United Kingdom Laws
280 articles · page 2 of 5
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Debt Collection Laws UK: Your Rights Explained
Your rights under UK debt collection law: FCA rules, harassment offences, proving the debt under the CCA 1974, and what collectors cannot do.
Debt Relief Order (DRO): Limits, Rules and How to Apply
A debt relief order writes off debts up to £50,000 after 12 months, with no fee. DRO limits, which debts count, how to apply and the rules in NI and Scotland.
Deed of Variation Explained: Redirecting an Inheritance
How a deed of variation lets a beneficiary redirect an inheritance within 2 years of death, meeting the Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax conditions.
Deed Poll: How to Legally Change Your Name in the UK
How a deed poll works in England and Wales: the free unenrolled route, the £53.05 enrolled route, Gazette publication, and rules for changing a child's name.
Defamation Explained: Libel, Slander and the Serious Harm Threshold
Libel vs slander, what a claimant must prove, the s.1 serious harm threshold, Lachaux v Independent Print, and where Northern Ireland's partial reform differs.
Deputyship and the Court of Protection Explained
How deputyship works when there is no LPA: property and welfare deputies, Court of Protection fees, OPG supervision, and Scotland/NI alternatives.
Disciplinary and Grievance Procedure UK: the Acas Code, the 25 Percent Uplift, and Northern Ireland
How UK disciplinary and grievance procedures work: the Acas Code, the up to 25 percent tribunal adjustment, the right to be accompanied, and Northern Ireland’s own statutory procedure.
Disclosure Scotland & PVG Scheme: Levels 1 & 2
How Disclosure Scotland's Level 1 and Level 2 checks and the PVG Scheme work, including fees, eligibility and the move to 5-year PVG membership.
Divorce in Scotland: Grounds and Procedure
How divorce works in Scotland: the four grounds for breakdown, the simplified DIY procedure, which court to use, and fair sharing of matrimonial property.
Divorce UK: Cost, Timeline and Process in England and Wales
No-fault divorce in England and Wales: the £628 court fee, a minimum of around 26 weeks from application to final order, and each step. Scotland and NI differ.
Do You Need a Fishing Licence in the UK? England, Wales, Scotland and NI Rules
Whether you need a rod fishing licence depends on where you fish, not just which UK nation you are in. Fees, the Border Esk exception, and Northern Ireland’s licence and permit rules.
Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO) UK: Pilot Areas and Current Status by Nation
Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPO/DAPN) are still a pilot in England and Wales, not law nationwide. Pilot areas, the 24 November 2026 end date, and the Scotland and Northern Ireland position.
Drink Driving Limit UK: England, Wales, Scotland, NI
The UK drink drive limit is 80mg per 100ml blood in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but only 50mg in Scotland. Breath and urine limits explained.
Driving Without an MOT: Fines, Insurance and Exemptions Explained
Driving without a valid MOT in the UK: the section 47 offence, the £100 fixed penalty, a court fine of up to £1,000 for a car, insurance risk, exemptions and the Northern Ireland DVA scheme.
Driving Without Insurance: Fines, Points and Seizure
Driving without insurance in the UK: the £300/6-point fixed penalty, unlimited court fines, vehicle seizure, Continuous Insurance Enforcement and SORN.
Drug Driving Laws in the UK: Limits, Defences and Penalties
UK drug driving law: the specified drug limits in England, Wales and Scotland, the prescribed medicine defence, the penalties, and Northern Ireland's impairment-only offence.
Dying Without a Will in Scotland: Intestacy Rules
How intestacy works in Scotland: prior rights, forced-heirship legal rights over the moveable estate, and the free estate, with the exact figures.
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E-Scooter Laws in England 2026: Trials, Rules and Penalties
England is the only UK nation running live rental e-scooter trials. What SI 2020/663 actually allows, who can ride, where, and the penalties for private use.
E-Scooter Laws in London 2026: TfL Trial Rules, Boroughs and Penalties
London's e-scooter rules explained: the 11 TfL trial boroughs, the 12.5 mph speed cap and 18+ age rule, the Tube carriage ban, and penalties for private use.
