Insights
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St Nic’s Cycle Race 2025
Supporting our community is at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we’re thrilled to be sponsoring the brand-new St Nic’s Cycle Ride 2025 - a refreshed and re-energised event in support of St Nicholas Hospice Care. Taking place on Sunday, 11 May 2025, the event...
Employers’ Duty to Prevent Workplace Sexual Harassment
Since 26 October 2024, UK employers have been legally required to take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. This proactive duty, introduced by the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023, means businesses must actively...
Making a Difference Through the National Free Wills Network Partnership
Having recently received our Certificate of Appreciation from National Free Wills Network, we are delighted we could help towards raising an estimated £4,542,665 in future legacy income. As dedicated members of The National Free Wills Network, it's been our pleasure...
Anti-facilitation of Tax Evasion Policies in Employment Law
Introduction to Anti-facilitation of tax evasion policy As a matter of law employers must give their employees a written document which covers the key terms of the employment relationship. On top of this, it’s good practice for employers to have a staff handbook which...
Menopause Policies in Employment Law
Introduction to Menopause Policy As a matter of law employers must give their employees a written document which covers the key terms of the employment relationship. On top of this, it’s good practice for employers to have a staff handbook which includes the...
Bring Your Own Device to Work Policy for Employers
Introduction to Bring Your Own Device to Work Policy As a matter of law employers must give their employees a written document which covers the key terms of the employment relationship. On top of this, it’s good practice for employers to have a staff handbook which...
Anti-harassment and Bullying Policies in Employment Law
For more information about anti-harassment and bullying policies and what to include in your employee handbook policy get in touch with our Employment Law team today on 0330 912 8338. Introduction to Anti-Harassment and Bullying Policy As a matter of law employers...
No-Smoking Employment Policies in Employment Law
For more information about no-smoking policies and how best to implement one into your employee handbook get in touch with our Employment Law team today on 0330 912 8338. Introduction to No-smoking Policy As a matter of law employers must give their employees a...
Gender Identity Policies in Employment Law
For more information about gender identity policies and how best to implement them in your specific circumstances get in touch with our Employment Law team today on 0330 912 8338. Introduction to Gender Identity Policy As a matter of law employers must give their...
The Social Media Influencer Series: How does copyright law apply to content creation?
Social Media Influencers are constantly uploading new content in the forms of vlogs, images, videos, and audio. But there is a danger that once their work is out there, it can be replicated without credit or spread in ways that the original poster never intended. For...
The Social Media Influencer Series: A guide to the law on Advertising
A major component of an influencer’s job is advertising. Companies collaborate with content creators to improve their brand recognition, increase engagement with their channels and, most importantly, to sell products. But, despite being a new frontier for advertising,...
Rolled-up Holiday Pay Changes for Part-Year and Irregular Hours Workers
From April 2024, there will be a new employment law, allowing employees to be paid for “Rolled-up” holiday at the end of the financial year in specific circumstances. The law will only be available to part-year workers who are workers who have at least one week per...
New UK Legislation Empowers Employees with Flexible Working Options from Day One
In April 2024, the government is making the process of requesting to work flexibly much simpler and easier for employees. Your current right as an employee Employees who have continuously worked for their employer for 26 weeks or more can make a request to work...
Introduction to Time off for Antenatal Appointments Policy
As a matter of law employers must give employees employment contracts which cover the key terms of the employment relationship. As a matter of good practice, and often a resource that can save a dispute from arising or provide the best framework for resolving a...
Image-based Abuse and Online Leaking
What remedies are available for victims of image-based abuse? The rise of mobile phones has led to a proliferation of intimate images being shared online without the consent of the individuals in them in what is known as image-based abuse – or, more colloquially,...
What should I do if something harmful is posted about me on social media?
Social media has reduced the time in which news can travel around the planet to tenths of a second, but this also means that harassment, bullying, defamation and character attacks can also happen in real-time. The first port of call will usually be reporting the...
Introduction to Dogs at Work Policy
As a matter of law employers must give employees employment contracts which cover the key terms of the employment relationship. As a matter of good practice, and often a resource that can save a dispute from arising or provide the best framework for resolving a...
