Author: Marta Williamson

Legal Documents Every Business Start-Up Needs To Consider

Do you know which documents your new business needs?

As a new business owner there will no doubt be some uncertainty with regards to which legal documents you may require. Depending on whether you are a sole trader, partnership or company and what product/service you are providing, some documents will be needed more than others. I have outlined below the basic documents that you should think about when starting up.

Do you have co-founders?

If yes, the document you should really be considering depends on the structure of the business. Where a partnership has been formed the document would be a partnership agreement and for a company a shareholder’s agreement.

These are private agreements which detail, for example, how decisions are to be made and how the business should be valued if sold or one of the owners wants to leave. If you have formed a company there is a requirement for articles of association, which is a public document that details how the company must be run and administered.

As well as owning the company you will work for it (unless you are a non-executive director), so a director’s service agreement (employment contract) will be needed. This document will contain additional clauses to an employment contract that are relevant to someone who runs a company. If you bring in an employee then they must be provided with an employment contract.

Confidentiality agreements

You have come up with an amazing business idea and understandably you want to share it with anyone who is willing to listen but take some advice from Gwen Stefani and “don’t speak.”  That is, not until you have spoken to a lawyer about putting in place a confidentiality agreement with the right clauses.

You do not want to share too many of your new business details with a company that has the resources to execute your idea before you have had the chance.

Contracts with your suppliers and customers

Irrespective of whether your business is being supplied to or is selling a product/service, a legal document should be used to record details of the transaction so that all parties understand their rights and obligations.

Does your business have a website?

If your business collects or processes personal information there is a legal requirement to have a privacy policy page on your website and if you are going to be selling through your website there should also be a page specifying the terms and conditions.

New businesses do tend to overlook the protection of intellectual property (IP), as they think it only applies to designs. IP does, however, also cover your website content.

Every business has different needs and I have only covered the basics. The purpose however, of having written legal agreements is to clearly state what has been agreed and to create rights for the respective parties, which are enforceable in law.

This article is for information purposes only and legal advice should be taken for individual circumstances.

My Local Solicitors Ltd are experts in getting business start-ups off on the right foot.  Our business start-up solicitors proved flexible, cost-effective legal advice to help you identify your legal requirements and grow your business the safe and legal way.

Get in touch on 01244 478 730 to discuss our essential legal documents package.

ESSENTIAL LEGAL DOCUMENTS PACKAGE, INCLUDING:

• A consultation with a solicitor.
• Terms & conditions of business.
• Confidentiality agreement.
• Consultancy agreement/employment contract.
• One round of amendments.
• Final documents.

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GOVERNMENT APPROVED – MODEL CONTRACT FIXED TERM STANDARD CONTRACT

RENTING HOMES (WALES) ACT 2016

GOVERNMENT APPROVED – MODEL CONTRACT FIXED TERM STANDARD CONTRACT

Landlords will be required to issue a written statement of the occupation contract (tenancy agreement) to the tenant (contract holder) when a new contract is entered into, on or after 15^th July 2022.

Any previous assured shorthold tenancy etc; will be converted to a occupation contract on 15^th July 2022 and the written statement must be send to the contract holder.

The written statement must contain all the required contractual terms of the contract.

The model contract provided by the government and referred to in the useful links section runs to 40 pages.

Included in the occupation contract must be the following:

1. key terms
2. fundament terms
3. supplementary terms
4. additional terms.

Key terms – They must be inserted in every contract. These are unique to the individual contract, for example, the address of the rental property.

Fundamental terms  – cover the most important aspects of the contract. They must be inserted in every contract and can only be modified if it is in the interest of the tenant.For instance they must include information on possession proceedings, deposits, the landlord’s obligations to repair the property etc. Landlords are reminded that there has been a reintroduction of the Fitness for Human Habitation test.

Supplementary terms–  must set out terms of the contract that deal with matters such as the requirement to pay rent on time, act in a tenant like manner, not to damage the property, who cares for a garden, notifying the landlord if a home is empty for 28 or more days etc. They can be removed but only if both the landlord and tenant agree to this. The terms can be removed to either benefit the landlord or the tenant.

