Do we need to formalise our separation?

If you are coming out of a relationship, whether you were cohabiting, married or in a civil partnership, you may be asking if you need to formalise that separation.  A separation agreement is a formal contract which can be agreed between you and your former partner to determine the division of your financial assets and responsibilities.  ‘No matter how amicable your separation is, and whether you were married or not, it is wise to seek legal advice on your financial position as complications can arise in the future,’ says our family law team Solicitor in the family team with Ware & Kay.  ‘A separation agreement can save you money and upset in the long run.’ You are not legally required to obtain a separation agreement, but it will provide you with reassurance and certainty on where…

Meeting your conveyancing solicitor, what you need to prepare

Preparing and collecting all the information for your first meeting with your conveyancing solicitor, whether that meeting is face-to-face or virtual, will get your transaction off to a good start. Here Holly Stevens, Head of Residential Property with Ware & Kay in York looks at how you can help to get things moving quickly. Prepare ID and source of funds evidence As your solicitor, we cannot start work until we have checked your proof of identity. These ID checks may seem a bit bureaucratic, but they are legally required to comply with anti-money laundering regulations and will help protect you against fraud and identity theft. Requirements vary from firm to firm, so check with us beforehand and make sure you have the relevant documents. Typically, you will need proof of your identity, which can be either…

Grumbles or grievances – why you need to take employee complaints seriously

Receiving a grievance from an employee is rarely welcome – dealing with it can soak up resources, cause disquiet among other employees and in some cases escalate into a dispute which ends up before an employment tribunal. However, as Gillian Reid, employment lawyer with Ware & Kay in York & Wetherby explains, handling grievances properly is a useful way of nipping workplace problems in the bud, stopping relations between you and an employee souring and resulting in legal action.    The key to dealing with grievances is to adopt a fair process and to be aware of some of the challenging issues that may crop up.   Importance of treating grievances seriously Dealing with a grievance promptly and thoroughly can avoid bigger problems arising later on, for example if the employee alleges that a colleague is…

Dealing with flexible working requests: guide for employers

Homeworking and other forms of flexible working arrangements are increasingly common, as employees juggle caring responsibilities or try to avoid long and expensive commutes to work. Employees may be surprised to learn that there is no right to work flexibly, just a right to make a request. However, as Gillian Reid, employment law specialist at Ware & Kay in York and Wetherby explains, employers need to respond properly to any requests to work flexibly to avoid claims in an employment tribunal. What is flexible working? Working part-time, from home or only in term time are all examples of flexible working, along with job shares and exemption from night shifts. The legal process to request flexible working applies to working hours and the place of work. Who has the right to request flexible working? The scope of…