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Child Arrangements and Holidays: Planning Ahead for High Days and Holiday

Posted on: September 22nd, 2025 by Ella Darnell

High Days and Holidays (such as Christmas, Eid, Hanukkah) should be a time of joy and family connection, but for separated or divorced parents, it can bring stress and uncertainty. How do you decide who has the children over these religious periods, school holidays, or special occasions? What if you can’t agree?

It’s normal to feel anxious about balancing everyone’s wishes, keeping routines consistent, and ensuring children still enjoy the magic of the holidays. Planning early and having professional guidance can make a huge difference.

Agreeing Arrangements Between Parents

Ideally, parents can reach an agreement without needing court intervention. Some approaches include:

  • Alternating special days (i.e. Eid or Christmas Day) each year.
  • Splitting the holiday (for example, Christmas Eve and morning with one parent, Christmas afternoon and Boxing Day with the other).
  • Designating special times for each parent to maintain family traditions.

The key is open, child-focused communication. Ask:

  • “What traditions matter most to our children?”
  • “Which days are essential for grandparents or wider family?”
  • “How can we make sure both households feel included?”

Professional Guidance to Negotiate Arrangements

If parents find it difficult to agree, seeking professional assistance can help. Family lawyers can:

  • Facilitate negotiations between parents.
  • Draft proposed arrangements for discussion.
  • Offer guidance on what is realistic and in the child’s best interests.

This approach often prevents misunderstandings and reduces stress, while ensuring that agreements are legally informed and enforceable if necessary.

When Court Involvement is Necessary

If negotiations cannot resolve the dispute, parents may apply to the court for a Child Arrangements Order. The court always considers what is in the child’s best interests, using the welfare checklist under the Children Act 1989. This includes:

  • The child’s age, needs, and relationships with each parent.
  • The impact of changes to routines.
  • Each parent’s capacity to provide for the child.

In holiday cases, courts generally aim to ensure children have meaningful time with both parents. They may:

  • Split the holiday period between parents.
  • Alternate full holidays each year.
  • Make bespoke arrangements tailored to the family’s circumstances.

Courts rarely enforce rigid schedules unless necessary, preferring flexible arrangements that minimise conflict and disruption.

  • Start conversations early – Ideally months before holidays begin.
  • Document agreements – Even a simple written plan can prevent misunderstandings.
  • Consider fairness and consistency – Children benefit from predictable routines.
  • Be flexible – Small compromises (e.g., extra evening with one parent) help maintain peace.
  • Think beyond religious holidays – Apply the same principles to school holidays, birthdays, and special events.
  • Seek professional guidance – Family lawyers can negotiate arrangements, offer advice, and help formalise agreements.

Why it Matters

Resolving holiday arrangements constructively protects children from conflict and ensures they enjoy important family time. Early planning and professional guidance reduce stress, minimise court involvement, and give both parents clarity.

If you’re struggling to agree on holiday arrangements, our family law team can help. We provide professional guidance to negotiate and formalise child arrangements—helping you create fair, practical, and child-focused plans for high days, holidays and beyond.

Pets and Cohabitation: Protecting Your Furry Family

Posted on: September 17th, 2025 by Ella Darnell

For many couples, a dog, cat, or rabbit isn’t “just a pet”—they’re family. They bring love, comfort, and companionship. That’s why disputes over pets can become some of the most emotionally charged issues when a relationship breaks down.

But here’s the surprise: under English law, pets are treated as property, or “chattels.” Legally, your beloved orange tabby is treated the same way as a sofa or a car. That can feel out of step with how most of us view our animals, but it’s the current legal reality.

What the law says

When a couple separates, ownership of a pet usually follows legal documents such as:

  • Who purchased the pet and whose name is on the receipt.
  • Whose name is on the microchip or pedigree certificate.
  • Who pays vet bills and insurance.

Courts don’t make “contact orders” for pets in the way they do for children. This means there is no automatic right for one partner to see the pet if they are not the legal owner.

