The UK Government has announced plans to repeal the presumption of parental involvement from the Children Act 1989, a landmark reform aimed at strengthening child protection in family law. New evidence shows that automatically prioritising contact with both parents can, in some cases, perpetuate abuse. The proposed change makes clear a child’s safety and wellbeing…
News
Understanding the Costs of Clinical Negligence in the UK
The costs of clinical negligence continue to rise across the NHS, placing pressure on healthcare budgets and highlighting the importance of improving patient safety and accountability. According to the latest government data, clinical negligence claims now represent one of the fastest-growing expenses in the health service. Rising claim volumes and higher damages payouts have contributed…
Report Highlights Disparities in Premature Mortality Rates
A comprehensive new report from The Health Foundation, in collaboration with the Office for National Statistics (ONS), has exposed profound geographical inequalities in premature mortality rates across Upper Tier Local Authorities (UTLAs) in England and Wales The findings reveal a huge disparity in mortality rates when accounting for differences in age and sex. Premature mortality…
Government To Abolish Leasehold System
The UK government will end the centuries-old leasehold system in England and Wales before this parliament concludes. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook announced a comprehensive plan to transform property ownership rights affecting 5 million homes, in an exclusive interview with The Guardian. The government will introduce a commonhold white paper that forms the basis of a…
Property Reforms to Streamline Transactions
The UK government has unveiled significant property reforms to modernise the home buying and selling process, potentially saving property buyers considerable time and money. These changes aim to reduce the current average completion time of five months by digitalising key processes and improving information sharing between property professionals. Under the new reforms, critical property information…
Start the New Year Right: Ensure Your Will Reflects Your Current Wishes
As we welcome 2025, it’s an ideal time to review and update your will, ensuring it accurately reflects your current circumstances and intentions. The Importance of Having an Up-to-Date Will Surprisingly, a significant portion of the UK population has not formalised their final wishes. Without a valid will, your estate may not be distributed according…
Deadline Extended for eVisa Transition
The UK government has extended the use of expiring Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) for travel until at least 31 March 2025, providing some breathing room for those yet to transition to the digital eVisa system. However, this extension shouldn’t delay action. Lessons from the Windrush scandal highlight the importance of ensuring your immigration status is…
Property Disputes: How We Helped Our Client Move Forward
At Austen Jones Solicitors, we understand how emotionally and legally challenging property disputes can be—especially for cohabiting couples going through a separation. One recent case involved a couple who jointly owned their home. When the relationship ended, our client wanted to sell the property, but their ex-partner refused. Legal proceedings were initiated and defended, but…
Major Employment Law Reform: What You Need to Know
A major shake-up to UK employment law is underway with the introduction of the Employment Rights Bill, which the government claims is the “biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation.” However, some reforms are still being finalised, and there are uncertainties about how these new measures will work in practice. Let’s break down…
Tesco Loses Landmark ‘Fire and Rehire’ Case
Tesco recently lost a significant “fire and rehire” case in the UK Supreme Court, highlighting the problems of attempting to reduce employee pay through dismissal and rehiring practices. The case centred around Tesco’s attempts to remove “retained pay” from the contracts of some of its distribution staff. What Happened? Back in 2007, Tesco closed a…