Following the government’s announcement of the third national lockdown, our office doors are once again closed. Our staff are continuing to work remotely and can be contacted on 01626 772 441, or law@scottrichards.co.uk as normal for all your legal needs.
At Scott Richards, we’re always here to help, whatever you need.
Stay safe, support local and thank you for your cooperation.
There are a number of upcoming changes to employment law this year, which include (but are not limited to) amendments to agency workers rules, the right to a written statement of terms and the introduction of new parental bereavement legislation. Each of these changes will impact both employers and employees in different ways, and are due to be implemented on 6th April 2020.
Looking at the amendments to the right to a written statement of terms, at present employees who have been continuously employed for more than one month must be provided with a written statement of terms within two months of their employment commencing. This statement differs from the employment contract itself but should include the main conditions of employment (more information can be found here. From 6th April 2020, this requirement will be changing to ensure that employees and workers have the right to a statement of written particulars from their first day of employment. This removes the current leeway given to employers and will require them to act swiftly in preparing an appropriate statement of particulars in the early stages of recruitment, to ensure that the written statement is ready and received by the employee on their first working day with all aspects of the position being clearly communicated.
What does this mean for existing employees? Whilst this requirement will not apply to employees who were employed before 6th April 2020 as a matter of course if there have been no changes to their employment since their original statement, such employees are entitled to receive a compliant, updated written statement upon requesting this on or after the new legislation coming into practice, within one month of the request being made. Alternatively, if there has been a change to their employment as set out within their initial statement of terms, for example a training requirement or certain benefit which now or no longer applies, employers will need to notify both new and existing employees of this change in accordance with this legislation.
If you require assistance with drafting employment documents or are an employer or employee with any other employment related query, please do not hesitate to contact Jamie in our Employment Department who would be happy to assist. You can call us on 01626 772441 or email us.
During Will Aid 2019, we raised a grand total of £9,680.00, beating our previous best of £6,940.00 in 2018.
For 2019, not only were we the top donating firm in the South West, but we were also the 7th highest donating firm in the entire UK (out of a total of 497 firms). In 2019, Will Aid raised over £700,000 for the charities listed below.
Will Aid runs for the month of November each year. Scott Richards have supported Will Aid for many years. It is the UK’s top charity Will-writing scheme. It offers everyone the opportunity to make or update their Will in return for a donation to help people in need in the UK and all over the world. As part of the annual Will Aid campaign, we draw up basic Wills for local people without charging our usual fee. In return for this service, the clients make a donation to Will Aid. Please contact us if you would like to make a Will during Will Aid month.
Pictured below, Mark Allwood from Save the Children (furthest left), presenting the Scott Richards team with a certificate showing the total we raised for the Will Aid charities in 2019.
Back row left to right: Mark Allwood (Save the Children), Sean Mercer (Solicitor), Steve Cole (Senior Probate Executive – now retired), Becky Sharp (Assistant), Claire Robins (Assistant), Jamie Dyson (Partner Solicitor). Front row left to right: Joanne Osborne (Paralegal), Camille Bittlestone (Solicitor), Charlotte Phillips (Paralegal)
During the time that Scott Richards have supported Will Aid in this way (including 2018), the generous contributions of local people have raised a grand total of over £41,000.00 for Will Aid.
The money raised is shared by nine well-known UK charities: ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, SCIAF (Scotland), Sightsavers, and Trocaire (Northern Ireland).
We are proud that Scott Richards have been involved in this way. The money that has been raised will make a real and lasting difference to the vulnerable children, families and older people with whom the Will Aid charities work.
Here at Scott Richards, we offer a personal service. You will be looked after by a dedicated team. You will have a named contact working for you. They are backed up by a member of our support team. This dedicated team will support you throughout the duration of the work that we are doing for you.
We know that it is always nice to know who you are talking to. You can see a profile of each of our legal staff via our Meet the Team page on the website. Click on any picture to find out more about the individual. Pictured below are just some of our Support Team, sporting their new scarves.
Back row left to right: Laura Arnold, Sue Robins, Michelle Norish, Lucy Bowen
Front row left to right: Sophie Poulter, Carol Harwood, Claire Robins, Lorraine Hill, Becky Sharp
Please pop in to see us, call us on Teignmouth 01626 772441 or email us at law@scottrichards.co.uk