Understanding your employment contract is important when starting a new job, changing roles or facing workplace concerns. Many people overlook the fine print in their contract, only to realise later that key details could have protected their rights. Knowing when to speak to an employment solicitor can make a big difference to your working life.
Starting a New Job
When you are offered a new position, it is tempting to sign the contract quickly and get started. But before you do, it is wise to have your contract reviewed by experienced solicitors in North London. They can help ensure that your terms are fair, legal and clear. This includes checking your salary, hours, holiday entitlement, notice period and any restrictions after leaving the job.
Some contracts include clauses that could limit your freedom to work elsewhere in future. A solicitor can explain what these mean in simple terms and help you negotiate better terms if needed.
Changing Your Role or Responsibilities
If your role at work is changing, your contract may need to be updated. This could be due to a promotion, a move to a different department or a change in working hours. Even small changes can affect your legal rights. In these situations, speaking to solicitors in North London can help you understand the implications of any new terms before you agree to them.
Disputes With Your Employer
Disagreements about contracts, pay or conditions are not uncommon. If you feel that your employer has broken your contract or if you are being treated unfairly, it is time to seek legal advice. Solicitors in North London can advise you on your rights, how to raise a grievance and what steps to take next.
It is always better to speak to a solicitor sooner rather than later. Waiting too long can sometimes limit your legal options.
Facing Redundancy or Termination
Being made redundant or having your contract terminated can be a stressful time. You may be offered a settlement agreement or asked to sign documents quickly. Before doing so, it is crucial to talk to solicitors in north london. They can explain your rights, review any settlement offer and help you secure a fair outcome.
You might be entitled to more than what your employer is offering. A solicitor can also make sure that your departure terms do not harm your future job prospects.
Working in a High-Risk Industry
If you work in an industry with high levels of responsibility or strict rules, such as finance, healthcare or construction, your contract may include detailed clauses. These might involve confidentiality, compliance or liability. In such cases, solicitors in North London can offer clear advice tailored to your field.
Having legal support ensures that you are not taking on unreasonable risks or obligations without realising it.
Conclusion
Your employment contract is more than just paperwork. It outlines your rights, duties and expectations. Knowing when to speak to a solicitor can protect you from future problems and give you peace of mind.
If you are unsure about your contract, facing changes at work or going through a dispute, now is the time to get professional guidance. Talk to trusted solicitors in North London who understand employment law and can support you every step of the way.
Need help with your contract or employment issue? Contact us today for friendly, expert advice.
Possession Proceedings – Unprecedented Changes (PD 55C)
The purpose of the changes is to take into account the effect of the pandemic on all parties maintaining confidence in fairness of outcomes, encouraging compromise and to ensure the defendants are provided with legal advice.
Current Restrictions
- Moratorium on forfeiture of business tenancies extended until 31 December 2020 and is further extended until 31 March 2021.
- In Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery proceedings (“CRAR”) the minimum unpaid rent must be equivalent to 276 days rent until 24 December 2020 and 366 days from 25 December 2020. The restriction on landlords using CRAR to recover unpaid rent will also automatically extend to the end of March, in line with the moratorium’s expiry date. This allows businesses sufficient breathing space to pay rent owed.
- PD 55C: Possession Proceedings
- Reactivation Notice required for stayed claims
- New notice requirements for new claims
Overall Arrangements
- Emphasis on compromise
- Legal advice and assistance for defendants
- Non-statutory best practice guidance:
– MHCLG guidance for private and social landlords and tenants
– NRLA Pre-Action Plan: Managing Arrears and avoiding possession claims
– FCA guidance ‘Mortgages and Coronavirus’ (to 31.7.2021)
– MHCLG Code of Practice for commercial property relationships during the Covid-19 pandemic (to 24.6.2021)
New Listing Priorities
- Court will no longer fix hearing dates when claim is issued
- No more block listing
- 21 days’ notice
- Cases will be given priority if they involve the following:
- Anti-Social behaviour allegations;
- Extreme rent arrears;
- Squatters or illegal occupiers and persons unknown;
- Fraud or Deception;
- Unlawful Subletting;
- Allegations of abandonment of the Property;
- Local authority temporary accommodation needed for reallocation
Covid-19 Case Marking
- Intended to highlight settlement suitability and assist the court in dealing with listing, case management and the exercise of discretion
- Any Defendant or private Claimant may request a case is marked
- Specified information required
- Upon making request must inform all other parties. Request will result in case marking unless objection raised
- Judge may also direct that a case is Covid-19 marked
Review and Substantive Hearing Dates
The Review (R) Date:
– a 5-minute non-attended appointment on the documents
– requirements of the claimant relating to bundles before R date
– requirement that claimant is available to discuss the case during the R date
– consequence of failure to resolve case on the R date
The Substantive (S) Hearing Date:
– a 15-minute hearing attended by all parties 28 days after the R Date
– a physical hearing unless the parties agree otherwise or contingency arrangements apply
– unless case resolved, a decision by the Court or further case management directions
– adjournment considered without application where advice not yet made available to Defendants and consequences of order ‘may be serious’
Accelerated Possession Claims
- As with existing rules, the court can still make a possession order without a hearing
- Reactivation notice requirements apply for stayed claims
- The same priorities apply as with normal cases in the order in which they will be dealt with
- Will be referred to judges “at a manageable frequency”
- Where the parties agree or there is no objection a review hearing can be ordered
Evictions
- 14 days’ notice of an eviction date required
- Indicated that applications for transfer to High Court will not be prioritised
- No execution of possession warrants or delivering notices of eviction between 17/11/2020 and 11/01/2021.
