Spring 2024 employment law round up

‘This year is a busy one for employment legislation, after a few quiet years,’ says Kalpesh Nakeshree, Head of Employment Law with Ware & Kay. ‘The Government has backed a number of private members’ bills which are now coming into force. In addition to the usual annual increases to statutory rates, there are several important changes that employers need to know about,’ Kalpesh continues. Record keeping under working time regulations From 1 January 2024, the rules requiring employers to record their employees’ daily working hours have been relaxed. Instead, employers need to keep records to show compliance with the Working Time Regulations 1998. Increased flexibility in taking paternity leave Following the birth or adoption of a child, an eligible father or partner can take one or two weeks’ leave. The rules have become more flexible…

We’re proud to support Update Your Will Week 2024

 Update Your Will Week from the 4th – 10th March is an annual campaign hosted by The Association of Lifetime Lawyers.   It aims to raise awareness around the risks of not having an up to date Will and encourages people to update their Will to ensure their wishes are carried out when they die.   Why is it important to have an up to date Will?   Having an up to date, well-drafted will is crucial to ensure your wishes are carried out in the way you’d like when you die. Knowing you’ve chosen what you want to happen can also help ease distress for loved ones left behind and minimise potential disputes.   If you die without a Will, any assets that belonged to you must be distributed according to the strict rules…

Saint Catherine's Hospice Make a Will Week 22 April to 26 April, 2024

We are delighted to support the Saint Catherine’s Hospice Make a Will Week. We have agreed to give our time and expertise for free to support Saint Catherine’s Hospice Make a Will Week Catherine’s Hospice Make a Will Week. We will happily meet with you to take your instructions for a simple Will during this week and draft a professional Will in accordance with those instructions. We will also meet with you again for your Will to be signed by the end of May 2024. In return, you will make a donation to Saint Catherine’s. Our suggested minimum is £200* per single Will and £350* per matching pair. This is payable at the time you sign your Will with us and we will forward the donation to Saint Catherine’s Catherine’s. *If your Will requires advice of a complex nature, or because of any failure on your own part to complete the Will…

Changes on the farm – is it time to update your Will?

It is recommended that you review your Will every 3 to 5 years, but if your farm has expanded, downsized, or diversified, then you should also look at your Will to ensure it reflects your wishes. Laura Carter, Associate and agricultural specialist at Ware & Kay and Pearsons & Ward Solicitors in Malton (part of Ware & Kay in York and Wetherby), highlights the key changes that should prompt a farmer to review and update their Will. Has the value of your farm increased substantially? If your farm has grown substantially then it is important to have the ownership of the farm’s assets checked and for them to be valued. Based on the valuations received, you can then consider making a new Will to help decrease any liability for inheritance tax, particularly to take advantage of…