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Settlement agreements can settle future employment claims
11 January 2024In a helpful decision for employers, the Scottish Court of Session has ruled that a settlement agreement can be used to settle future as well as existing employment claims – even where those claims only arise after the agreement has been signed.
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Immigration law in Ireland - a roundup of 2023 and looking ahead to 2024
11 January 20242023 ended with a significant announcement on the largest expansion and shakeup to the employment permit system since its inception. In 2024, we expect to see further changes to the employment permit system and the possibility of the enactment of the Employment Permits Bill. However, we also expect to see further changes adopted as part of the Department of Justice’s modernisation programme, like those we have seen with the naturalisation process and the possibility of proposals on the adoption of a single application procedure.
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Litigation trends
11 January 2024Our Dispute Resolution team has compiled an overview of some of the key themes we are seeing in the litigation landscape of England and Wales.
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What’s happening in ROI employment law in 2024?
11 January 2024From the commencement of the right for employees to request remote and flexible working, increases in statutory sick pay and minimum wage entitlements, the lowering of the threshold for employers who will be obliged to report on their gender pay gap and an ever-increasing focus on all things AI, guidance on, and extension of, whistleblowing obligations, there is a lot of change on the horizon for employers in Ireland. Here’s our summary of what to look out for in 2024.
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Thinking ahead - Tenant considerations when finding new premises
11 January 2024For a corporate occupier, committing to a multi-year lease with a substantial rent as well as added service charge liability is a significant financial commitment.
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Corporate Review – January 2024
10 January 2024Our Corporate Review is an opportunity for our clients and their network to stay informed on the latest developments and Lewis Silkin news in the corporate sector.
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What's happening in UK immigration law in 2024?
10 January 2024This year we expect to see a host of restrictions aimed at bringing down net migration and stamping out abuse of the immigration system, alongside a liberalisation of short-term immigration routes and the introduction of technology-based innovations. Increases in the Immigration Health Surcharge and maximum civil penalty for employing an illegal worker were anticipated for January 2024 but now will be deferred into February 2024 or later, depending on when implementing regulations are finalised by Parliament.
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The long-awaited reciprocal enforcement regime for Hong Kong-Mainland China judgments
05 January 2024The Mainland Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters (Reciprocal Enforcement) Ordinance (Cap 645) and rules are set to come into force on 29 January 2024. The Ordinance aims to provide a more comprehensive mechanism for reciprocal enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters between Hong Kong and Mainland China.
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Green Building Certifications
03 January 2024In the current climate, “green” buildings are taking the market by storm. Why? Corporate occupiers are seeking light, airy, green, flexible working spaces to retain, and attract, employees. ESG goals are at the top of most businesses’ agendas and where better than the office to showcase the “E” in ESG.
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Labour market policy and employment law under a Keir Starmer-led government: a recent report may offer a crystal ball
03 January 2024Can we see a glimpse into the future approach of a Labour government to labour markets and employment regulation from the recent Resolution Foundation report?
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What’s happening in Northern Irish employment law in 2024?
03 January 2024Following the political talks before the holidays, could we see the return of the Executive and Assembly in Northern Ireland in early 2024? The current political stalemate is causing an increasing divergence between the employment laws in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. That said, the post-Brexit reform agenda impacts Northern Ireland and holiday pay litigation will keep many busy following the landmark Agnew decision. Here’s our summary of what to expect in employment law in 2024.
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What’s happening in UK employment law in 2024?
03 January 2024From carer’s leave and day 1 flexible working requests to new laws requiring proactive steps to prevent workplace sexual harassment, there’s a lot of legislative change on the horizon. Here’s our summary of what to expect in employment law in 2024.
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The new football agent regulations – where are we now?
03 January 2024Those working in the football industry were given a Christmas treat over the festive period. Firstly, after many months of uncertainty and waiting, the FA finally confirmed on 21 December 2023 that the FA’s new Football Agent Regulations will enter into force on 1 January 2024 and will supersede The FA’s Working with Intermediaries Regulations.
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Working time changes in Northern Ireland: here’s what it means for employers
03 January 2024EU rules on holiday pay are being kept, according to new regulations that speedily came into force on 1 January 2024. This article looks at the new laws.
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UK government issues further details on net migration reduction policy
02 January 2024The main new detail for employers to note is that occupation-related going rates of pay will be increased alongside the general salary thresholds. There will be transitional arrangements for Skilled Workers, however users of the system will be required to pay more in salaries and other immigration-related costs throughout the period of sponsorship. Senior carers and carers will be prohibited from bringing dependants from the new year, and the increased minimum income requirement under the five-year Partner route will be raised initially to £29,000 instead of £38,700.
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Lewis Silkin's 12 tech trends and predictions for 2024
02 January 2024Welcome to this year’s technology predictions!
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A big shakeup to Ireland's employment permit system
22 December 2023In a surprise pre-Christmas announcement, the Irish Government significantly expanded Ireland’s employment permit system but also increased the salary requirements for most employment permit types. While this is welcome news, it also means that some employers may need to review and reforecast their budgets for employment costs to ensure any employment permit holders they employ can continue to work in Ireland.
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EU Platform Workers Directive – more changes as political agreement reached
21 December 2023The Platform Workers Directive has taken another important step towards being adopted by the EU, with political agreement on the text being reached on 13 December. This involves some significant changes to the originally proposed draft wording.
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Q&A from What’s happening in immigration law webinar – 7 December 2023
20 December 2023This Q&A covers questions raised in our webinar. This session discussed:
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Redundancy protection to be extended to cover pregnancy and return from family leave
14 December 2023From 6 April 2024, employees who are pregnant or returning from maternity, adoption or shared parental leave will gain priority status for redeployment opportunities in a redundancy situation. We explain the new rights and implications for employers.