Recent Case Law  from FI v DO [2024]

The case of FI v DO [2024] highlighted just how complex and emotional pet disputes can be.
The Judge accepted the traditional legal position, that pets are property, but also considered the pet’s welfare and emotional bonds. In this case, the wife had been the dog’s sole carer for 18 months following separation.
The Judge ruled that the dog should remain with her, noting:

  • The dog had established a secure home with the wife.
  • Removing the dog would be distressing for both the animal and the children.
  • The wife had shown greater understanding of the dog’s needs and welfare.

This judgment demonstrates that while the law treats pets as property, courts are becoming more sensitive to the emotional role pets play in family life.

Common problems over pets after separation

Without a clear agreement, separating couples may face disputes about:

  • Who the pet will live with.
  • Responsibility for costs such as food, vet bills, and insurance.
  • Whether shared care is possible (e.g. weekdays with one partner, weekends with the other).
  • What happens if one partner wants to relocate abroad with the pet.

Such disagreements can strain not only the couple but also wider family members who are attached to the animal.

How Cohabitation Agreements Protect Pets

For unmarried couples, the best way to avoid pet disputes is to create a cohabitation agreement. This is a legally binding document tailored to your relationship and can cover:

  • Who owns the pet legally.
  • Who the pet will live with if you separate.
  • How costs such as food, insurance, and vet bills are divided.
  • Any shared arrangements for care, if appropriate.

Why a Cohabitation Agreement Matters

  • It reduces uncertainty and heartache during a stressful time.
  • It reflects your shared commitment to your pet’s welfare.
  • It helps avoid costly or unpredictable court disputes.

Importantly, cohabitation agreements don’t just cover pets. They can also set out:

  • Who owns the property you live in.
  • How bills and household expenses are divided.
  • Ownership of assets such as furniture or cars.

For unmarried couples, a cohabitation agreement offers clarity and security where the law otherwise provides little protection.

Protecting Your Pet and Your Peace of Mind

If you are living with a partner and you share a pet, it’s worth having a clear plan. Just as you wouldn’t buy a house together without clarifying ownership, you shouldn’t leave things vague with your furry family members.

Want to protect your pet and your peace of mind? Contact our family law team. We can draft a cohabitation agreement tailored to you—so you and your pet are secure, whatever the future holds.

Lawrence Stephens Appointed to Aspen Bridging’s Legal Panel

Posted on: September 15th, 2025 by Ella Darnell

Lawrence Stephens is pleased to announce that we have been appointed to Aspen Bridging’s legal panel.

Aspen Bridging is a specialist lender known for delivering expert, fast, and dependable service. As a family-run business, Aspen is deeply committed to building long-term relationships and prides itself on being a reliable partner through every market condition.

Jack Coombs, Managing Director at Aspen, said: “We are very pleased to be working with Lawrence Stephens and are confident, especially when combined with our No Valuation product, that we are providing borrowers and brokers with not only a competitive offering, but one that can credibly be regarded as best-in-class.”

Ann Ebberson, Head of Real Estate Finance at Lawrence Stephens commented: “We are delighted to be appointed to the legal panel and to support Aspen deliver their services. Our team looks forward to working collaboratively to provide commercially focused, responsive legal solutions that support both lenders and borrowers. Whether it’s a refinance, purchase, or refurbishment, we are committed to ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for all parties involved.”

For more information on our Real Estate Finance and Banking solutions please click here.

Matt Green co-signs letter to UK Government urging inclusion of DLT in UK-US Tech Bridge

Posted on: September 12th, 2025 by Ella Darnell

Director and Head of Blockchain and Digital Assets, Matt Green, has co-signed a letter to the UK Government alongside a coalition of leading associations from the digital, finance, and technology sectors, proudly representing techUK.

The letter, addressed to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, urges that distributed ledger technology (DLT) – particularly tokenisation and stablecoins – be included as a core strand of the upcoming UK-US Tech Bridge. The signatories highlight that this transatlantic initiative presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the UK and US to set global standards in digital finance, strengthen their markets, and reinforce their joint leadership in financial innovation.

