitation periods. This landmark judgment – in Thg Plc v Zedra Trust Company (Jersey)…
Katie Charlton LLB (Hons), MSc
Trainee solicitor
Equal pay claim: Thandi and others v Next Retail Limited
Over 3,500 predominantly female retail consultants employed by Next Retail Limited (Next) collectively brought an equal pay claim against their employer. The claim was on the basis that the work…
Hifsa O'Kelly LLB (Hons)
Senior associate, solicitor
The treatment of a business on divorce
Among a lot of other things, it’s important to consider what happens to your business when going through a divorce. For the average divorcing couple, the former matrimonial home is…
Joeli Boxall LLB (Hons), LLM
Solicitor
Fertility treatment & the workplace: Understanding employee rights
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in individuals seeking fertility treatment. This trend includes not only heterosexual couples but also same-sex couples, single mothers, and those opting…
Klára Grmelová MGR (LLM Czech)
Solicitor
Battery storage systems: Why are they important to our energy infrastructure?
A combination of the UK’s increasingly unreliable climate and a fluctuation in energy prices has given rise to a need for Battery Energy Storage Facilities – or BESFs – in…
Adam Hale BA (Hons), TEP, FALA
Partner
Wagatha Christie defamation trial
The facts surrounding the “Wagatha Christie” defamation trial have been widely publicised, particularly following Coleen Rooney’s recent appearance on popular reality TV show “I’m a celebrity… Get me out of…
Bethen Abraham LLB (Hons), LLM
Solicitor
The residence nil rate band & business relievable assets
The residence nil rate band (RNRB) is an additional inheritance tax allowance that can be claimed alongside the usual nil rate band allowance. The RNRB allowance is currently a maximum…
Jennifer Cockett LLB (Hons)
Senior associate, solicitor
Do I need a financial order on divorce?
When should you apply for a financial order on divorce and do you actually need one? Following the introduction of no-fault divorce in April 2022, many couples have found themselves…
Kristie Silsby LLB (Hons)
Associate, solicitor
Autumn budget 2024: insights on inheritance tax, farming relief and business ownership
The autumn budget has brought about a number of changes, some of which relate to inheritance tax and agricultural and business property relief, as well as employers’ national insurance contributions…
Willans
Solicitors
Workplace grievances: how to avoid conflicts between workers
As an employer, what can you do to limit the amount of workplace grievances raised in your organisation? Our employment law team and newly launched HR support consultancy can assist…
Jenny Hawrot LLB (Hons)
Partner
Equal Pay Day 2024: How can your business help achieve equal pay?
This year, 20 November marks Equal Pay Day. Our team of employment law experts look into what it highlights and how businesses can help tackle the issues surrounding the gender…
Achante Anson LLB (Hons)
Trainee solicitor
Register of members: Why is it important?
A register of members might not top the priority list in a business, but it could prove crucial if issues are encountered further down the line. Our corporate & commercial…
Helen Howes LLM
Senior associate, solicitor
Menopause and the workplace
Menopause and the workplace continues to be at the forefront of conversation for many businesses. The last 50 years or so has seen the structure of the workplace change dramatically.…
Jenny Hawrot LLB (Hons)
Partner
Tenancy deposit claims: A complete guide for tenants
At Willans our experienced lawyers provide specialist advice and expertise on claims relating to tenancy deposits to help tenants with recovering compensation owed to them. In this guide we answer…
James Melvin-Bath LLB (Hons)
Senior associate, solicitor-advocate
Planning what happens to your digital assets
According to new Which? research*, most people don’t have a plan for what will happen to their online accounts and digital assets when they’re no longer around. What steps can…
Leah Vincent LLB (Hons), LLM, TEP
Solicitor
Property misrepresentation disputes - a complete guide
Our experienced solicitors help homeowners to resolve property misrepresentation disputes, which usually arise after a seller misleads a buyer during a sale process. There are a number of reasons why…
Bethen Abraham LLB (Hons), LLM
Solicitor
Government plans for more certain working hours for employees
The new Labour government has scrapped the Conservative bill that gives workers the right to request a predictable working pattern, in favour of stronger, more certain working hours. As well…
Hifsa O'Kelly LLB (Hons)
Senior associate, solicitor
How can farmers & landowners diversify their income streams?
With the new Labour government pledging to double onshore wind power and triple solar power by 2030 – and farmers increasingly looking to diversify their income streams – many more…
Adam Hale BA (Hons), TEP, FALA
Partner
How can a family investment company help you pass on wealth to your children?
For families looking for a secure and tax-efficient way to manage and pass on wealth to their next generation, a family investment company (FIC) may be a suitable alternative to…
Simon Cook LLB (Hons), TEP
Partner
TUPE: New rules are now in effect
Changes to the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) are now in effect for transfers taking place on or after 1 July 2024. The new rules relating…
Jenny Hawrot LLB (Hons)
Partner
Tipping Act to be introduced on 1 October 2024
The new ‘Tipping Act’ will come into force on 1 October 2024. The new Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 – also known as the Tipping Act – is to…
Klára Grmelová MGR (LLM Czech)
Solicitor
Updates to stamp duty land tax
Following the spring budget earlier this year, there have been changes to stamp duty land tax. With a new government having since been elected, there could be more updates on…
Tess Ciocci LLB (Hons), LLM
Trainee solicitor
