With all the excitement, happiness and work that a wedding entails, it’s not surprising that few of us take the extra steps of planning for the future. For example, how will your finances get unravelled if the relationship breaks down or if one of you dies?

The evolution of employment law in Jersey does not look to be slowing down in 2012, with the registration in the Royal Court of two further amendments (Amendment 6 & 7) to the Island’s principal employment legislation, the Employment (Jersey) Law 2003, on 6th January 2012, and amendments to the Island’s minimum wage soon to be in effect. Simon Hurry looks at each in more detail.

The economic climate in 2011 certainly kept Collas Crill’s employment department busy; many reputable employers were forced to make redundancies as a cost-cutting exercise. Employment specialist Emma Parr says it is extremely important that Jersey employers are aware of the increasing developments in the islands employment legislation. With the number of employment tribunals on the increase it is essential that employers are fully prepared and not taken by surprise.

Until recently, banks lending on property in England and Wales would also instruct the borrower’s solicitor in all but high value transactions. Following a change in the conduct rules for solicitors at the end of 2011, a solicitor may only act for both the bank and the borrower in very limited circumstances.

Collas Crill employment specialists are encouraging employers to review their policies to ensure that they take account the new rights of civil partners following 6 January 2012 where the Civil Partnership (Jersey) Law 2012 become law. Enabling same sex “marriages” to be formed in Jersey and for existing civil partnerships celebrated in other jurisdictions to be recognised locally..

Collas Crill opened an office in Singapore recently – the first Channel Islands law firm to do so – and since then has seen a great deal of interest in the various wealth planning structures that Jersey has to offer. This article by Richard Pirie featured in the Jersey Finance Update entitled Jersey's international appeal as a finance centre.

When contemplating old age many of us are concerned about the cost of care home fees and of being forced to sell our homes to meet the costs. Giving your property to your children now may seem like an attractive option, but is it?

It is always critical to ensure that there is value in pursuing or continuing to pursue proceedings. However, taking investigative and protective measures in offshore jurisdictions can be a minefield for those who are unfamiliar with the jurisdictions in question, in both the civil and criminal arenas.

Collas Crill partner Damian James and head of Fiduciary in Jersey, Richard Pirie, have been recommended as experts in the Citywealth Offshore Leaders List. Read here for Richard Pirie's interview with Citywealth.

The States of Guernsey’s Population Policy Group have completed their initial deliberations into the creation of a legal and administrative framework for a population management regime in Guernsey and their findings and proposals are contained in a Report published in the January 2012 Billet d’Etat. One of the sections of the Report deals with the open market. The long awaited headline conclusion is that removal of, or major structural changes to, the open market are not proposed. However some of the proposals are likely to cause consternation in some circles. This article summarises the proposals.

With office parties, hangovers, absenteeism and sick leave all on the increase, it is important for employers to remember that with effective handling and management from the outset, this time of year can be one to remember and not one to forget… Emma Parr presents Collas Crill’s top tips to surviving the festive season and its aftermath.

Since Collas Crill opened its Singapore office in August 2011 - the first Channel Islands law firm to do so - there has been a great deal of interest in the various wealth planning structures both Channel Islands have to offer.

What happens when a child inherits money, property or some other assets? When drafting your will, and where provisions have been made for minors, it is wise to have a Tutelle letter in place.

A dementia patient may reach a time when they cannot write and sign cheques, or even handle cash. Families often manage this among themselves but it’s important to bear in mind that once a doctor decides that the person is no longer able to manage their affairs, the court dictates that a curatorship must be put in place.

Regardless of whether fame is exploited or guarded, in today’s celebrity obsessed world it is important that individuals have control over the use of their name, likeness, distinctiveness and personality: their ‘image’. This article explains how Guernsey is positioning itself to become the key global centre for image rights registration and management.