Flexible Working/Additional Paternity Leave

20th March 2011

Government Guidelines - Flexible Working Hours

The Government extend the right to request Flexible Working Hours and confirm additional Paternity Leave Regulations will remain in force.

The Government has confirmed that the Additional Paternity Leave Regulations, implemented earlier this year by the Labour Government, will remain in force.

Additional Paternity Leave will effect parents of children due on or after 3rd April 2011 and will give employed fathers the right to take up to 6 months’ extra leave when the mother returns to work.

In August the Department for Business was considering whether or not the regulations should be scrapped. However the Government has now confirmed that the Additional Paternity Leave Regulations will remain in force as an interim measure for encouraging shared parenting from the early stages of pregnancy.

Daven Naghen, head of our Employment Law Team, said “Now that it is known for sure that the Additional Paternity Leave provisions will be going ahead in April 2011, women who are pregnant now are planning with their partners for next April. They will have the benefit of the flexibility that the Additional Paternity Leave Regulations allow. However employers now need to prepare their policies on Additional Paternity Leave so that they are in place for April 2011.

Paternity Leave Regulations will remain in Force

The announcement on Additional Paternity Leave Regulations was also made part of the plans of the Government to extend the right to request flexible working to parents of children aged under 18 years of age. Currently the right to request flexible working is available to parents of children aged under 17 and disabled children under 18, and carers of certain adults. The Government believes that this extension could effect a further 288,000 employees. The Government has also announced that later this year there will be a year of consultation on the possibility of extending the right to flexible working to all employees. Watch this space for more information!

Stamp Duty Changes from 1st April 2025

In accordance with Government Announcement on the 30th October 2024 from 1st April 2025, there will be several changes coming into effect.
Please note if you complete after 1 April 2025 then these changes could impact the stamp duty rate applicable to you even if you have exchanged contracts already.

Thresholds up to 31 March 2025

SDLT starts to apply when you buy property that costs:
- £250,000 for residential properties
- £425,000 for first-time buyers buying a residential property worth £625,000 or less
- £150,000 for non-residential land and properties

Thresholds from 1 April 2025

SDLT starts to apply when you buy property that costs:
- £125,000 for residential properties
- £300,000 for first-time buyers buying a residential property worth £500,000 or less
- £150,000 for non-residential land and properties

You can visit the gov.uk website and search Stamp Duty Land Tax where you will find further information and a calculator to enable you to calculate the rate and amount payable.

To discuss any Conveyancing matters please contact either Donna Sandison or Laura Day of our Conveyancing Team or telephone the office 01775 722261.

Jamie Dobbs FCILEx

"I should like to take this opportunity to express my very sincere and grateful thanks for Jamie's unfailing helpfulness and efficiency in all aspects of the handling of my late stepmother's estate. Jamie have always replied to my (many!) queries promptly and comprehensively which has been a enormous help throughout what I know can be a fraught and stressful process. Sadly, it is increasingly rare these days to experience the highs standards of service that Jamie has provided."

Gemma Mayer LLB

"I would highly recommend Maples Solicitors, especially Gemma Mayer, for any conveyancing work. The level of support and professionalism was excellent at all times. I also felt if I needed to ask or clarify anything that it was not an issue. Buying and selling a house is stressful enough, but Gemma helped me through it step by step."

Anita Toal LLB BA

"I think you are brilliant. You can use my comments above. You are efficient, friendly and quite clearly very good at what you do. Mainly you don’t leave people hanging around too long for." "So easy to talk to her and she understood what I wanted. She put me at ease and I cant thank her enough"

James Turner BA

James Turner was extremely helpful with our buying process. Everything went smoothly. We are very happy with the level of professionalism demonstrated by the office. Highly recommended solicitors. Will definitely do business with them again.

Daven Naghen LLB

"Daven provided an excellent service, from attending the first interview with me to the final court appearance. He filled me full of confidence that he would defend me to which he did and come out with an excellent outcome in view of my position that I had put myself in."

Faye Blair LLB

Faye was excellent, sensitive and acted very well to the time constraints we faced. Great service and dealt with compassion at such sad times made the process less painful very professional.

Jamie Dobbs GCILEx

Over the last forty years I have cause to deal with many law firms both in a personal and professional capacity, including some ‘top’ London Companies. In all of those dealings I have never found anyone as proactive and so willing to offer help and advice as Jamie Dobbs. During the last two years Jamie guided my parents through the completion of Lasting Powers of Attorney. Helped myself with the use of the LPA and recently dealing with Probate and Estate Administration following their death.

Mike Pepper MA

Mike Pepper gave us excellent advice. He was always most helpful and accommodating giving lucid explanations every step of the way. Thank you Mike.

Donna Sandison FCILEx

Donna has been helpful and professional every step of the way during the process. Always on hand to answer any queries and totally professional and friendly at all times.