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Category A meaning

What does Category A mean?
In pensions practice, Category A refers to the Basic state pension payable on the claimant’s own National Insurance contributions and credits, rather than on a spouse’s or civil partner’s record (Category B). It is a statutory term used in UK social security legislation (see the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 and the Northern Ireland equivalent) and applies to people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. From 6 April 2016, the Pensions Act 2014 introduced the new State Pension. The category labels are not used for new awards, but Category A remains relevant when advising on legacy entitlements, revisions and appeals, and interactions with Additional State Pension (SERPS/S2P), including in bereavement and divorce contexts. Usage and legal effect are consistent across England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with administration by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Communities (NI). In Ireland, the term is not used: the nearest equivalent concept is the State Pension (Contributory), based on the claimant’s PRSI record, but it is not described as Category A.
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CHECKLISTS
Easements in property transactions: due diligence checklist on identification, registration, scope, maintenance, interference, alteration/termination, utilities, and creation/reservation—England and Wales

ARCHIVED: This Flowchart has been archived and is not maintained. Retained EU law is a concept introduced by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (EU(W)A 2018) as part of Brexit preparations, establishing a new category of domestic legislation. It denotes the collection of EU‑derived rules preserved and converted into UK law under the EU(W)A 2018 (as amended) at the end of the post‑Brexit transition period (IP completion day). For background on the transition period, and what it means for retained EU law, see: In the context of Brexit, what is meant by the ‘transition or implementation period’? For further background reading on the underlying legislation, see: Practice Note: Brexit—key legislation explained News Analysis: What does IP completion day mean for the status of EU law in the UK? What is retained EU law? Retained EU law is a broad, complex legal term defined by the EU(W)A 2018. It covers anything that continues to form part of domestic law on or...

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CHECKLISTS
Extradition from the UK: practitioner checklist under the Extradition Act 2003 for Category 1 and 2 requests, TCA 2020, evidential requirements, statutory and non-statutory bars, and human rights

This Checklist sets out the principal questions practitioners should consider when advising a client facing a request for extradition. For a step-by-step overview under the EA 2003, see Practice Note: Extradition under Parts 1 and 2 of the Extradition Act 2003—procedure, together with Extradition from the UK (cat 1 request)—checklist and Extradition from the UK (cat 2 request)—checklist. Read this Checklist alongside Practice Note: Extradition and the statutory framework—an introduction to extradition, which outlines the UK extradition framework and the effect of Brexit on extradition between the UK and EU member states. Principles determining extradition under the Extradition Act 2003 The initial points to assess for a client subject to an extradition request are: does your client fall within Category 1—is this an arrest warrant issued under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement 2020 (TCA 2020) or a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) issued before IP completion day? See Practice Note: Extradition and the statutory framework—an introduction to extradition) does your client fall within Category 2—is...

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CHECKLISTS
Employee medical reports: employer checklist on AMRA 1988, UK GDPR/DPA 2018, OH involvement, consent, contractual rights, handling special category data, retention, disclosure and equality duties

This is a Checklist of the main issues that an employer will need to consider when seeking a medical report on a current employee during the employee’s employment: Clarify the objective of the report clearly. See Practice Note: Medical reports—data protection issues and AMRA 1988—Purposes of medical report. Explain why health information is required and set out the grounds for requesting a medical report—is there a defined element of the role that necessitates it, or is the aim to evaluate overall health, eg for a physically demanding post? Set the scope of the report—identify precisely what the employer needs to know, avoiding intrusion where it is not needed or relevant. Consider whether involving an occupational health (OH) professional or service could limit the volume of health data the employer processes. Specify who will have sight of the report, when they will see it, and for what purpose they will use it. Confirm who will prepare the report. ...

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FLOWCHARTS
Live telephone direct marketing decision tree (UK): PECR 2003 and UK GDPR compliance—lawful basis, TPS/CTPS, suppression lists, claims management and pensions bans, identity/transparency duties; excludes automated calls

These Flowcharts These Flowcharts offer direction on the proper method for completing the parts of a stock transfer form that address consideration, stamp duty certification, and execution. They are included within an annotated stock transfer form, which clearly sets out instructions explaining how its sections should be properly filled in...