Additional terms – will refer to those matters specifically agreed between the landlord and the contract holder.These are not automatically inserted into the occupation contract but can be inserted if both the landlord and tenant agree. An example of an additional term is the keeping of pets at the property.

 

Consultation with tenants

Landlords must consult with the contract holders (tenants) to determine what terms both parties wish to see included in the new contracts.

Do you have a plan to consult with your tenants on this?

MLS

Here at MLS we are regularly instructed by landlords to advise on compliance and possession claims. If you have any questions please contact us on 01244 478 730 and  we will be happy to help.

 

Useful Links

https://gov.wales/model-written-statement-fixed-term-standard-contracts

This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please contact us for advice.

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Czym jest „rozwód bez orzekania o winie” i czy jest to lepsze rozwiązanie.

 

Rozwód bez orzekania o winie

 

Przejście z wzajemnego obwiniania się do bardziej nowoczesnego rozwiązania.

 

Obecne prawo rozwodowe jest od dłuższego czasu uznawane przez profesjonalistów za archaiczne i problematyczne.  Uważają oni, że obowiązujące reguły doprowadziły do dodatkowych problemów pomiędzy małżonkami, gdyż obwiniają się oni wzajemnie, co oznacza, że w niektórych przypadkach rozwód staje się zagmatwany i nieprzyjemny. Był to główny powód zatwierdzenia Ustawy o Rozwodzie, Rozwiązaniu Małżeństwa i Separacji z 2020r. Celem tej Ustawy jest unowocześnienie sposobu w jaki przeprowadza się rozwody i przywiązanie większej wagi do takich kwestii jak mienie czy dzieci, a nie separacji indywidualnych osób.

 

Obecnie obowiązujące prawo rozwodowe

 

Aby uzyskać rozwód na terenie Anglii i Walii należy przekonać Sąd, że nastąpił całkowity rozpad związku małżeńskiego. Jednak znacznie łatwiej udowodnić to, jeżeli małżonkowie mieszkali osobno przez ostatnie dwa lata.

 

Co jest brane pod uwagę przez Sąd przy rozwodzie?

 

Składając wniosek o rozwód, należy pamiętać, że istnieje pięć prawnych powodów do rozpadu małżeństwa:

 

• Zdrada małżeńska
• Nierozsądne zachowanie współmałżonka
• Opuszczenie przez współmałżonka
• Mieszkanie osobno przez przynajmniej 2 lata, przy czym obydwie strony muszą wyrazić zgodę na rozwód
• Mieszkanie osobno przez co najmniej 5 lat, przy czym druga strona nie musi wyrazić zgody na rozwód.

 

Jak od tej pory zmieniły się zasady?

 

Nowe prawo wchodzi w życie 6 kwietnia 2022r i ma na celu ułatwienie procesu rozwodowego dla par pragnących się rozwieźć.

 

Powód rozwodu – jedną z największych zmian jest usunięcie potrzeby obwiniania drugiej strony za „całkowity rozpad związku małżeńskiego”. Innymi słowy, rozwód może zostać orzeczony w związku z rozpadem małżeństwa, którego nie da się uratować, gdyż nie ma już potrzeby opierania się na jednym z pięciu powodów.

 

Minimalny 20-tygodniowy okres przejściowy – Od złożenia wniosku do wydania warunkowego orzeczenia rozwodowego będzie musiało upłynąć co najmniej 20 tygodni. Da to stronom czas na przemyślenie ich decyzji oraz na sprawdzenie czy mogą dojść do porozumienia.

 

Wspólny wniosek rozwodowy – strony będą teraz mogły złożyć wniosek o rozwód wspólnie, co powinno zminimalizować konflikt między nimi.

 

Jasna terminologia – nowa Ustawa została unowocześniona i zostało z niej usunięte archaiczne słownictwo, na przykład osoba, która stara się o rozwód będzie określana mianem „applicant” (wnioskodawca), a nie jak poprzednio „petitioner” (powód/ powódka)

 

Brak możliwości oponowania rozwodu

Zgodnie z nowym prawem, jeżeli jedna strona stara się o rozwód, druga strona nie może się na niego nie zgodzić.

 

Dlaczego doszło do zmiany w prawie?

