Brexit Update - 19th November 2020
Wake Smith chairman John Baddeley looks at the latest Brexit news… With the time-frame for Britain's withdrawal from the European Union rapidly diminishing, the one certainty for businesses is that there is no…
The Legal sector – will COVID-19 shape a different workplace?
Paul Gibbon, director in the commercial property team at Wake Smith Solicitors in Sheffield looks at the legal sector and Peter Whiteley, head of office at Knight Frank in Sheffield, emphasises offices are more…
Latest CJRS rules – Eight top tips for hr professionals
The fourth HMRC direction about the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) has been published. It extends and modifies the effect of the CJRS from November 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021. This period is split…
Why make a Lasting Power of Attorney during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document which allows someone you appoint, known as an Attorney, to make decisions on your behalf when you are unable to do so. This could be as a result of ill-health,…
The impact of COVID-19 on making a Will
The global pandemic has prompted many of us to put our affairs in order. According to the Law Society, enquiries for Wills are up 30%. Whilst this is great news as it estimated that barely 40% of UK adults have…
Arbitration in family proceedings – a major step forward?
The COVID-19 pandemic has enhanced the backlog in the family justice system leaving many looking for alternatives to the traditional court process when they cannot reach an agreement. Arbitration is one approach…
Employment laws and a no deal Brexit
As Brexit negotiators resume trade talks this week all the newspapers are telling us that this is going to be a decisive week of talks with large differences still remaining between the EU and UK negotiators. Any…
US labour law influences – ripples on this side of the pond?
US Vice President Elect Kamala Harris will be the highest ranking female elected official in American history. Joan Pettingill, head of employment law and HR services at Wake Smith, looks at what the election…
Wake Smith completes Million Steps challenge
Employees from Wake Smith Solicitors smashed their target of 1,000,000 steps in seven days to raise funds for their chosen charity Sheffield’s St Luke’s Hospice. The Sheffield solicitors spent the last week walking,…
Furlough extension offers protection for some
The Government has extended the furlough scheme until the end of March 2021. It says the extension is needed because of the continued economic situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and will help protect millions…
Newsflash: New Lockdown Regulations Published
Hotly anticipated new lockdown regulations have been published in response to the ongoing threat to public health posed by Coronavirus. The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (England) (No 4.) Regulations…