Resources

UK Legal Terms — Glossary

Plain-English definitions of UK legal terms and acronyms that BRAVIOT clients frequently encounter. Definitional only — not legal advice.

A

Ankara Agreement: A historic UK vs Turkey agreement allowing certain Turkish businesspeople to live and work in the UK. Closed to new applicants after 31 December 2020, but existing holders may extend or apply for ILR.
Articles of Association: The internal rulebook governing how a UK company is run — shareholder rights, director powers, share transfer mechanics. Model Articles apply by default but can be amended.

B

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP): Until recently the physical card evidencing immigration status. From 2025 the Home Office is moving to digital-only eVisas; existing BRPs remain valid until expiry.

C

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): An electronic record issued by a licensed sponsor against their allocation, confirming a specific worker has been offered a specific eligible role. The worker uses the CoS number in their visa application.
Companies House: The UK registrar of companies, where all UK limited companies are incorporated and file statutory returns (annual accounts, confirmation statement, PSC information).
Constructive Dismissal: When an employee resigns in response to a fundamental breach of contract by the employer — treated in law as a dismissal.
Conveyancing: The legal process of transferring property ownership between buyer and seller — from offer accepted, through searches and exchange, to completion and Land Registry filing.

D

Director: A person formally appointed to manage the company's business and affairs. Owes statutory duties to the company under the Companies Act 2006.
Domicile: A common-law concept distinct from residence, determining liability to UK Inheritance Tax on worldwide assets. A person can be UK resident without being UK domiciled.
DPIA: Data Protection Impact Assessment — a structured assessment of the risks of a planned data processing activity. Required for processing likely to result in a high risk to individuals.
DSAR: Data Subject Access Request — an individual's right under UK GDPR to ask a controller for a copy of the personal data held about them and certain related information.

E

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC): A rating of a property's energy efficiency required when a property is built, sold or rented out.
Engagement Letter: The document setting out the scope of work, fees, terms and key client-care information at the start of a matter. Required by SRA rules.
Executor: A person named in a will to administer the deceased's estate. Becomes legally entitled to act once the Grant of Probate is issued.

F

Family Visa: Routes for partners, children, parents and adult dependent relatives of British citizens or those settled in the UK. Different routes have different financial and relationship requirements.
Freehold: Outright ownership of land and any buildings on it, indefinitely. Most common form of UK house ownership.

G

Global Talent Visa: An unsponsored route for exceptional talent (or promise) in academia, research, arts, culture and digital technology. Requires endorsement from an approved endorsing body unless a qualifying prestigious prize was awarded.

I

ICO: The Information Commissioner's Office — the UK's independent data protection regulator. Receives breach notifications and complaints, investigates and enforces.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): An annual surcharge paid as part of most visa applications, giving visa holders access to NHS services for the duration of their leave.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): Permanent UK residence status. Most work and family routes lead to ILR after 5 years of continuous lawful residence; some routes (e.g. Innovator Founder) qualify after 3 years.
Inheritance Tax (IHT): A UK tax on the estate of someone who has died, currently charged at 40% on the value above the nil-rate band (currently £325,000), with reliefs and exemptions available.
Innovator Founder Visa: For experienced entrepreneurs founding an innovative, viable and scalable UK business with endorsement from an approved body. A 3 year route to settlement.

L

Land Registry (HM Land Registry): The government body that records ownership of land and property in England and Wales. Registration of title is compulsory on most transactions.
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA): A legal document allowing a chosen attorney to make decisions on your behalf if you lose capacity. Two types: property & financial affairs, and health & welfare.
Leasehold: Ownership of a property for a fixed term (commonly 99–999 years) granted by the freeholder. Subject to ground rent and lease covenants. Most UK flats are leasehold.
Letters of Administration: The equivalent court document where the deceased left no valid will (intestacy), appointing an administrator under statutory rules.

M

Money Laundering Regulations (MLR): UK regulations requiring solicitors and other regulated firms to verify client identity, assess risk and report suspicious activity.
MSA: Master Services Agreement — an umbrella contract setting the standard commercial terms (payment, IP, liability, termination) under which specific work is then ordered via Statements of Work.

N

NDA: Non-Disclosure Agreement — a contract restricting how confidential information shared between parties may be used. Can be one-way or mutual.

P

Person with Significant Control (PSC): A natural person who ultimately owns or controls more than 25% of a UK company's shares or voting rights. Must be disclosed to Companies House.
Probate (Grant of Probate): The court document confirming an executor's authority to administer the estate of someone who left a valid will.

R

Redundancy: A specific statutory dismissal where the role itself is no longer required, triggering rights to consultation and statutory redundancy pay for qualifying employees.
Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT): Historical requirement that sponsored roles be advertised to the UK labour market first. Abolished for most routes under the points-based system from 2020.
Right to Work Check: A statutory check UK employers must carry out before employment begins, to verify the prospective employee has lawful immigration status to work. Failure carries civil penalties.

S

Service Charge: A leaseholder's contribution to the cost of maintaining the building and common parts. Set out in the lease and subject to statutory consultation rules for major works.
Settlement Agreement: A legally binding contract where an employee waives the right to bring specified employment tribunal claims, usually in exchange for a payment. Must satisfy statutory conditions to be valid.
Shareholders' Agreement: A private contract between shareholders covering decision rights, share transfers, exit and dispute resolution — sitting alongside (but not replacing) the Articles.
Skilled Worker Visa: The main UK work visa for sponsored workers in eligible occupations meeting the salary threshold. Replaced Tier 2 (General) under the points-based system.
SLA: Service Level Agreement — the part of a services contract that defines measurable performance targets (uptime, response time) and the consequences of falling below them (service credits).
Solicitor: A qualified lawyer authorised by the SRA to provide reserved legal services in England and Wales. Distinct from a barrister, who specialises in advocacy.
Sponsor Licence: UK-licensed employers obtain this from the Home Office to sponsor non-UK workers under the points-based system. The licence comes with ongoing compliance duties recorded in the Sponsor Management System.
Sponsor Management System (SMS): The Home Office online system through which sponsor licence holders manage their allocations, assign CoS, report changes and maintain compliance records.
Spouse Visa: A family route for the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen or settled person, subject to a minimum income requirement and English language test.
SRA: Solicitors Regulation Authority — the independent regulator of solicitors in England and Wales. Sets the rules of conduct and handles complaints against firms.
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT): A tax on UK property purchases above certain thresholds. Higher rates apply to second homes, buy-to-let purchases and non-UK resident buyers.
Student Visa: For applicants accepted onto a UK course of study at a licensed sponsor (a recognised university or college). Replaced the Tier 4 route.

T

Trade Mark: A registered or unregistered sign that distinguishes the goods or services of one business from another. Registration provides stronger and broader protection.
TUPE: Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations — when a business is sold as a going concern, employees automatically transfer to the buyer on their existing terms with information and consultation duties.

U

UK GDPR: The UK's domestic version of the General Data Protection Regulation, working alongside the Data Protection Act 2018 after Brexit.
UKIPO: The UK Intellectual Property Office — the government body responsible for trade mark, patent and registered design registrations in the UK.
UKVI: UK Visas and Immigration - the Home Office division responsible for visa and immigration applications, sponsor licensing and compliance enforcement.
Unfair Dismissal: A statutory claim available to most employees with 2+ years' service whose employment is ended for an unfair reason or in an unfair manner.

W

Will: A legal document setting out how a person's estate is to be distributed after death. Must comply with the formalities in the Wills Act 1837 to be valid.

A term you cannot find?

Our glossary covers the terms BRAVIOT clients encounter most often. For anything more specific to your matter, get in touch.