Największym problemem w obecnie obowiązującym prawie jest to, że za rozpad małżeństwa obwiniana jest jedna ze stron. Doprowadziło to do ogromnych problemów między parami oraz oznaczało opóźnienia. Również, w sytuacji, kiedy jedna ze stron nie chce pozostać już w związku małżeńskim, a druga nie chce tego zaakceptować, wpływa to na długość postępowania rozwodowego. Usuwając konieczność obwiniania drugiej strony, oraz podważania powodów do rozwodu, nowe prawo umożliwi skrócenie czasu potrzebnego do uzyskania rozwodu, a cały proces rozwodowy będzie mniej stresujący dla stron.

 

Jaki będzie teraz koszt rozwodu?

 

W MLS zdajemy sobie sprawę, że rozwód jest trudny, emocjonalnie i finansowo. Dlatego zawsze staramy się oferować ustaloną sumę oraz darmową konsultację wstępną, aby sprawdzić czy jest to możliwe w Państwa konkretnych okolicznościach.

 

Informacje na temat przejrzystości naszych opłat znajdują się pod tym linkiem.

 

Artykuł ten zawiera jedynie informacje i nie stanowi porady prawnej. Aby umówić się na darmową konsultację, prosimy o telefon pod numer 01244 478 730 lub maila na adres hello@my-local-solicitor.com

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RENTING HOMES (WALES) ACT 2016. WELSH LANDLORD’S – TIME TO SHAPE UP OR PAY UP!!!

The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 is due to come into force on the 15^th July 2022.

Landlords and Agents need to be aware of the serious financial repercussions for non-compliance.

Non-compliance means that your tenants (contract holders) are legally entitled to pursue you in the Courts for financial compensation should the new legislation be breached.

As of 15^th July 2022:

1. The tenant becomes the contract holder.
2. The tenancy agreement becomes the occupation contract .
3. Any existing assured short-hold/secure tenancy agreement or licence will convert to an occupation contract.

 

Compensation/damages is payable by the landlord if he or his agents:

 

1. Fail to give the contract holder a written statement within 14 days from the occupation date specified in the occupation contract.
2. Fail to provide a complete written statement.
3. Fail to provide a correct written statement.
4. Fail to provide a written statement in respect of a conversion from assured short-hold etc; to occupation contract.
5. Fail to provide information in relation to the landlord – the landlord’s identity and address.
6. Fail to provide information in relation to a change of identity of a landlord and their address.
7. Fail to provide a written statement of variation of a periodic standard contract.
8. Failure to provide a written statement of variation of a fixed terms standard contract.

Examples of compensation/damages

Failure to provide written statement – compensation is payable in accordance with section 87 of the Act and is equivalent to a day’s rent for each day that the written statement is not provided, up to a maximum of two month’s rent until the statement has been provided.

However, If the contract-holder believes the failure to provide the written statement was intentional, section 87 also enables the contract-holder to apply to the court for the compensation amount to be increased.

Interest will be added to the compensation amount if the landlord fails to provide the statement within the two month period.

Section 88 enables the contract-holder to set off any compensation he or she is owed against rent.

Failure to provide a complete written statement of the contract – the contract-holder may apply to the court for a declaration. If  the court concludes that the provision of an incomplete statement was deliberate on the part of the landlord it can order the landlord to pay compensation to the contract-holder and that  compensation may be increased up to a maximum of double the original amount.

 

MLS

Here at MLS we are regularly instructed by landlords to advise on compliance and possession claims. If you have any questions please contact us on 01244 478 730 and  we will be happy to help.

 

Useful Links

https://gov.wales/landlords-housing-law-changing-renting-homes

 

This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please contact us for advice.

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What is “no-fault divorce” and is it better?

No fault divorce

• Shifting from blame game to a modernised way of doing things

 

The current law on divorce has been considered archaic and problematic for a while by legal professionals. It has been argued that the existing rules have created further problems between couples, as matters can escalate into a blame game and can get quite messy. This was the main reason for The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 being passed. The Act aims to modernise the way divorces are carried out and to place importance on issues such as property and children rather than the individuals separating.

