Insights Archives

Scaling up and long-term growth: Legal insights on Cambridge Innovation Capital’s £100M opportunity fund

Posted on 6 March 202519 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC), a leading venture capital firm, has launched a £100 million Opportunity Fund to support growth-stage deep tech and life sciences companies in the UK. This initiative aims to address the funding gap that often challenges UK startups in scaling their operations and securing long-term growth.

As CIC’s fund supports innovation and expansion, it also raises important corporate, commercial, and employment law considerations. Ensuring legal and regulatory compliance and structuring matters in the right way may be key to maximising the fund’s impact while supporting sustainable business growth.

Legal professionals can play a crucial role in guiding companies through these complexities, from fund formation and governance to workforce expansion and regulatory obligations. This article explores the key legal considerations associated with the fund and its potential influence on the UK’s innovation ecosystem.

Key legal considerations:

Corporate and commercial law considerations

Legal structuring and fund formation: Establishing the right legal structure for a venture capital investment is essential for compliance and help scalability. Whether structured as a limited partnership or an investment trust, the fund’s legal framework must align with investor expectations, governance needs, and tax efficiency.
Investor agreements and risk management: Growth-stage investments require clear, well-drafted agreements that define investment terms, risk-sharing mechanisms, and exit strategies. Institutional investors such as Aviva Investors and British Patient Capital will expect transparent governance structures that adhere to UK venture capital laws and fiduciary responsibilities.
Shareholder agreements and corporate governance: Investors typically seek board representation and governance rights to help guide business decisions. Well-defined governance frameworks, including voting rights, decision-making authority, and exit provisions, contribute to long-term stability and strategic alignment between investors and founders.
Intellectual property (IP) protections: In deep tech and life sciences, protecting intellectual property assets is vital. Investors will expect patents, trademarks, and proprietary technologies to be properly secured, reducing risks of ownership disputes and unauthorised use.

Employment law considerations

As CIC’s portfolio companies expand, effective workforce management will be critical. Key employment law factors include:

Employment status and worker classification: Startups often engage a mix of employees, consultants, and other workers. Proper classification is crucial to avoiding misclassification risks and ensuring compliance with IR35 tax rules and UK employment law.
Contractual protections and employment rights: Growth-stage companies must provide clear employment contracts that define salary, benefits, working conditions, and dispute resolution processes. Failure to issue formal contracts within two months of employment may breach UK employment regulations.
Non-compete and confidentiality agreements: In highly specialised industries, protecting trade secrets and sensitive data and intellectual property is essential. Employment contracts should include enforceable non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality and, where applicable, IP clauses to safeguard business interests while remaining fair and reasonable under UK law.

Regulatory and compliance considerations

Operating within the UK’s venture capital ecosystem requires compliance with a broad range of regulatory frameworks:

Financial conduct authority (FCA) regulations: Venture capital firms must adhere to FCA regulations, including disclosure obligations, risk assessments, and anti-money laundering (AML) protocols to maintain investor confidence and legal integrity.
Data protection and cybersecurity laws: With many portfolio companies handling sensitive data, ensuring compliance with GDPR and cybersecurity regulations is essential to protect both investor and consumer information.
Competition law and market impact: Large investments in concentrated sectors (e.g., biotech) may attract regulatory scrutiny under UK and EU competition laws, particularly regarding market dominance and anti-competitive behaviour.
Employment law and workforce compliance: As companies scale, they must align their hiring practices, employee benefits, and workplace policies with UK employment regulations, ensuring fair treatment of workers and compliance with equality legislation.

Broader Implications for the UK’s Innovation Ecosystem

CIC’s Opportunity Fund represents a significant step in strengthening the UK’s ability to support high-growth technology sectors. By providing capital at a crucial stage, the fund can accelerate innovation, drive job creation, and enhance global competitiveness.

However, to fully realise these benefits, it is essential to have strong legal and regulatory frameworks in place. Ensuring corporate governance, compliance with employment laws, and investor protections will allow both startups and investors to confidently scale their operations while fostering a sustainable and responsible innovation ecosystem.

CIC’s £100M Opportunity Fund is a milestone for UK venture capital, providing critical funding to emerging deep tech and life sciences companies. To maximise its success, a compliant and thought through approach is necessary—covering fund structuring, investment agreements, workforce management, and regulatory compliance.

By proactively addressing these legal considerations, corporate, commercial, and employment law professionals will play a key role in creating a strong, legally compliant, and investor-friendly environment that supports both economic growth and technological progress in the UK.

Achieve your business goals. Get in touch with our corporate or employment lawyers

This article was co-authored by Natasha Bhandari and Ola McGhee, both experts in Corporate and Commercial law.

Natasha specialises in corporate and commercial law, advising businesses on mergers, acquisitions, restructuring, and investment agreements.

Ola is an employment law expert, helping businesses navigate workplace matters such as contracts, disputes, and regulatory compliance.

Together, they provide key legal insights to support growing companies in the UK’s innovation ecosystem. If you’d like to meet one of our experts for a confidential, no-obligation chat, please get in touch.

Economic Review February 2025

Posted on 3 March 202528 March 2025 by Sophie Soraf

Key takeaways:

UK economic output unexpectedly rose by 0.1% in the fourth quarter of 2024
Bank of England will be ‘careful’ about reducing Bank Rate due to a spike in inflation
Retail sales volumes rose by 1.7% in January, bouncing back from December’s 0.6% decline

Growth stronger than expected in late 2024

Data released last month by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the UK economy unexpectedly grew in the final three months of last year, although more recent survey evidence still points to a sluggish outlook.

The latest gross domestic product (GDP) statistics showed that economic output rose by 0.1% in the fourth quarter of 2024, after flatlining across the previous three-month period. While the figure still only represents a relatively lacklustre rate of expansion, it was significantly stronger than economists had been expecting, with the consensus forecast in a Reuters poll predicting a 0.1% contraction during the final three months of the year.

A monthly breakdown showed that the final quarter GDP figure was lifted by a strong performance in December, which saw a 0.4% expansion. This reflected robust service sector growth, with ONS noting that wholesalers, film distributors, pubs and bars all did particularly well, while machinery manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies performed strongly too. In addition, however, it was noted that December’s growth relied on government spending and a potentially temporary build-up in firms’ inventories.

Data from a recently released economic survey also suggests growth in the first two months of 2025 has been tepid. February’s flash headline growth indicator from the S&P Global/CIPS UK Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) dipped to 50.5 from 50.6 in January, leaving the index only marginally above the 50.0 no change threshold, implying the UK economy has seen little growth so far this year.

