Contracts of employment (written statements of particulars)

What is the difference between a contract of employment and a statement of written particulars of employment?
Why should my staff have contracts rather than written particulars?
Who do I need to give written particulars (as a minimum) to?
Do I need to give written particulars (as a minimum) to staff before they start work for me?
What does ‘breach of contract’ mean and what can happen as a result?
What is the penalty for not providing a written contract or a statement of written particulars within 2 months?
What do I need to do with the contract once I've produced it?
Do I need to issue a new contract every year or every time something changes?
My (existing) employees won't sign the contract! What do I do?
What does 'Continuous Service' mean & why is it significant?
Which contract should I use?
Can I write my own contractual clauses?
What is a contractual amendment?