Nicky Benson

BLOG: So old partners can be retired but not old judges?

Posted by Nicky Benson on February 7, 2008 10:51 PM

Guidance on age discrimination legislation is at last coming through thick and fast. Only a week after I reported on a case where a tribunal found a partner could be forced to retire, the focus has now changed to compulsory retirement of Recorders (i.e. Part time Judges).

As mentioned in my blog last week on old partners and the issue of retirement, in the case of Seldon v Clarkson Wright and Jakes, it was held that the compulsory retirement of a partner was objectively justified.

Continue reading "BLOG: So old partners can be retired but not old judges?"

BLOG: Can old partners be retired?

Posted by Nicky Benson on January 24, 2008 5:13 PM

I AM sure there are a number of firms of solicitors who are breathing a sigh of relief following the employment tribunal decision in Seldon v Clarkson Wright and Jakes, which has been reported recently. Although not binding on other tribunals it has given the first indication of how the tribunals will view the enforced retirement of partners in solicitors firms.

Continue reading "BLOG: Can old partners be retired?"

BLOG: Balancing a career and being a good mum

Posted by Nicky Benson on October 13, 2007 12:25 PM

Can women have successful careers, and be good mothers?

This is probably the hardest question that any woman has to answer.

Does one have to take a back seat to the other?

Continue reading "BLOG: Balancing a career and being a good mum"

The importance of deadlines

Posted by Nicky Benson on August 7, 2007 5:07 PM

We all know how important it is to meet deadlines, but the Employment Appeals Tribunal in the very recent case of Beasley v National Grid Electricity Transmissions [UKEAT/0626/06/DM] have held that only being seconds late in filing a claim is too late.

Continue reading "The importance of deadlines"

BLOG: A Framework For Fairness?

Posted by Nicky Benson on July 20, 2007 5:08 PM

As many of you will be aware, the Government is committed to introducing a Single Equality Bill during this Parliament. There is currently a consultation period which will end on 4 September 2007.

The noble intention of the government to simplify the plethora of discrimination legislation can only be of benefit to both lawyers and clients alike – but why provide such a short period of consultation and have it coincide with the time when most interested parties (including overworked lawyers) are looking forward to a well-earned break?

Continue reading "BLOG: A Framework For Fairness?"

BLOGS: No Smoke Without Fire!

Posted by Nicky Benson on June 22, 2007 3:28 PM

There is no doubt that the employment topic of the moment is the forthcoming smoking ban.
As the countdown to 1 July continues, what have you been advising your clients to do if they find employees flouting the law? Call the police?

Interestingly, that is what the Smokefree England website is advising employers to do if any employees become violent when businesses attempt to enforce the ban. What are they expecting?

Continue reading "BLOGS: No Smoke Without Fire!"

BLOG: Statutory Dispute Procedures

Posted by Legal Week Administrator on June 11, 2007 5:12 PM

I wonder how many businesses have been caught out by the intricacies of the Statutory Dispute Procedures since they were introduced in October 2004 ... hundreds ... maybe thousands.

Have they achieved what the Government set out to achieve namely problems being resolved in the workplace and consequently less claims for the Employment Tribunals to deal with? The simple answer is no.

Continue reading "BLOG: Statutory Dispute Procedures"