LDP - The Legal Week

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

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:51:45 +0000

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.

BLOG: Can old partners be retired?

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:13:42 +0000

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.

BLOG: Balancing a career and being a good mum

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 12:25:57 +0000

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?

The importance of deadlines

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:07:33 +0000

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.

BLOG: A Framework For Fairness?

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 17:08:05 +0000

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?

BLOGS: No Smoke Without Fire!

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:28:57 +0000

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?

BLOG: Statutory Dispute Procedures

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 17:12:37 +0000

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.