How to ensure your job interviews meet with legal requirements

Job interviews are an opportunity for employers to find out more about their candidates but there are some legalities around the process which you should be aware of before you begin the interview process.

Whilst the purpose of the interview is for you to determine if the candidate is suitable for the vacancy, there are laws to protect the interviewee from being asked unlawful questions that could possibly lead to a claim against your business.

Under the Equality Act 2010, it is unlawful for employers to discriminate against candidates based on their:

• Age                                                             
• Faith
• Sexual orientation
• Gender
• Marital status
• Pregnancy

You should ensure that you keep written notes taken during interviews so that you can prove why you selected one candidate over another. Applicants are legally entitled to request such notes and you are obliged to keep them for a year post interview.

If you would like advice about the recruitment process, need help with drafting a job description or an interview assessment template, please contact us on 01992 422128 to arrange an appointment. 

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www.gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

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Tel: 01992 422 128

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Email: info@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk
The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.

Are you thinking of making a living will?

What is a living will?

A living will (sometimes known as an advance directive) is a written statement detailing your wishes regarding health care and how you wish to be treated if you were to become seriously ill. Living wills come into force when you are no longer able to communicate your own choices and can be useful if you have not made a power of attorney. Living wills are legally binding under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. This means that as long as a living will is valid and applicable then any refusal to accept treatment set out within it is legally binding in England and Wales.

Please note that a living will is not the same as euthanasia, but a request in advance to doctors not to give certain life-sustaining treatments. 

Who can make a living will? 

Anyone who is aged 18 years or over and has the mental capacity to do so.

Does a living will need to be signed and witnessed?

If you are choosing to refuse life-sustaining treatment then this must be done in writing and both you and at least one witness must sign it.

Is rugby now too dangerous for children?

There has been a recent rise of head injuries in children which occur as a result of injuries suffered during contact sport in school. The UK Government has selected rugby as a sport it will be focusing on to increase the prominence of competitive sport in schools.

More than 70 health experts around the country have written to the Government urging a ban on tackling in school rugby matches due to the high rate of injury. These injuries may include fractures, spinal injuries and head injuries which could have long term consequences for children.

Article by
Nazmin Chowdhury

Each year around 700,000 people are admitted into hospital with a head injury in England and Wales and many other head injuries go undetected. This has been a cause of worry as children are more likely to sustain head injuries due to their active nature, particularly those who play contact sport. 

What symptoms to look out for

Signs of a brain injury after a blow to the head include:

·         Brief loss of consciousness

·         Memory loss

·         Disturbance of vision

·         Confusion

If your child has suffered a head injury whilst playing sports at school, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01992 422128 or email nazmin@ghslaw.co.uk

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www.gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

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Tel: 01992 422 128

---

Email: info@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk
The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.

Attending court as a witness

A witness is someone who can provide evidence relevant to a case being dealt with in court. 

Before the trial of the case, you may be contacted by legal representatives of the party who wish to call you as a witness. They may wish to obtain a written statement from you about what you have seen, heard or otherwise observed something that may assist the court in deciding a case.

If you have been asked to attend court to give evidence, you may claim a fixed amount of expenses:

Article by
Nazmin Chowdhury

The expenses you can claim are as follows:

• Travelling expenses to and from the court – the standard or second class fare for bus and train fares.
• Travel by motor vehicle is paid at a rate of 25p per mile.
• Exceptional costs such as taxi fares are allowed in circumstances where this was the only form of transport available or if a witness is disabled or infirm.
• Allowance for refreshments and meals -  £2.25 for up to 5 hours, or £4.50 for 5 to 10 hours.
• Claims can be made for loss of earnings for witnesses who are employed or self-employed - £33.50 for up to 4 hours, or £67 for longer (£42.95 or £85.90 if you’re self-employed).
• There are no childcare facilities at court buildings so witnesses can claim expenses for childcare and babysitting at a fixed rate of £67.00 per day.

(Please note that this may be subject to changes and further information can be found on http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/assets/uploads/files/Attachment%201.pdf)