Legal Checklists

Employers engaging a recruitment agency or executive search (‘headhunting’) service should consider the implications of: the Employment Agencies Act 1973 ( EAA 1973) and the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003, SI 2003/3319 (as amended) ( Conduct Regulations 2003) the Equality Act 2010 ( Eq A 2010), which includes specific rules on discrimination by recruitment agencies Assimilated Regulation ( EU) 2016/679, UK General Data Protection Regulation ( UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 ( DPA 2018) Conduct regulations-agency's general obligations For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, a recruitment agency is treated as an ‘employment agency’. For activities excluded from the scope of the EAA 1973, see Employment agencies and employment businesses- Scope of the legislation. A recruitment agency is subject to the following overarching obligations: a broad ban on charging...

Required document or action Yes/ No Comment/action required Do you maintain a publicly accessible, clear-cut code of ethics and/or anti‑bribery and corruption policy that expressly sets out zero tolerance for bribery and corruption, aligns with the organisation’s core values, and has Board sign‑off? See Precedents: Anti‑bribery and corruption policy; Anti‑bribery and corruption policy (for law firms); Memorandum to board accompanying anti‑bribery policy; and Message from CEO on the introduction of the anti‑bribery and corruption policy. Is this code of ethics and/or anti‑bribery and corruption policy backed by related procedures, including a gifts and hospitality policy? See Precedents: Anti‑bribery......

This Checklist outlines the principal contractual points within a bundle of construction documents that a construction lawyer should review and report on for a prospective buyer of a property or development. It should be read alongside: Construction due diligence for property purchase-initial review of construction package-checklist. After reviewing the documents and raising enquiries, the purchaser’s construction lawyer will also need to produce a report on the construction documents, see Precedent: Report on construction documentation. The issues below proceed on the basis that construction at the relevant property has been completed. Accordingly, there is no need to scrutinise terms governing the running of the contract during the build, such as payment provisions; these are only relevant where a buyer is acquiring while works are ongoing and step-in rights are being offered. Building contracts Identity of contractor – Confirm the contractor continues to exist and carry out a...

Question Answer This Checklist is for in-house lawyers. It helps you gauge how well you grasp the key finance and accounting concepts you are likely to encounter day to day, and how they apply within the business. Use it to spot knowledge gaps-both technical and business-specific-and to prioritise what to tackle next so you can contribute more effectively to commercial discussions. Assess your current confidence level honestly; this will show you where to concentrate your learning. Some questions test awareness of concepts, others explore how you have used this knowledge practically; use both to target your development. If several areas feel uncomfortable, that is common and fixable. See Practice Notes: Introduction to business finance and accounting-financial accounting and external performance and Introduction to business finance and accounting-management accounting and internal decision-making for guidance on the essentials of business finance and...

Checklist Use this Checklist when drafting a confidentiality agreement (also referred to as a non-disclosure agreement or NDA) where you are the party providing confidential information. Before you begin, reflect on: what the business plans to reveal and whether it is confidential; the reason the business wishes to share that information; whether the business will also receive confidential information from the other party; who the business intends to disclose that information to. For further information, see Precedent: Confidentiality agreement-one-way-pro-discloser. As you work through the Checklist, use the third column to capture observations or comments. Parties ☐ Confirm the parties to the agreement. Consider which individuals and/or entities should be party to the agreement. What information does the business want to disclose? ☐ Decide how confidential information will be defined. Consider: whether a...

Both parties Did the Claimant hold employee status? Refer to Practice Notes: Entitlement to claim unfair dismissal- Eligibility and Employee status Did the Claimant meet the necessary length of service, or is an exemption engaged? See Practice Note: Qualifying period for unfair dismissal Has the Claimant satisfied the early conciliation obligation, or does an exemption apply? See Practice Note: The early conciliation requirement Was the claim lodged within three months, or within any extended period where early conciliation applies? See Practice Notes: Unfair dismissal time limit and The early conciliation requirement- Extension to time limits (the 'stop the clock' provisions) Is the employment contract potentially void for illegality? See Practice Note: Entitlement to claim unfair dismissal- Illegality Is the Claimant within a class of employees excluded from unfair dismissal protection, for example police constables? See Practice Note: Entitlement to claim unfair dismissal- Particular types of...

