If you employ people in the UK, the Employment Rights Act 2025 is not background noise; it is a live set of employment law reforms that will change how you hire, manage, and retain staff.

In this episode, we sit down with Louise Brenland, who leads the employment law team at Warners Solicitors, to translate the headlines into practical reality for employers. We talk through what has already changed from April 2026, including the new Fair Work Agency and what day-one statutory sick pay means for absence management. We then unpack the biggest risk shift: unfair dismissal moving from a two-year qualifying period to six months from January, alongside the move towards unlimited compensation, and why that forces a rethink of probation, performance processes, and documentation.

Looking ahead, we map the reforms expected through late 2026 and 2027, including extended employment tribunal time limits, tougher sexual harassment duties, third-party harassment risk, and stricter expectations around flexible working. Louise also explains why relying on AI and quick online answers can backfire when the law is changing fast, and why manager training is a necessity, not a nice-to-have.

If you found this useful, subscribe to Legal Chat, share the episode with a colleague, and leave us a review. What change is most likely to disrupt your workplace this year?

Ever wondered about the intricacies of the Children's Act and its impact on families undergoing divorce or separation? We sat down with Julie Dan, an Associate at Warners Solicitors specialising in family law, and got down to the nitty-gritty. Julie, with her vast knowledge and firsthand experience, guides us through the Children's Act of 1989 and 2004, highlighting their differences, aims, and how they have influenced child protection policies in the UK. She also shared personal accounts where the Act has left a significant impact on families, both positively and negatively.

Our enlightening conversation with Julie doesn't stop there. We venture into the realm of potential changes to the Act, discussing the need for procedural modifications and a greater emphasis on certain areas during court proceedings. Julie's insights extend to the guiding principles of the Children's Act, underscoring the belief that children are best cared for in their family home without the need for court intervention. Embark on this insightful journey with us, and gain a deeper understanding of the legal complexities surrounding child welfare and protection. Don't miss this enlightening conversation with the brilliant Julie Dan.

Ever wondered how the law ensures protection for the mentally impaired and those with acquired brain injuries? This fascinating discussion with Ellie Norman and John McKenzie from Warners Law's Court of Protection team will provide you with a clear and in-depth understanding of it all. From the powers and responsibilities of the court, to the intriguing role of a deputy, you'll discover a side of law that safeguards the rights and interests of the vulnerable in our society.

Get ready for a deep dive into the world of legal practitioners as we discuss some challenging and unusual cases. One involves a client with a sprawling property portfolio and a house full of animals, while the other recounts the story of a client who was served divorce papers by his husband. Through these experiences, we explore the necessity of obtaining court permissions, and the intricacies between powers of attorney and deputyships. Whether you're a law student or just curious about the legal world, you're in for an enlightening exploration.

What if the most valuable asset in your divorce was something you barely gave a thought to? Unravel this as Charles Tennant, a specialist in family law from Warners Solicitors, takes us through the intricate, and often misunderstood, world of pensions and divorce. Charles expertly demystifies the complexities around how pensions are divided during a divorce, revealing the ins and outs of options like pension sharing, pension offsetting, and the seldom-used pension attachment. He sheds light on why understanding the real value of your pension is pivotal, and how different pension types can alter the financial outcome of a divorce.

Immerse yourself in the controversial issue of dividing pensions accrued before marriage, and learn how recent case laws could potentially affect you. Charles also offers his insights on whether state pensions are usually subject to division, and the complexities surrounding final salary pensions. He stresses the importance of seeking professional advice when dealing with large pensions during a divorce. If you're venturing into the world of divorce and pensions, this episode is a treasure trove of information that could impact your financial future. This is not just about understanding the division of assets, it's about learning how to safeguard your financial stability. Tune in now, and arm yourself with knowledge that could significantly influence your tomorrow.

Uncovering the issues within the family court system, we venture into an illuminating discussion with our Family Law Partner, Keith Unger from Warners Solicitors. We dissect the various challenges currently distressing the system, be it frequent adjournments, administrative shortcomings or the recent digital shift for filing documents. Keith unravels these obstacles with real-life anecdotes, demonstrating how they impact, delay and complicate court proceedings, often leaving his clients emotionally and financially drained.

But we're not just here to dwell on the issues - we're also exploring viable alternatives. With Keith, we journey through the labyrinth of alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation and arbitration. These non-court solutions, though not without their challenges, might just hold the key to expedite the resolution process, saving both time and money. Prepare to gain a deeper understanding of the family court system intricacies and arm yourself with valuable advice should you ever find yourself navigating its complex corridors.

In this episode of Legal Chat, Charles Tenant talks about no-fault divorce, one year on from the law change. The divorce process has dramatically changed in the last 20 years, traditional paperwork filled with legal jargon is no longer needed and its now as simple as filling out an online form on GOV.UK.

Charles discusses some of the benefits and negatives of the no-fault divorce system as well as providing advice for anyone currently going through, or considering the divorce process.

In this episode of Legal Chat, Louise Brenlund talks about Employment Law and shares an insight into her role as Head of Employment Law as well as providing details on some of her most interesting cases.