Brexit What Next For Employers

We are living in unprecedented times. The historic decision of the UK electorate  to leave the European Union, has resulted in a period of uncertainty about  the implications of Brexit for workers and businesses in the UK and their future relationship with the EU. A key concern is the impact on migrant workers. Currently, EU citizens can live and work in the UK without the need for work permits or visas.  Although Brexit might eventually mean an end or restrictions on this free movement of people, any changes are yet to be decided.  In the meantime, both employers and employees will be looking for reassurance for what it means for them. Gillian Reid, Head of Employment at Ware & Kay Solicitors in York, Wetherby & Malton , advises employers on what to expect and what…

Increased Tax Free Savings Opportunity

From the beginning of the 2017/18 tax year the amount that individuals are able to save into ISAs will increase from £15,240.00 to £20,000.00, an increase that was originally mentioned by George Osborne in the March 2016 Budget as a way "to further help savers at a time of unprecedentedly low interest rates". With interest rates so low what is the benefit of saving money into an ISA? Put simply, if you have to give less money to the taxman then you have more money to do with what you want, an ISA is one of the simplest ways to do this. In the current climate it is more important than ever for you to be able to benefit from any growth that your savings make. In addition to their tax free status, cash ISAs also…

Will Writing Campaign 17-28 October

Ware & Kay Solicitors & York Teaching Hospital Charity Will Writing Campaign 17-28 October About the YTHC Will Writing Campaign Ware & Kay Solicitors is working closely with The York Teaching Hospital Charity (YTHC) to give you the opportunity to have your Will written for FREE when you choose to remember the YTHC in your Will or make a donation on the day at our offices in York or Wetherby. The amount you choose to leave in your Will is entirely up to you. You could leave a set amount, a percentage of your estate or simply what is left once your family and friends have been taken care of. If you choose to make a donation on the day, YTHC are asking for a minimum donation of £120 for a single Will or £170…

Negotiating An Executive Severance Package

If you need to part company with a director, for the good of the business, it may not be appropriate to follow your disciplinary procedure.  Gillian Reid, Head of Employment in York & Wetherby, looks at the issues you should consider, especially if you need to achieve a quick exit with minimal disruption to the business and no publicity. Reason for the termination Two of the most common reasons for terminating a director's contract are poor performance, leading to the board losing confidence in the director, and a personality clash. You should first decide what the reason is for the exit, as it will have an impact on the claims the executive may have and therefore on the level of compensation you could have to pay.  For example, you must consider whether the director has…

Top Tips Around Lasting Powers Of Attorney

Plan early While you have capacity, it's vital that you get your affairs in order and choose the best people to manage your affairs, in case of an accident or illness. You can't appoint an attorney once you lose capacity. Choose carefully Think carefully who you want to appoint as your attorney and have an open conversation with them so they understand your wishes and what their responsibilities will include. Consider appointing more than one person as your attorney so they can share the responsibility. Consider appointing a professional A family member might not always be the best person to act as your attorney. Instead, you can appoint a professional such as a solicitor. They can act as a neutral third party and make unbiased decisions that are in your best interests. Bear in mind…

Rights Of Way Problems And Remedies

When buying freehold premises or taking on a lease you will need to ensure that you have sufficient rights of way in order to gain access to and from those premises.  "It should not be assumed that your premises adjoin an adopted highway, giving you statutory rights of access, although a local highways search will confirm the publically adopted roads in your area,"  Many premises will require access over private roads, for example estate roads on industrial estates will very often be privately owned, and so you will need to ensure that legal rights of way benefit the premises you are acquiring. Establishing your rights of access In order to establish your legal rights, you need to investigate the title to the premises. The title will confirm if any rights have been expressly granted.  If…

Making A Formal Complaint At Work

Most people will experience a concern about their work, working conditions or a colleague at some point in their working lives.  Gillian Reid Head of Employment at Ware & Kay in York, Wetherby & Malton advises how handling it properly can mean that it can be resolved quickly, before it escalates.  If you have a problem at work, how should you tackle it? Do you have a grievance? A grievance is a problem or concern that you have about your work, working conditions, pay or relationships with colleagues.  For example: you believe that your overtime has been calculated wrongly and you have been underpaid; you feel that your workload is excessive and you are struggling to cope; a colleague is harassing you because of your religion; or following an illness or injury, you would…

Local Solicitor One Step Ahead

Ware & Kay Solicitors is proud to announce that Sian Foster has been admitted to full membership of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (known as STEP for short), a professional body which is committed to helping people manage their affairs. Sian is now holding an internationally recognised qualification that demonstrates her practical and detailed understanding of the law and the procedures involved in trust and probate procedure, tax and accounting.  She is entitled to use the designation STEP to showcase her specialist expertise and give her clients the confidence and peace of mind of knowing that she has reached the exacting standards which are required by this body. To qualify, Sian spent three years writing three 5,000 word papers which were researched and written around her work commitments. York-based Sian Foster qualified as…

Triathlon Success For Yorkshire Law Society And York Against Cancer

The Yorkshire Law Society Triathlon Challenge held on Saturday 23rd July at Castle Howard was a huge success and expected to raise over £1000 for York Against Cancer. Peter Kay, Senior Director of Ware & Kay and President of the Yorkshire Law Society and six teams made up of members of the Yorkshire Law Society took part in the 'Super Sprint Triathlon'.  The challenge was for the participating relay teams to beat Peter's Champion, William Kaye from Harrowells and for every minute that William beat the relay team, Peter pledged to pay £1 to his chosen charity York Against Cancer. Teams from Andrew Jackson, Quality Solicitors Burn & Co, Harrowells Solicitors, Ware & Kay Solicitors including two relay team from Dere Street Chambers competed against William. William and the teams pushed themselves to…

The Race Is On

For the first time ever, the Yorkshire Law Society is organising a Triathlon Challenge to raise money for York Against Cancer. The event will take place on Saturday 23rd July at Castle Howard and Peter Kay, Senior Director of Ware & Kay Solicitors and President of the Yorkshire Law Society has invited members to take part in a 'Super Sprint Triathlon'.  It comprises a 400m open water swim in Castle Howard's Great Lake, a 23km cycle and a 4km run through the Estate with the Howardian Hills providing the backdrop. The challenge is for the participating relay teams to beat Peter's Champion, William Kaye from Harrowells.  William who is a serious triathlete has agreed to compete instead of Peter for this great cause.  Peter pledges to pay £1 to his chosen charity York Against Cancer…