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Flexible workers may benefit from new rights and extra protections if they lose out on work. The proposals form part of the Good Work Plan and the Government are consulting further on the proposed new measures. These include: Compensation for workers when shifts are cancelled at short notice Entitlement to a reasonable period of notice for their allocated shifts Additional protections for individuals who are penalised if they do not accept shifts last minute Flexible working is a feature of many industries including retail and hospitality. Recent reviews have concluded that flexible working allows people to work around their other...
Taking on a commercial premises for the first time – or moving up into a larger property – can be a huge step for any business, bringing with it a raft of financial and health and safety commitments which all need to be taken into consideration. Scrutinising the lease you agree as a tenant is key as it can affect how your business can operate. It will help you avoid being hit with unexpected costs in the future which you hadn’t accounted for. What should be included in my commercial lease? At a very initial stage, you will agree with...
Homebuyers and sellers are being alerted to new rules on septic tanks which mean many systems must be upgraded or replaced within the next six months. Anyone with a septic tank who is planning to sell their property before 1 January 2020, when the legislation comes into force in England and Wales, is being advised to act now or face large fines and costs. The General Binding Rules for small sewage discharges were brought into force in 2015 to stop septic tanks emptying into watercourses such as ditches, drains, canals, rivers or surface water drains. More than half a million...
A trust is a way of managing assets such as money, investments, land or buildings for other people. Each type of trust is taxed differently, affecting liabilities such as Income Tax (IT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT) or Inheritance Tax (IHT). Our trust and tax planning specialist Ian Naylor explains how they can be used to ensure how assets are passed from one generation to another. You can create a Trust during your lifetime, or through your will, and there are different types of Trusts, namely: Life Interest Trusts Discretionary Trusts Bare Trusts Disabled Trusts Why create a Trust? To...
Bowcock & Pursaill were again proud sponsors of the annual Rudyard Sailability Dragon Boat Race which took place at Rudyard Lake on Saturday July 6th. This colourful action-packed event attracts teams from all over Staffordshire from companies to clubs. A maximum of 24 teams can take part, and all the money raised goes to the Rudyard Sailability Charity which relies on fundraising to keep the club running throughout the year. This is the second year running that Bowcock & Pursaill solicitors have sponsored this hugely popular event, and partner Tim Wolley was on hand to present the very wet winners...
Employment contracts continue to make headlines due to debates around zero hours contracts, the ‘gig’ economy and the national minimum wage. Our employment solicitor Clare Thomas explains the common mistakes employers make when it comes to employment contracts. Key issues with employment contracts: There is no written contract! Poorly written/drafted Contractual or non-contractual provisions Contracts are altered incorrectly Post termination restrictions are excessive or vague There is no written statement An employer must provide a written statement within two months of an employee starting work which, by law, must contain certain information relating to the employment. Where the employer fails to...
Mental Health Awareness Week has put workplace wellbeing back in the headlines and the measures employers are taking to support their staff. Our employment solicitor Clare Thomas explains how mental health can be managed and what legal obligations employers must meet under the Equality Act 2010. One in four of us will experience mental ill health at some point in our lives according to the Department of Health, which means it’s essential for employers to have a strategy in place to identify and support those staff who may need extra help. Stress and mental health in the workplace Stress is...
Family and Matrimonial Solicitor, Lisa Cogger, of Bowcock & Pursaill Solicitors, explains how the recently announced changes to UK divorce law by the Government will work in England and Wales. Why is UK divorce law changing? Existing divorce law in the UK has remained unaltered for nearly 50 years, and increasing demands for change came following the Tini Owens case in 2018. The Supreme Court ruled in July that she could not divorce her husband without her spouse’s consent until they have lived apart for a period of five years. Owens and her husband, Hugh Owens, had been living separate lives...
Landlords could be in line for further tax reliefs to make improvements to their properties following a recent Parliamentary committee recommendation. Our landlord and tenant specialist, Joy Hancock explains what tax reliefs are currently available to landlords. What are the allowable expenses a residential landlord can claim? The most common types of expenses you can claim are: General maintenance and repairs to the property, but not improvements (such as replacing a laminate kitchen worktop with a more costly granite worktop) Expenses for the interest on a buy to let mortgage to buy the property Water rates, council tax, gas and...
Founded in 1927, Bowcock & Pursaill has been our clients’ number one choice for solicitors in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and Cheshire for almost 100 years. We also act on behalf of clients throughout the country.
The firm prides itself on its customer service, offering detailed and bespoke advice to clients thanks to our small and highly specialised team of partners, solicitors and legal executives based in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.
Are you interested in joining Bowcock & Pursaill? We have a friendly and supportive atmosphere, where everyone knows everyone else and there’s a good team spirit.
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