Nockolds Solicitors

Retailer Next has been successful in an appeal against an Equal Pay ruling comparing it’s warehouse staff with it’s in store staff. Under equal pay legislation it is unlawful to pay men and women different rates of pay for the same work but also work ‘rated as equivalent value’. It is this assessment of equivalent work which often proves most contentious as in this instance store staff sought to argue that their work was similar to that carried out in the warehouse, where staff were paid more.

On 25 August 2026, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published the initial funding allocations for the Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026-2036 (‘SAHP’), along with guidance on the delivery of section 106 delivery process. Taken together, this package aims to increase the social and affordable housing in England which, particularly over recent years, there has been a renewed emphasis on.

An Employment Tribunal has awarded a beauty therapist over £32,000 after she was made redundant while experiencing ‘significant’ menopause symptoms. Chantelle Van Vliet worked as a senior aesthetic therapist for Footlaffs from June 2022 until May 2024. In May 2024, she submitted a flexible working request to get a better work and family balance as she was suffering significant menopausal symptoms including migraines, hot flushes and recurrent urinary tract infections.

The saying goes that your home is your castle, something to be proud of and something to protect. So it is hardly surprising that disputes about land and boundaries can be very personal. What may begin as a disagreement about a fence, a parking space or even an overhanging tree can quite quickly become a costly dispute that damages neighbourly relations long after the legal issue itself has been decided.

The healthcare regulatory landscape is changing. Across healthcare professions, regulators are increasingly exploring how concerns can be resolved earlier, more proportionately and with better outcomes for everyone involved. While formal fitness to practise and disciplinary processes remain essential where public protection is at risk, there is growing recognition that many concerns do not require a lengthy investigation to achieve a meaningful resolution.

Probation periods are often viewed as a routine part of onboarding, but they should be treated as a structured opportunity to assess whether a new employee is able to meet the standards required of the role. Used well, probation reviews help employers identify capability or conduct concerns early, provide meaningful support, and make informed decisions before issues become embedded. From 1 January 2027, this process will become even more important.

Bishop’s Stortford, UK – Nockolds Resolution is pleased to announce the launch of the Chiropractic Complaints Mediation Service (CCMS), a new independent mediation service being piloted in partnership with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) from 1 September 2026.

Independent complaint resolution support for patients and chiropractors. The Chiropractic Complaints Mediation Service (CCMS) provides a free, independent and confidential way to help resolve concerns and complaints between patients and chiropractors. CCMS is funded by the General Chiropractic Council as a pilot running from 1 September 2026.

Under the Employment Rights Act 2025, from 1 January 2027 the qualifying period for an employee to gain protection from unfair dismissal will decrease from two years to six months, and the statutory cap on compensatory awards will be removed. These changes will materially affect how employers manage probation periods, notice periods and dismissal processes.

An employment contract is a legally binding agreement between employer and employee. It sets out the terms and conditions of employment and ensures both parties have a clear understanding of what is expected during the employment relationship. Having clear, well-drafted contracts in place is a fundamental part of managing employment relationships effectively and minimising the risk of disputes arising. When should contracts be issued and signed?