MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
11th August 2016

Following the TUC survey of 1500 women, which found that more than half of women say they have been sexually harassed at work, we take a look at a recent case where a woman was awarded an injury to feelings award because of sexual ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
11th July 2016

Petersfield witnessed the 10th Petersfield Ups and Downs (PUADS) bike ride on Sunday, despite the wet weather! Riders of all ages bravely turned out to complete the various courses, whether it was 50 miles or the 5 mile family bike ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
7th July 2016

There have been many cases involving employer’s dress codes and whether they amount to religious discrimination. One significant case was that of Eweida v British Airways plc [2010] where BA did not allow its staff to wear visible ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
30th June 2016

As a growing firm, we are looking for people to join us in different departments. We feel it is key for us to attract the right calibre of staff so we are able to provide our clients with the high standards of service they deserve. We ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
27th June 2016

Our charity of the year is the Sussex Snowdrop Trust, which is a local charity which provides care at home for children with life-threatening or terminal illnesses and support for their families. Kate Shires, in our Wills, Probate and ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
22nd June 2016

Last Friday we were lucky enough to have our Firm outing at one of Goodwood’s Three Friday Nights. It was organised by our Culture Team, which organises our social events and encourages the positive culture at the Firm. The evening ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
20th June 2016

It is almost two years since the law was changed so all employees who have 26 weeks service have the right to request flexible working. There is a duty on employers to consider requests in a reasonable manner, supplemented by a ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
13th June 2016

Although employers are often faced with employees who are genuinely unable to attend work due to illness, there will be times when an employer suspects that the employee is abusing the sick leave provisions, and possibly sick pay ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
1st June 2016

At MacDonald Oates we are passionate about our high standards of client service and therefore it is incredibly rewarding when we receive such positive feedback as reflected in our testimonials. We collect all the feedback we receive ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
1st June 2016

Recent cases of property fraud have highlighted the importance of property owners ensuring that their address for service recorded at the Land Registry is up to date, as this is the address the Land Registry will rely upon if they need ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
23rd May 2016

We are very pleased to announce the further growth of our Wills, Probate and Trusts team with the arrival of Kate Shires. Kate has joined us from a long established local firm where she was a Partner for a number of years. Kate ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
9th May 2016

We are pleased to report that Tim Melville-Walker, the head of our family department, has become one of the first lawyers in the country to qualify as an arbitrator for children matters. Tim has been a family law arbitrator for some ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
5th May 2016

If you are an employer having to deal with a disciplinary matter or poor performance, it is worth remembering that you need to ensure you follow the Acas Code. What is the Acas Code and why should you follow it? The Acas Code of ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
28th April 2016

Well done to the 11 riders who successfully returned from three days of challenging riding in Mallorca with over 190 miles and 20,000 feet of climbing completed. Here’s some pictures of the riders sporting the Mac Oates colours! ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
21st April 2016

MacDonald Oates’ Corporate Partner Kevin Smith led the Commercial Services team on the purchase of Erne Travel for client Norad Travel Limited. The Commercial Services team included Linda Wilson, Employment Associate, who advised on ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
29th March 2016

We are delighted to announce the arrival of two new, specialist conveyancing lawyers this month, with Sarah Maker and Rosie Taylor joining our Residential Property team. Rosie, who is experienced in all aspects of residential ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
24th March 2016

We are sadly saying goodbye to Julia Smith, who is leaving us to enjoy her well deserved retirement in the West Country. Julia has been at the firm for over 42 years as a secretary having worked in many different teams during her time ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
14th March 2016

This time of year is all about change and it is also the time that employers need to watch out for any changes to payments such as statutory sick pay and maternity pay. Although this year there is little change to such payments, ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
7th March 2016

Linda Wilson, Head of our Employment Department, provides employers with some guidance on dealing with employees who are absent from work on long term sick leave or maternity leave. Employees can be absent for long periods of time due ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
7th March 2016

We are delighted to be raising money this year for the Sussex Snowdrop Trust. This local charity provides care at home for children with life -threatening or terminal illnesses and support for their families. We have already held a ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
25th February 2016

It is not unusual for a couple entering into marriage to want to protect their money by drawing up a pre-nuptial agreement before the wedding; a pre-nuptial agreement specifies how they have agreed to divide the finances if they ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
25th February 2016

The statutory holiday entitlement that workers have under the Working Time Regulations 1998 (the Regulations) is 5.6 weeks leave in each leave year, and to be paid during that leave a weeks pay for each weeks leave.   Due to recent ...