Matt Green, who signed in his capacity as Chair of the Blockchain Working Group at techUK, joined representatives from the City of London Corporation, UK Finance, Global Digital Finance, TheCityUK, the Crypto Council for Innovation, The Payments Association, and others in calling for the Government to seize this critical opportunity. The coalition’s effort was coordinated by the UK Cryptoasset Business Council.

Click here to read their letter in full.

This news was covered by Bloomberg.

Lawrence Kelly Named in Spear’s 2025 Litigation & Dispute Resolution Index

Posted on: September 10th, 2025 by Natasha Cox

Director and Head of Dispute Resolution Lawrence Kelly has been ranked in the Spear’s Magazine Litigation and Dispute Resolution Index 2025 as a Top Recommended adviser.

Spear’s is a wealth management and luxury lifestyle media brand whose flagship magazine has become a must-read for the ultra-high-net-worth community. It is also required reading for the affluent financial services community, including the bankers, lawyers and family offices who advise the wealthy.

Each year Spear’s publishes indices of the top advisers from a range of different fields. These indices incorporate a three-tiered ranking system and rankings are drawn up on the basis of peer nominations, client feedback, telephone and face-to-face interviews, data supplied by firms, as well as information gathered by the Spear’s editorial and research teams.

We are delighted to see recognition of Lawrence’s work in this publication which highlights top corporate lawyers who specialise in advising high-net-worth individuals.

Click here to see the full rankings.

Lawrence Stephens Announces the Appointment of Rekha Toor as Senior Associate to Its Private Wealth team

Posted on: September 10th, 2025 by Ella Darnell

Lawrence Stephens is pleased to announce the appointment of Rekha Toor as Senior Associate to its Private Wealth team.

Rekha joins us from a specialist firm, bringing extensive experience in Wills, Trusts and Probate Disputes. She is a Full Member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) and ConTra – The Contentious Trusts Association, and has been recognised as a Recommended Lawyer by the Legal 500. Rekha regularly advises on high-value and complex disputes, including those with cross-border elements, and is committed to resolving matters through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) wherever possible. Her appointment further strengthens our team’s capabilities and reflects our continued commitment to growth.

Head of Private Wealth and Succession Planning, Gareth Hughes said:
“I’m delighted to welcome Rekha Toor to Lawrence Stephens and our Private Wealth and succession planning team. Rekha brings a wealth of specialist knowledge and experience in contentious probate matters, which will be invaluable to our clients. Her appointment marks an exciting step in the team’s development and supports our strategic focus on expanding our expertise in this complex area of law.”

Preparing for Cyberattacks: What Jaguar Land Rover Can Teach Modern Businesses

Posted on: September 9th, 2025 by Natasha Cox

Director Dominic Holden explores how businesses can protect themselves and mitigate the risks of a cyberattack, following the recent incident at Jaguar Land Rover, in Computer Weekly.

Dominic’s article was published in Computer Weekly, 9 September 2025, and can be found here.

A cyber-attack at Jaguar Land Rover has halted production lines and caused wide-spread disruption. How can businesses protect themselves and mitigate the risks of an attack?

A single cyber incident can halt production lines, dent customer confidence and wipe millions off a company’s share price – as Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) discovered after it was forced to shut down operations last week.

There is, though, much a business can do to prepare for a cyber attack to both reduce the prospect of falling victim to an attack and to mitigate the loss they can cause.

Preparation: A non-negotiable first step

Effective cyber resilience begins long before an attack occurs, and preparation can be key in mitigating the financial, technical or reputational damage. As such, many boards are now beginning to treat cyber security as a strategic priority, not a technical afterthought.

Effective preparation can encompass several aspects, and this can differ from business to business.

Often, this includes the creation of a clear, rehearsed incident response plan that identifies who does what in the first 72 hours and beyond, from isolating systems to briefing the regulator. The most effective plans are rehearsed by running crisis exercises and simulations so that staff know their roles, and leadership can practise decision-making under pressure.