 

The current law on divorce

 

In order to be granted a divorce in England and Wales, you would need to convince the court that the marriage has ‘irretrievably broken down.’ However, if a couple has been living separately for the past two years, it is a lot easier to show this.

 

What does the court look for when granting a divorce?

 

There are five legal reasons which can be used when applying for a divorce, these include:

 

1. Adultery
2. Citing unreasonable behaviour
3. Desertion
4. Living apart for at least two years and both parties agree to the divorce
5. Living apart for at least five years, regardless of whether one party disagrees

 

How have the rules changed since?

 

The new law will come into effect on 6 April 2022 and intends to simplify the process for couples looking to divorce.

 

Reason for divorce- One of the major changes include taking away the need to blame the other party for an ‘irretrievable breakdown of marriage.’ Put simply, divorce can be granted by stating that the marriage has broken beyond repair, as the five reasons for divorce have been removed.

 

20 weeks minimum timeframe- There will now be a minimum of 20 weeks waiting time between an application and a conditional order being granted. This will allow couples some time to reflect on their decision and provide them with the space they need to see if they can work through their differences or not.

 

Joint application for divorce- Couples can now apply for divorce together which should result in less conflict.

 

Clear terminology- The new Act has been updated to remove outdated words, for example, the person applying for the divorce will now be known as an ‘applicant’ rather than a ‘petitioner.’

 

No option for contesting a divorce- Under the new law, if one party applies for divorce, the other cannot contest this.

 

Why have the laws changed?

 

The biggest issue with the current system is that one party must take the blame for the marriage breaking down. This has caused huge problems between couples and delayed matters. Also, in situations where one party no longer wants to stay in the marriage but the other refuses to accept this has also contributed to the length of time it takes to obtain a divorce. By removing the blame altogether and the ability to challenge the divorce, the new law will be able to shorten the time it takes to get divorced and make it a less stressful procedure for those involved.

 

How much will a divorce now cost?

 

At MLS, we understand that divorce can be an emotionally and financially challenging time. This is why we will always try to offer a fixed fee  and you can have a free initial consultation to see if that would be possible in your particular circumstances.

 

Please see out price transparency section here to find out more

 

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Six-month notice periods extended in Wales and why landlords should act now.

Welsh Landlords – the requirement for Landlords to provide 6 months notice to occupants who are protected tenants, statutory tenants, secure tenants, assured tenants, assured shorthold tenants , introductory tenants and demoted tenants (except where those notices relate to anti-social behaviour or domestic violence) is EXTENDED  once more to 24 March 2022.

This extension is NOT applicable to English Landlords.

We are sure that a renewed extension period will be both heart-breaking and frustrating for many Landlords across Wales. However, Landlords do not have to wait to take positive legal action.

Landlords should seriously consider serving their tenants with either a s21 notice or a s8 notice. Actual receipt of the notice correctly drafted and served with an appropriate letter from your solicitor, could provide the catalyst for tenants leaving the property without the necessity and expense of issuing court proceedings.

An extension to the notice period for eviction is not a waiver of the tenants contractual responsibilities to pay the rent.

Landlords are reminded that there is no defence (provided the s21 notice is correctly drafted) to obtaining possession of a property should possession proceedings be initiated. Furthermore, the tenant could be responsible for the legal costs of the Landlord.

If Landlords rely on a s8 notice served on their tenants as a first step initiating  possession proceedings, the tenant will not only be ordered to leave the property but also be held  responsible for all outstanding rent arrears and legal costs.

Government Support

To help prevent people getting into financial hardship, there has been an increase in the local housing allowance (LHA) as of in April 2020 to the 30th percentile of local market rents.

For 2021-22 the Government has made available £140 million in Discretionary Housing Payments funding for local authorities in England and Wales to distribute to help support vulnerable people with housing costs.

In Wales there is a Tenancy Hardship Grant. The tenant must have experienced financial hardship due to the Covid-19 pandemic and have been unable to  pay their rent. (Previous blog on website).

MLS

Here at MLS we are regularly instructed by Landlords to advise on compliance and possession claims. If you have any questions please contact us on 01244 478730 and we will be happy to help.