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FLOWCHARTS
UK GDPR postal direct marketing decision tree: lawful bases, MPS screening, suppression lists, explicit consent for special category data, transparency and objection rights

This Flowchart This Flowchart helps determine the appropriate rate of stamp duty land tax (SDLT) for the transaction in question. Different SDLT rates may apply to purchases depending on the property type (residential, non-residential (commercial property), or mixed-use property). Use this Flowchart in conjunction with Practice Note: Rates of SDLT. This Flowchart proceeds on the basis that: the buyer is acquiring a single property and the purchase is not linked with any other transaction. For further detail on linked transactions, see Practice Note: SDLT chargeable consideration—Linked transactions no relief from SDLT applies to the transaction...

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FLOWCHARTS
On-market share buybacks by UK listed companies—flowchart under pre-29 July 2024 UK Listing Rules

STOP PRESS: A major overhaul of the UK listing framework took effect on 29 July 2024, removing the premium and standard listing segments and introducing a single listing category for equity shares issued by commercial companies. The commercial companies category is strongly disclosure-led and sits alongside other listing categories, namely shell companies, the secondary listing and closed ended investment fund categories. To implement the reforms, a new UK Listing Rules sourcebook came into force, and the former Listing Rules sourcebook was withdrawn. For further details and background, see Practice Note: Reform of the UK listing regime—fundamentals. This Flowchart sets out the listing regime as it applied before 29 July 2024, for ease of reference. You can view or print a full sized PDF version...

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NEWS
UK Data (Use and Access) Act 2025: Implications for Pension Schemes—DSARs, Complaints, ICO Powers, ADM, Recognised Legitimate Interests, Marketing, Special Category Data, Purpose Limitation and Practical Steps

What are the most significant changes introduced by the Act that pension scheme trustees need to prepare for? The most notable reforms in the Act that trustees should be ready for are: Data subject complaints: complaints about the handling of personal data must be acknowledged within 30 days and answered without undue delay. ICO enforcement powers: the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) now has authority to compel interviews and require the production of documents to assess compliance. Data subject access requests (DSARs): the Act codifies the ICO’s existing guidance, meaning (i) trustees must apply a ‘reasonable and proportionate’ search standard when responding; and (ii) the ‘stop the clock’ rule pauses the one-month deadline for a response. Automated decision making (ADM): the Act allows reliance on the full set of lawful bases — including ‘legitimate interests’ — when non-special category personal data is used for significant automated decisions about an individual, provided suitable safeguards are in place. ...

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NEWS
UK corporate regulation weekly: Companies House ACSP registration, Takeover Panel 2023–24 report, FCA festive-period listing timelines, key consultation deadlines and trackers (19 September 2024)

In this issue: Company, disclosures, records and registers Takeovers of public companies Equity capital market updates News alerts: daily and weekly Key dates for your diary Trackers Useful information Company, disclosures, records and registers Companies House outlines new registration requirements for ACSPs Companies House has issued a blog post that sets out the new registration requirements for authorised corporate service providers (ACSPs). Established by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, ACSPs form part of a more robust framework designed to verify the identity of those submitting filings to Companies House on a company's behalf. The category will span third-party agents, such as solicitors' practices and company formation agents, and they will need to be registered with Companies House before making any submissions. The underlying purpose of mandating registration is to ensure Companies House can clearly and confidently identify who is acting for companies...

