What you can Expect from Us
We are serious about fighting for justice and have over 20 years experience in the legal profession.
We pre-vet your case free of charge within 2 hours whenever possible and without obligation.
If you have a good case we quickly pass it to a senior barrister who will consider it for no win no fee. A small administrative fee is only payable when we seek a barrister's opinion. If the barrister agrees, he will take on the case on a no win no fee basis.
We can also insure you against paying your opponent's legal costs. Our Panel barristers and solicitors don't just run cases - they win cases and it is they and not you who take the risk.
What is Automatic Enrolment?
The law regarding work Pensions has recently changed and whether you are an employer or employee, it might throw up a number of issues. It means that every employer with at least one member of staff needs to enrol those who are eligible into a workplace pension scheme and contribute towards it.
It is referred to as Automatic Enrolment because it is automatic for employees. It is however not automatic for the employer. The employer must take steps to ensure eligible staff arte enrolled into a Pension Scheme. Even if there is a Pension Scheme in place, a check must be made as to whether it is suitable for Automatic Enrolment. The Employer must complete a Declaration of Compliance.
Who is eligible for Automatic Enrolment?
Staff are those who are paid via a payroll. The employee is assessed based upon age and earnings. Every employee must be automatically enrolled if they are not already in one, aged between 22 and State Pension Age, earn more than £10,000 per annum and work in the UK. It is against the law to try and influence an employee into opting out of the pension scheme.
Does it apply only to certain categories of employees?
The simple truth is that if an employer employs just one employee, they are covered by the legal obligations imposed upon the employer, This extends to an individual who employs, for example, a care or personal assistant. If however the employer has no staff other than directors, Automatic Enrolment may not be applicable.
Can the employee opt out?
An eligible jobholder who does not want to join the employer’s Pension Scheme can opt out after automatic enrolment. If an Employee opts out within one month of being automatically enrolled, the employee will be treated as having never joined and any monies taken from the employee will be refunded An opt out normally lasts for three years and the employer is under a duty to automatically enrol that employee into the scheme at a later date, at which point the employee can opt out once again.
How much do the parties pay into the scheme?
There are minimum levels of contributions that must be paid to the pension by both the employer and the employee, though these limits are set to increase between now and 2018. The government will also pay into the pension by giving tax relief on the contributions. The minimum total contribution to the scheme is based upon ‘qualifying earnings.’ This refers to earnings before income tax and National Insurance contributions are deducted. The minimum total contribution is a percentage of the qualifying income. The employer will initially pay 1%, rising to 2% and then 3%. The employee pays 0.8% rising to 4%. The government pays 0.2% rising to 1%. From October 2018, therefore, in total 8% will be paid into the scheme.