S&P Global Market Intelligence’s Chief Business Economist Chris Williamson said, “Early PMI survey data for February indicate that business activity remained largely stalled. While marginal output growth was eked out in February, order books deteriorated at a rate not seen since August 2023 to hint at likely cuts to business activity in the coming months unless demand revives.”

Interest rates cut; inflation jumps

Last month, the Bank of England (BoE) sanctioned a further cut in interest rates but said it would be ‘careful’ about future reductions in the face of an expected spike in inflation and global uncertainty.

Following its latest meeting, which concluded on 5 February, the BoE’s nine-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by a 7-2 majority to reduce rates by 0.25 percentage points, taking Bank Rate down to 4.5%. The two dissenting voices both voted for a larger cut of 0.5 percentage points.

Alongside the rate announcement, the Bank unveiled its latest economic projections, which included a halving of its 2025 growth forecast to 0.75%. The updated outlook also predicts inflation will rise to nearly double the Bank’s 2% target level, peaking at 3.7% in the third quarter of this year and not return to target until the end of 2027.

Commenting after announcing the MPC’s decision, BoE Governor Andrew Bailey reaffirmed his expectation that rates would continue on a downward trajectory, but added “We will have to judge meeting by meeting, how far and how fast.” Mr Bailey also stressed the need to remain “gradual and careful” when reducing rates further because “we live in an uncertain world and the road ahead will have bumps on it.”

This bumpy road was vividly highlighted two weeks later when the official inflation statistics were published, with the annual headline rate jumping to 3.0% in January from 2.5% in December. ONS said this higher-than-expected increase was driven by rising food prices, a smaller-than-usual drop in air fares and an increase in private school fees.

January’s data leaves inflation at a 10-month high with analysts predicting further rises to come. April in particular is likely to see a notable jump, with energy, water and council tax bills all set to rise during that month.

Markets

At the end of February, global markets remained under pressure as investors reacted to economic uncertainty, with Trump’s trade policies continuing to weigh on sentiment.

US stocks fell after the Trump-Zelensky Oval Office exchange on Friday 28 February, before moving higher in the afternoon session. The Dow closed February 1.58% lower on 43,840.91, while the tech-orientated NASDAQ closed February down 3.97% on 18,847.28.

In the UK, the internationally focused blue-chip FTSE 100 index closed the month on 8,809.74, a gain of 1.57%. At month end the index rose as hopes increased of a potential trade deal between the UK and the US, following a week of crunch talks in Washington. The mid-cap focused FTSE 250 closed February down 2.98% on 20,326.38, while the FTSE AIM closed on 703.83, a loss of 1.99%.

On the continent, the Euro Stoxx 50 closed February 3.46% higher on 5,463.54. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 ended February on 37,155.50, a monthly loss of 6.11%.

On the foreign exchanges, the euro closed the month at €1.21 against sterling. The US dollar closed at $1.25 against sterling and at $1.03 against the euro.

Gold closed February trading around $2,863 a troy ounce, a small monthly gain of 0.44%. At month end, the gold price fell as concerns escalated over Trump’s sweeping tariff strategy and a stronger dollar put pressure on the precious metal. Brent Crude closed the month trading at around $69.91 a barrel, a monthly loss of just over 4.0%, as concerns about the risks posed by tariffs to the global economy and demand for fuel weigh on sentiment.

Index	Value (28/02/205)	Movement since 31/01/25
FTSE 100	8,809.74	+1.57%
FTSE 250	20,326.38	-2.98%
FTSE AIM	703.83	-1.99%
Euro Stoxx 50	5,463.54	+3.46%
NASDAQ Composite	18,847.28	-3.97%
Dow Jones	43,840.91	-1.58%
Nikkei 225	37,155.50	-6.11%

Pay growth accelerates; vacancies still falling

The latest batch of labour market statistics showed that UK wage growth remained strong in late 2024, while surveys suggest companies are planning to cut jobs or recruit fewer people over the coming months.

Figures published by ONS last month showed that average weekly earnings excluding bonuses rose at an annual rate of 5.9% across the final quarter of last year. This figure was up from 5.6% in the previous three-month period and represents the strongest reading since the three months to April 2024.

The data release also revealed yet another decline in the overall number of job vacancies. In total, ONS said there were 9,000 fewer vacancies reported between November and January 2025, the 31st consecutive monthly fall. And survey evidence suggests this decline is likely to continue as firms look to cut headcounts and freeze hiring as a result of higher employment costs associated with changes announced in the Autumn Budget.

A Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development survey released last month, for instance, found that around one in three firms are planning to reduce their headcount through redundancies or by recruiting fewer workers ahead of April’s National Insurance contributions hike and the uplift in the minimum wage.

Retail sales grew strongly in January

Official retail sales statistics released last month showed that sales volumes rebounded sharply in the first month of this year, while survey evidence points to a modest pick-up in consumer sentiment during February.

According to the latest ONS data, retail sales volumes rose by 1.7% in January, a strong bounce back from December’s 0.6% decline. The figure was also higher than all estimates submitted to a Reuters poll of economists which had pointed to growth of just 0.3%. ONS did, however, note that the increase was largely due to strong food sales, with other sectors, such as clothing and household goods, recording a more ‘lacklustre’ performance.

Encouragingly for the retail sector, data from GfK’s most recent consumer confidence index also reported a modest improvement in consumer sentiment. Overall, February’s headline confidence figure rose to -20 from -22 the previous month, with all five of the survey’s components improving, led by a four-point gain in personal finance expectations.

Evidence from the latest CBI Distributive Trades Survey, though, found that retailers remain ‘downbeat’ about their future business situation, with the data pointing to a sharp sales downturn in March, partly due to the later timing of Easter compared to last year.

All details are correct at the time of writing (03 March 2025)

It is important to take professional advice before making any decision relating to your personal finances. Information within this document is based on our current understanding and can be subject to change without notice and the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed. It does not provide individual tailored investment advice and is for guidance only. Some rules may vary in different parts of the UK. We cannot assume legal liability for any errors or omissions it might contain. Levels and bases of, and reliefs from, taxation are those currently applying or proposed and are subject to change; their value depends on the individual circumstances of the investor. No part of this document may be reproduced in any manner without prior permission.

This material is intended to be for information purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument. Tees is a trading name of Tees Financial Limited which is regulated and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority—registered number 211314.

