Employment Rights Act 1996: 2026 Guide
The Employment Rights Act 1996 is the core statute underpinning individual employment rights in the UK. It governs written terms of employment, protection from unlawful deductions, notice periods, redundancy payments, protection from detriment, whistleblowing, flexible working and, most significantly, unfair dismissal. While other statutes such as the Equality Act 2010 and the National Minimum Wage […]
What Crimes Affect UK Citizenship? 2026 Guide
Applying for British citizenship is not simply a matter of meeting residence requirements. One of the most scrutinised aspects of a naturalisation application is the applicant’s criminal history. A common question we are asked is: what crimes affect citizenship in the UK? The short answer is that any criminal conviction can affect a British citizenship […]
Types of Employment Contracts UK: 2026 Guide
An employment contract defines the legal relationship between an organisation and the individuals who work for it. The type of contract used determines not only how work is structured, but also which statutory rights apply, how tax is handled, how dismissal risk is assessed and where compliance exposure sits. In UK law, understanding the types […]
Protected Conversations: How They Work 2026
When dealing with difficult, sensitive or complex workplace disputes, protected conversations can provide a valuable opportunity to resolve issues between an employer and employee, while reducing the risk of escalation to tribunal proceedings. The following practical guide explains what a protected conversation is and how it can be most effectively used to help reach an […]
Misconduct at Work: Rights, Process & Outcomes 2026
Misconduct at work refers to employee behaviour that breaches workplace rules or contractual duties and may justify disciplinary action. Under section 98 of the Employment Rights Act 1996, conduct is a potentially fair reason for dismissal, but employers must also act reasonably in all the circumstances. Misconduct can have the effect of damaging an organisation’s […]
UK Visa Application Status: How to Check (2026)
A pending UK visa application can create uncertainty, particularly if your work, travel or existing leave plans are affected. So, if you are waiting for a decision on a UK visa application, you will want to know if and how you can check its progress. There is in fact no live case-tracking system for most […]
Pre-Employment Screening Checks 2026: What You Must Do & How
Pre employment screening checks are a critical part of a business’s recruitment and onboarding process. In practice, pre-employment screening checks commonly include verification of identity, confirmation of the right to work, assessment of criminal record status where legally permitted, confirmation of qualifications and employment history, and limited health enquiries where appropriate. The critical distinction is […]
Right of Abode UK: Prove Your Status 2026
The Right of Abode in the United Kingdom is a statutory status that exempts an individual from immigration control. A person with the Right of Abode may live and work in the UK without visas, time limits or conditions, and is exempt from the requirement to obtain leave to enter or remain under section 3 […]
UK Recruitment Process: Risks & Employer Duties 2026
Recruitment is an important activity for employers, directly impacting the quality and performance of their workforce. It is, however, also a source of increasing legal risk. Employers must ensure their recruitment processes are fair and do not discriminate. They also have to carry out pre-employment checks on individuals they employ and comply with data protection […]
Gig Workers UK: Employer Legal Risks & Compliance 2026
The fast-growing gig economy is changing how UK organisations source labour and specialist expertise. For employers, “gig working” can feel like a commercially efficient model: flexible resourcing, fewer fixed costs and faster access to skills. The legal position is more complicated. In UK law, the label “gig worker” has no fixed meaning. What matters is […]