Introduction to Data Protection Policy
As a matter of law employers must give employees employment contracts which cover the key terms of the employment relationship. As a matter of good practice, and often a resource that can save a dispute from arising or provide the best framework for resolving a...
Introduction to Adoption Policy
As a matter of law employers must give employees employment contracts which cover the key terms of the employment relationship. As a matter of good practice, and often a resource that can save a dispute from arising or provide the best framework for resolving a...
How to Appoint a Legal Guardian for my Child if I Die – UK Guide
Nearly two-thirds of adults don’t have a Will with a named legal guardian for their children – this can mean that your child/children could be left with someone you wouldn’t necessarily have chosen yourself. When creating or updating a Will with a Wills Solicitor,...
How to reduce Inheritance Tax by making lifetime gifts to children
On a basic level, estate planning involves reducing the value of your estate to mitigate Inheritance Tax (IHT) payable upon your death. One way of doing this is to make lifetime gifts to your children. Potentially Exempt Transfers (PETs) and the 7-Year Inheritance Tax...
Navigating Family Disputes Over Ashes in the UK
Challenges in Dealing with Deceased's Remains Who has the right to deal with my body after I die? With the news that the Law Commission is set to review the “ancient laws” over what happens with a deceased’s remains, we look at the current state of affairs in this...
Writing a Letter of Wishes – What you need to know
Why do I need to write a Letter of Wishes to go with my Will or lifetime trust? Very often a Will gives the executors discretion as to how to administer an estate. The Will or lifetime trust might create a discretionary trust which the trustees have discretion over. A...
What is a Legacy in a Will & the Types of Legacy Gifts
What is a Legacy in a Will A legacy is term used to describe a gift - that is, something which is specifically assigned to an individual and named as such in a Will. This could be a fixed sum of money or an item of personal property that you wish to see gifted to a...
‘Caveats’ and preventing a grant of probate
Are you a named executor in a Will – or administrator if no Will – but are being “left out of the loop” for no good reason? Is there a dispute about who can apply for probate, or about the existence or legality of a Will? If so, it may be necessary to challenge...
Joint Tenants or Tenants in Common?
When choosing to buy a property with someone else, it’s important to consider what would happen to your share if you were to pass away. There are two different ways of owning a property jointly: as joint tenants or as tenants in common. Joint tenants If you own a...
How can you use a Deed of Variation to reduce Inheritance Tax?
After someone dies, it is possible for the beneficiaries of their estate to make changes to the distribution of the estate instead of following the terms of their Will or Rules of Intestacy (if there is no Will). This can be done using a Deed of Variation....
Mortgages in later life and after retirement
Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to secure a mortgage once retired or over the age of 60. However, aside from the usual risks associated with obtaining a mortgage, there are a number of extra considerations that retirees or borrowers in later life should...
What Happens if a named Executor Becomes Incapacitated?
The role of being Executor to a Will is a big responsibility and requires a high duty of care in managing and protecting the deceased’s estate. But what happens when the individual named as Executor for a Will loses mental capacity themselves and can no longer fulfil...
Whistleblowing Policy
This Insight is #13 in our Employment Handbook series, keep an eye out for more. Whistleblowing Policy An individual blows the whistle when they report or expose wrongdoing to another individual within their business or they report it externally, for example to a...
Guide to Creating a UK Equal Opportunities Policy
This Insight is #12 in our Employment Handbook series, keep an eye out for more. As a matter of law, UK employers must give employees employment contracts which cover the key terms of the employment relationship. As a matter of good practice, and often a resource that...
Sickness Absence Policies
This Insight is #11 in our Employment Handbook series, keep an eye out for more. Sickness Absence Policy Both long-term and short-term sickness absence can be very disruptive to a business, and they can adversely affect productivity. Although both types of absence...
Hybrid Remote Working Policy for Office and Home Work
This Insight is #10 in our Employment Handbook series, keep an eye out for more. Hybrid Working Policy: A Guide for Employers Hybrid working is when an employee splits their work time between working remotely and working at the office. Is Hybrid Working Here to Stay?...