Tees Financial Limited is registered in England and Wales—registered number 4342506.

Brain tumour and medical negligence: Can you make a claim?

Posted on 27 February 202523 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

Being diagnosed with a brain tumour can be a worrying time.

Control of your daily life can disappear and become replaced by feeling anxious, uncertain and overwhelmed. We understand you may be worried and concerned about your future and how to provide for your family. Our specialist team have many years of experience and knowledge to help and support you.

Brain cancer: Medical negligence claim

With timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment, many brain tumours are treatable, controllable, and sometimes curable. However, left undiagnosed and untreated, many tumours will grow and can cause serious life-changing problems, or even death.

If you suspect that there has been a delay in diagnosing the tumour, there may be a claim for medical negligence.

Why Choose Tees

Our expert solicitors understand the devastating impact of delayed treatment. We can help you get financial compensation, an explanation and/or an apology. We make the legal process as stress-free as possible and offer Non Win, No Fee Agreements, so that if your claim is unsuccessful, you will not be responsible for any fees or costs.

Tees has a proven track record of securing substantial compensation for clients who have suffered due to a delayed diagnosis of brain tumours.

Most recently, Janine Collier and Megan Reckless settled a case involving a delayed diagnosis of a brain tumour and consequent sight loss for £1,010,793.53. The claim concerned a failure to investigate a visual field defect and a persisting failure thereafter to investigate ongoing visual complaints. A Personal Injury Trust has been set up through Tees’ private client Team, and the client is now seeking investment advice through Tees Wealth.

“Janine is an extremely good and competent partner, solicitor and negotiator. She kept me updated throughout my claim and also contacted me at various points to make sure I understood what was happening with the claim and was ok. Janine assembled a great team of experts and continually challenged them – and the defendant on the evidence they presented. Janine and the KC did a great job negotiating a settlement against the defendant – and I was happy I got the settlement I was looking for. I’d highly recommend Janine to anyone looking for a medical negligence lawyer – I’d be surprised if you’d find a better one!“ Mrs B, client

Read how our medical negligence experts helped pursue a claim in the following case: Widow secured a six figure sum after 5 year delay in diagnosing her husband’s brain tumour.

Let us help you to take the next steps.

Janine Collier, a Partner and specialist in brain cancer cases in the Medical Negligence team at Tees, explains how they should be diagnosed, plus the causes and symptoms of brain cancer.

Detection and diagnosis of brain tumours?

Sometimes, brain tumours may be identified during a brain scan. Usually, however, a patient will first present to a GP or Accident & Emergency and will then be referred to a neurologist for further investigation.

At the appointment with the neurologist, the assessment may include:

a neurological examination, eye and hearing tests – these tests help determine if a tumour is affecting how the brain functions. An eye examination can detect changes to the optic nerve, as well as changes to a person’s field of vision.
neurocognitive tests – these are a detailed assessment of all major functions of the brain, such as storage and retrieval of memory, expressive and receptive language abilities, calculation, dexterity, and the overall well-being of the patient.
blood tests
a brain scan – MRI scans can measure the tumour’s size, CT scans can also help find bleeding and enlargement of the fluid-filled spaces in the brain, called ventricles and changes to bone in the skull. PET scans can help to show up a brain tumour by highlighting the areas of the brain where cells are more active than others.
a biopsy is where a small tissue sample is taken for laboratory testing to confirm the type and grade of the tumour. This helps the doctors decide the best treatment for you.

What is a brain tumour?

When cells grow or spread abnormally and multiply uncontrollably in the brain, a brain tumour forms. A primary brain tumour starts in the brain. A metastatic brain tumour originated in another part of the body, such as the breast, lung or bowels and spread to the brain, usually through the blood stream.

A tumour can be:

Cancerous (malignant)
Non-cancerous (benign)

Low-grade tumours (Grades 1 and 2) are usually slower-growing and not immediately life-threatening. High-grade tumours (Grades 3 and 4) or malignant brain cancers are usually faster growing, aggressive and can be a serious threat to life.

Some of the more common benign brain tumours in adults include:

Meningiomas
Schwannomas, e.g. acoustic neuroma
Pituitary adenoma
Craniopharyngiomas
Medulloblastoma.

Malignant brain tumours include gliomas such as:

Astrocytomas
Ependymomas
Glioblastomas (GBM)
Medulloblastomas
Oligodendrogliomas.

Brain tumours can occur in both adults and children. Age, exposure to radiation, a family history and some genetic conditions are known to increase the risk of getting a brain tumour.

What are the symptoms of a brain tumour?

The symptoms of a brain tumour depend on which part of the brain is affected and how large the tumour is. They can often resemble the symptoms of other illnesses.

Warning signs to be aware of include:

frequent, severe headaches
ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
seizures (fits), twitching of the face or limbs or temporary ‘absence seizures’ where you lose awareness of your surroundings for a short time
nausea and vomiting
mental changes such as confusion, memory problems, loss of concentration
personality or behavioral changes
problems with vision such as blurred or double vision, loss of peripheral vision or blind spots
problems with speech
progressive weakness, numbness, loss of balance lack of co-ordination
fatigue
hormonal fluctuations.

What is the treatment for a brain tumour?

Treatment options for primary brain tumours will depend on:

the type of tumour
the size and location of the tumour
tumour grade
rate of tumour progression
other patient factors, such as the age and health of the patient and the patient’s preferences

Treatment may include:

steroids and medicines to provide symptomatic relief
“watch and wait” monitoring
radiotherapy
chemotherapy
surgery (craniotomy)
genomic biomarker-based treatments, a personalised cancer therapy, whereby through molecular profiling, patients receive targeted treatments.

If surgery is performed it may not be possible to remove the whole brain tumour and treatment with radiotherapy or chemotherapy may also be needed to treat any abnormal cells left behind.

Usually treatment options are discussed at a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Meeting where clinicians such as neurologists, neuro-oncologists and neurosurgeons and agree the best way forward for the patient.

What is the prognosis for a brain tumour?

Many people with a brain tumour live long, healthy and happy lives if the tumour is caught and treated early. That is why diagnosing and treating the tumour promptly is so important – it can make an enormous difference to the outcome.

Every brain tumour is different – the higher the grade and the larger and more advanced the tumour, the more likely it is that there will be life-long and, life-changing impacts. These usually include physical and emotional difficulties, but as well as these there are often social and financial effects from the tumour itself and/or its treatment.