Backing up your systems and testing that these systems can be restored quickly if compromised is also critical, with the JLR incident showing just how much damage a full shutdown of operations can cause.

Staff can also be more effectively trained to spot phishing attempts, unusual device activity and other red flags which may indicate an attempted breach of a company’s systems. Staff should also be made aware of the importance of ensuring that they install the updates that are rolled out by their IT team.

Cyber insurance is also key. There are many specialist brokers that can assist in tailoring a policy to the risks faced by the company. The process of obtaining the insurance often highlights issues with the company’s existing security and should provide essential support in the event of an attack.

Without such planning and preparation, a business will become more vulnerable to an attack and struggle to respond effectively when the pressure begins to increase.

The first 72 hours

If, despite your preparations, you fall victim to an attack, the first 72 hours are critical. This is where your planning pays off.

Where personal data may be at risk, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) will need to be informed within 72 hours, and you may also need to notify your customers and suppliers of the risk. A PR team with expertise in crisis communications can be an important ally to avoid lasting reputational damage to the business.

Engaging law enforcement at the earliest opportunity is also advised. Reporting the incident to the police and Action Fraud creates a record that can support recovery and wider investigations. Notifying your insurers as soon as possible so you get support from specialist “breach response” advisers, including lawyers and computer forensic specialists, can avoid a misstep during a chaotic and stressful time.

A computer forensics team can move quickly to quarantine the affected systems and help you recover operations quickly, while also preserving evidence. A breach response lawyer will ensure you comply with your regulatory obligations and assist you in formulating a strategy to minimise the claims from suppliers and customers that can often follow.

The ransom question

One of the hardest decisions for businesses that fall victim to a ransomware attack is whether to pay a ransom – where one is demanded. While the National Crime Agency strongly advises against this, as there is no guarantee of restoration and payment encourages further crime, many organisations faced with operational paralysis may consider it a last resort.

Such ransom payments are often demanded in cryptocurrency, and their payment can be covered by insurance, so it is important for businesses to check their policies to see whether this forms part of their cover. It may also be possible to recover the ransom even after it has been paid. Specialist lawyers in crypto recovery can advise whether this is a possibility.

Lessons from JLR

The lesson from the JLR incident is simple: cyber security is no longer just an IT problem – it is a boardroom issue.

Boards must demand robust planning, allocate resources and ensure rehearsals are carried out. Only then can a business minimise financial and reputational damage when an attack occurs.

Divorced Abroad? A Claim May Still Be Possible in England

Posted on: September 8th, 2025 by Ella Darnell

A recent ruling by the Court of Appeal in Potanina v Potanin has highlighted the possibility of pursuing financial claims in England following a divorce overseas. The case involved Russian billionaire Vladimir Potanin and his ex-wife Natalia Potanina, who had divorced in Russia in 2014. In the initial Russian financial settlement, the wife received only 1% of the total wealth of the couple. The wife was then granted permission by the English courts to pursue a claim for a share of Potanin’s UK-connected assets.

This decision underscores the principle that, where there is a genuine connection to England, such as habitual residence or domicile, a financial claim may be justified even after a foreign divorce.

Implications for International Divorcees

Increasingly, many families live abroad during a marriage or have a residence in multiple locations. Relationships between individuals of different nationalities is common place.

When a marriage fails, a divorce may take pace in a country which takes a very different view of fairness to England and Wales. While the Potanin case involved substantial wealth and high-profile individuals, the legal precedent it sets is relevant to a much broader group. UK nationals who have divorced abroad may still have grounds to seek financial relief in England, particularly if they have returned to live in the UK or hold assets here. This is especially pertinent in cases where the overseas settlement was limited or failed to account for UK-based assets, such as pensions or property.

UK Pensions: A Common Oversight

One of the most frequently overlooked issues in overseas divorces is the treatment of UK pensions. If a foreign court has divided assets, and the settlement is not challenged, a UK pension provider cannot implement a foreign order that delas with a UK pension. That can only be done through the English courts, so even if the terms of a settlement are acceptable it is necessary to deal with UK pensions via an application in the English courts.

