Entries by Jenny Carpenter

Could you challenge a Will if you have been left out?

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The High Court decision in McDaniel v Talbot & Anor [2026] EWHC 928 (Ch), handed down on 17 April 2026, shows that being left out of a Will does not always mean you have no claim. In the case, Emma McDaniel brought a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 after […]

Upcoming Unfair Dismissal Changes: What Employers Need to Know Now

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The Employment Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No. 4 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/559) have been made, bringing into force sections of the ERA 2025 dealing with unfair dismissal changes on 1 January 2027. Major changes to the law on unfair dismissal are on the way, and employers should start preparing now. […]

Reporting sexual harassment now amounts to whistleblowing

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From 6th April 2026 – Section 23 of the Employment Rights Act 2025 (ERA 2025) amends the definition of qualifying disclosure in section 43B of the ERA 1996 to include a disclosure that the worker reasonably believes tends to show that sexual harassment “has occurred, is occurring or is likely to occur”. Sexual harassment is defined by reference to section 26(2) of […]

Employment Tribunal Claims Surge

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Newly released Ministry of Justice statistics show a substantial rise in Employment Tribunal activity. According to the latest data for October–December 2025, published on 12 March 2026, the tribunal system is experiencing significant pressure: New single claims have risen by 54% compared with the same quarter in 2024. The open case load has increased by […]

EMPLOYMENT LAW CHANGES

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DAY ONE RIGHTS FOR: PARENTAL LEAVE PATERNITY LEAVE FROM APRIL 2026 Section 15 of the new Employment Rights Act 2025 removes the one-year qualifying period for unpaid parental leave, extending it to all employees as a day-one right. Section 16 similarly eliminates the 26-week qualifying period for paternity leave. However, the statutory paternity pay requirements […]

The Employment Rights Act 2025 is on its way!

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We have previously been reporting on the Employment Rights Bill. Well, it received Royal Assent on 18th December 2025.  There is a roadmap for when each of the changes will come into effect.  The Government has promised to give employers, employees and workers time to prepare for the various changes. Some changes will take effect […]

Contentious Probate Claims – we can help

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Acting as executor to an estate can be a minefield at the best of times. It is a huge responsibility. But if there is any legal claim against the estate then this becomes particularly problematic for those that are the executors. This is where our Dispute Resolution Department can advise, assist and represent the Executor(s) […]

DAY ONE EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS BEEN ABANDONED

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We have previously reported that the Employment Rights Bill would give all employees day one employment rights to not be unfairly dismissed.  Currently in most circumstances it is necessary to have two years complete and continuous service with an employer to be eligible to claim unfair dismissal. In order to get the Employment Rights Bill […]

50 years of The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975

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For half a century this legislation has now been in place enabling many individuals to challenge a Will or the intestacy rules and bring claims against an estate (the money, property and assets left when someone dies). What does the Act say? The Act enables certain eligible persons to bring a claim under the Act […]

ACAS Early Conciliation

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The government has made regulations to increase the early conciliation (EC) period under rule 6 of the Early Conciliation Rules of Procedure 2014 from six weeks to 12 weeks. This will apply to any case notified to ACAS for EC on or after 1 December 2025. What is Early Conciliation? If a worker/employee has a […]