Mission to revolutionise brain tumour research

Like the treatment for many forms of cancer, brain tumours are the subject of much research across the world by many teams of scientists. The whole of medicine is benefitting from radical new approaches such as those provided by genetic research. Here in the UK, in January 2018, just 5 months before she died, the politician, Baroness Tessa Jowell bravely stood up in the House of Lords and called for more funding and support for people with brain tumours. “For what would every cancer patient want?” she asked. “To know that the best, the latest science was being used – wherever in the world it was developed, whoever began it.”

Find out more about brain tumour research Cancer Research UK

Related content – Brain tumour charity – What do we know about NHS waiting times

Disclaimer

All content is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor, any other health care professional or for the legal advice of your own lawyer. Tees is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content of this site. Tees is not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any service mentioned or advised on any of the sites. Always consult your own GP if you’re in any way concerned about your health and your lawyer for legal advice.

Ovarian cancer and medical negligence: Understanding symptoms, diagnosis, and your legal rights

Posted on 25 February 202523 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

What is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in the ovaries. The cells can grow into surrounding tissues or organs. There are different types of ovarian cancer, and the type you have depends on the type of cell it starts in.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer

Symptoms of ovarian cancer can often be mistaken for symptoms of other conditions. Common symptoms include:

bloating
pelvic pain
menstrual irregularities
feeling full quickly / loss of appetite
frequent urination.

Other symptoms can include changes in bowel habit, unexplained weight loss and fatigue.

Causes and risk factors

Risk factors can include age (the risk is greatest in those aged 75 and 79), inherited genes, previous cancer (such as a history of breast cancer), being overweight, having a family history of ovarian cancer, using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and certain conditions such as diabetes or endometriosis.

Diagnosis of ovarian cancer

There are 7,500 new cases of ovarian cancer in the UK every year.

According to Cancer Research UK, one in 56 females in the UK will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in their lifetime, and 11% of ovarian cancer cases are preventable.

Importance of timely detection

Around 95% of those diagnosed with ovarian cancer at stage 1 (between 2016 and 2020) survive five years or more, compared to just 15% of those surviving five 5 years or more when diagnosed at stage IV. (Early Diagnosis Hub (shinyapps.io))

This means a timely diagnosis of ovarian cancer is crucial – it directly impacts the chances of successful treatment, survival rates and overall prognosis.

Challenges in early diagnosis

Because the symptoms of ovarian cancer are non-specific and can often be mistaken for symptoms of other conditions (such as gastrointestinal issues), ovarian cancer can go undetected for years.

The NICE Guidance on Ovarian Cancer, Recognition and Initial Management aims to enable earlier detection of ovarian cancer and improve initial treatment.

Diagnostic procedures and tests

If a doctor suspects ovarian cancer, they should do a pelvic examination and order blood tests (called a CA125 test). They may also order imaging, such as an ultrasound of the abdomen and pelvis.

If, after these initial tests, the doctor remains concerned about ovarian cancer, they will refer you to a hospital for further investigation using a suspected cancer pathway referral.

Further imaging may be done (for example, a CT scan) and a needle or surgical biopsy may also be taken to confirm (or exclude) the diagnosis, determine the type or assess the staging of the cancer.

Pap smears do not screen or diagnose ovarian cancer. MRI scans are also not routinely used for assessing women with suspected ovarian cancer.

Medical negligence in ovarian cancer cases

Common examples of medical negligence in ovarian cancer cases can include:

Delayed diagnosis. This could occur if:

There is a failure to monitor high-risk patients
Symptoms consistent with ovarian cancer are ignored
Blood tests or scans are not requested when symptoms indicate possible ovarian cancer
Test or scan results are misinterpreted
Test results or abnormal findings are not followed up or communicated

A delayed diagnosis can mean that the disease spreads to other parts of your body, making it more difficult to treat; you require different or more treatment; and/or that your prognosis is poorer.

Surgical errors or mismanagement, such as:

incomplete tumour removal
accidental damage to the bladder, bowel or ureters
wrong procedure

Ovarian cancer misdiagnosis leading to the wrong treatment

This could occur if a patient is incorrectly diagnosed with another condition (e.g. ovarian cysts) and is given the wrong treatment, such as hormonal therapy rather than cancer treatment.

Making a claim for ovarian misdiagnosis

Eligibility for making a claim

Medical negligence occurs when a patient suffers harm or injury as a result of substandard care in a healthcare setting.

Medical negligence claims have strict time limits. If your case relates to a delayed diagnosis or ovarian cancer misdiagnosis, this is 3 three years from when you were informed of the correct diagnosis. If your case relates to errors relating to treatment, this is likely to be 3 three years from the date of the error.

Steps involved in the claims process

Medical negligence claims are technical and complex – that is why you should seek advice from a specialist medical negligence lawyer. It will be almost impossible to navigate the process on your own.

If you would like to understand more, read here: “Bringing a medical negligence claim”

Compensation

Claiming compensation can help provide the help and support that you need.

The amount of compensation you can obtain can vary widely depending on the specific circumstances of your case.

As well as receiving compensation for the physical and psychological consequences of any negligence, you will be able to recover specific financial losses incurred as a result of the negligence. This could include loss of earnings, care, medical treatment and other miscellaneous costs resulting from the negligence.

Seeking support for a medical negligence claim is a significant and often challenging step. That is why we are here to listen to you and talk through what happened, and to help and guide you every step of the way.

Should whistleblowing protections be extended to all job applicants?

Posted on 22 February 202521 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

A case referred to the Court of Appeal is set to determine whether all job applicants should be legally protected under whistleblowing laws. The outcome could have important implications for recruitment and workplace accountability for the treatment of job applicants across the UK.

The current legal landscape

At present, UK whistleblowing laws—primarily governed by the Employment Rights Act 1996 (ERA 1996)—do not extend to most job applicants. The only exception is NHS job applicants, who are protected if they have made a “protected disclosure” (i.e. reported, in the public interest, one of a number of qualifying disclosures such as that a criminal offence has been committed, or is likely to be committed, and/or that a person has failed, is failing or is likely to fail to comply with any legal obligation to which they are subject).

Other categories of workers, such as agency workers and those on work experience, are covered by whistleblowing protections when applying for roles in the NHS.

External job seekers in other sectors do not have such protection. Employers are unwilling to employ applicants who have previously blown the whistle. Individuals may be blocked from continuing their careers in their chosen fields or face glass ceilings.

Some employers, rather than seeing whistleblowers as ethical and principled individuals, may view them as potential risks. If an applicant has previously exposed wrongdoing, recruiters may be hesitant to hire them.

