If you are an employer having to deal with a disciplinary matter or poor performance, it is worth remembering that you need to ensure you follow the Acas Code. What is the Acas Code and why should you follow it? The Acas Code of ...
Well done to the 11 riders who successfully returned from three days of challenging riding in Mallorca with over 190 miles and 20,000 feet of climbing completed. Here’s some pictures of the riders sporting the Mac Oates colours! ...
MacDonald Oates’ Corporate Partner Kevin Smith led the Commercial Services team on the purchase of Erne Travel for client Norad Travel Limited. The Commercial Services team included Linda Wilson, Employment Associate, who advised on ...
We are delighted to announce the arrival of two new, specialist conveyancing lawyers this month, with Sarah Maker and Rosie Taylor joining our Residential Property team. Rosie, who is experienced in all aspects of residential ...
We are sadly saying goodbye to Julia Smith, who is leaving us to enjoy her well deserved retirement in the West Country. Julia has been at the firm for over 42 years as a secretary having worked in many different teams during her time ...
This time of year is all about change and it is also the time that employers need to watch out for any changes to payments such as statutory sick pay and maternity pay. Although this year there is little change to such payments, ...
Linda Wilson, Head of our Employment Department, provides employers with some guidance on dealing with employees who are absent from work on long term sick leave or maternity leave. Employees can be absent for long periods of time due ...
We are delighted to be raising money this year for the Sussex Snowdrop Trust. This local charity provides care at home for children with life -threatening or terminal illnesses and support for their families. We have already held a ...
It is not unusual for a couple entering into marriage to want to protect their money by drawing up a pre-nuptial agreement before the wedding; a pre-nuptial agreement specifies how they have agreed to divide the finances if they ...
The statutory holiday entitlement that workers have under the Working Time Regulations 1998 (the Regulations) is 5.6 weeks leave in each leave year, and to be paid during that leave a weeks pay for each weeks leave. Due to recent ...
I am often asked by my clients whether or not they can still divorce their spouse if he/she is refusing to “sign the papers”. It is not uncommon when a relationship breaks down for one party to feel that the other will cause ...
It is important for employers to follow a fair process if dismissing an employee because employees can bring claims for certain types of unfair dismissal, as well as other claims such as discrimination, regardless of their length of ...
There is often a great deal of media hype in the New Year about family lawyers being inundated with new divorce enquiries, grappling to keep up with the post-Christmas surge of people wanting a new start; the so-called “Black Monday”. ...
We value the quality of the service that we offer our clients above all else. For that reason we ask our clients to describe their experience of using MacDonald Oates, in order that we can understand whether we are meeting our ...
A New Year often motivates us to change the way we look. It may be a new diet, more exercise or a new hair cut. However, when Becca Ashton, a member of our Family team, had her hair cut, her motivation was something a bit different. As ...
What to look out for in 2016 So far, from an employment law perspective, 2016 is looking quieter than usual although this could all change! Here are a few pointers to look out for. Consultation on the government’s plans to extend ...
Christmas can be a really tough time for families. It is no surprise that family lawyers note an increase in break ups and other family problems in January. However, a problem does not mean there has to be a fight – fighting makes ...
Patrick Jenkins, Partner and Head of Litigation at MacDonald Oates LLP, looks at the legal issues which can arise where no will, or a deficient will, has been prepared and why it is important to ensure that you have an up-to-date and ...
We are pleased to announce that Patrick Jenkins, Partner and Head of the firm’s Litigation Team, based at our Petersfield office has become a full member of The Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS). The ...
We are delighted to announce that for a limited time we are able to offer businesses a complimentary audit of their employment documentation. This could be of significant value to your business as it ensures your contracts are up to ...
We are pleased to announce that we will be presenting at Williams of Petersfield’s free Landlord seminar on Tuesday 15 September at 6.30pm. It will be held at the Folly Upstairs, 12 College Street, Petersfield, Gu31 4AD. We will ...
There are a number of ways that you, as an employer, can try to resolve internal disputes. Disputes can vary from misunderstandings and disagreements to formal grievances which can involve complaints of bullying or discrimination and ...