Author: numan
Handling Discrimination in the Workplace
Discrimination is the unequal treatment of an individual or a number of individuals who are considered protected under the Equality Act 2010.
The Equality Act 2010 works to protect employees from any form of discrimination and there are certain ‘protected characteristics’ which include age, religious beliefs, disability, pregnancy or maternity, race, gender, marital status and gender reassignment.
Discrimination can have a negative impact on one’s career, confidence and mental health and therefore should not be overlooked.
There are four different ways in which one may suffer from discrimination:
- Direct discrimination – this implies that an individual is being treated differently to others due to their ‘protected characteristics’ e.g. a woman not getting a promotion due to her gender.
- Indirect discrimination – this is when there are certain measures in place that apply across the board, however are unfair to you due to your protected characteristics. E.g. your company have all their employees work a 9-5; however you have a disability, which means you need to travel outside of rush hour.
- Harassment – this is unsolicited behaviour towards an individual which is related to a protected characteristic that creates an offensive environment. E.g. comments based on gender or religion.
- Victimisation – this is when an individual is treated unfairly due to their complaint against discrimination or harassment. E.g. not being invited to work events due to the fact you called out a colleague’s racist language.
Make A Note of Everything
From the moment you begin to notice you’re being discriminated against, make a record of everything that is being said, done or sent to you electronically or physically.
Keep a diary with what was said, when it was said and the wording , specifying the discriminatory comments or actions. Include who was there when the comments were made.
Moreover, you may feel like discarding of any evidence, such as photos or emails, but this is what will prevent a ‘he said/ she said’ quarrel. All of this can be used as evidence in court.
CONTACT US
Here at Versus Law, we have helped thousands of clients throughout Manchester – and across the UK – to help support those who are being discriminated against in the workplace. If you would like legal advice regarding any form of discrimination because of a protected characteristic, contact us today on 0161 504 7563 or email us at info@versuslaw.co.uk.
We can help you to identify any claims you may have, advise on time limits, your employers liability and discuss your settlement options.
We offer a range of funding options available to assist you and in some cases, we can offer a ‘no win no fee’ arrangement.
Buying A Property From An Online Auction
Physical auctions are no longer an option due to the pandemic, however many are still going ahead online.
Review the legal pack

A legal pack for all properties sold at auction will have been prepared by the seller’s lawyers. It will consist of details in relation to the property including:

CONTACT US
Here at Versus Law, we have helped thousands of clients throughout Manchester – and across the UK – to achieve buying property. To receive your FREE consultation with one of our solicitors, contact us today on 0161 504 7234 or email us at info@versuslaw.co.uk.
Tips for buying commercial property
Commercial property investment, requires a lot of research and knowledge in order to be successful. This is especially true when it comes to first-time buyers. Whether you are looking to buy a building for shops, warehouses, flats or offices.
At Versus Law we have put together a handful of tips for anyone keen to purchase a commercial property.
1. Conduct thorough research
Researching is vital. Look into long-term predictions for the location you are viewing property in – is there anything that may help or hinder property values in the future? A decline in value of your commercial property could decrease your business capital therefore spend some time checking the details.
2. Determine your investment budget and return goals
Compared to residential property investments, commercial properties have much more room for potential. The location and type of property you are looking to invest in will go a long way in determining your potential returns. So always take supply and demand into consideration.
3. Take advantage of low interest rates
When considering purchasing a commercial property, it is wise to keep a close eye on interest rates as they are constantly fluctuating. Although they won’t stay constant for a long period of time, it makes a mortgage an attractive option. Re-mortgaging your property will help to increase additional capital, which will be considerably cheaper than a business loan.
4. Get your financing in order
Depending on your financial situation, you’ll want to consider strongly whether purchasing or leasing makes sense for you. For most people, leasing will be the more realistic option, which means you’ll need to locate funding options. These can range from banks, credit unions and mortgages.
5. Set realistic objectives
Experts and professionals who have years of experience investing in commercial property are a brilliant resource. Seeking opinions from a number of people before making a decision is never a bad option.