Without legal protection, whistleblowers can be silenced by exclusion from employment opportunities, discouraging others from speaking up about unlawful or unethical practices in the workplace.

The case at the Court of Appeal

The UK’s leading whistleblowing charity, Protect, has intervened in this case at the Court of Appeal in an effort to extend legal protection to all external job applicants. Represented pro bono by Farrer & Co and Claire Darwin KC and Nathan Roberts of Matrix Chambers, Protect argues that whistleblowing laws should cover individuals applying for jobs, ensuring they cannot be discriminated against or blacklisted for having previously raised public interest concerns.

The key legal question being considered is whether external job applicants should be covered by whistleblowing laws if they have made a protected disclosure during the job application process?

Protect’s intervention highlights the broader public policy implications of the case, including:

Encouraging whistleblowing – If job applicants fear career-ending retaliation, fewer people will come forward to report serious wrongdoing.
Ending blacklisting – Expanding protections would help prevent unfair discrimination against individuals who have previously blown the whistle.
Ensuring fair recruitment practices – Employers should evaluate candidates on their skills and experience, rather than penalising them for past whistleblowing.

Why this matters for employers and employees

If the Court of Appeal rules in favour of extending whistleblowing protections, employers will need to ensure that recruitment processes and decisions are legally compliant and transparent. Businesses would need to be aware of their obligations under an expanded legal framework and take steps to prevent detrimental treatment of whistleblowers.

What comes next?

The outcome of this case could reshape UK whistleblowing law. If the Court of Appeal agrees with Protect’s position, we could see new legal protections for job applicants who speak out about wrongdoing.

Until then, if you are an employer looking to ensure compliance with whistleblowing laws, or an employee concerned about your rights, seeking expert legal advice is crucial. The employment law team at Tees Law can help businesses navigate whistleblowing regulations and advise individuals on their legal protections.

Divorce settlements and private school fees: Ensuring your child’s future

Posted on 3 February 202522 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

Divorcing parents often face difficult decisions regarding their child’s education, particularly when it comes to private school fees. With rising tuition costs and changes to VAT exemptions for independent schools, many parents are increasingly concerned about ensuring their child can continue at their school or university of choice following divorce. Securing school fees in a divorce settlement is becoming a pressing issue for many families, especially when friendships and social lives are intertwined with a child’s school community. At Tees, we are committed to helping families find the best path forward.

Our expertise in divorce settlements and school fees

In divorce settlements, one of the key challenges is addressing private school fees. The Court prioritises basic needs, and school fees are often seen as a luxury once those needs are met. As a result, it can be difficult for parents to secure a guarantee for school fees as part of their divorce settlement.

Clare Pilsworth, Partner at Tees Cambridge, explains: “The Court does not prioritise school fees and considers them an individual decision after housing expenses have been accounted for.”

However, the Court will assess the “needs” of each family differently based on individual circumstances. In some cases, the Court has criticised parents who do not continue paying school fees when they could afford to do so: “What children need is love and time. Actually, like everyone else, they also need money.” (K v D (2015), para 20).

Even if financial circumstances change significantly after a divorce, the Court may still approve orders for school fees, though both parents may have to make sacrifices (WD v HD (2015), para 56).

Financial remedy consent orders for school fees

In many cases, divorce settlements are reached without a Final Hearing, resulting in a Financial Remedy Order. This is an agreement between the divorcing parties, approved by a Judge, outlining how assets should be divided. If both parties agree, the arrangement can be formalised, allowing the child to continue attending their school. If an agreement proves difficult, various non-court dispute resolution methods can help reach a mutually beneficial solution.

Modifying a current order

If you already have a divorce settlement in place but are struggling to pay school fees due to a change in circumstances, you can apply to the Court to vary the existing Order. If this is a concern, please contact us for expert advice.

Steps you can take now

While a final divorce settlement may take time, there are steps you can take to support your child’s education during this period:

Inform the School: Keep the school or university informed of any changes in your financial situation. If your ex-partner historically paid the fees, request that invoices be sent directly to them moving forward.
Consider a Maintenance Pending Suit Application: If your partner refuses to pay the fees, a maintenance pending suit application could order them to pay the school fees until the settlement is finalised.
Explore Fee Reductions or Postponements: If both parents are unable to cover school fees, speak to the school’s bursar about possible reductions or postponements.
Consider Alternative Schools: If fees become unaffordable, consider alternative schools. Notify the school early to avoid being liable for fees for the next term.
Seek Expert Advice: At Tees, we assist many parents in ensuring that school fees are included in their divorce settlements. Our expert team is here to guide you through this process.

Divorce can be a challenging time, but with the right legal guidance, you can secure the best possible future for your child’s education. Contact Tees for expert support in navigating this important aspect of your divorce settlement.

N.B. The standard 20% VAT rate was added to private school fees from 1 January 2025. Any fees paid from 29 July 2024 relating to the term starting in January 2025 and onwards was be subject to VAT. Gov.uk- education hub

Assets in the UK and France: Should I have one Will or two?

Posted on 2 February 202523 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

Before 17 August 2015, the usual advice to people owning property in both the UK and France was that it was preferable to have two separate Wills governing the assets in each country.

French inheritance law with its rules of forced heir ship for beneficiaries such as children applied to all French land and buildings, and for French residents, French inheritance law applied to their movable assets such as bank accounts too. The rigidity of these succession laws often posed problems for UK nationals who, for example, could not pass their assets entirely to the surviving spouse as they would in the UK, due to the entrenched rights of children.

In this article, French law expert and specialist in cross-border Will and Trust arrangements, Sarah Walker, outlines the issues that need to be considered if you own property or indeed, are thinking about buying property in France and have not addressed this in your Will.

How has the law changed in relation to succession?

With the arrival of the EU Succession Regulation known as Brussels IV in 2015, it became possible for British nationals living in either the UK or France to choose to apply English law, and the testamentary freedom that comes with it, to their French assets.

This has appealed to many people, not least because of the simplicity of applying one set of laws to your estate as a whole and having one universal Will covering all of your assets.

However, it is really important to take advice from a lawyer who is conversant with both English and French inheritance law and tax to see whether a choice of English law will be the best option in your specific circumstances, and also whether you should have one Will or two.

One Will or two, what’s best for me?

Whether or not you would be better off with a universal Will or separate Wills will depend on:

the location, value and nature of your assets
your personal circumstances and wishes regarding the distribution of your estate.