E-Scooter Laws in Scotland: Legal Status and Penalties (2026)
Private e-scooters are illegal on Scottish public land and no rental trial has ever launched. See the legal position, Police Scotland enforcement data, and penalties.
Employment Rights Act 2025 UK: Full Commencement Timeline and What Changes When
The Employment Rights Act 2025 commences in stages. A dated, section by section timeline of what is in force, including the 1 October 2026 change, what starts 1 January 2027, and what still has no date.
Employment Tribunal Claims: Process, Time Limits, No Fees
How to bring an Employment Tribunal claim in Great Britain: ACAS early conciliation, the ET1 form, 3 or 6 month time limits, no fees, and possible awards.
Employment Tribunal Time Limits: Now 6 Months, or 3 Months Less a Day
UK employment tribunal time limits: 3 months less a day, rising to 6 months in Great Britain for acts from 1 October 2026; redundancy, equal pay, NI and ACAS rules.
Energy Back-Billing Rules: The 12-Month Rule Explained
Ofgem's back-billing rule stops energy suppliers charging you for gas or electricity used over 12 months ago due to their own billing error.
England E-Scooter Trial Areas: Every Rental Zone Listed (2026)
Every area where England runs a live rental e-scooter trial, per the Department for Transport's own guidance, with confirmed operators where verified and the 2028 end date.
Enhanced DBS Check: Cost, Eligibility and Self-Employed Route
Enhanced DBS checks cost £41 from 5 October 2026 (£49.50 until then), add police information and barred-list checks, and are role-gated. Covers the 21 January 2026 self-employed route in full.
Eviction in Northern Ireland: Notice to Quit Rules
How Notice to Quit works for private tenants in Northern Ireland: current notice periods, what is proposed but not yet in force, and the court process.
Eviction in Scotland: Notice to Leave & Tribunal Rules
How eviction works in Scotland: the Notice to Leave, discretionary grounds, First-tier Tribunal process, and notice periods under the 2016 and 2025 Acts.
Eviction in Wales: Section 173 Notice Rules
How eviction works in Wales: the Section 173 no-fault notice, six-month notice period, occupation contracts, and contract-holder protections.
Eviction Process in England: Section 8 to Bailiffs (2026)
How eviction works in England since Section 21's abolition: the Section 8 notice, County Court possession order, and bailiff enforcement.
Executor Duties: What an Executor of a Will Must Do
What an executor in England and Wales must do, in order: value the estate, pay Inheritance Tax, get probate, and distribute it, plus when they risk personal liability.
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Faulty Goods Refund Rights UK: 30-Day Rule Guide
Faulty item? Learn your UK refund rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015: the 30-day full refund, repair or replacement, and final right to reject.
Faulty Used Car Rights UK: Dealer vs Private Sale
UK used car rights: dealers must meet the Consumer Rights Act 2015 in full, but private sales are buyer beware. How to reject or claim a refund.
Fence and Boundary Law: Who Really Owns It in the UK?
Why the 'you own the left fence' rule is a myth, how T marks and title deeds actually decide ownership, and UK fence height rules without planning permission.
Filming the Police in Public: UK Law Explained
Filming police and photography in public is legal in the UK. What College of Policing guidance, obstruction, and terrorism stop powers actually allow.
Financial Settlement on Divorce (England & Wales)
How courts decide financial settlements on divorce in England and Wales under section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973: no formula, just factors.
Fit Note (Sick Note) UK: Self Certification, Who Can Issue One, and What It Requires
When you need a fit note, the 7 day self certification rule, who can issue one since 1 July 2022, and what your employer does and does not have to do with it.
Fixed Penalty Notices and PNDs Explained: Not a Conviction, Not a Caution
How Penalty Notices for Disorder work under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, how they differ from a caution, and whether they show on a DBS check.
Flexible Working Requests: Day-One Right (2024)
In Great Britain, flexible working requests are a day-one right since 6 April 2024: 2 requests a year, decision in 2 months, 8 refusal grounds. NI differs.