As with any other investment, having your feet planted firmly on solid ground is essential. The best plan when buying commercial property is to always keep your goals in mind, know how you’ll finance your purchase, study the market religiously and remain patient. By doing this, when the right opportunity arises, you’ll be ready to pounce and reap the rewards.
Whether you’re a property owner with a vast portfolio, are a landlord with a single or several investment properties, are looking to buy or sell a commercial property or are a tenant, we can help guide you through the legalities of your next sale or purchase.
CONTACT US
Interested in learning how we can help you manage your commercial conveyancing? Get a FREE consultation with one of our conveyancing solicitors in Manchester by contacting us today on 0161 504 7285 or email us at property@versuslaw.co.uk. If you prefer, you can complete our contact form.
Why You Should Write a Will
The purpose of a will is to be able to dictate what is to happen to your possessions and property once you have passed. Money, possessions and property are referred to as an estate.
If you decide you’re not going to write a will, the law then decides what is to happen to your estate.
There are four main reasons as to why you should write a will:
- Make it easier on your loved ones when you pass: if you have written a will, the logistics of your estate have already been dealt with. This takes a heap of stress off your family and friends.
- You can dictate what happens to your estate: this means everything will be distributed in accordance to your wishes rather than in accordance to the law.
- Lower inheritance tax: writing a will lowers the amount of tax that is then to be paid on any money or property left behind.
- Benefits your children: when you write a will, it safeguards your children who are financially dependent on you. You can also specify if you would like to leave some estate outside the family.
Your wishes and how they are carried out
Your will informs people of two main things:
- Who inherits your estate when you die
- Who will see to the distribution of your estate, following any instructions that have been left by you in your will – this individual is referred to as the Executor and more than one person may be given this role. In your will, you may also specify how you would like to be buried or cremated. The role of the executor is to do their best to ensure each one of your wishes are fulfilled, providing they are not breaking the law.
Interested in learning how we can help you to prepare and execute your will and probate requirements? Get a FREE consultation with one of our solicitors in Manchester by contacting us today on 0161 249 5087 or email us at info@versuslaw.co.uk. If you prefer, you can complete our contact form here.
Liz
Nicola Nolan and Natalie Moylan are an excellent conveyancing team. We have used them more than once and recommend them to friends and family (who were also impressed). This time they were involved in us buying a property in Wales and kept us informed all the way through, even with covid restrictions causing problems. They are friendly, efficient and get the job done in a no-nonsense way which is what you need. They take the stress out of conveyancing for you. Very impressed and would recommend to anyone and everyone.
R Herbert
Always responsive and quick to return calls. Went without a hitch. Thanks
G Dutton
Saving A Deposit For Your First Home
Getting on to the property ladder is an aspiration shared by many people across the UK and with approximately two in five UK households currently living in private / social rented housing with ever rising rents home ownership is becoming more and more of a necessity for financial and lifestyle stability.
Rising rents, increasing house prices and stagnant wages pitted alongside lenders requesting minimum 10% deposits means that buying a house for first time buyers is becoming increasingly difficult.
Despite all of the above at Versus Law we have helped numerous first time buyers achieve the ultimate goal of buying their home. We have put together a few tips to help you reach your goal.
Set a saving goal
Maximise your savings
If you’re saving for your first home, there is free money on offer from the Government. There are two types of Lifetime ISA available, both offering the 25 per cent Government bonus, with the condition that you must be under 40 when you sign up.
Any money you save in these ISAs can only be withdrawn for a house purchase or to fund your retirement. If you need to access your cash for another reason, there is a penalty of up to 25 per cent to pay.
You could also use the Government’s Help to Buy equity loan scheme, which could help boost your money further. The current scheme is due to end on 31 March, but a new one will begin on 1 April. The most important changes are that the new scheme is only available to first-time buyers, and includes a number of regional price caps.
Audit your finances
Look at your bank statements and assess what outgoings or spending habits you might be able to reduce. Cancel any subscriptions you no longer need and contact your utility and tv package providers for cheaper deals. Set budgets for essentials and food and implement no spending days within your week.
Rent is likely to be your biggest expense therefore if you have a good relationship with your landlord, there is no harm in explaining to them politely that you are trying to get on to the property ladder, and seeing if they can agree at the very least to not raise the rent for a period of time.
