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Unwrapping Common Holiday Season Legal Issues

13 December 2023

As the holiday season approaches, for most of us, the need for legal advice is far from our mind, but sometimes problems can arise that have the potential to dampen the festive mood. From slip and fall accidents to traffic collisions, relationship break ups, disagreements about where the children should spend Christmas, or holiday pay disputes at work, these issues can cast a shadow over the holidays and cause tensions within the family or the workplace. Fortunately, expert guidance from solicitors specialising in personal injury, family law, and employment law can provide the necessary support to navigate these situations effectively, providing advice and support when you’re at your most vulnerable and confused.

In this post, we’ll look at how Redkite Solicitors’ personal injury law, family law and employment law experts can offer the knowledge and expertise you need to deal with any issues that threaten to spoil your holiday season.

Slip and Fall Accidents

As the holiday build up gathers pace, the rush to get things done, together with the possibility of snow and ice, mean an increased risk of slip and fall accidents as a result of slippery surfaces.  Legal representation from a specialist personal injury solicitor can help you to obtain appropriate compensation for rehabilitation, time off work and other costs arising from your accident.

We will assess your entitlement to compensation, help you gather evidence, liaise with insurance companies, assemble a case, then steer your claim through to the best possible outcome. We can also advise you if you are injured in your workplace and are unsure of your rights.

Car Accidents and Holiday Travel

Traffic accidents tend to surge during the holiday period for reasons including increased travel, adverse weather conditions, and heightened stress levels causing drivers to not pay attention. The holiday party season and potentially impaired drivers unfortunately also result in a higher incidence of accidents.

If you are injured in a traffic accident, it can be difficult to determine what compensation you can claim and who should pay it. Consulting a lawyer who specialises in road traffic accident claims will reduce the guesswork and stress involved with making claims and support you throughout any court proceedings and the process of being awarded compensation for losses incurred.

Their expertise will increase the chances of a successful outcome, allowing you to focus on your recovery and well-being.

Child Custody and Visitation Disputes

Child custody disputes during the holiday season can be particularly fraught due to the heightened emotions and expectations associated with the time of year. Both parents want to spend time with their children, which can lead to disagreements about how holiday time should be divided. These disputes can escalate quickly, sometimes requiring legal intervention to resolve matters.

Mediation can be the best way to resolve holiday custody disputes and arrive at a solution that is in the best interests of children and parents. Mediation allows parents to negotiate temporary holiday visitation agreements that accommodate both parties’ wishes while prioritising the children’s best interests. A law firm with expertise in family court proceedings can serve as a mediator or provide legal advice during these negotiations, helping parents find common ground and avoid unnecessary legal battles.

An experienced family solicitor can also assist with interpreting and enforcing existing child custody orders, and, if disputes cannot be resolved through negotiation or mediation, can help parents seek court intervention by filing emergency motions or requesting modifications to existing custody orders. This process can be lengthy and stressful without professional assistance, but a skilled solicitor can streamline the process and help keep the holiday season merry for both the children and their parents.

Holiday Pay and Time Off Disputes

While many offices and other UK businesses close during Christmas week, some employees need additional time off or adjusted work hours to allow for travel or childcare arrangements, or sometimes because they celebrate other festivals such as Eid, Hanukah or Diwali, that fall on a different date. When the needs of an employer conflict with the needs of the employee, conflicts arise and it sometimes becomes necessary to involve an employment law solicitor.

Employee Rights

As an employee, you are entitled to know your hours and location of work, annual leave and holiday pay entitlement, and your employer’s disciplinary and grievance procedures.

For many employees, approaching their employer with concerns or queries is daunting, and they don’t feel comfortable speaking with management or HR about pay, holiday entitlement and other employment issues. A skilled employment law solicitor will mediate between employer and employee to reach a fair and equitable solution. In cases where resolution cannot be achieved through negotiation, your solicitor can represent you in court proceedings, safeguarding your rights and obtaining compensation where appropriate.

Employer Responsibilities

Employers have a duty to keep up to date with workplace legislation and adjust their HR and recruitment process accordingly, to ensure that contracts are transparent, working conditions fair and reasonable, that employees are paid at the relevant rate, and to prevent discrimination.

Resolving employment issues professionally with advice from a specialist employment law solicitor ensures that, moving forward, employers handle time off and pay disputes correctly, avoiding breaching employee rights while protecting the needs of their business.

Ultimately, an employment law solicitor’s expertise can help alleviate the stress of holiday-related employment disputes, allowing employers and employees to enjoy the festive season without the burden of unresolved workplace issues.

Choosing the Right Law Firm

As we enter the holiday season, we’ve seen that several common legal issues can impact your celebrations. Redkite Solicitors offers over a century of expertise in employment law, family law, and personal injury law. We value our relationship with our clients and are here to help you resolve legal issues smoothly, offering advice and support at some of the most stressful times in life. As a community-focused law practice, our goal is to help you handle legal issues as they arise and minimise your stress so that you can enjoy peace of mind during the holiday season and throughout the whole year. Contact us for further information on how we can help you solve any legal issues that risk spoiling your holiday season.