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Employment status (worker, employee, self-employed, director or contractor) affects employment rights and employer responsibilities in the workplace

• Overview

  In employment law a person’s employment status helps determine: their…

• Worker

  A person is generally classed as a ‘worker’ if: they have a contract or…

• Employee

  An employee is someone who works under an employment contract. A person…

• Employee shareholders

  An employee shareholder is someone who works under an employment contract…

• Self-employed and contractor

  A person is self-employed if they run their business for themselves and…

• Director

  Company directors run limited companies on behalf of shareholders.…

• Office holder

  A person who’s been appointed to a position by a company or organisation…

• Legal decisions on employment status

  A court or employment tribunal (known as an industrial tribunal in…

Landlords need to follow certain procedures when evicting tenants - find out about eviction notices, harassment and illegal evictions, and going to court.

• Rules your landlord must follow

  Your landlord must follow strict procedures if they need you to leave…

• Accelerated possession

  Landlords cannot usually apply to the court for an accelerated possession…

• Eviction court hearings

  If your landlord goes to court to evict you, there will be a ‘possession…

• Eviction notices

  If you do not leave your home by the date given in a possession order,…

• Harassment and illegal evictions

  It is a crime for your landlord to harass you or try to remove you from a…

We are the government’s principal legal advisers. Our core purpose is to help the government to govern well, within the rule of law. GLD is a non-ministerial department.

• Updated: 1 November 2023

Legal aid helps pay for legal advice, mediation or representation in court - see if you can claim.

If someone dies without a will or known family, their ownerless property (bona vacantia) goes to the crown - check if you're an entitled relative, search for an estate, refer or claim on an estate

The police have to follow strict rules if you're arrested, questioned or charged with a crime - you can get legal advice at a police station

Information for competent authorities abroad (and in the UK) about obtaining evidence within the UK (or abroad) to assist in criminal investigations or proceedings.

• Updated: 5 March 2025

You have the right to speak for yourself in court without a solicitor or legal professional - where to get help with papers and procedures

Government lawyers provide legal advice to the government and represent it in court proceedings GLP is part of the Civil Service .

• Updated: 4 April 2022

Legal aid application forms and guidance for civil and crime work: apply online or through CCMS, deal with high cost or exceptional cases.

• Updated: 2 August 2023