Latest News

Latest News

• Wilkes’ Rick Smyth named Changemaker at West Midlands Rainmaker Awards 3rd July 2026
  Date: Friday 3 July 2026 Wilkes is pleased to announce that Rick Smyth, Partner in the firm’s Corporate team, has won the Changemaker award at the West Midlands Rainmaker Awards 2026, held on 2 July at the Macdonald Burlington Hotel, Birmingham. Wilkes was shortlisted in three categories at this year’s awards, including Regional Legal Team […]
  Vee Hlomayi
• Common Law Marriage Myth: What Cohabiting Couples in England and Wales Need to Know 1st July 2026
  If you live with your partner but are not married or in a civil partnership, you may have fewer legal rights than you think. One of the most damaging misconceptions in family law is the belief that couples who live together for a long time become “common law spouses”. Many people assume this gives them […]
  Patrick Nwafor
• Wilkes advises Michelin-starred chef Aktar Islam on London fine dining joint venture 1st July 2026
  Date: Wednesday 1 July 2026 Wilkes has advised A I Restaurants Ltd on a joint venture with Culinary Collective to launch a new fine dining restaurant in London. The joint venture, led by Michelin-starred chef Aktar Islam, will focus on Awadhi cuisine, exploring the slow-cooked delicacies of this regional Indian cooking style. The venture marks […]
  Vee Hlomayi
• NEC4 Pricing Options: From Payment Mechanisms to Risk Allocation 30th June 2026
  Author: Matt Taylor Published: 30th June, 2026. The New Engineering Contract (NEC) is promoted as a flexible form of contract, capable of being tailored to even the most demanding and complex projects. Unlike the JCT suite of contracts and other standard forms of construction contract, which generally provide separate standard forms for different procurement routes […]
  Patrick Nwafor
• The new six‑month unfair dismissal rule: why employers should act NOW and not wait until January 2027. 30th June 2026
  From 1 January 2027, the qualifying period for unfair dismissal drops from two years to six months. Anyone recruited from the summer of 2026 onwards could already be within six months’ service by that date, which means the decisions employers make this year are the ones this change will judge. Joanne Briscoe, Associate in Wilkes’ […]
  Patrick Nwafor
• How long does director disqualification last (and can it be reduced)? 30th June 2026
  Director disqualification is one of the most serious situations a business leader can face, carrying a potential ban of up to 15 years. The courts decide how long the disqualification order will last, weighing the severity of the conduct involved as against the guidelines . So how does that decision get made, and what can […]
  Patrick Nwafor
• The 9 reasons behind director disqualification and how to avoid them 29th June 2026
  The Insolvency Service disqualified 1,153 directors in 2025-26, with the average ban lasting 8.1 years, and 77 received criminal convictions. For the directors involved, that represents significant time away from the businesses they built, the income they depend on, and in many cases, the professional identity they have spent a career developing. Many directors find […]
  Patrick Nwafor
• Working in the Heat: What Employers Need to Know 26th June 2026
  Author: James Leo Date: Friday 26 June 2026 Periods of extreme heat are becoming increasingly common across the UK, raising important questions for employers about their legal obligations and how best to protect their workforce. Is there a maximum workplace temperature? In short – no. UK law does not set a maximum temperature at which […]
  Vee Hlomayi
• Prenuptial Agreement Solicitors in the Midlands: Why a Prenup Is a Smart Choice for Your Future Marriage 25th June 2026
    Author: Hayley McCormack If you’re planning to get married and are considering a prenuptial agreement, taking legal advice early can make all the difference. At Wilkes, our experienced prenuptial agreement solicitors in the Midlands advise couples on protecting their assets and reaching fair financial agreements before marriage. Summer weddings are incredibly popular.  With longer […]
  Patrick Nwafor
• Employment Tribunal Time Limits Are Changing- What Employers Need to Know 25th June 2026
  Author: Joanne Briscoe Date: Thursday 25 June 2026 Significant changes to UK employment law are taking place soon. From 1 October 2026, the time limit for bringing most Employment Tribunal claims will increase from three months to six months. Then on 1 January 2027 the qualifying period to bring an ordinary unfair dismissal claim reduces […]
  Vee Hlomayi