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NEWS
UK competition and NSI: NAR reform consultation, reorganisation/insolvency exemptions, 2024–25 Annual Report, CMA Aramark/Entier phase 2, subsidy control appeal, private abuse claim (22 July 2025)

NSI Act Government consults on proposed reforms to the NSI Act 2021 mandatory notification regime The UK Government has opened a consultation on changes to the National Security and Investment Act 2021 (Notifiable Acquisition) (Specification of Qualifying Entities) Regulations 2021 (the NARs), which determine when a mandatory notification is required under the NSI Act. This follows the Government’s 2024 statutory review and prior engagement with stakeholders through the 2023 Call for Evidence. The package sets out targeted refinements to keep the regime proportionate and effective at capturing national security risks in sensitive areas of the UK economy, whilst ensuring the overwhelming majority of deals proceed unaffected. Key proposals include: New standalone mandatory notification areas: creation of distinct categories for Semiconductors and Critical Minerals, both currently within the Advanced Materials sector; and relocating Computing Hardware, now a standalone sector, into the Semiconductors category. New sector added: introduction of a mandatory notification area for the Water sector, focused on acquisitions of water operating companies...

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PRACTICE NOTES
Whistleblowing: Protected disclosures under the Employment Rights Act 1996—qualifying tests, public interest, disclosure routes, prescribed persons’ duties, exceptions, and limits on NDAs/confidentiality clauses

Practice Note This Practice Note explores what amounts to a protected disclosure for the whistleblowing protections in the Employment Rights Act 1996 (ERA 1996), into which the relevant provisions of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA 1998) have been incorporated. It addresses the general features of disclosures, when they qualify as qualifying disclosures, the need for a whistleblower to hold a reasonable belief that a relevant category of wrongdoing has occurred, and that the disclosure serves the public interest, where appropriate and necessary. It further considers when qualifying disclosures obtain protection and identifies the prescribed persons (people) to whom a disclosure may properly be directed. In addition, the Practice Note summarises the reporting obligations placed on certain prescribed persons to produce an annual written report concerning the workers’ disclosures received by them...

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PRACTICE NOTES
WEEE Producer Compliance Schemes: approval, registration, financing and targets, balancing system, compliance fee, online marketplaces, vapes and e-cigarettes category, reporting, insolvency and enforcement under the 2013 Regulations

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/3113), as amended, implement Directive 2012/19/EU (recast WEEE Directive) and replace the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/3289). Rooted in the principle of ‘extended producer responsibility’, they place obligations on producers to manage the environmental impacts of their products, particularly at the ‘end of their life’ when they become waste. Producer compliance schemes Under WEEE 2013, reg 14, any producer placing five tonnes or more of EEE on the UK market in a year must join a Producer Compliance Scheme (PCS). A PCS supports compliance and arranges for collected WEEE to be sent to an Approved Authorised Treatment Facility (AATF) or an Approved Exporter (AE) for treatment in the UK or overseas. For further details on producers’ duties, see Practice Note: WEEE—producer obligations. Applications for approval A PCS must be approved by the Environment Agency (EA) for applicants based in England, and by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) for applicants based in Wales...

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PRACTICE NOTES
UK public company share buybacks: procedural guide to on/off‑market implementation, UK MAR closed periods, LSE/AIM timetables, payment rules, staggered completions and failure remedies

STOP PRESS: A major overhaul of the UK listings regime took effect on 29 July 2024, scrapping both the premium and the standard listing segments and replacing them with a single category for equity shares in commercial companies. That commercial companies category is heavily disclosure-led and sits alongside other listing categories, including the shell companies category, the secondary listing category and the closed ended investment fund category, among others. A new UK Listing Rules sourcebook came into force to deliver these changes, and the previous Listing Rules sourcebook was revoked. For further information and detail, see Practice Note: Reform of the UK listing regime—fundamentals. This Practice Note reflects the regime as it existed prior to 29 July 2024. A limited company may buy back shares in itself, provided conditions set out in the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006) are satisfied, where applicable. This is known as a share buyback or a purchase of own shares. In addition to CA 2006, there are other rules and guidelines that are relevant...