Homeworking Policy – Options as an Employer or Employee
This Insight is #9 in our Employment Handbook series, keep an eye out for more. Homeworking Policy Homeworking is a type of flexible working which, depending on the agreement between employer and employee, can be also used in conjunction with other arrangements such...
Employee Holiday Policies
This Insight is #8 in our Employment Handbook series, keep an eye out for more. Holidays Policy Employers aren’t required by law to have a Holidays Policy, but it’s a good idea for employers of all sizes to have such a policy. The holidays law and their relationship...
Grievance Procedure UK: Guide for Employers
This Insight is #7 in our Employment Handbook series, keep an eye out for more. Companies in the UK need a grievance procedure should anything unfair happen in the workplace. This article explains what employers need to know about Grievance Policies in the UK....
Flexible Working Policy: Helpful Employer’s Guide
This Insight is #6 in our Employment Handbook series, keep an eye out for more. Flexible Working Policy in the UK: A Guide for Employers Flexible working is an arrangement that benefits an employee’s needs, such as having flexible start and finish times, or working...
UK Company Dress Code Policy
This Insight is #5 in our Employment Handbook series, keep an eye out for more. Although a dress code policy is not required by law for UK companies, it’s good practice to create policies that may save a dispute from arising, or just simply to have everyone on the...
Compassionate Leave Entitlement
This Insight is #4 in our Employment Handbook series, keep an eye out for more. Understanding Compassionate Leave Entitlement as an Employer and Employee What is Compassionate Leave? Compassionate leave is when an employee takes time off work in order to deal with a...
Creating a Company Expense Policy in the UK
This Insight is #3 in our Employment Handbook series, keep an eye out for more. A company expenses policy is advisable for UK businesses that need to reimburse employees that pay out of pocket for business related goodies, but what is paid for needs to be stipulated...
Anti-corruption and Bribery Policies
This Insight is #2 in our Employment Handbook series, keep an eye out for more. Anti-corruption and Bribery Policy It’s illegal for employers and their employees to accept or make gifts, payments or incentives to gain extra business. Business owners, company officers,...
Adverse Weather & Travel Disruption Policy
This Insight is #1 in our Employment Handbook series, keep an eye out for more. Winter weather can cause major travel disruptions, which might prevent employees getting to work. There can also be other situations that cause disruption, such as industrial action on...
Mutual Wills – what are they and why you might want to avoid them like the plague.
For more information about Mutual Wills and why you might want to avoid them get in touch with our Private Client team today. Not to be confused, as they often are, with ‘mirror’ or ‘similar’ Wills, mutual Wills create a binding agreement between two people (the Will...
Trust Registration Service Guidance & HMRC Updates – What you need to know
What is the Trust Registration Service? The Trust Registration Service (TRS) is an online service for trustees, or their agents (e.g. accountants or solicitors) to provide information to HMRC about their trusts. The register is the government’s way of checking Trusts...
What happens to your debts when you die?
There are many misconceptions about debt and inheritance. It’s not correct that when a person dies, their debts die with them or that their family members are responsible for paying their debts. When someone dies their debts are normally paid out of their estate...
Marriage or Cohabitation? The Legal Difference
Cohabitation, or living together without being married, is becoming increasingly more common in the United Kingdom. There are a number of legal differences between the two, which can have a significant impact on both parties involved. Here we look at some commonly...
Can I use a Lasting Power of Attorney abroad?
The world is a lot smaller than it once was, thanks primarily to rapid technological advances – for one, communication is now lightning quick. In this more international society, many individuals are now more likely to have some form of asset in foreign climes. Many...
Securing your Digital Afterlife
We all like photos and for over 100 years they’ve served to preserve those poignant moments and important memories. While things may have moved on considerably technology wise, photos continue to play a huge sentimental role in our lives. We should therefore continue...
Our Whiting Street Branch is Now Open!
An office in the heart of Bury St Edmunds We’re proud to announce that we’ve recently opened another office in the heart of Bury St. Edmunds on Whiting Street. Some might say its excessive to have two offices in Bury St. Edmunds but we wanted to make sure that we’re...