A cross border Wills specialist will be able to help you meet as many of your aims as possible and give you clarity about the inheritance tax position in both countries. It is particularly important to take this type of advice if you are resident in France or have plans to become resident in the future.

It is worth noting in this context that France and the UK have different views of residence and domicile and French tax resident status can apply to you more commonly than you might imagine.

What are the risks of ignoring French assets?

If you instruct your UK solicitor to prepare your English Will with the intention that you will see a separate lawyer to deal with France at a later date, the risk is

you may never get around to doing so;
you may run into problems if the two Wills are not compatible.

In some scenarios it can be the case that, through having a separate French Will, you may avoid the need for a Grant of Probate on your death if one is not needed for other assets in the UK.

It is fairly common for this to be the case with a married couple who own all of their assets jointly, for example. This can mean that your French estate can be dealt with more quickly than would otherwise be the case.

Are there any exceptions to how choice of law can be applied?

There are methods of owning French property which mean that a property will devolve outside the terms of any Will and regardless of any choice of law. These are:

a matrimonial property regime;
a corporate structure, or
some forms of joint ownership such as a ton-tine arrangement.

Most English solicitors will not have the expertise to advise on this, and yet clearly it is very important that the full picture in this respect is known before any Will can be prepared that incorporates the French property concerned.

Has inheritance tax been affected by Brussels IV?

Whilst Brussels IV allows for a choice of succession law, it has not changed the position at all with regards to inheritance tax. If you are domiciled in the UK or own UK assets, then consideration must be given to the inheritance tax implications in both countries if you also have property in France.

An English solicitor with knowledge of both French and English inheritance and tax law can be invaluable in helping you decide how best to structure your Will(s) in this respect.

For example, whilst you may now be able to choose to leave your French property to people unrelated to you such as stepchildren or an unmarried partner, these individuals will pay French inheritance tax at 60% on any share passing to them.

Potential tax and trust issues to be aware of

Some concepts that are possible under French law and which a French Notaire may suggest, such as including an “usufruit” in your Will can have negative inheritance tax consequences in the UK.

It is also important to bear in mind the potential issues that can arise when an English Will comes to be interpreted and administered in France following your death. In France there are ordinarily no Executors, instead the assets vest in the beneficiaries directly. Problems can sometimes arise if the French authorities seek to tax the assets twice on a perceived transfer of ownership to the Executors and then on to the beneficiaries.

If your English Will contains trusts then it is important to be aware of the French rules regarding tax treatment of trusts and the reporting obligations, which can be punitive. An English Will prepared without due consideration of the French position can cause complications in France when a French lawyer comes to transfer the property to the beneficiaries after your death.

Often it will be advisable to prepare a separate French Will or to draft the English Will in a particular way to avoid problems of this nature, or an unnecessary tax bill.

Finally, it is important that any steps taken or documents drafted for assets in either country dovetail together to avoid any conflict or accidental revocation. Giving proper consideration to these issues at the time you are preparing your Will can give you peace of mind and be of huge benefit to your beneficiaries through saving them time and money further down the line.

How to contest a will: A complete guide

Posted on 29 January 202520 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

Can you contest a will?

Yes you can contest a will. There are a range of ways to do this, and this article outlines the key information you need to know.

What are the grounds for contesting a will?

There are many ways to contest a will – they are known as grounds for contesting a will. Common reasons for challenging a will include proving that it is invalid, or that the will did not make adequate provision for dependants.

The process of contesting a will is known as contentious probate. Family will disputes or disputes over inheritance are common and often stressful. It’s a good idea to get advice from specialist contentious probate solicitors about how to successfully contest a will. They can tell you if you have a realistic claim and the best way to move forward. Your solicitor will also make sure you follow all the correct procedures.

Can an executor challenge a will?

Yes, an executor/executrix can challenge a will – but, to do so, they normally need to step down from their role in administering the estate. This is because the role of the executor is to carry out the deceased’s wishes and defend the will. Understandably, challenging the will makes it impossible for the executor to perform their duties in this regard. Therefore, it is not possible to contest a will and remain executor/executrix of the estate.

Valid execution: Has the will been properly executed

You can challenge a will if it wasn’t drafted correctly and there is a mistake as a result. Mistakes in wills normally involve issues with signatures, witnesses and terminology within the will itself. You might be able to challenge the will if:

it wasn’t signed by the testator
the testator’s signature wasn’t witnessed by two people present at the same time as the testator signed it
the people who witnessed the signature didn’t meet the requirements for doing so (there are strict rules about who can witness the signature on a will)

Lack of capacity: Did the person have the mental capacity to make a will?

The will might be invalid if the testator didn’t fully understand or know about the contents of their will, or those people close to them to whom they ought to have regard, or understand the approximate extent of their estate. You might be able to challenge a will if you think that the testator was not of ‘sound mind’ when they gave instructions or executed the will for example, you may be contesting a will due to dementia. The legal term for this is ‘lack of testamentary capacity’. To make a valid will, the testator needs to:

understand they were making a will and the significance of doing so
know the rough value of their estate
understand the effect their will would have
not be suffering from any mental conditions which might affect their ability to make important decisions

Undue influence: Was the person under pressure to make a will?

Although what constitutes undue influence in a will is more difficult to prove, you may be able to challenge the will if you think that someone has coerced or influenced the testator into making the will, which otherwise does not reflect their free will. This is called undue influence. It means that the testator didn’t feel able to exercise their own free will when giving instructions for the will. It can happen if someone in a position of trust uses their position to exert pressure, coerce or influence the testator to leave their assets in a certain way. To prove there was undue influence, you will need to show that there is no other reasonable theory to explain the terms of the will.

Forged wills: Contesting a fraudulent will

Contesting a forged will involves showing that the will is forged or some type of fraud took place during its creation or execution; in which case the will could be declared invalid. You may be able to contest a will if, for example, the testators signature was forged.

Can I challenge a will that fails to make reasonable financial provision?

You might be able to challenge a will if it does not make ‘reasonable’ financial provision for you. Normally, this only applies if you are a spouse or civil partner or dependent of the deceased, or one of the other eligible categories of claimants under the Inheritance Provision for Family and Dependents Act 1975.

What does reasonable financial provision mean?

This type of claim is usually made by spouses, civil partners and dependants, who might be able to challenge a will if they were:

not mentioned in the will
not left as much as they need or expected to receive
if the deceased passed away without a will (‘intestate’)

When can I challenge a will?

