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?
You should issue each temporary and permanent employee with a copy of their own contract of employment and ask them to sign and return a copy to you. You should familiarise yourself with all of the clauses and make sure that you do not operate in ‘breach of contract’, i.e. by acting in a way that is at odds with what you have written in the contract. You should also ensure that all of your employees understand their obligations under the contract. In Scotland the contract should also be witnessed by another person.
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?