Useful links

https://senedd.wales/media/1hgjene1/sub-ld14557-e.pdf

By Elaine Gunning

This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you require assistance please do not hesitate to contact us on 01244 478 730 or email us on hello@my-local-solicitor.com

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Beth yw pwysigrwydd gwneud Pwer Atwrnai Parhaol?

Beth yw pwysigrwydd gwneud Pwer Atwrnai Parhaol?

 

Mae Pwer Atwrnai Parhaol yn ddogfen cyfreithiol sy’n awdurdodi rhywun rydych yn ymddiried ynddynt i wneud penderfyniadau ar eich rhan ac ymdrin a’ch materion. Bydd y pwerau hyn yn dod i rym pan nad ydych bellach yn gallu gwneud penderfyniadau eich hunan (h.y. wedi colli ‘galluedd meddyliol’), neu ar amser o’ch dewis chi.

 

Mae dau fath gwahanol o Bwer Atwrnai Parhaol:

 

1. Pwer Atwrnai Parhaol Eiddo a Materion Ariannol – mae’r math hwn yn galluogi’r unigolyn/ion rydych wedi eu hapwyntio i ymdrin a rheoli eich materion ariannol e.e. talu eich biliau, diogelu eich cartref a’ch eiddo, ac arwyddo cytundebau sy’n ymwneud a’ch eiddo a materion ariannol ar eich rhan.
2. Pwer Atwrnai Parhaol Iechyd a Llesiant – mae’r math hwn yn galluogi’r unigolyn/ion rydych wedi apwyntio i wneud penderfyniadau sy’n ymwneud a’ch iechyd e.e. rhoi caniatad meddygol, a’ch llesiant e.e. gwneud penderfyniadau yn eich budd gorau yn ymwneud a’ch gofal.

 

Mae sawl rheswm pam y byddech angen rhywun i wneud penderfyniad ar eich rhan:

 

1. Mewn sefyllfa dros dro e.e. os ydych yn yr ysbyty neu ar wyliau hir ac angen rhywun i drefnu eich materion ariannol;
2. Mewn sefyllfaoedd hir dymor be rydych yn colli eich galluedd meddyliol i wneud penderfyniadau dros eich hunain e.e. drwy ddatblygiad cyflwr dementia, salwch parhaol, damwain difrifol sy’n effeithio’ch gallu, neu gyflyrau heneiddio.

 

Yn aml, mae camddealltwriaeth ymysg teuluoedd ynglyn a’u hawliau i weithredu ar ran aelod teulu sydd bellach ddim yn gallu gwneud penderfyniadau drostynt eu hunain neu ymdrin a’u materion ariannol. Yn wahanol i’r hyn efallai fyddai’n naturiol ddisgwyliedig, nid oes gan eich plant nag unrhyw aelod arall o’r teulu hawl i weithredu ar eich rhan, oni bai eu bod wedi eu hawdurdodi’n ffurfiol. Mae Pwerau Atwrnai Parhaol yn un ffordd o awdurdodi unigolyn/ion, ac yn sicrhau mai’r unigolyn/ion o’ch dewis chi sy’n cael eu hawdurdodi yn unig.

 

Goblygiadau peidio gwneud Pwerau Atwrnai Parhaol

 

Pe byddai’r amser yn dod yn y dyfodol ble rydych wedi colli eich galluedd meddyliol a heb apwyntio Atwrnai i gynnal eich materion, byddai’n rhaid i’r Llys Gwarchod apwyntio Dirprwy i wneud penderfyniadau ar eich rhan.

 

Mae hyn yn gallu bod yn broses hir a chostus, ac nid oes unrhyw sicrwydd mai’r unigolyn/ion o’ch dewis chi fyddai’r Llys yn eu apwyntio. Wrth gwrs, mewn amgylchiadau fel hyn mae My Local Solictor Ltd yn brofiadol dros ben yn ymdrin a materion y Llys Gwarchod, ac yn hapus iawn i gynorthwyo. Fodd bynnag, byddem yn eich cynghori’n gryf i beidio aros nes mae cais o’r fath i’r Llys Gwarchod yn dod yn angenrheidiol.

