Quarter of minimum wage workers underpaid

According to a study by the Resolution Foundation, more than a quarter of workers aged 15 and over are not being paid the National Minimum Wage (NMW). The NMW is the least a worker can be paid per hour by law. Employers who fail to pay the NMW can face fines of 200% of the wage arrears and potentially also criminal prosecution. From April 2020 the NMW will increase to £8.72 for workers aged 25 and over (up from £8.21). Increases for younger workers from April 2020 will be: 21-24 years old: £8.20 (up from £7.70) 18-20 years old: £6.45 (up from £6.15) Under-18: £4.55 (up from £4.35) Apprentice: £4.15 (up from £3.90) Contact our Employment Law Solicitors in York, Wetherby and Malton To find out more about our Employment Law services and how…

What to expect during mediation following separation

If you are attending mediation to resolve disagreements about some decisions relating to relationship breakdown, separation or divorce, you might be wondering what this involves.  A mediator is an independent person that is trained and accredited to assist you in identifying the issues in dispute and help resolve these through discussion.  Sometimes two mediators may be used, but more often than not just one mediator will be involved.  A mediator can meet you and your former partner together, or separately.  They can also arrange to meet you both at one time while you remain in separate rooms, and this is known as shuttle mediation, where the mediator will effectively shuttle between the two rooms to progress discussions.  It is important that you are comfortable throughout the process and you will not be forced to sit together…

Planning for later life care

Many of us are guilty of putting our heads in the sand when it comes to looking at what may befall us in later life. As people are living longer, the incidence of strokes, dementia and loss of mental capacity is becoming more prevalent. Many of us will live to a ripe old age without facing these issues, but nevertheless, a few simple planning meetings with the relevant professionals, will help ensure that things go as smoothly as they can. We are members of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) and we will ensure that you have all the legal documents in place to get you what you have planned for and that you have considered the pitfalls that may face you in later life and ways to avoid them if at all possible. Wills A…

How to make a tenancy fit for purpose

A Farm Business Tenancy is a contractual relationship which allows a tenant to rent land or buildings from a Landlord to run an agricultural business. But what provisions should a Farm Business Tenancy include to ensure it is legal and fit for purpose for both parties?   Under the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995, a Farm Business Tenancy arises if it was granted on or after 1st September 1995 and land is used predominantly for agricultural purposes throughout the term of the tenancy. Whilst some terms are statutory and must apply, many terms of a Farm Business Tenancy can be negotiated between the Landlord and Tenant. The Act defines agriculture as including ‘horticulture, fruit growing, seed growing, dairy farming and livestock breeding and keeping, the use of land as grazing land, meadow land, osier land, market gardens and…