October 2015 Employment Law Update

A round-up of the main employment law changes coming into effect from autumn 2015. Gillian Reid, employment law specialist at Ware & Kay in York & Wetherby, outlines the main changes and the action you need to take as a result. National minimum wage rises The minimum wage is reviewed every year and traditionally it has been increased on 1 October.  This year is no exception.  The new hourly rates are: adult rate (21+): £6.70 development rate (18-20): £5.30 young workers rate (16-17): £3.87 apprenticeship rate: £3.30.   The accommodation offset limit has risen to £5.35 per day.  The government's new national living wage is due to take effect from next April.  This will add a premium of 50p to the minimum wage for those over 25 so that the rate for those…

Merger Of Historic Legal Firms

A York law firm dating back more than 200 years has merged with a historic Ryedale firm in a move to increase its client base and areas of expertise. Ware & Kay based in York's Peasholme Green and with a secondary office in Wetherby as of today officially merged with Malton-based Pearsons & Ward. From its offices in Market Street, the team of 20 at Pearsons & Ward will continue to operate from its Malton base, and under the Pearsons & Ward branding. Peter Kay, senior director at Ware & Kay, which employs a team of 66 across its two offices, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be merging with Pearsons & Ward, which is a very similar firm to Ware & Kay in terms of their culture and history, and dedication to providing quality…

Yorkshire Solicitors Strengthen Through Merger

The Directors are delighted to announce the merger of Ware & Solicitors Limited of York and Wetherby with Pearsons & Ward Solicitors, Malton as from 1st October 2015. Robert Tulloch (Consultant, Pearsons & Ward), Emma Elwess (Director, Pearsons & Ward) and Peter Kay (Senior Director, Ware & Kay Solicitors Ltd.)   For Robert Tulloch, Emma Elwess and their team at Malton, it is business as usual.  They will continue to trade in Ryedale as Pearsons & Ward from their premises at 2 Market Street. With their distinctive blend of legal expertise and local knowledge they aim  to provide a high level of service on a range of legal issues, including advice to Farmers, Land Owners and the Rural Community, advice on Probate, Wills including Inheritance Tax Planning together with Residential and Commercial Transactions, Family Law matters…

Taking On An Apprentice

The government claims to have doubled the number of apprenticeships since 2010 and recent figures reveal there are now 440,000 apprenticeships a year. Of those starting in the 2013/14 academic year, 53 per cent were female and 47 per cent were male. The majority of people chose apprenticeships in the service sectors and almost three quarters of new starts were in three sectors: business, healthcare and retail. There are currently 170 different apprenticeships available in 13 sectors. Gillian Reid, employment law specialist at Ware & Kay Solicitors in York, Wetherby & Malton , explains the rules if you already employ apprentices or if you are thinking about recruiting one. An apprenticeship is a work-based training programme that leads to a nationally recognised qualification.  It can be for a fixed term or until a certain level…

Employment News Blog 2015

National Minimum Wage Increases from 1st October 2015 The national minimum wage hourly rate increases from 1 October are: Adults: £6.50 to £6.70 Young workers: £3.79 to £3.87 Apprentices: £2.73 to £3.30.   The majority of workers aged 16 and over qualify to receive the national minimum wage. Exclusions from the right include au pairs, family members in the family business and voluntary workers. If you have any questions please contact our Employment Law Solicitor Gillian Reid on: 01904 716050 or Gillian.Reid@warekay.co.uk NEW: Quarterly tribunal statistics to June 2015 published The Ministry of Justice has published statistics in relation to all types of tribunal claims (including employment tribunals) for April to June 2015. The figures continue to show a decrease in the number of claims as compared to last year, including…

Ware & Kay Solicitors Announces New Appointment

Ware & Kay Solicitors is delighted to announce the appointment of Wills & Probate Solicitor Sian Foster. Sian studied locally at the University of York and the York College of Law and she has many years of experience looking after clients and helping them with their Wills & Probate guiding them and providing assistance when dealing with the loss of a loved one.  She also has particular experience in how to avoid unnecessary Inheritance Tax and Powers of Attorney to ensure that clients are protected in the event of physical or mental incapacity. Sian is a member of Solicitors for the Elderly, an organisation which is committed to providing the highest quality of legal advice for older and vulnerable people, their families and carers. Commenting on her appointment, Sian said: "Ware & Kay Solicitors is one…

A Helping Hand

When you have lost a loved one, you may need some guidance with sorting out their affairs at what is already a difficult time... This is where Ware & Kay can help Depending on the circumstances, you may or may not need to apply for what is known as a "Probate" also called a Grant of Probate where the deceased left a Will, or a Grant of Letters of Administration where the deceased died intestate. We can advise you whether or not this is needed and, if so, we can offer as little or as much guidance as you need with this process, and with finalising your loved one's affairs efficiently, whether or not they left a Will. Advantages of taking legal advice There are some areas of the process which you may be happy…

Why Do I Need A Power Of Attorney

There are a number of reasons why you might need someone to make decisions for you or act on your behalf. It could just be temporary: for example, if you are in hospital and need help with everyday things such as making sure that bills are paid. Or you may need to make more long-term plans if, for example, you have been diagnosed with dementia. What is a Lasting Power of Attorney? A Lasting Power of Attorney gives someone you trust the legal authority to make decisions on your behalf, if either you are unable to in the future or you want help managing your finances. How to get a Lasting Power of Attorney At Ware & Kay Solicitors we are committed to setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney as simply and straightforwardly as…

Do I Need A Power Of Attorney

Powers of attorney are useful if you need someone to make decisions on your behalf.  This may just be temporary (for example, to ensure that bills are paid if you were in hospital) or more long-term (for example, if you have been diagnosed with dementia). What is a Lasting Power of Attorney? A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) gives someone you trust the legal authority to make decisions for you.  There are two types of LPA, 'Property and Financial Affairs' and 'Health and Welfare', and you can create one or both.  The Property and Financial Affairs LPA allows your chosen attorneys to operate your finances, for example to mange your bank accounts and pay bills.  The attorney can act while they have mental capacity (if you consent) but also if you lose mental capacity. A…

How To Calculate Holiday Pay

We all look forward to our holidays, whether it is for travel or to spend time with friends and family.  But the subject of holiday pay has been causing concern recently since a number of cases in relation to the calculation of holiday pay have increased employees' rights.  Gillian Reid, employment law specialist at Ware & Kay in York, Wetherby & Malton sets out what you need to know and what you should be doing as an employer to ensure that you stay on the right side of the law. The Working Time Regulations The right to paid holiday is set out in the Working Time Regulations and, despite the fact that the regulations have been in force for more than 16 years, there are still grey areas.  The law in this area continues to…