To make a claim under the Inheritance Act, you have six months from the date of the Grant of Probate. The same time limit does not apply if you are contesting the will but, it is sensible to proceed as soon as possible, to avoid adverse evidential issues and adverse tax or cost outcomes.

What happens if I am successful in challenging a will?

When a will is declared invalid it is normally replaced by the previous valid will. If there is no earlier valid will, intestacy rules will apply.

If you made a claim under the Inheritance Act the Court may change how the deceased’s assets are distributed (and go against the terms of the will).

Inheritance disputes claims and challenging a will

We know that disputes over wills, trusts and inheritance need to be handled with sensitivity. At Tees, we handle all inheritance disputes with the utmost care and sensitivity to potential family issues. We’re here to help you move forward and secure the best possible result in your situation.

What is the difference between contesting a will and contentious probate?

Contentious probate means a dispute about how someone’s estate is sorted out after their death. Disputes about the will itself are considered contentious probate, but will disputes are not the only disputes that come under contentious probate. For instance, a dispute may relate to how the assets within the estate are disposed of, or distributed.

How can I obtain a copy of a will?

Ask the Executors of the will to give you a copy; they are not obliged to release the will but if you are a person connected to the estate and/or have a potential claim, the will would normally be released to your legal adviser.

After the grant of probate is issued, a will becomes a public document, which means anyone can apply for a copy. To see if a grant of probate has been issued, search for free at the Probate Registry on www.gov.uk/search-will-probate If it has been issued, the will is now public and it will be easy to get a copy online.

You can also set up a standing search with the Probate Registry for them to automatically send you a copy of the grant and the will if a grant of probate is issued at any time within six months of the date of the search.

Depending on the situation, you can also make an application to the court for an order to release a copy to you.

Can you look at someone’s will online?

Yes. You need to get the probate court file number from the executor. Alternatively, you should be able to get it from the court by phone, online or by going to the court, just by providing the name of the person and the date of their death. Wills that go to the Probate Registry become public. These are the wills that are in place when people die. Previous versions of wills are not registered because they are invalidated by the new will; so previous versions are private.

Can an executor be removed?

Once an executor has started practical arrangements regarding the estate (called intermeddling), they can only be removed by a court order or settlement agreement reached at mediation or via negotiation. This applies even if it is the executor themselves who wants to be removed. If no practical steps have yet been taken, an executor can remove themselves easily by simply saying to the legal adviser involved, that they don’t want to do it. If someone else is trying to get them removed, it’s always better, if possible, to try mediation or negotiation to resolve the dispute, rather than going to court. If you do apply to the court, you will need to submit:

a copy of the grant of probate which must be certified and sealed
witness statement covering why you think the executor should be removed
witness statement naming someone who you think should replace the executor and what your reasons are.

What are the grounds for removing an executor?

There needs to be a serious reason and evidence of misconduct. The courts will not allow a change for trivial reasons such as petty family arguments or relatively short delays. This is because the executor was named by the person who died as the person they wanted to undertake the role. Reasons for removal could include:

conflict of interest causing the executor not to follow the deceased’s wishes
serious incompetence such as severe mishandling of possessions
physical or mental disability making it impossible for them to carry out the function
dishonesty
using the funds or property for themselves or in ways which are significantly inappropriate
absence of accounting records
a criminal conviction
refusing to abide by court orders.

What’s happening to Stamp Duty Land Tax in 2025?

Posted on 23 January 202525 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a critical tax levied on property purchases. As we approach April 2025, notable changes to stamp duty will impact both buyers and sellers, altering the landscape of property transactions.

What is Stamp Duty Land Tax?

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is imposed on the purchase of residential property or land in the UK. It is calculated based on the property’s purchase price or market value, whichever is higher. SDLT generates revenue for the government and helps regulate the housing market by discouraging property speculation.

Why is Stamp Duty Land Tax changing in 2025?

The Conservative Government introduced a temporary reduction in stamp duty in September 2022 which aimed at lowering the upfront costs of moving home. This initiative sought to support the housing market, safeguard jobs and businesses connected to it, and assist those aspiring to step onto the property ladder.

Although initially announced as a permanent measure, the Autumn Statement 2022 confirmed that the increase in the residential nil-rate threshold will conclude on 31 March 2025.

How is Stamp Duty Land Tax Changing in 2025?

From 1st April 2025, there will be several changes coming into effect:

The nil rate threshold, which is currently £250,000, will return to the previous level of £125,000.
The nil rate threshold for first-time buyers which is currently £425,000 will return to the previous level of £300,000.
The maximum purchase price for which First-Time Buyers Relief (a reduced stamp duty rate) can be claimed is currently £625,000 and will return to the previous level of £500,000.

Thresholds

The threshold is where SDLT starts to apply. If you buy a property for less than the threshold, there’s no SDLT to pay.

Stamp duty rates for main residents in England up to 31 March 2025

Property Value	SDLT Rate
Up to £250,000	Zero
£250,001 to £925,000	5%
£925,001 to £1.5 million	10%
Over £1.5 million	12%

From April 2025 the stamp duty rates are:

Property Value	SDLT Rate for main residence
Up to £125,000	Zero
£125,001 to £250,000	2%
£250,001 to £925,000	5%
£925,001 to £1.5 million	10%
Over £1.5 million	12%

Impact on First-Time Buyers

If the property you are buying is your first home, you can claim discount (relief). The discount depends on when you purchase the property.

First time buyers discount up to 31 March 2025

First home property value	SDLT Rate
Up to £425,000	Zero
£425,001 to £625,000	5%

If the property is priced over £625,000, you cannot claim relief. SDLT will be due as if you have bought a property before.

First time buyers discount from 1 April 2025

First home property value	SDLT Rate
Up to £300,000	Zero
£300,001 to £500,000	5%

If the property is priced over £500,000, you cannot claim relief. SDLT will be due as if you have bought a property before.

First-time buyers should seek professional advice to navigate these changes to stamp duty effectively. Our property solicitors can help you understand your entitlements, obligations, and the necessary steps to claim these benefits. At Tees Law, our experienced team can provide tailored advice to help you take full advantage of the new SDLT reliefs. Contact us today to discuss your property purchase.

Impact on Second Home Purchases and Investors

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on second homes and investment properties is subject to a higher rate than that applied to primary residential properties. However, the forthcoming rate changes will lead to increased tax costs, with mid-range property values—often a focal point for investors—being particularly affected.