Improving your credit score is also a great way to improve the number of mortgage lenders who might be willing to offer you a mortgage in the future. There is a great range of information available online on how to do this by doing a simple google search.
Saving for a deposit to buy a home is no easy task but there are things you can do to speed up the process. If you have seen a property and you are unsure how to proceed get a FREE consultation with one of our conveyancing solicitors by contacting us today on 0161 504 7278 or email us at property@versuslaw.co.uk. If you prefer, you can use our online conveyancing calculator.
Flight Cancellations – Why you are likely to be entitled to a refund and compensation
With the new lockdown in place it may seem that your holiday will never happen. If you have had your flight cancelled, the airline must offer you the opportunity to rebook or get a refund.
The guidance at present has advised that a travel ban remains unless you have a legally permitted reason to travel therefore if you do have a flight booked whilst restrictions are still in place, your airline will likely cancel your flight and offer a full refund.
Some airlines and travel providers are offering vouchers in place of refunds. If your flight has been cancelled, you are entitled to a refund, so if you would prefer a refund, ask for this from the airline.
If you believe you are entitled to get a refund from your airline but they are refusing, you may have a claim. Passengers are entitled to compensation unless:
- Your flight was rerouted, and you arrive at your destination no more than two hours late
- You are informed of your flight cancellation at least two weeks prior to departure
- You are informed of your flight cancellation between on and two weeks prior to departure and your flight was rerouted, helping you to get to your destination no more than four hours late
- The airline can prove that the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances that could not have been avoided.
In the current climate The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has stated that anyone who cannot travel because of government regulations should be able to get a refund, but this is not always the case in reality.
If you need help obtaining a refund and/ or compensation we offer a no win no fee flight cancellation claims compensation service. This means that you won’t have to pay anything upfront, and there is no charge if your claim is unsuccessful. You can pursue your refund and compensation independently however research has indicated that airlines don’t take many claims seriously, often discarding letters and failing to take appropriate action.
When you instruct Versus Law to handle any claims against an airline, you have the peace of mind that we know how to manage claims of all descriptions in accordance with all legal precedents.
CONTACT US
Here at Versus Law, we have helped thousands of clients throughout Manchester – and across the UK – to achieve the flight delays compensation they’re entitled to. To receive your FREE consultation with one of our solicitors, contact us today on 0161 504 7234 or email us at info@versuslaw.co.uk. If you prefer, you can use our flight delay calculator.
How to protect your home against fraudsters
The fight against fraud is usually associated with banking, credit cards and more recently cybercrime. However, property fraud is not always on the forefront of our minds. Fraudsters have sold or mortgaged properties fraudulently and without the legal owner knowing until it was too late.
The HM Registry has stated that an individual is more at risk of property fraud if:
o You rent out your property
o Your identity has been stolen
o You live overseas
o Your property is empty
o Your property isn’t mortgaged
o If the property isn’t registered with HM Land Registry
How does property fraud occur?
The above situations can be taken advantage of by fraudsters, for example by lodging a false charge on your property register thus giving them a legal interest in the property. Also, they have been known to steal an owner’s identity and sell the property from under the rightful owner’s nose (especially if the property is vacant/tenanted)!
What is the property alert scheme?
To protect and help property owners, the Land Registry has provided a free “Property Alert Scheme” whereby homeowners can monitor up to ten properties once they’ve signed up.
If any changes to the title register have been made, (including an official search with priority – used by potential buyers of the property), then a notification will be sent straight to you, allowing the time to take appropriate action.
If you believe any fraud has taken place, contact HM Land Registry property fraud line on 0300 006 7030 or reportafraud@landregistry.co.uk.
Here at Versus Law, our conveyancing team do all we can in assisting both buyers and sellers in preventing property fraud. Throughout the conveyancing transaction, we offer guidance on the steps to be taken in order to avoid fraud. Moreover, our own security checks are carried out to ensure maximum security.
Whilst we work to avoid fraud in every way, we recommend that all property owners take advantage of the Land Registry’s Property Alert Scheme, to guarantee that you are extra cautious and have ongoing peace of mind throughout your ownership.