Greetings Friends of Oury Clark,

Employment Law: It’s Not Rocket Science (Unless You’re Ignoring It)

This October, our newsletter launches into the shifting landscape of employment law that charts the essential legal checkpoints every employer must pass when hiring in the UK. We’re spotlighting the legal must-dos that can’t be overlooked. Ignoring them could lead to serious contractual turbulence and unexpected black holes. So, buckle up and enjoy the ride. No space suit required.

Hiring in the UK might seem as simple as finding great talent and getting started – but beneath the handshake lies a maze of legal must-dos. From day one, every employee must receive a written statement of employment terms, outlining pay, hours, notice, and benefits. It’s not just paperwork; it’s the blueprint of your working relationship. Miss it, and you could be in for a contractual headache.

Right-to-work checks are another non-negotiable for immigration compliance – skip them, and you risk more than just a slap on the wrist. Holiday pay? It’s rarely just basic salary. Regular earnings linked to performance such as commission, bonus and overtime all count, and getting it wrong can lead to costly claims. And while disciplinary and grievance procedures, flexible working, and data protection policies may not spark joy, they’re essential for building trust and a healthy workplace culture.

If you have questions about employment law for your business, our employment team is here to help: employment@ouryclark.com.

Don’t Miss a Beat: HMRC’s Updated Self-Assessment Rules

Starting in the 2025–26 tax year, HMRC is tightening the rules for directors of close companies, and they’re not leaving room for guesswork. If you’re a director of a small or family-run business, your self-assessment will now need to include the company’s name and registration number, the exact dividends received (separately from other UK dividends), and your highest percentage shareholding during the year.

It’s all part of HMRC’s push for greater transparency, and yes – there’s a catch. Miss any of these new disclosures and you could face a £60 penalty per omission. So, if you’ve been keeping things vague, now’s the time to sharpen your pencils. When it comes to compliance, silence isn’t golden – it’s costly.

If you need further advice, contact our tax team.

Fee-Fi-Fo-Firm: The Cost of Sponsorship Is on the Rise

If your business already sponsors overseas talent, brace yourself: the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) is going up by 32% from 16 December 2025. For large sponsors, that means an annual fee rise will jump from £1,000 to £1,320 per sponsored worker; for small or charitable sponsors, it’s £364 to £480. The charge applies when assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) under the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility, and Health and Care visa routes – unfortunately, this cost can’t pass on to the employee.

Exemptions still apply for certain PhD-level roles, student visa switchers, short-term assignments, and some EU nationals. The Home Office says the increase reflects inflation and supports the government’s aim to invest in the domestic workforce – but for employers, it’s another line on the budget. With total sponsorship costs now nudging £14,000 over five years, assigning CoS before the deadline to benefit from the current lower rate, could save you a tidy sum.

If you have any further questions about the ISC increase or any other immigration queries, reach out to our immigration team.

Upcoming Trips: Where you can find us

Thinking of expanding down under or across the pond? Oury Clark can help you in other markets too! Not sure where to start? Get in touch to chat with our team when they visit.
Save these dates in your diary:

• • India – 24th November – 2nd December (Emma Florentin-Lee, Nadima Manjlai, Harshjeet Vaghani)
    • Including Chennai, Bangalore, Kochi, Mumbai & Pune.
  • Southern California, USA – 2nd – 6th February 2026 (Amelia Hook & Olivia French)
    • Including San Diego & Los Angeles.

ICYMI: Join our Texas Trade Catalyst (8th – 14th March 2026) An exclusive, high-level trade mission whose primary goal is to establish buyer-matching opportunities for your business, to boost scalability in the Texan market. Register your interest before the 1st of December 2025.

Find us on LinkedIn to follow our journey and keep up to date with our travels and any upcoming events!