For example, on a property purchase at a price of £700,00.00, the SDLT up to 31 March 2025 will be £57,500.00. This will increase from 1 April 2025 to £60,000.00, potentially leading to a smaller return on investment or increases in rental charges.

Stamp Duty Rates for additional property in England up to 31 March 2025

Proportion of property value	SDLT rate for additional property
Up to £250,000	5%
£250,001 to £925,000	10%
£925,001 to £1.5 million	15%
Over £1.5 million	17%

Stamp Duty Rates for additional property in England from 1 April 2025

Proportion of property value	SDLT rate for additional property
Up to £125,000	5%
£125,001 to £250,000	7%
£250,001 to £925,000	10%
£925,001 to £1.5 million	15%
Over £1.5 million	17%

Alternative investment options like property funds or Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) can provide tax-efficient structures and diversification.

Understanding the 2025 stamp duty land tax changes, assessing their financial impact, and implementing strategies to manage increased costs are crucial for investors. By staying informed and proactive, investors can navigate the evolving landscape successfully.

The link between Covid-19 and Sepsis

Posted on 22 January 202524 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

It is well known that Covid-19 can severely compromise the respiratory system, with many people going on to develop pneumonia to a greater or lesser extent – although all other organ systems are at risk of damage from the disease.

A recent study has now confirmed that nearly a third of UK Coronavirus patients were readmitted to hospital within 140 days due to the patient developing sepsis. Some patients will go on to die from sepsis and its complications. It is therefore vital to know and recognise the early signs of sepsis and ensure treatment is prompt when diagnosed and avoid the need to seek legal advice.

Janine Collier, Partner and Head of Tees’ Medical Negligence team, comments: “Like many illnesses, this study suggests that Covid-19 carries a risk of adverse events particularly for those who recently survived severe Coronavirus . The key thing is for patients to be aware of this risk and watch for signs of any “new” conditions which may be indicate of, for example diabetes; kidney, liver or cardiovascular disease (e.g high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke); or a new infection or sepsis. Early intervention and treatment can help to manage these conditions and to avoid progression to more severe and serious illness such as sepsis, stroke and heart attack. Patients should seek medical help if they have any concerns at all – don’t wait.”

If you or a loved one has suffered from sepsis and you are worried about standards of care, we can help. Our specialist sepsis negligence claims solicitors understand what you’re going through, and we can help you get answers about your care. We’ll listen to your experiences, and help you find out what happened throughout your treatment.

Sepsis must be diagnosed and treated quickly. Any delay or problems with treatment could have serious implications – so doctors should recognise the warning signs of sepsis and offer the right treatment. Professional guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis are very clear, but mistakes during treatment can and do happen. Unfortunately, medical errors can have serious and devastating consequences for patients and their families. Sepsis negligence claims normally focus on either a:

Delayed diagnosis of sepsis – you might have a claim if your doctor didn’t spot the signs of sepsis early enough and this made your condition worse
Misdiagnosis of sepsis – you might have a claim if your doctor misinterpreted your symptoms, and this caused a delay in your treatment which made your condition worse.

Read on to learn more about the signs of sepsis in children and adults, including common symptoms and causes which may result from medical negligence.

What is sepsis?

Sepsis is a potentially fatal abnormal immune response to an infection. It can cause:

Organ failure
Tissue damage (which can lead to amputation)
Death.

Can sepsis be treated and cured?

Sepsis can progress very quickly and requires immediate medical treatment. If diagnosed promptly it can be treated with antibiotics.

Your immune system normally keeps you safe from infections. In cases of sepsis, the immune system is overwhelmed and begins to attack the body. Sepsis can cause inflammation and septic shock (dangerously low blood pressure). Inflammation can cause damage throughout your body – including damage to your organs, soft tissue and limbs.

Tragically, 5 people die as a result of sepsis every hour in the UK. One in four of all sepsis survivors suffer permanent, life-changing effects (such as the loss of a limb). So, it’s important to be familiar with the common causes and signs of sepsis – it could help save your life.

Is sepsis the same as blood poisoning?

Sepsis is sometimes referred to as ‘blood poisoning’. However, sepsis and blood poisoning are different medical conditions. Blood poisoning is when bacteria infect your bloodstream, sepsis is when your immune system overreacts to an infection.

What is the most common cause of sepsis?

Sepsis is caused by an abnormal response to any kind of infection. Common causes of infections which can trigger sepsis include:

Viral illness – such as a fever, cough or cold
Bacterial infection – this could set in after a physical injury or surgery
Fungal infection – such as a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Anyone can get sepsis, but it’s more common in young children, the elderly or people who have an existing problem with their immune system (‘immunocompromised’). People receiving anticancer treatments may be at risk of developing sepsis (‘neutropenic sepsis’) if they suffer an infection during their treatment, because of their weakened immune system.

What are the first signs of sepsis?

Identifying sepsis at an early stage, and getting the right medical treatment, can help prevent it from becoming life-threatening. Every case of sepsis is different, but there are some common symptoms to look out for.

Early signs of sepsis in children

Children and babies may be at particular risk of sepsis if they have a fever (or have had one in the last 24 hours), or have a very low (less than 36C) or very high temperature.

Symptoms of sepsis in children include:

breathing very fast and/or a very fast heartbeat
fits or convulsions
mottled, bluish or pale skin
a rash which does not fade when pressed
very low energy or difficult to wake
lack of interest in anything
feeling abnormally cold to the touch.

Symptoms of sepsis in children under five years include:

not interested in feeding
has not wanted a drink for 8 hours or more
difficulty breathing – may make ‘grunting’ noises
is floppy
vomiting repeatedly
hasn’t had a wee/wet nappy for 12 hours.

If your child is poorly, and has a fever (or has had one in the last 24 hours) or low temperature, The Sepsis Trust UK advises parents to call 999 and ask: could it be sepsis?

Symptoms of sepsis in the elderly

Symptoms of sepsis in adults and the elderly include:

slurred speech
confusion
severe shivering or muscle pain
passing no urine for a day
severe breathlessness
feeling like you’re going to die
fast heartbeat and/or fast breathing
an abnormally high or low temperature
mottled or discoloured skin.

Having just one, or more, of these symptoms could be a sign of sepsis. The NHS has published a useful list of symptoms of sepsis in babies, children, adults and the elderly.

What are the early signs of septic shock?

Septic shock is a particularly severe form of sepsis which causes dangerously low blood pressure. Symptoms of septic shock include:

feeling dizzy, nauseous or faint
losing consciousness (fainting)
diarrhoea
vomiting
cold, clammy or mottled skin.