Equally, in some countries, pension sharing is not a concept that exists, and so a stand alone claim dealing with pensions can be made.

This is particularly relevant for couples with modest wealth, where pensions may represent a significant portion of the marital assets. Without a UK court order, pensions may remain untouched, potentially leaving one party at a financial disadvantage.

The Role of Pre-Nuptial Agreements

Pre-nuptial agreements (PNAs) can play a role in limiting post-divorce claims, particularly when they clearly define jurisdiction and financial expectations. The jurisdictional difficulties of the Potanina v Potanin could possibly have been avoided with a well drafted PNA. While in high-net-worth cases, PNAs may be challenged, especially if one party claims they were disadvantaged in more typical scenarios a well-drafted PNA can offer clarity and protection.

If you would like to learn more about any of these issues, please contact one of the Family team. 

SDLT and Angela Rayner: Why Expert Legal Guidance Is Essential

Posted on: September 4th, 2025 by Alanah Lenten

Angela Rayner, the UK’s Deputy Prime Minister, has felt compelled to resign from her positions after admitting she underpaid Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on the purchase of a flat in Hove. In addition to leaving her positions, she also faces the prospect of a large tax bill, possible penalties, and significant reputational damage. The issue is said to have stemmed from relying on the wrong advice at the wrong time.

It’s an uncomfortable position for anyone—let alone a senior politician. But it serves as a timely reminder: the quality of advice you receive can shape the outcome, financially and personally.

Why the Angela Rayner SDLT Case Matters

Rayner’s position wasn’t straightforward. A divorce, a trust for her disabled son, and a court order all added layers of legal complexity. Added to that were the intricacies of SDLT and second-home surcharges. What might have seemed a simple property purchase quickly became a tangle of family law, tax, and trust issues.

This highlights a crucial lesson for anyone navigating property transactions or financial planning: joined-up legal advice is essential.  

The Importance of Joined-Up Legal Advice

A case like this demands a cross-disciplinary approach.

  • Family law specialists need to understand arrangements such as “nesting” (where children remain in the home and parents rotate in and out).
  • Private client and trust lawyers must consider how assets are held and managed.
  • Tax experts ensure SDLT and wider liabilities are dealt with correctly.

Missing any one of these angles can result in mistakes that are costly, stressful and time-consuming to fix.

Lessons for Clients Facing Complex Property Transactions

Rayner’s experience highlights the very real cost and risks of misplaced advice, not taking advice from experts in their field and the absence of joined-up guidance across relevant areas. Not taking the right advice at the appropriate time can mean years of stress, avoidable penalties, and lasting reputational damage.

For individuals and families navigating property purchases, divorce, trusts or tax planning, choosing the right advisors, with the right expertise, at the right time, makes all the difference.

How Lawrence Stephens Can Help with SDLT and Beyond

At Lawrence Stephens, we know that complex personal and financial situations demand a coordinated response. Our Family Law, Private Client and Trusts, Property and Tax teams work seamlessly together to provide advice that is practical, protective, and precise. Whether you are navigating divorce, planning your estate, managing wealth, or considering property transactions, our specialists ensure every angle is covered—so you don’t face the kind of pitfalls currently dominating the headlines.

Learn more about Stamp Duty Land Tax and how professional guidance can prevent mistakes by getting in touch with any of the below people.

 

Taylor Swift’s Engagement and Why Pre-nups Matter: From Love Story to Legal Story

Posted on: September 4th, 2025 by Alanah Lenten

Taylor Swift’s engagement has captured headlines around the world. As one of the world’s most successful artists, with a fortune estimated in the billions, it is almost certain that her lawyers will already be advising her on a prenuptial agreement before her marriage to Travis Kelce. But pre-nups are not just for celebrities or the ultra-wealthy. Increasingly, couples in England and Wales are considering a pre-nup before marriage to provide clarity, fairness, and peace of mind when planning their future together.