A Guide to Estate Planning & Will Options for Blended Families
For more information about Estate Planning for Blended Families get in touch with our Private client team today on 01284 767766. Estate Planning for Blended Families Navigating your new start as a blended family can be an exciting time – though for many blended...
Who is Entitled to See a Copy of a Will?
Who is Entitled to See a Copy of a Will? Wills are a legal way to ensure that your estate is distributed according with the wishes you put into writing before death. When drafted with the help of the help of an experienced Wills Solicitor, you can ensure all your...
Leaving a Gift to Charity in Your Will
For more information about leaving a gift to charity in your Will get in touch with our Private Client team today on 01284 767766 Leaving a charitable legacy in your Will is becoming more popular, with 19% of UK charity donors choosing to leave a gift in their Will,...
What happens to my Digital Assets if I die?
Now, more than ever before, life is captured and stored in and across various digital assets – from social media accounts to email accounts, photo storage accounts and more. But what happens to those digital files and assets when you die? For more information on the...
Remote Witnessing of Wills
For more information about the changes made to your options when creating a Will get in touch with our Private Client Team today on 01284 767766. Remote witnessing of Wills has been extended until 31st January 2024 – but was it necessary? Zoom, FaceTime, Teams – these...
Parents and Children – Distribution of Money
For more information on how your money will be distributed when you die get in touch with our Private Client team today on 01284 767766. Death, taxes – you know the rest. You need to consider what happens once you’ve gone – what happens to the money, the house, the...
Who gets the kids when we’re gone?
Nearly two-thirds of adults don’t have a Will with a named legal guardian for their children – this can mean that your child/children could be left with someone you wouldn’t necessarily have chosen yourself. When creating or updating a Will with a Wills Solicitor,...
A Good Divorce?
For more information on how to best to accomplish having a ‘Good Divorce’, get in touch with our Family & Relationships team today on 01284 767766. Each year Resolution, a national family law association committed to promoting amicable settlements in Family Law...
Helping children in a relationship breakdown
For more information on how to help children navigate the breakdown of your relationship, get in touch with our Family & Relationships team today on 01284 767766. Some suggestions for supporting children through divorce or relationship breakdown from expert family...
Living Together Myths
For more information on the facts and myths about co-habitation get in touch with our team today on 01284 767766. We have offices in Bury St. Edmunds, Sudbury and London and would love to give you the clarity and understanding you need. According to the Office of...
Blended Families
For more information on how to overcome the difficulties of ‘blended’ families, get in touch with our Family & Relationships team today on 01284 767 766 ‘Blended’ families are becoming increasingly common as couples who have children from previous relationships...
Parenting Apart – Christina McGhee, Book Review
To find out more about the benefits of reading Parenting Apart when going through a separation contact our Family & Relationships team on 01284 767 766 Christina McGhee’s book offers sensible, child focussed, and neutral advice on all aspects of parenting through...
No fault divorce – a major change in Divorce Law
For more information about how the no-fault divorce law will affect the way divorces will proceed, contact our Family & Relationships team today on 01284 767 766 In April 2022 the law on divorce is changing radically. At the moment, to get a divorce you must show...
Getting Married – Intended or unintended consequences
For more information about the legal consequences of getting married contact our Family & Relationship team today on 01284 767 766 If you and/or your partner own a house, marriage can have long term implications for ownership. Married couples acquire rights of...
Are you ever too young to make a Will?
For more information on the benefits of having a Will contact our Private Client team today on 01284 767 766 Today I saw a 24 year old client who came into the office to sign her Will and she told me that when she had mentioned to her friends that she had made a Will...
Changes to reporting Inheritance Tax to HMRC – making Probate easier?
For more information and support on the new legislation regarding Inheritance Tax get in touch with our Private Client team today on 01284 767766. In January 2022 new legislation came into effect which the government says will give most people reduced inheritance tax...
How to recover a trade debt
For more information on how we can support you in the recovery of a trade debt contact our company commercial Law team today on 01284 767766. Most, if not all, businesses will need to pursue an unpaid invoice at some time. This checklist highlights the advantages and...
Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs)
Be in control of what happens to you. Want to create a Lasting Power of Attorney? Contact our Private Client team today to arrange a no charge consultation 01284 767766. An LPA is a legal document that lets you (the ‘donor’) appoint one or more people (known as...
Business Lasting Powers of Attorney
Mitigating disruption and crisis management We’d recommend always having a contingency plan in place especially when considering business assets. Should you ever be in a situation where you can’t make important decisions who have you appointed to act on your behalf?...
Company Formation
Company formation or company registration is the process of incorporating your new company with Companies House. Completing this process means your business becomes an independent legal entity. This means the company will be seen as separate from the owners in regard...
Living Together Agreements
Cohabiting Couples For more information on how to create a Living Together or Cohabitation Agreement and your options contact our Family and Relationships team today to arrange an initial consultation 01284 767766. What is a living together agreement? Moving in with...
Advanced Statements and Decisions
Documenting your wishes If you would like more information on how you can ensure your wishes are followed should anything happen, contact our Private Client team for an initial consultation on 01284 767766. What is an Advance Decision? An Advance Decision provides you...
Prenuptial Agreements
Why everyone should have one We recommend everyone entering into a prenuptial agreement before entering into a marriage or civil partnership. For more information on how to create the right agreement for you and your partner contact our Family and Relationships team...
Selling a Business
Legal issues to consider This checklist sets out the legal issues to consider when selling a business. You should always take legal advice at the start of any sale. If you would like further advice on selling a business and the process or selling commercialassets...
Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
Provision for Family and Dependants As a general principle, under English and Welsh law, you can leave your property to whomever you wish after you die. However, the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 provides that the following persons can...
Family and Divorce Collaborative Law
To find out more on the services available to you when negotiating to details of a divorce or separation contact our Family and relationships team today on 01284 767 766 If you and your partner are separated, it can often be very difficult to talk about the practical...
Forget about the house, who gets the dog? – Who keeps the pets on divorce?
For more information on the divorce process contact our Family and Relationships team todayand book a consultation on 01284 767766 Pets have long since been part of families all over the country and so it is unsurprising to hear that more and more frequently they are...
Tenant and Landlord Break Clauses
Commercial Property For more information on commercial property leases and your options as a Landlord or Tenant, contact our Commercial Property Law team today on 01284 767766. Break clauses in leases… What is a break clause? A break clause can be included in a...
What is the cost of moving home?
Whether you’re buying your first or dream home, for more information on the costs associated with buying or selling contact our Conveyancing team today on 01284 767 766 Buying a Property When buying a home, the standard costs you can expect to incur are: Your acting...
Contract Negotiations: Key Issues
Contract Negotiation Checklist Our Business Law team have experience dealing with complex commercial contracts and negotiations. Contact our team today to discuss your situation in more detail on 01284 767766. This checklist highlights the key issues to consider when...
Protect your future! Why you need a Financial Order on divorce
For more information and support on the financial side of your divorce arrange a consultation with our Family and Relationships team today on 01284 767 766 It is a common misconception of parties who are divorcing that once the Decree Absolute is pronounced and the...
Quick guide to settlement agreements for employees
My employer wants me to enter a settlement agreement, what should I expect? If you’ve just been given a settlement agreement or you think you might get one shortly, then don’t hesitate to call our HR and Employment Law team on 01284 767766 for a chat and some...
Pensions and Divorce Guide
Pension sharing on divorce Pensions are a very important part of any financial settlement. If you have questions regarding your financesand how they will be affected during divorce proceedings. Contact our Family and Relationships team on 01284 767766. Pensions have...
A Quick Guide to Disciplinaries
If you have a difficult situation and you think you may need to discipline an employee, then don’t hesitate to call our HR and Employment Law team on 01284 767766 for a chat and some guidance. In the meantime, you can read the following useful guide for how to deal...
Guide to Making a Will
We believe everyone should have a Will. We have created our own Wills preparation system making the process easier for our clients. Our team offer Wills and Probate services across Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex. We are experienced in dealing with a vast...
Purchasing a Property in Joint Names
Are you thinking of purchasing a property in joint names? If you would like legal advice on any Residential Conveyancing matter you can arrange a no obligation consultation with our Residential Conveyancing Team today on 01284 767 766. If you are purchasing a property...