Procedural Guide—transfer of tenancy on relationship breakdown ( FLA 1996, Sch 7) This Procedural Guide outlines the steps for applying to transfer a tenancy following a relationship breakdown under Schedule 7 to the Family Law Act 1996 ( FLA 1996). Orders can be sought by spouses, civil partners, former spouses, former civil partners and former cohabitants, provided the tenancy is a relevant tenancy and the statutory requirements are fulfilled. For fuller practical direction, see Practice Notes: Tenancies and relationship breakdown—substantive provisions and Tenancies and relationship breakdown—procedure. This Procedural Guide covers applications under FLA 1996, Sch 7 only. Certain tenancies may instead be transferred: by a property adjustment order under section 24 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 and the Civil Partnership Act 2004 equivalent ( CPA 2004, Sch 5 Pt 2); in proceedings for financial provision after an overseas divorce, etc; or by a...

The ordinary legislative process The ordinary law-making procedure is the usual route for adopting EU laws. Owing to the unique...

ARCHIVED : This Checklist has been archived and is not maintained. This tracker summarises consultation papers issued by the Financial Conduct Authority ( FCA) in 2025, together with the release of any related rules and guidance. For FCA consultation papers from other years, see: FCA consultation paper trackers. For Prudential Regulation Authority ( PRA) papers from 2017 and Financial Services Authority ( FSA) papers from 2008 to 2013, see: PRA consultation paper tracker [ Archived] FSA consultation paper tracker [ Archived] Fintech and cryptoassets - Prudential requirements: CP25/42: A prudential regime for cryptoasset firms - proposals for new prudential rules for all cryptoasset firms requiring FCA authorisation - 16 December 2025 - 12 February 2026 Fintech and cryptoassets - Market abuse regime: CP25/41: Regulating cryptoassets: Admissions & disclosures and market abuse regime for cryptoassets - proposals on the regulation of...

Checklist on expert evidence in Scottish civil litigation This checklist outlines the principal factors for a solicitor contemplating engaging an expert in a civil dispute before the Scottish courts. It should be read alongside Practice Notes: Expert evidence in Scottish civil litigation-general considerations and Leading expert evidence in Scottish civil litigation-rules and procedure. Issue Considerations Assessing the need for an expert witness What kind of dispute is involved (for instance, a professional negligence claim will typically require an expert report before proceedings are commenced)? Is instructing an expert reasonable and proportionate when measured against the value of the claim? Is there a need to instruct more than one expert? Admissibility of the expert evidence Is expert assistance required to enable the court to decide the issues? Does the expert possess the appropriate knowledge and experience? Will the expert remain...

Within a JCT contract, the Agreement, Recitals, Articles and Contract Particulars at the outset record the project-specific particulars of the works to be undertaken. It is crucial these sections are completed in full and accurately, to prevent uncertainty and disagreements over the scope. This Checklist offers practical steps for filling in those particulars, with links to pertinent Practice Notes that explain each area in depth. It is intended for users who are relatively new to JCT contracting. Commonly, an employer asks the architect/contract administrator or another consultant to draft the particulars at the outset, then has its lawyer review the contract prior to execution. Alternatively, a lawyer may complete all entries, but will require the client’s or consultants’ input on the information to include. The Checklist can serve as a reference when preparing or verifying the particulars. Accurate completion from the outset reduces...

Introduction Environmental, social and governance ( ESG) concerns sit centre stage for governments, regulators, consumers, and the workforce alike today more than ever. Firms can no longer overlook the steadily rising impetus behind ESG and the push for fuller disclosure and transparency. Yet the agenda goes further still. In shaping, executing and communicating strategy, companies increasingly recognise ESG as fundamental to generating enduring value within their strategic thinking. ESG elements are demonstrating their material influence on financial outcomes and organisational resilience. Greater transparency is enabling more profitable investment, and improved disclosure is regarded as benefitting every stakeholder overall......

Within this Checklist, the table outlines the points to bear in mind about follower notices and accelerated payment notices ( APNs)/partner payment notices ( PPNs)......

Overview This Checklist is intended for reviewing a confidentiality agreement (also known as a non-disclosure agreement or NDA) when you are the recipient of confidential information. Before examining the agreement, consider: what information the business needs to obtain and for what reason; whether the business will also share information with the other party; what the recipient will receive and who must be able to access and use that information. Further information For guidance on confidentiality agreements, see Precedent: Ireland- Confidentiality agreement-mutual. Checklist Use the third column to capture observations or comments while working through the Checklist. Parties ☐ Check the parties named in the agreement. Consider which individuals and/or entities should be party to the contract. What information does the business need to receive? □ Confirm how confidential information will be defined. Consider: whether a...