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PRECEDENTS
UK GDPR/DPA 2018 data protection risk assessment—long-form organisational template and practitioner checklist, covering processing, sharing, overseas transfers, accuracy, retention, destruction, audits and privacy risk register

1 Background information Assessment covering [ specify if the assessment applies to the entire organisation or a particular department ] Assessor [ insert name ] Assessment date [ insert date ] 2 Which personal data do you obtain and/or keep? Reflect on the personal data you receive and/or store, and identify any inherent risks. 2.1 Review Category of personal data Type of data How is it acquired? How is it stored?...

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PRECEDENTS
Buyer-side pensions warranties for business sale: buyer to provide future benefits only, no past service transfer; precedent addressing TUPE, disclosure, compliance, liabilities and disputes

This precedent has been produced on the basis that the drafter is acting for the buyer. The following warranties have been prepared for a transaction where: The Buyer will provide pension benefits through its own arrangement or via an appointed provider; and Employees’ past service benefits will not be transferred to the Buyer’s arrangement. You are strongly advised to involve a pensions specialist at the earliest opportunity. 1 Definitions For the purposes of paragraphs 2 to 7 inclusive: Employee means [ [specify as necessary, either by category or by named individuals ]; Pension Scheme [ s ] mean [ s ] [ [ name(s) of scheme(s) ] OR an arrangement or practice for the payment of, or contribution towards, an annuity, pension, lump sum, gratuity or similar benefit to be given on retirement, long-term ill-health or death, or pursuant to a pension sharing order, in relation to the service or historic service of an Employee or any other person, or...

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PRECEDENTS
UK Standard Visitor (Business): Template Letter of Support from Overseas Employer

[ To be produced on the official letterheaded paper of the overseas business ] [ Address to either: Chief Immigration Officer [ insert port of entry ] (non-visa nationals) or Entry Clearance Officer [ insert entry clearance post ] (visa nationals) ] [ Add date ] Dear [ insert organisation’s name ] [ Provide the visitor’s full name, date of birth, and nationality exactly as stated in the passport ] Request for entry to the UK for a business visit This correspondence is submitted to back the request of the person named above for permission to enter the UK as a visitor within the standard visitor category for a duration of [ insert number of days/weeks/months ]...

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Q&As
Must E&W civil partners married pre-2013 in New York convert before divorce?

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 (M(SSC)A 2013) confirms that marriages between same-sex partners are lawful and effective. Under s 9 of M(SSC)A 2013, civil partners in England and Wales can convert their partnership into a marriage, should they wish to do so. That conversion terminates the civil partnership, with the resulting marriage treated as having existed from the date the partnership was created. Before M(SSC)A 2013 came into force, same-sex marriages formed overseas were recognised in England as civil partnerships, falling within the category of ‘overseas relationships’ under the Civil Partnership Act 2004, rather than as marriages...

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Q&As
s.3C Leave: Withdrawing Application—UK Stay Before Re‑entry Ban

Practice Note: Suitability grounds for refusal and cancellation of permission notes that, under the Immigration Rules, Part 9, para 320(7B): Unless an exemption applies, or the relevant re-entry ban has expired, any application made under a route within Parts 2–8, or under Appendix Armed Forces, must be refused where the person has previously breached UK immigration law by: overstaying, unless the overstay was 90 days or less (where it began before 6 April 2017) or 30 days or less (where it began on or after 6 April 2017) and, in either scenario, they left the UK of their own accord and not at public expense Where any of the above circumstances apply, any further application to re-enter the UK will be refused until the following re-entry ban has run: one year, if the individual departed the UK voluntarily and not at public expense—note that those refused entry at port fall within this category, provided they complied with the conditions set...

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Q&As
PBS dependant reapplication on Tier 2 to Tier 1 and other category switches

This is a Q&A about whether it is necessary for dependants to apply to switch categories at the same time as their relevant points-based system (PBS) migrants. The Points Based System (Dependant) Guidance states, as a general rule, that where the principal migrant changes employer or education provider, receives a new certificate of sponsorship and applies for leave to remain to work or study with their new sponsor, their dependants are not obliged to apply for leave to remain at the same time...

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