Employee use of Social Media
Social Media Policy Checklist Your employees can really help your business and raise your profile by posting on social media. But they can also have a negative impact on your brand if you’re not careful. If you have any queries about your employees’ use of social...
Quick Guide to Managing Sickness Absence
If you have a challenge with an employee on sickness absence, or if you think one may be looming then don’t hesitate to call our HR and Employment Law team on 01284 767766 for a chat and some guidance. You might find the following a useful reference for how to deal...
A Quick Guide to Investigations
Carrying out an internal investigation If you have a difficult situation and you think you might need to investigate an employee’s misconduct, then don’t hesitate to call our HR and Employment Law team on 01284 767766 for a chat and some guidance. In the meantime, you...
Trading Entities – What Should You Be?
If you have started or considering starting a business and would like to discuss your options in greater detail, do not hesitate to contact our Business Law team today and arrange a consultation on 01284 767766. Starting a business can be a complex process and the...
Intestacy Rules
What happens if I die without a Will? Don’t leave it to chance, for more information on creating the right Will which protects your final wishes contact our team and avoid the consequences of intestacy on 01284 767766. If you die without leaving a Will, you are said...
Breaching Terms of a Consent Order
Matrimonial Finances Has my ex breached the Consent Order? As soon as an Order has been approved and sealed by a Judge it becomes legally binding on both you and your ex and you should both comply with the terms of the Order. This includes keeping up with all payments...
Recruitment Checklist for Employers
It’s in the best interest of your company to have a clear recruitment or equality policy so you and your staff can follow the policy as set. If you have a recruitment or equality policy and you want to deviate from it, then you’ll need to be able to justify not...
Inheritance Tax and Tax Efficient Wills
Making the most of your Estate Inheritance Tax legislation is constantly changing and it is as important as ever to ensure that your loved ones are adequately provided for in your Will. Making a Will can help to ensure that your estate pays as little Inheritance Tax...
Quick guide to settlement agreements for employers
What should I think about before I offer a settlement agreement? Many employers use settlement agreements to settle disputes and wrap up the legal aspects of ending an employee’semployment by negotiation. Using a settlement agreement will allow you and your employee...
Quick guide to dealing with flexible working requests
Managing Flexible Working Requests as an Employer Here is our simple guide to help you understand the law when it comes to flexible working requests from one of your employees in the workplace. Who can make a request a Flexible Work Request? Any of your employees can...
Accredited Wills and Probate Solicitors
Proud members of The Law Society’s Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS) We’re delighted to be an accredited member of The Law Society’s Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS). This scheme ensures we follow best practices and procedures to meet the highest...
Quality Assured Conveyancers
Proud members of The Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme We’re proud members of The Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS). This scheme acknowledges firms who achieve the quality standard for delivering residential conveyancing services. Firms who...
We are Resolution Solicitors
Committed to conflict reduction As Resolution Solicitors we’re part of a community committed to supporting separating families and individuals to resolve issues in a constructive way. Reducing confrontation within family law issues allowing for better outcomes for...
Temporary right to work checks coming to an end
Quick Guide for employers to carrying out right to work checks It’s unlawful for you to employ someone who doesn’t have the right to live and work in the UK. So, before you take anyone on you must carry out the required checks. If you do employ someone who doesn’t...
Sudbury office now open
Bringing Atkins Dellow services to another town centre If you’ve been in Sudbury you may have noticed our most recent office and meeting centre opening at 2 Friars Street. Despite the tendency for shops to close on local high streets we’re looking for more locations...
Important Notice: Staying COVID-19 Secure
Notice to All Visitors To comply with the government’s guidance on managing the risk of COVID-19 please adhere to the following procedures: Please don’t enter our offices if you have any of the main Covid-19 symptoms: A high temperature This means you feel hot to the...
Domestic Abuse: What are your options?
A surge in domestic abuse cases during lockdown If you believe you are in immediate danger, and you are able to, you should call 999 for police assistance. If you have called 999 and are unable to speak for whatever reason, dial 55 on your handset and this will alert...
