There are several new and amended laws coming into effect during 2023, some of which came into force on January 1st this year. Though much of the new legislation has been discussed for some time,…
Restrictive covenants ruling: what does it mean for franchise agreements?
Restrictions which seek to regulate a party’s conduct after a contractual agreement comes to an end are often a feature of franchise agreements. They are also commonplace in a wide spectrum of commercial contracts, including…
Upcoming law changes for rental properties
From December 1, 2022, new changes to the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 have been brought into force, something the Welsh Government has called the biggest change to housing law in Wales for decades. The…
The differences between copyright, patent and trademark
Copyright, patent and trademark are all different types of intellectual property (IP). The three types of IP are very different, but people often confuse them. A brief description of copyright, patents and trademarks, including a…
What does the Brexit Freedom Bill mean for UK employment rights?
With all the turmoil that has been occurring at the head of UK government over recent months, the future direction of specific Brexit-related employment law changes have largely gone under the radar, with the ultimate…
New UK Government guidance on employment law – including the gig economy
New government guidance has been introduced aimed at clarifying employment status for workers and businesses. This new guidance is intended to be a one-stop-shop for employees and employers to help them understand which employment rights…
Welcoming new talent at Hutchinson Thomas
We are always delighted to have the opportunity to encourage, support and train the next generation of legal professionals. Recognising the potential of eager and hardworking individuals, it is incredibly rewarding to be able to…
What should be included in an employment contract?
An employment contract is a written agreement between an employer and an employee, outlining the roles and responsibilities that exist within the working relationship. In its most basic form, it will cover the employment conditions,…
Welsh Government raises zero% threshold for Land Transaction Tax
The Welsh Government has announced changes to the threshold for paying Land Transaction Tax (LTT), with the change coming into effect on October 10, 2022. The update will see the threshold on paying no LTT…
Wales leads the way in fight against single-use plastic
Wales is set to lead the charge in the battle against plastic waste, as the Welsh Government forges ahead with new laws prohibiting the supply of certain disposable plastic items. The move puts Wales in…