The Top Five Law Changes That Graduates Need To Know

15/06/2022

It’s an exciting time to be studying for an LLM Law degree but as things change regularly, it can be difficult to keep on top of new legislation. Let’s talk about the five major law changes that graduates need to know.

The Benefits of Studying LLM Law at Bolton University

At the University of Bolton, we pride ourselves on creating the next generation of UK lawyers and, as such, we offer:

- Access to studying in our own Legal Advice Centre

- Teaching by qualified, professionals from the public, private and enterprise sectors

- Our state-of-the-art Moot court

- Guest lectures from industry leaders

- The opportunity to develop advanced knowledge and skills relating to the law as well as strategies for personal skills and development

- Access to our dedicated Employability Team; supporting your career ambitions

- Access to our dedicated law library

Employment Law

Domestic Abuse Laws

The Domestic Abuse Act was updated on 11 July 2022 to better protect victims and, under the new bill, the following has been established:

- Creation of a statutory definition of domestic abuse, emphasising that domestic abuse is not just physical violence, but can also be emotional, controlling or coercive, and economic abuse

- Establishment of the office of Domestic Abuse Commissioner and laying out the functions and powers of that office

- Provision for a new Domestic Abuse Protection Notice and Domestic Abuse Protection Order

- Placing a duty on local authorities in England to provide accommodation and other support to victims of domestic abuse and their children

- Prohibiting perpetrators of abuse from cross-examining their victims in civil and family courts

- Clarification of the circumstances in which a court may make a barring order under section 91(14) of the Children Act 1989 to prevent family proceedings that can further traumatise victims

- Inclusion of the offence of disclosing private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress (known as the “revenge porn” offence) to cover threats to disclose such material

- The creation of a new offence of non-fatal strangulation or suffocation of another person

No-Fault Divorce Law

On 6 April 2022, England and Wales introduced the No Fault Divorce Law, bringing them in line with many other countries across the world. Under the new law, couples are able to apply for a divorce without having to cite one of the following reasons:

- Unreasonable behaviour

- Adultery

- Desertion (minimum of two years)

- Consensual separation (minimum of two years)

- Non-consensual separation (minimum of five years)

- One party contesting the divorce on the grounds of blame

This new law makes the divorce process quicker and easier for separating couples.

Online Courts

Following an evaluation of remote hearings in December 2021 by HM Courts and Tribunals Service, a transition to online courts including video hearings was agreed and includes virtual consulting rooms and guidance for court users. On June 28 2022, legislation was also passed to allow journalists and members of the public to observe hearings remotely.

UK law doesn’t stand still so, neither do we - at Bolton University, we’re committed to providing a teaching-intensive, research-informed approach so that our LLM Law students have all the tools that they need for a successful law career.

Employee Salaries

Gender pay gap - From April 2022, depending on the size of the company, businesses must produce annual public reports on gender pay gap within their organisation

Minimum pay - In April 2022, UK minimum wage laws were updated as follows:

- £8.91 to £9.50 for workers aged 23 and over (the national living wage)

- £8.36 to £9.18 for workers aged 21 or 22 - £6.56 to £6.83 for workers aged 18 to 20

- £4.62 to £4.81 for workers aged under 18 who are no longer of compulsory school age

- £4.30 to £4.81 for apprentices under 19, or over 19 and in the first year of the apprenticeship

Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR35) compliance - From April 2022, the business engaging a contractor is responsible for determining the contractor’s employment status and assessing whether IR35 applies. If IR35 does apply, the organisation that pays the individual’s fees is deemed to be their employer for tax and national insurance purposes.

Redundancy - On 6 April 2022, new limits on employment statutory redundancy pay were introduced and employers who make employees redundant must pay those with two years’ service an amount based on the employee’s weekly pay, length of service and age. The weekly pay is subject to a maximum amount, which is £571.

Want to find out more? Click here to view our full course details and find out how to apply!