Flight Delay Compensation UK261: How Much You Can Claim
UK261 flight delay compensation explained: £220 to £520 by distance, the airline's care duty, and how to claim it yourself for free.
Fraud Offences UK: Fraud Act 2006, Penalties and Reporting
Fraud offences in the UK: the Fraud Act 2006 and its three ways of committing fraud, maximum sentences, failure to prevent fraud, sentencing and how to report.
Freedom of Information Request UK: FOIA, FOISA and EIR Explained
How to make a freedom of information request in the UK: the 20 working day limit, FOIA vs FOISA cost limits, EIR, exemptions, and how to complain if refused.
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Garden Leave vs PILON and Restrictive Covenants
Garden leave explained: how it differs from PILON and restrictive covenants, who gets paid, when a clause is needed, and the Northern Ireland position.
Getting Married in the UK: Notice, Fees and Minimum Age
How to get married in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland: giving notice, the 28-day wait, 2026 fees, minimum age, ceremonies and same-sex marriage.
Grandparents' Rights to See Grandchildren in the UK
Grandparents have no automatic right to see grandchildren in England and Wales. How leave to apply, child arrangements orders and Scotland's rules compare.
Gross Misconduct: Examples and Summary Dismissal
Gross misconduct examples (theft, violence, negligence) and how summary dismissal works, including the fair procedure UK employers must still follow.
Ground Rent Law: What's In Force and What's Just Proposed
How the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 works, and why the proposed £250 cap for existing leaseholders is only a draft bill, not current law.
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Harassment and Union Access: What Changes on 30 October 2026
New harassment duties and a statutory union workplace access route come into force on 30 October 2026 in England, Wales and Scotland. What changes.
High Hedges and Overhanging Trees: UK Neighbour Law Explained
High hedges, overhanging branches and Tree Preservation Orders in UK law: the 2003 Act complaint process, your self-help rights, and Scotland/NI differences.
HMO Licence UK: Mandatory Licensing Rules, Penalties and Selective Licensing by Nation
HMO licensing rules in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland: who needs a licence, the unlimited fine, England's civil penalty of up to £40,000 and rent repayment orders.
Holiday Entitlement UK: 5.6 Weeks and 12.07%
UK holiday entitlement explained: the 5.6-week statutory minimum, pro-rata part-time rules, bank holidays, and the GB-only 12.07% rule for irregular hours.
Housing Disrepair: Your Rights and How to Get Repairs Done
How to get housing disrepair fixed in England: report to your landlord, then the council, then the Housing Ombudsman or court as a last resort.
How a County Court Judgment (CCJ) Happens: England & Wales
How a County Court Judgment is entered in England and Wales, what it does to your credit for 6 years, and your options to pay, dispute, or get it removed.
How Long Does a DBS Check Take? Turnaround Times & Tracking
Gov.uk says a Standard or Enhanced DBS check usually takes around 14 days. See Basic check timeframes, the 5 stages, tracking services, and delay causes.
How Long Does Probate Take in the UK? Timelines
Realistic probate timescales for England and Wales: typical stages, how long the grant takes (usually within 12 weeks, per gov.uk), and what causes delays.
How Speed Cameras Work in the UK: The Notice of Intended Prosecution Explained
How UK speed cameras and the 14-day Notice of Intended Prosecution rule work, who a NIP can be served on, and why the '10% + 2mph' tolerance is guidance, not law.
How to Challenge a Benefit Decision: Mandatory Reconsideration and Appeal
The mandatory reconsideration and tribunal appeal process for PIP, Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance and Carer's Allowance, and the different Scotland and Northern Ireland routes.
How to Change Your Name in Scotland: NRS Process & Fees
Change your name in Scotland through National Records of Scotland: eligibility, the £40 fee, age rules, processing times, and the separate Northern Ireland (GRONI) route.
How to Complain About a Company in the UK
How to complain about a company in the UK: write an effective complaint, use ADR or an ombudsman, then card protections and the small claims court.
How to Complain to the ICO (Step-by-Step Guide)
How to complain to the ICO about a data protection issue: complain to the organisation first, then the ICO, and what it can and cannot do for you.