What is a Prenuptial Agreement?

A prenuptial agreement (often called a “pre-nup”) is a legal contract entered into before a marriage or civil partnership which sets out how assets will be dealt with if the relationship ends.

In England and Wales, pre-nups are not automatically binding. However, since the Supreme Court decision in Radmacher v Granatino [2010], the courts will usually uphold them provided:

  • Both parties entered into the agreement freely.
  • There was full financial disclosure.
  • Each party had independent legal advice.
  • The agreement is fair and does not leave one party in financial hardship.

When those safeguards are met, a pre-nup can be highly persuasive in financial proceedings.

Why Couples Choose a Pre-nup

Whether you’re planning a star-studded wedding like Taylor Swift or a smaller ceremony a Pre-nup can serve several important purposes:

  • Protecting pre-acquired assets – for example, a house one partner already owns and/or business interests.
  • Safeguarding family wealth – such as gifts from parents, inheritances, or stakes in a family business.
  • Providing for children from a previous relationship – ensuring assets are preserved for their future and protecting children’s financial security.
  • Clarity and certainty – reducing conflict, legal costs, and uncertainty if separation occurs.

Far from being unromantic, a pre-nup is not about mistrust. Pre-nups are about planning for marriage responsibly, just as you would plan the wedding day itself. Recognising that marriage has legal and financial consequences empowers you to enter into it with open eyes.

Common Misconceptions About Pre-nups

  • “Pre-nups are only for celebrities like Taylor Swift and the rich.”
    In reality, anyone with property, savings, or family wealth may benefit.
  • “Signing a pre-nup means you expect divorce.”
    In truth, pre-nups are about planning for marriage responsibly, much like making a will is about planning for the future.
  • “Courts ignore them anyway.”
    Properly drafted pre-nups now carry significant weight with judges.

Lessons from Taylor Swift’s Engagement

Taylor Swift’s circumstances are at one end of the extreme: her assets include intellectual property rights, royalties, brand value, and ongoing income from her tours and music empire. But the principle is the same for all couples.

A pre-nup offers protection, transparency, and reassurance. Taylor Swift’s engagement is a timely reminder that love and financial planning can – and should – go hand in hand. Whether you are a 14 Grammy award-winning artist or simply planning your wedding day, it makes sense to protect your future.

Practical Points to Keep in Mind

  • Start early. Timing matters, so a pre-nup should be signed well before the wedding (ideally at least 28 days), so neither party feels rushed or under pressure.
  • Be transparent. Both partners must be open about their financial circumstances, so full disclosure is key.
  • Get independent legal advice. Each party should have their own solicitor.
  • Review Clauses. Circumstances can change; agreements can provide for review after children are born or after a certain number of years.

Our Advice

If you are engaged, entering into a marriage or civil partnership, it is worth considering whether a prenuptial agreement is right for you. These agreements can prevent uncertainty and protect both partners’ interests allowing you to plan a wedding with confidence and adhering to ‘we are never ever getting… disputes over finances’.

At Lawrence Stephens, we specialise in advising on prenuptial agreements and tailoring them to reflect your circumstances. If you would like to discuss your options, please contact our Family Law team today.

Managing Off-Duty Misconduct: A Guide for Employers

Posted on: September 2nd, 2025 by Natasha Cox

Senior Associate Emma Cocker explores how employers can address employee misconduct that occurs outside working hours, and the legal and reputational implications that may follow, in People Management.

Emma’s piece was published in People Management, on 29 August 2025.

Off the clock, still on the hook? Managing misconduct outside the workplace

As festival season comes to a close, many workers are letting down their hair at the likes of Glastonbury, Reading and Download. For many, attending a festival is the chance to enjoy some music with friends, but for others it can mean excessive drinking, taking drugs and anti-social behaviour.

