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?
No. Minor changes in the law will be viewed to be incorporated within your contract of employment, whether they are written in or not. When you buy new contracts (e.g. for new employees) these will be updated where necessary, but you need not update old contracts. However, where a major change or development in the law, or the person's terms (e.g. a promotion) occurs we do recommend you issue a new contract.

Minor changes to terms of employment (a pay rise) can be covered by a note to the employee, a copy of which should be kept on their personnel file.
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?