New rates for the national living wage and national minimum wage

The government accepted in full the Low Pay Commission's proposed increases to the national living wage and national minimum wage rates, which came into effect on 1 April 2021.

The new rates are:

• Age 23 or over (NLW rate):... Read More →

Carrying the weight of unpaid invoices can make doing business challenging. The coronavirus pandemic has caused financial difficulties for many and could be making the problem of late payments worse for both small businesses, the self-employed and freelancers.

The Forum of Private Business indicates that 1 in... Read More →

1. Should we let employees work from home?

• Advice on working from home has changed several times since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The current position in England is that employees should work from home where they can. Employers should take "every possible step" to facilitate their employees... Read More →

Eaton Smith are delighted to announce that Deborah Melluish has been appointed Senior Partner.

Deborah Melluish has taken over the role from Ben Cooper who has retired from the firm as a Partner but remains as a Consultant.

Deborah is a Partner and head of the Corporate and Commercial Team. She is a... Read More →

Under a child maintenance arrangement, child maintenance is usually paid by the parent who does not have day-to-day care of the child or does not usually live with the child. If this payment is not forthcoming, the receiving parent could launch a civil legal claim. However, this option is expensive and still leaves... Read More →

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted almost every industry in the UK, with many businesses experiencing a severe strain on their cashflow as a result. While commercial tenants may be struggling to pay rent in full and on a regular basis, their landlord could also be under pressure if they rely on these payments to... Read More →

Jo Jones, Partner and head of Private Client team

In her recent interview, the ITV presenter, Kate Garraway revealed the financial struggles she has faced since her husband contracted Covid19 and was placed into a coma to help his chances of recovery. Kate talked about the legal difficulties in accessing... Read More →

The Supreme Court has dismissed appeals to pay hourly sleep-in shifts for care workers which will be a huge relief for care companies and investors but a disappointment for carers and healthcare staff.

The ruling in the Mencap v Tomlinson-Blake case means that the time a worker is required to sleep on site... Read More →

When bullying or racism is involved, seniority and titles do not confer special protection.

Bullying or racism may seem the fate of the underdog, but recent headlines have shown how it may affect anyone at any level, including royalty and high-flying civil servants. Companies are being encouraged to review... Read More →

Inheritance disputes may have risen in response to soaring property prices, second marriages and blended families, with relatives more likely to feel they are missing out, but the courts are pushing back on frivolous claims and obstructive family members. 

Such disputes once seemed the preserve of... Read More →

While many workplaces continue to be affected by the coronavirus pandemic, employment law and the Acas Code of Practice concerning disciplinary and grievance procedures still apply. If you are facing disciplinary action or grievance procedures, you must be aware of your rights and how these might be affected by... Read More →

In these uncertain times, no matter how big or small your business is, managing cash flow can be challenging. One particular difficulty for many firms is dealing with debt collection. Maximising debt collection should be a priority for your business to secure your financial future, but it may be tough to navigate at... Read More →