Welcome to RakLAW Insights
Our new Insights section brings you regular commentary on UK immigration, family, civil and employment law from RakLAW's solicitors.
INSIGHTS & NEWS
RakLAW News & Insights
Practical legal commentary across Immigration, Family, Civil, Employment, Probate and more.
Showing 16 articles
Welcome to RakLAW Insights
Our new Insights section brings you regular commentary on UK immigration, family, civil and employment law from RakLAW's solicitors.
Global Talent Visa: who qualifies, how to apply, and what it costs
The UK Global Talent visa lets leaders and potential leaders in academia, research, the arts and digital technology live and work in the UK for up to 5 years at a time. Here is what it covers, who qualifies, and what it costs.
Understanding Trusts
A trust is a legal relationship in which a person transfers property to a trustee, who holds legal title for the benefit of another, known as the beneficiary.
Thinking about getting divorced? What you need to know
A practical guide to the divorce process in England and Wales — eligibility, joint vs sole application, arrangements for children, money and property, and the documents you'll need.
UK Employment Rights 2026: Key Changes Under the Employment Rights Act and Plan to Make Work Pay
Statutory Sick Pay from day one, day-one Paternity and Parental Leave, doubled collective redundancy protective awards, the new Fair Work Agency, and lower trade union recognition thresholds. The 2026 UK employment rights timeline explained.
UK Visa Fee Increases from 8 April 2026: Full Home Office Fee Change Guide
The Home Office has confirmed visa, settlement, citizenship and sponsorship fee increases effective 8 April 2026. Full breakdown for Skilled Worker, Innovator Founder, Student, Graduate Route, ILR, naturalisation and Sponsor Licence applications.
Financial Remedies Guide 2026: Key Changes for Family Financial Disputes in England and Wales
The 2026 Financial Remedies Guide brings every level of the Financial Remedies Court under one rulebook. Stronger focus on non-court dispute resolution, a clear duty to negotiate, stricter document rules — and the High Court allocation threshold rises from £15m to £20m.
Renters' Rights Act 2026: Section 21 Abolished — What UK Landlords and Tenants Need to Know
From 1 May 2026 Section 21 'no fault' evictions are abolished in England. Landlords can only end a tenancy using a Section 8 possession ground. Full guide to the mandatory and discretionary grounds, plus the wider Renters' Rights Act changes on rent, bidding and pets.
UK Asylum Reform: Refugee Status Becomes Temporary, Reviewed Every 30 Months
From 2 March, the Home Secretary has announced that refugee status in the UK will shift from permanent to temporary, subject to review every 30 months for all adults claiming asylum.
Rakesh Prajapati on Lyca Communications: Family Law and Immigration Podcast Highlight
A highlight from Director Rakesh Prajapati's recent podcast with Lyca Communications — answering the most common questions in Family Law and Immigration Law today.
Companies House Identity Verification Update: A Solicitor's Guide
Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, identity verification is now becoming mandatory for certain Companies House filings. What solicitors need to know about Directors, PSCs, personal codes, and compliance records.
Conveyancing Update January 2026
The Law Society has confirmed that the TA6 (6th edition) Property Information Form will become mandatory for Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) firms from 30 March 2026.
Child Contact & Safety-First Decisions: UK Family Law Update
The Ministry of Justice plans to remove the statutory presumption of parental involvement. Family courts will no longer automatically assume children should have contact with both parents — child welfare and safety come first.
Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026: The Smoke-Free Generation Becomes Law — Key Dates, New Offences and What Changes From 2027
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2025 received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026 as the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 — creating the UK's 'smoke-free generation' by banning tobacco sales to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. Here is what the Act actually does, when each part switches on, and what it means for retailers, parents and the public.
Non-consensual AI Deepfake Nudes Now a Criminal Offence: Sections 66E and 66F Sexual Offences Act 2003 Explained
From 6 February 2026 it is a criminal offence in England and Wales to create, or to ask someone else to create, a sexually explicit AI deepfake of an adult without their consent. The new offences sit in sections 66E and 66F of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, inserted by section 138 of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. They carry up to 6 months in prison and an unlimited fine, and they apply even if the image is never shared, and even if the requested image is never actually made.
UK Earned Settlement: The Proposed 10-Year Route to ILR — What Migrants and Advisers Need to Know
The Home Office's Earned Settlement consultation (Command Paper CP 1448) closed on 12 February 2026 after drawing roughly 130,000 responses. The plans would double the default ILR qualifying period from 5 to 10 years, reducible to 3 years for very high earners or extended to 30 years for irregular arrivals — and would apply to everyone in the UK who has not yet received ILR. Here is what migrants currently on a 5-year track, and their advisers, need to know.
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