This timeline outlines major milestones in the UK’s consumer credit framework. For earlier milestones, see: Consumer credit—timeline (2011–2023) [ Archived]. 2026 24 March 2026 — FCA — Timing of the FCA’s motor finance announcement The Financial Conduct Authority confirmed it will outline its approach to motor finance redress shortly after markets close on Monday 30 March 2026, following an October 2025 consultation on a compensation scheme. 17 March 2026 — FCA — Regulatory priorities: Consumer finance report The FCA has issued its 2026 Regulatory priorities: Consumer finance report, emphasising access to credit, assistance for consumers facing financial difficulty, and effective complaints handling. For further details see: FCA outlines 2026 regulatory priorities for consumer finance. 4 March 2026 — FCA — Motor...

This Checklist identifies some of the key preliminary issues to be considered before bringing a claim for judicial review in the Administrative Court, with links to further guidance on each of the issues raised. Action / issue: Are there arguable grounds to issue a judicial review claim? Further guidance: Judicial review—what it is and when it can be used—on what grounds may a claim be brought? Grounds of judicial review—illegality; Illegality in general: Atkin’s Court Forms (1) [14] Grounds of judicial review—unreasonableness Grounds of judicial review—procedural impropriety; Procedural fairness: in general: Atkin’s Court Forms (1) [26]; Natural justice and fairness: Atkin’s Court Forms (1) [29]; The right to a fair hearing: Atkin’s Court Forms (1) [38] ...

Title When completing a transfer from a fixed charge receiver, the title deeds ought to contain: the original, or a certified copy, of the legal charge or mortgage under which the receiver was appointed a certificate from the chargee (or their conveyancer) confirming that the power of appointment under the legal charge or mortgage has arisen the original, or a certified copy, of the deed appointing the receiver a certified copy of the receiver’s notice accepting the appointment (the chargee retains the original) HM Land Registry will require all of the above to register the buyer’s transfer. The charge is typically entered against the property title, and HM Land Registry will also verify that it: has been filed at Companies House has been duly executed includes authority for the receiver to be appointed and to complete the...

Pre-completion Checklist for funder's solicitor Checklist for borrower's solicitor Title information Where the borrower’s solicitor is issuing a certificate or report on title, verify they have supplied a signed engrossment of it, with all plans and annexures, to be held to their order until completion day. Confirm the borrower’s solicitor has incepted any required defective title or chancel repair insurance and that the premium is paid before completion. The certificate/report on title must also set out the title insurance policy particulars. Obtain confirmation from the valuer that the valuation stands unchanged in light of the certificate/report. Deliver to the funder a signed, dated summary report covering the title position. Provide the funder with any construction, planning and/or environmental reports prepared as part of the transaction. Make sure all HM Land Registry forms are approved and, where the...

Scenario Guidance Part 36 offers made pre-action This Checklist examines the costs consequences under Part 36, covering the distinct outcomes for claimants and defendants following judgment pursuant to CPR 36.17. It does not extend to the particular Part 36 provisions that apply only to fixed costs cases. For details of the Part 36 consequences for fixed costs matters issued on or after 1 October 2023, see Practice Note: Part 36 offers—fixed costs (position on or after 1 October 2023). For a tabular overview of leading Part 36 rulings, see Practice Note: Part 36 costs—key and illustrative decisions. A Part 36 offer may be made at any time, including before court proceedings begin ( CPR 36.7(1)). Where the claimant makes a Part 36 offer, it should provide for the defendant to pay the claimant’s costs, including the claimant’s pre-action costs, even if the dispute settles before...

During any due diligence, a purchaser should establish whether an energy performance certificate ( EPC) and a recommendation report are required, and then confirm that a valid EPC has been provided. In a multi-let building, several EPCs may be needed for different parts of the property. An EPC allows the buyer to assess the building’s energy efficiency. It sets out a rating that can be benchmarked against the average for comparable stock. A poor score may negatively affect the property’s value. A recommendation report must accompany the EPC unless there is no reasonable potential to improve performance against the energy standards currently in force. However, owners are not legally obliged to follow the recommendations. See our Overviews: Energy performance certificates and minimum energy efficiency requirements ( MEES)—overview and Energy and renewable apparatus in...