While some deem their non-workplace conduct irrelevant, for attendees whose transgressions are witnessed by their employers, colleagues or clients, the consequences can be serious. Being seen to be excessively drunk or high is not how most companies want their employees to behave in public. This year, antisemitic chanting put Glastonbury and the BBC front and centre of serious concerns, with Sir Ephraim Mirvis (the Chief Rabbi) attacking the BBC for airing ‘vile Jew hate’ by the punk rap duo Bob Vylan, followed by some extremely disturbing and concerning TV close-ups of some of the audience chanting, “Death, death to the IDF”. 

So, what are the repercussions for the errant few who are caught engaging in such behaviour and how should employers respond?

While not all off-duty behaviour warrants intervention, actions that are criminal, breach company policies, or cause reputational damage, can be grounds for disciplinary measures. Such action will firstly involve a disciplinary investigation to determine whether there is a case to answer. If there is, a disciplinary hearing should take place at which the decisionmaker will consider all relevant evidence before deciding whether and how to discipline an individual.

Factors for employers to consider in relation to off-duty misconduct include whether the employee’s actions affect their ability to do their job, damage the employer’s reputation or create a hostile environment for clients or colleagues. If there is a no apparent connection, employers may struggle to justify disciplinary actions and disciplining an employee for conduct that has no clear effect on the company could lead to legal claims, such as unfair or constructive dismissal.

Possible reputational damage is the consequence most often touted by employers in justification for disciplinary measures. However reputational damage can be difficult to assess, and the potential impact will vary depending on the employee’s role and the particular workplace. Case law has thrown up some surprising results, with employees being held to be unfairly dismissed after carrying out what most would consider to be egregious behaviour.

To avoid claims of unfair dismissal, employers must genuinely believe that the employee has committed an act which either has or may cause reputational damage. They need to be careful in assessing the severity of the misconduct, the actual or potential impact on their business, and the employee’s role. In determining the merits of each case, employers need to navigate the fine line between individuals’ rights to a private life and the workplace, simultaneously maintaining standards and respecting employee rights. Equally, employees need to know where the boundaries are and what their employers expect from them to avoid stepping over the line. As such, employers should develop conduct policies, outlining expected behaviour outside of work, which should be communicated to all employees to ensure they understand their responsibilities. Social media policies should also be developed to draw to employee’s attention the impact of online behaviour on the company’s reputation. Regular training on professional conduct and the potential impact of off-duty behaviour should also be offered. This will help to encourage a culture of respect and professionalism both within and outside the workplace. When problems do arise, employers must monitor behaviour fairly and address misconduct promptly.

To find out more about employer obligations and how we can help, please click here

The Business of Football: Contracts, Transfers, and Legal Strategy

Posted on: September 2nd, 2025 by Natasha Cox

Player contracts and transfers: a sports lawyer’s perspective 

Speaking with The Times, Senior Associate Jake Cohen shares his expert insights on the complex and often surprising clauses negotiated in professional football players’ contracts.

Jake’s interview was published in The Times, 29 August 2025, and can be found here.

Speaking with The Times’ Football Reporter, Gary Jacob, Jake explains the features of a standard player’s contract – including wages, bonuses, contract length and options, wage-reduction clauses for relegation, signing-on fees and loyalty payments, agent payments, release clauses, buy-back options and image rights provisions.

Jake goes on to discuss bonuses offered in contract, with a notable example being goal bonuses multiplied by three if a player scores against the club’s main rivals. He also notes how many players want achievable bonuses rather than big payments linked to winning domestic or international silverware.

Asked about the most bizarre clauses he has seen in contracts, Jake observes that he had recently seen a bonus clause based on a player being awarded a rating of seven or higher in a match on a third-party statistics website – a highly unusual consideration.

Jake also explains the mechanisms involved in release clauses, more favoured by European clubs, and how this can impact transfers.

For Jake, transfer windows – and especially deadline day – can be extremely high-pressured situations. Last summer alone, Jake led work on 12 of 15 deals in a single day, including racing across the country to finalise a contract.

“Every minute is important,” he says – and when millions are on the line, expert advice is everything.

For more information on the work of Sports and Entertainment team, click here