Rank: Forum user 
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Does anyone know the legal standing relating to accepting a job offer - are you then legally obliged to start work or can you change your mind before you officially start? Can I be sued?
Basically, I've applied for one job and the interview is next week, but I've applied for another that I prefer and I'm still waiting to know if I've job an interview for that one and if offered a job for that one I want to turn down the first (if offered) and accept the second.
I am conscious of the time, effort, etc of the first employer, but I believe I owe to myself and family to do the right thing and try to obtain my favored position.
Advice welcome
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Rank: Super forum user
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There looks to me like a lot of what your expecting may not come to fruition. Bottom line is you are free to sell your labour to who you chose, doesn’t matter if you go for a 100 interviews - you choose what's best for you.
In this climate the employers certainly wont be stuck for candidates.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Have got a contract of employment? If so, have you signed and returned it yet? I suspect that until you have done both your are not under any legal obligation to start employment - just my opinion mind.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I've been offered two jobs on the same day. I verbally accepted one (not knowing I was going to be offered the other) then took the other.
I've been offered a job, accepted, then changed my mind when I saw the (outrageous) terms of employment.
No one can sue you if you've not signed a contract of employment (which would give you a minimum notice period).
Of course it's not a desirable thing to do but sometimes life is complicated and these things happen.
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Rank: New forum user
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I was in a similar position; took one position with a company A, then two weeks later was asked by another company B to work for them.
Put my notice in with company A to go to B a few days later Company A improved their package and I have stayed with them.
I did feel slightly remorseful at letting Company B down but thats life and until you sign contracts your free to pick and choose what is best for you and yours.
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Rank: Super forum user
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JWG
In answer to your questions:
1. are you then legally obliged to start work
If you have signed a contract of employment, yes
2. can you change your mind before you officially start?
yes
3. Can I be sued?
yes
The other sides of the (50p) coin include
a. the very small degree of likelihood that an employer will issue legal proceedings against you, due to the time involved and difficulties of validly determining the 'quantum' of damages: unless the salary of your job is into seven figures, there's little case law to support a claim by an employer
b. the very high level of probability that an employer will accept that you have a more preferable offer if you let them know a.s.a.p, as they may well be able to find a suitably motivated alternative
c. (most important) the legal obligation of any party to a employment dispute to negotiate a mutually acceptable resolution before resorting to proceedings
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Rank: Forum user
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Many thanks for all of your comments, they've put my mind at ease. If I get one offer I'm fortunate, if I get two, then its a headache (in a good way).
Thanks again
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Job offers seem like buses - you wait ages for one to come along and then.........
Important thing is to be as nice as possible to all concerned, tell the rejected party how bad you feel about letting them down.
..........cos you never know whats around the corner
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Rank: Super forum user 
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If only I was in such an enviable position - assume nothing until you have the contract in your hand ready to go - up until then then you have nothing to base any decision on - if you do get two offers then great choose which suits you best, but as Walker so wisely says dont burn your bridges.
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Rank: Forum user
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All i would say is that you need to remember the safety world is actually very small. Be upfront and ask for more time to cosnider - then you can do what is right for you. Playing fast and losse can get you a bad reputation - wheterh or not it is desrved - and in this tight market placwe we need all the breaks - the right ones we can get.
Walker is right - if you do turn one down - dont make stuff up - be honest - its the best policy in most cases.
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