- The Public Health (Coronavirus)(Protection from Eviction and Taking Control of Goods)(England) Regulations 2020
- There will be no enforcement of possession orders “Where lockdown measures are in place to protect public health”
- No evictions over Christmas Period save for the most serious of cases
How will the arrangements work in Practice?
The key aims of the overall arrangements are to reduce volume in the system by enabling earlier advice and facilitating settlement. How well this works in Practice is yet to be seen. What we do know is that delays will be inevitable and Covid-19 Case Marking is likely to become the norm. In the circumstances, it appears the Accelerated possession claims may be the ‘Cinderella’ of the situation.
Possession Proceedings – Unprecedented Changes (PD 55C)
The purpose of the changes is to take into account the effect of the pandemic on all parties maintaining confidence in fairness of outcomes, encouraging compromise and to ensure the defendants are provided with legal advice.
Current Restrictions
- Moratorium on forfeiture of business tenancies extended until 31 December 2020 and is further extended until 31 March 2021.
- In Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery proceedings (“CRAR”) the minimum unpaid rent must be equivalent to 276 days rent until 24 December 2020 and 366 days from 25 December 2020. The restriction on landlords using CRAR to recover unpaid rent will also automatically extend to the end of March, in line with the moratorium’s expiry date. This allows businesses sufficient breathing space to pay rent owed.
- PD 55C: Possession Proceedings
- Reactivation Notice required for stayed claims
- New notice requirements for new claims
Overall Arrangements
- Emphasis on compromise
- Legal advice and assistance for defendants
- Non-statutory best practice guidance:
– MHCLG guidance for private and social landlords and tenants
– NRLA Pre-Action Plan: Managing Arrears and avoiding possession claims
– FCA guidance ‘Mortgages and Coronavirus’ (to 31.7.2021)
– MHCLG Code of Practice for commercial property relationships during the Covid-19 pandemic (to 24.6.2021)
New Listing Priorities
- Court will no longer fix hearing dates when claim is issued
- No more block listing
- 21 days’ notice
- Cases will be given priority if they involve the following:
- Anti-Social behaviour allegations;
- Extreme rent arrears;
- Squatters or illegal occupiers and persons unknown;
- Fraud or Deception;
- Unlawful Subletting;
- Allegations of abandonment of the Property;
- Local authority temporary accommodation needed for reallocation
Covid-19 Case Marking
- Intended to highlight settlement suitability and assist the court in dealing with listing, case management and the exercise of discretion
- Any Defendant or private Claimant may request a case is marked
- Specified information required
- Upon making request must inform all other parties. Request will result in case marking unless objection raised
- Judge may also direct that a case is Covid-19 marked
Review and Substantive Hearing Dates
The Review (R) Date:
– a 5-minute non-attended appointment on the documents
– requirements of the claimant relating to bundles before R date
– requirement that claimant is available to discuss the case during the R date
– consequence of failure to resolve case on the R date
The Substantive (S) Hearing Date:
– a 15-minute hearing attended by all parties 28 days after the R Date
– a physical hearing unless the parties agree otherwise or contingency arrangements apply
– unless case resolved, a decision by the Court or further case management directions
– adjournment considered without application where advice not yet made available to Defendants and consequences of order ‘may be serious’
Accelerated Possession Claims
- As with existing rules, the court can still make a possession order without a hearing
- Reactivation notice requirements apply for stayed claims
- The same priorities apply as with normal cases in the order in which they will be dealt with
- Will be referred to judges “at a manageable frequency”
- Where the parties agree or there is no objection a review hearing can be ordered
Evictions
- 14 days’ notice of an eviction date required
- Indicated that applications for transfer to High Court will not be prioritised
- No execution of possession warrants or delivering notices of eviction between 17/11/2020 and 11/01/2021.
- The Public Health (Coronavirus)(Protection from Eviction and Taking Control of Goods)(England) Regulations 2020
- There will be no enforcement of possession orders “Where lockdown measures are in place to protect public health”
- No evictions over Christmas Period save for the most serious of cases
How will the arrangements work in Practice?
The key aims of the overall arrangements are to reduce volume in the system by enabling earlier advice and facilitating settlement. How well this works in Practice is yet to be seen. What we do know is that delays will be inevitable and Covid-19 Case Marking is likely to become the norm. In the circumstances, it appears the Accelerated possession claims may be the ‘Cinderella’ of the situation.
