Autumn Employment Law Round Up

Gillian Reid, employment law specialist at Ware & Kay in York, Wetherby & Malton, provides a round-up of the main employment law changes that have recently come into effect, including those taking place from autumn 2017, and explains the action you need to take as a result. Employment tribunal fees scrapped Unison won a landmark court case against the government in July 2017 when the Supreme Court found that the government acted unlawfully when it introduced employment tribunal fees in July 2013. The decision of the court means that, from July 2017: those eligible to bring an employment tribunal claim (or appeal) will no longer have to pay a fee to do so; and the government will have to refund over £27 million to those charged a fee for submitting a claim to the…

Local Solicitors Complete Three Peaks Challenge For Charity

A team of 28 volunteers representing Ware & Kay Solicitors (with offices in York, Wetherby & Malton) raised £2,691.59 for the Charlie Mortimer Fund by climbing Yorkshire's Three Peaks on 24 September. The team was made up of staff, family members and friends aged between 13 and 70 and saw all participants putting their fitness, stamina and organisational skills to the test by climbing the mountains of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. A total ascent of around 1,585 metres over 25 miles was walked, scrambled, climbed and run in less than 12 hours. The Charlie Mortimer Fund was founded following the unexpected death of Charlie, a young boy from Malton, on the 15th August 2009. Charlie had undiagnosed MCADD, a rare genetic condition where the sufferer has problems breaking down fat to use as an energy…

Trekkers Tackle Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge For Charity

Staff from Ware & Kay will be aiming to tackle the three highest mountain peaks in Yorkshire in less than 12 hours in aid of the Charlie Mortimer Fund. A team of 30 from Ware & Kay Solicitors, which is based in York, Wetherby & Malton, will be taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge on Saturday 24th September.  The team is made up of staff, family members and friends aged between 13 and 70.  The route is 24.5 miles long and will see them climb the mountains of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough - a total ascent of around 1,450 metres! The Charlie Mortimer Fund was founded following the unexpected death of Charlie on the 15th August 2009, a local Malton child.  Charlie had undiagnosed MCADD, a rare genetic condition where a person has…

A Change To The Compensation Band For The 'injury To Feelings' Award

There will be a change to the compensation bands for the 'injury to feelings' award in discrimination cases in the employment tribunal and will apply to any claims issued on or after 11 September 2017 and will be: lower band (less serious cases): £800 to £8,400 middle band: £8,400 to £25,200 upper band (the most serious cases): £25,200 to £42,000 exceptional cases: over £42,000   The previous bands were: Lower band: £600 to £6,000 Middle band: £6,000 to £18,000 Higher band: £18,000 to £30,000.   Published: September 2017 For more information contact Gillian Reid, Head of Employment, on 01904 716050 or email Gillian.Reid@warekay.co.uk.

Our Solicitors And Staff Attend Training To Become Dementia Friends

Ware & Kay Solicitors has been given expert advice on understanding dementia, and how to help people living with dementia. Staff attended an Alzheimer's Society's Dementia Friends information session at Ware & Kay offices in Wetherby, run by Karen Leaf from Wetherby in Support of the Elderly.  Dementia Friends is a charity which is working to change our perception of dementia and how we think, talk and act about the condition.  The charity is about learning more about dementia and the small ways we can all help - from telling friends about the programme to visiting someone you know living with dementia. Wetherby in Support of the Elderly is a registered charity organisation that aims to improve quality of life for the over 60s by providing community based activities, information, help and support. Laura Schofield…

New Rules On Debt Recovery May Delay Payment Of Consumer Debts

New rules on the procedure businesses must follow when trying to collect debts from individual customers could mean that you have to wait 90 days or more before you can issue court proceedings.  To limit the damage this may cause to your cash flow it is important to review your credit control procedures now before the new rules come into force on 1 October 2017. Are all business debts affected? Only debts owed to you by individuals are covered by the new rules; however, sole traders are included within the definition of an individual so they are also relevant for some business debts. What do the rules require? The rules - set out in the pre-action protocol for debt claims issued under the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 - require you to engage with individual debtors…

Top 10 Reasons To Use A Lawyer To Make Your Lasting Power Of Attorney

A lasting power of attorney lets you decide who you would like to make decisions for you if you lose mental capacity.  While you may be tempted to try and do it yourself, the process is complicated and if not followed correctly your lasting power of attorney may not be valid when you need to use it. Laura Schofield at Ware & Kay in York, Wetherby & Malton , can give you her top ten reasons why you should always use a lawyer to make a lasting power of attorney. How to make a lasting power of attorney A lasting power of attorney must: be made by someone aged 18 or over who has mental capacity to understand what they are doing; be prepared using prescribed forms which request specific information and include a…

Local Solicitors Defend Lasting Powers Of Attorney

Local solicitors Sian Foster and Laura Schofield from Ware & Kay Solicitors based in York, Wetherby & Malton have defended lasting powers of attorney (LPA) after Denzil Lush, the former Senior Judge of the Court of Protection, warned they may leave elderly people open to abuse. An LPA is a powerful legal document that allows a person to appoint trusted individuals to make important decisions about care and finances on their behalf, in the event of a loss of mental capacity through an accident or illness such as dementia. In the foreword to a new book on the subject, Mr Lush raised concerns about the "lack of transparency" in how appointed attorneys manage older people's finances. The former judge went on to criticise the Ministry of Justice as being "disingenuous" in its promotion of the…

Peter Lawrence From Ware & Kay Solicitors Retires After 47 Years

Peter Lawrence, a Consultant for Ware & Kay with offices in York, Wetherby & Malton was today marking his retirement after 47 years. Peter celebrated an event with friends, colleagues, clients and business contacts at the Ware & Kay offices at Sentinel House, Peasholme Green, York, on 16th August.  He has built up a long and distinguished reputation as one of the leading Commercial Property, Planning & Agricultural Lawyers in Yorkshire.   Having qualified in 1970, Peter came to North Yorkshire in 1972 and was a partner in a country town practice for 30 years followed by practising as a Sole Practitioner for 8 years.  He has been a highly valued member of the firm since the merger of his practice with Ware & Kay. Peter said "I have seen and experienced many changes…

Tougher Penalties For Employing Illegal Immigrants

On 12 July 2016 changes to illegal working offences in the Immigration Act 2016 came into force, introducing tougher penalties for employers found to be flouting the rules. As the government is keen to crack down on employers who turn a blind eye to employing illegal migrants, with fines of up to £20,000 per illegal worker and possible disqualification for directors, it is more vital than ever for employers to make sure employees have the correct right to work documents.  The Home Office also names and shames employers found employing an illegal worker, so your business reputation could be on the line too. Gillian Reid, employment law specialist at Ware & Kay in York, Wetherby & Malton , advises on how employers can avoid illegal working traps. Checking workers' status Under current law, employers can…