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Discrimination and Association
Watkins Smashes Fundraising Goal 24 September 2021 was MacMillan’s Coffee Morning – a nationwide fundraising effort for a valuable cause. As many at the firm will already be aware, Watkins took part in the effort to raise money for this...
This October, partner Tony Calwell will be running the London Marathon to raise money for the Red Cross and St Michael's Hospice, Hereford. He is running in memory of his late sister-in-law Alison, a great fundraiser herself, who sadly died last year....
We are delighted to announce that one of our trainee solicitors, Marika Szychalska is now a fully qualified solicitor – congratulations to Marika! Marika joined our firm in September 2016 when she was a student at the University of the West of...
We are delighted to announce that Andy Kerese and Murihah Ahmed have both been offered training contracts with the firm. Both commenced on the 1st June 2021, and both will continue working in the Family department for then next few months. Congratulations Andy and Murihah!
What happens when the Local Authority does not name the school or college of your choosing? For those with EHC plans there are specific rules relating to phased transfers where children either start primary school, move to secondary school or move to post...
In late 2019, Emma Grimbly (Education Paralegal) was working on numerous cases whereby Devon County Council were neglecting their duties to issue an Annual Review Decision Notice within the required 4-week period and neglecting to...
A judicial challenge against Devon County Council brought by Watkins Solicitors on behalf of three children with special education needs has succeeded in the Court of Appeal this week. All three appeal judges agreed that there are important issues that the...
We have been receiving many enquiries for Pre-Nuptial Agreements this week following the government’s announcement permitting weddings this Summer. The breakdown of a marriage is not something we like to consider when planning a wedding,...
2020 was a tumultuous year with employers having to respond rapidly to the challenges of the pandemic. Culturally the world has shifted too, with the Black Lives Matter movement bringing momentum to improving equality and diversity at work. The end of the...
Many divorcing couples are able to agree financial arrangements between themselves. This, in principle, is great. Talking sensibly and reasonably about the future and coming to an agreement during times of high emotion is certainly an achievement and it is...
This is unlikely but The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has issued a consultation paper on proposed measures to reform post-termination restrictive covenants, namely to ban them or pay remuneration during the restricted period...
As everyone will be aware the UK entered a further national lockdown on 5th January 2021, which resulted in the closure of schools across England and Scotland (schools in Wales are scheduled to return on 18th January 2021, however a further Welsh Government...
Updated guidance has now been issued by the HMRC which confirms that employees whose health has been affected by coronavirus or any other conditions, including if they are unable to work from home or work reduced hours can be furloughed. This is not...
It’s official, the Furlough Scheme has now been extended until the end of April 2021 and the Government will continue to pay 80% of wages until the end of the Scheme (so this will not be reduced at the end of January 2021). For more information on the...
While some people are enjoying working from home, this is not the case for everyone and the negative impacts over several months are taking a toll on some employees. ‘Employers are unsure of their responsibilities for mental health and how to...
Workers (not just employees) should also get protection from suffering a detriment on health and safety grounds including the right to be provided with personal protective equipment (“PPE”) held the High Court in the case of The Independent...
New rules on ACAS Early Conciliation come into force today. There is now a six-week window to undertake this process (rather than a one-month process, with a possible extension of a further two weeks). This means you get a six-week window to try and...
As the Chancellor’s coronavirus job retention scheme enters its final phase and the prospect of a return to normal business seems distant for many companies, employers are having to contemplate redundancies if they are to keep their business...
The Government have now released guidance for the extended Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which essentially highlights that employers: Can claim 80% of an employee’s usual salary for hours not worked, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month; ...
Managing Partner Beverley Watkins features in the latest edition of the Law Society Gazette, where she discusses representing three families in a test case in the Court of Appeal that could significantly impact on local authority procedures for children with...