 

Rydym yn hoffi cymharu Pwerau Atwrnai i bolisi yswiriant – yn gobeithio na fyddent yn ddefnydiol, ond yno yn barod i’w defnyddio pe byddai eu hangen. Mae’r gost hefyd yn isel gyda un ffi yn unig yn daladwy fesul Pwer sy’n cael eu cofrestru – arian sydd werth ei wario yn ein tyb ni!

 

 

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What is a Letter Before Action?

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How to recover a commercial debt

 

Covid-19 has undoubtedly had a massive impact on the operation of businesses in the UK. Some have been left with very little to spare, which has hurt their operations and ability to grow. Recovering debt can be a time-consuming and stressful process for an organisation that is already facing repercussions from the pandemic. Data taken from Sidetrade showed that in March 2020, the rate of unpaid invoices increased by +23% as a result of the UK leaving the EU as well as the pandemic. Our firm can help you maintain business relationships by exploring an effective but sympathetic approach to your debts.

 

How long is the process?

 

Debt recovery can take as little as 24 hours to a few weeks to recover, in some cases longer depending on the nature of the debt and the amount involved. Using a third party such as a law firm can increase the chances of your debt being recovered as it puts pressure on debtors to pay up.

 

If pursuing action through the courts, it can take up to 30 weeks for a case to go to trial and extra time depending on whether the debt is disputed.

 

The steps involved

 

1. Check if adequate time has passed before taking action. You may wish to speak with the debtor personally and check any existing contract to allow them the opportunity to repay the amount owed.

 

1. Send a letter to remind the debtor by stipulating a deadline by which they must pay the outstanding balance. This can be used as evidence should the matter be taken to court and so it is essential for all communication to be in writing, particularly to avoid any misunderstandings.

 

1. A Letter Before Action (LBA) is an official letter that ought to be sent to the debtor before court proceedings are started.  Complex set of rules govern what needs to be included within LBA and it is advisable to speak to an experienced solicitor before it is sent.

 

Usually a LBA is highly effective in retrieving payment as it is a formal letter by a law firm and more likely to receive a response.

 

1. If the LBA does not work, the last step is to take the debtor to court and start proceedings against them. Although this is the quickest way to ensure that the money owed is returned, it can become a costly and lengthy process if there are large amounts involved or if the debtor does not have enough money to repay the creditor.

 

Once a judge grants a County Court Judgement, but the debt remains unpaid the creditor usually has several options to recover it, including:

 

• A charging order- This is the most common method of recovering debt and involves an order being made against the debtor’s property, shares and assets.

 

• Control goods agreement- Here the debtor agrees to grant the creditor control over certain goods for a fixed amount of time. If the debtor defaults, they risk losing ownership over these goods which are then put up for sale and the proceeds given to the creditor.

 

• Winding up order- This is where the court appoints a liquidator to recover any assets that are still owned by the debtor in order to obtain as much money as possible to cover the debt.

 

 

How we can help

 

We have an experienced team who can help you in recovering debt in as little time as possible and working in your best interest. We work closely with you and provide updates on each stage of the process to allow you to make the right decision. Click here to find out about our incredible and competitively priced subscription service for businesses.

 

This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Call us today on 01244 478 730 to book free consultation.

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How much notice do I have to give to my tenants in Wales?

RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES – WALES – EXTENSION OF PERIOD FOR EVICTIONS

By Elaine Gunning

Welsh Landlords – the requirement for Landlords to provide 6 months notice to occupants who are protected tenants, statutory tenants, secure tenants, assured tenants, assured shorthold tenants , introductory tenants and demoted tenants (except where those notices relate to anti-social behaviour or domestic violence) is EXTENDED to 31 December 2021. The alteration took effect on30 September 2021.

On 22 September 2021, a statement was issued by the Minister of Health and Social Services whereby  under regulations originally made: paragraphs 1(2) and 14 (1) of Schedule 29 to The Coronavirus Act 2020, the regulations were to be extended until 31 December 2021.

This extension is NOT applicable to English Landlords.

 MLS

Here at MLS we are regularly instructed by Landlords to advise on compliance and possession claims. If you have any questions please contact us on 01244 478730 and we will be happy to help.

Useful links

https://senedd.wales/media/1hgjene1/sub-ld14557-e.pdf

This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.  If you require assistance please contact us on 01244 478 730.

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