Kerseys Solicitors December 2025 Newsletter
Kerseys Solicitors December 2025 Newsletter
Just a click or call away for all your legal services needs
Welcome to our last Newsletter of 2025
2025 – Key Legal Updates
Employment Rights Bill 2025 – this included 28 separate changes. Including, but not limited to:
- “Fire and Rehire” – Dismissing someone then rehiring them on worse terms and conditions is expected to become an automatically unfair dismissal in most cases
- Flexible Working – A higher burden will be placed on the employer to facilitate the needs of employees
- Statutory Sick Pay – This will be paid from the first date of illness, instead of the fourth day
- Employment Rights Start Date – Currently at two years, will be be reduced to 6 months
- Zero-Hours and Casual Worker Protections – The bill introduces minimum notice periods for shifts and compensation for cancelled work. Predictable working requests/patterns will be required by the employer
April 2025
- Minimum Wage rate increase – 21 and over increased to £12.21 from £11.44 (April 2026 sees this increase again to £12.71)
- Statutory Sick Pay increase – £118.75 per week (again, more reforms are expected in April 2026 – with a couple of examples being the removal of the £125/week earnings threshold, and paying lower earners 80% of their average weekly wage, instead of a flat rate)
- Statutory Neonatal Care Leave & Pay introduced – giving eligible employed parents up to 12 weeks of paid leave (at a statutory rate or 90% of earnings) for babies in neonatal care for at least 7 continuous days within the first 28 days of birth, providing a crucial “day-one” right to support families during a difficult period
Stamp Duty nil rate threshold reverted to the previous level of £125.000 (plus other amendments)
Unfair Dismissal: 6-month Qualification Period replaces Labour’s Plan for Day 1 Right
When the Labour Government came into power in July 2024, they promised a sweeping overhaul of worker protections, including granting the right to bring a claim for unfair dismissal from day one of employment if their employer had not followed a fair process to dismiss them. This change was to replace the existing 24 month (or 2-year) continuous service qualification to bring such claims to the attention of an Employment Tribunal.
However, in November 2025, that ambition was scaled back after business push back. The House of Commons and House of Lords have been going backwards and forwards with respect to what the qualifying period for Unfair Dismissal should be. Rather than a day-one protection, the government has compromised. The new plan grants unfair dismissal protection only after six months of employment.
Continue to read our comprehensive blog here.
We have a wealth of experience in managing tricky situations involving difficult employee relationships. We can find practical solutions that minimise the risks to your business and the use of management time.
For further information, please contact Kerseys Solicitors in:
Ipswich at [email protected] or telephone 01473 213311
Felixstowe at [email protected] on 01394 834557
Woodbridge at [email protected] on 01394 813732
Colchester at [email protected] on 01206 584584
Or visit our web site and click “Call Me Back” where one of our employment team will be happy to contact you at a time that is convenient to you.
The Risks of Using an Unqualified Will writer
Making a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family and ensure your wishes are carried out after your death. Yet the quality of the Will itself is vital. A document that is poorly drafted or unclear can create confusion, spark a dispute, and leave loved ones facing unnecessary stress and expense.
Read our helpful guide here, written by Senior Associate Solicitor Sarah White.
Renters Rights Act 2025
Dates Announced for the Start of the Renters Rights Act 2025 Changes
The government has announced more information about when the Renters Rights Act 2025 will be in force. Read our blog here by Kate Barnes, Partner & Head of the Dispute Resolution team.
Inside Kerseys Solicitors
A Trainee Solicitor’s Perspective
by Danielle Ryder
I am currently in the Family Department which is my fourth and final seat of my training contract with Kerseys Solicitors. My previous seats were:
- Private Client;
- Employment and Dispute Resolution; and
- Residential Property
Prior to my Training Contract I graduated from Anglia Ruskin University with a LLB Law Degree and went on to complete my LPC/LLM with BPP Law, on a part time weekend basis, whilst also working full time in a local law firm.
I started at Kerseys Solicitors in December 2023 as a legal assistant in the Family Department and was offered a training contract which began the following September. Before having a conversation with the Partners, I was always under the assumption that a training contract consisted of four six-month seats. However, the training options available at Kerseys are much more flexible, and can be adapted to the individual needs of the trainee. My first three seats consisted of a five-month term and two four-month terms, with my final seat being a total of eleven months.
From the moment I started at Kerseys Solicitors, I felt part of a community. Everyone who is involved in my training takes an interest and looks to give you tasks you have not yet done. They all want you to succeed. I have regular catch-ups with the training partner to review my progress, discuss plans, issues and everything in between.
So far during my training contract I have been exposed to a wide range of fee earners at the firm, picking up on how they work, how they conduct themselves as well as a wide range of their clients. Every day as a trainee solicitor is different. You might start by conducting legal research, then draft documents followed by observing a client meeting or even court hearings. It is all about learning and building on skills and getting involved in different aspects of law.
Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed my training so far and cannot wait to experience life as a newly qualified solicitor.
Our Latest Recruit
We recently welcomed a new face to Kerseys. Ben Wheatcroft, a Paralegal, into our Employment team. He is based in Ipswich, but available to assist across the various company locations. Ben is supported by Partner & Head of Department – Annalie King. Read more about Ben here.
Charity of the Year Round-Up
It has been a pleasure to supportSuffolk Mindthis year. We have held numerous events throughout the last 12 months, including dress down days, desk bingo, numerous bakes sales (who doesn’t like a slice of cake!) and raffles. And to end the year on a high, we have put together the monster of all advent calendars. Generously supported by numerous Ipswich businesses. Small & large. Independent & National.
We can safely say we have raised over £1000 for Suffolk Mind. A massive thank you to everyone that donated prizes, bought tickets, and baked cakes. We couldn’t have done it without you.
Supporting Suffolk
Along with Suffolk Mind, the last 12 months has seen us champion numerous other local charities and businesses. Including, but not limited to, Suffolk Sound, Woodbridge Regatta, Felixstowe Carnival, Ipswich Town Football Club Corporate Box, Friends of Christchurch Mansion, Suffolk Book League, Felixstowe Rugby Club, Woodbridge Riverside Restaurant & Theatre, Home Start (see below for sports day antics!), BSCMS Multicultural Festival, & MacMillan Cancer Support.
We Open New doors In Woodbridge 
Felixstowe Moves to a Bigger Location
Sharon Livermore reflects on 40 years with Kerseys
I know, that it is very hard to believe bearing in mind that I still only look so incredibly young 😊 (although on a bad day in Conveyancing I probably look way over 60!).
Not sure in todays world whether that length of service is seen as commendable or just plain weird!
I started as an office junior straight from Westbourne High School Sixth Form where part of my job was to make tea and coffee for everyone in the office twice a day. Yes, everyone. You soon get to know peoples names that way. I then moved to the firm’s Word Processing Department under the supervision of Pam (my unofficial work mum) where I learned to proof read legal documents and send telexes (the pre-cursor to the modern email). I still remember giggling every time I had to read “erection” in a legal document (I was very young!).
From there, for my sins, I become Brian Smith’s second secretary (Lynne Mitchell being Brian’s primary) and I have worked in Conveyancing ever since.
I realised, after doing Brian’s holiday cover for many years, that perhaps I could do Conveyancing myself, so I did at home study with the Institute of Legal Executives, took various exams, and became a fee earner in my own right
