Garden leave is the term given to a situation whereby an employee is required to serve out a period of notice at home.

During this period the employee continues to receive all salary and benefits but is prohibited from commencing employment with new employers until the gardening leave period has expired.

A term used to refer to a child being of sufficient age, understanding and maturity to give the court their own views, and to act independently of any adult – typically a teenager over the age of 13/14.

A legal document which confirms an executor's authority to administer the deceased's estate.

A legal document which confirms a person's authority to administer the deceased's estate.

Put simply, a grievance is a complaint.

If an employee is having a problem at work, is concerned about an issue that has arisen at work, or wishes to make a complaint about a colleague or a manager, then they can raise a “grievance”.

Employers should have formal grievance procedures in place to address the handling of such complaints.

Conduct so serious as to justify summary dismissal of an employee.

Acts deemed to be classed as gross misconduct are often listed in an employer’s disciplinary procedure and can include theft, fighting, serious negligence, breaches of health and safety indecent behaviour, dishonesty and offensive behaviour.

This is paid by a lessee to a lessor where a property is leasehold and is usually expressed as a yearly sum.

A person you choose to raise your minor children until they attain the age of 18 if there are no living people with parental responsibility.

An experienced social worker appointed by the court who usually has a legal representative, and provides a court with the views of a child.

Plural of the Guardian.