Employment
Legal market’s strong growth in 2024 set to continue this year
The UK legal services market grew by 10% to £52bn last year and is heading towards a strong 2025 too, according to new research.
Paralegal to pay £20k in costs for “hopeless” claim against law firm
A paralegal has been ordered to pay costs of just over £20,000 for bringing a “hopeless and misconceived” employment tribunal claim against a law firm.
Solicitor cannot base victimisation claim on firm’s report to SRA
A solicitor cannot base a victimisation claim against her law firm at the employment tribunal on it reporting her to the Solicitors Regulation Authority, a judge has ruled.
Government seeks power to provide legal advice in employment disputes
A power for the government to provide legal advice and representation to anyone involved in an employment dispute has been proposed for the Employment Rights Bill.
“Disruptive” solicitor ordered to pay SRA costs of £20,000
A solicitor has been ordered to pay the SRA £20,000 in costs for his “unreasonable and indeed vexatious and disruptive conduct” of litigation against it.
Law firm partner forced to retire at 63 wins discrimination claim
Well-known Leeds law firm Walker Morris discriminated against a senior partner by making him retire at the age of 63, an employment tribunal has ruled.
Trainee solicitor “should have known tribunal time limits”
A trainee solicitor’s employment tribunal claims have been thrown out because he gave no credible reason for why they were issued out of time.
Top law firm unfairly dismissed commercial director
A former commercial director at London law firm Mishcon de Reya has won his claim for constructive unfair dismissal, in part over the non-payment of commission he was due.
GLD discriminated against senior lawyer on caring career break
The Government Legal Department discriminated against a senior lawyer by excluding her from a cost-of-living payment because she was on a career break at the time.
Law firm defends employment case “entirely of its own making”
A solicitor has failed in a claim for a bonus of nearly £10,000 after a contractual dispute an employment tribunal found “entirely” of his law firm’s making.
CA to consider whether Stonewall “induced” chambers’ discrimination
The Court of Appeal is to consider a barrister’s claim that LGBT charity Stonewall “caused or induced” discrimination against her by her chambers.
Tribunal “copied most of ruling” from one side’s submissions
A judge has strongly criticised an employment tribunal that copied most of its reasons from the respondent’s witness evidence or written submissions.
Disabled paralegal’s £41k damages over unfair law firm dismissal
A paralegal has been awarded £41,000 in damages against a law firm that unfairly dismissed and discriminated against her because she could not work full-time due to disability.
City firm unfairly dismissed associate over party misconduct claims
A leading City law firm unfairly dismissed a senior associate for sexual misconduct after a defective investigation and disciplinary process, an employment tribunal has ruled.
LPC graduate’s claim against law firm thrown out for late filing
An LPC graduate who knew she had three months to issue an employment tribunal claim against a law firm where she worked has been refused an extension of time to bring it.
Blog
AI in family law – drawing the line for clients and lawyers
AI is becoming increasingly intertwined with family law. Clients are using it to draft initial enquiries, prepare statements and, in some cases, to support themselves as litigants in person.
Why AI and leadership choices will define law firm profitability in 2026
Despite rapid advances in legal technology, the future of law will not be determined by software alone. It will be shaped by leadership decisions.
Legal director: an alternative to partnership
Firms are increasingly acknowledging the need for alternative senior roles – positions that offer influence and recognition without the obligations of ownership.
