Employment
Solicitor settled employment claim without asking client
A solicitor with mental health issues who settled an employment tribunal claim without consulting her client has been struck off.
Judge right not to recuse herself over work done in practice
A judge was right not to recuse herself from an equal pay case because of her background handling similar cases when in practice as a claimant solicitor, the president of the EAT has ruled.
LeO names firms “in public interest” as it publishes first full decisions
The Legal Ombudsman has published three of its final decisions in full for the first time, including the names of the firms involved, arguing that the move increases transparency.
NDAs to cover up harassment and discrimination “will be void”
The government is to ban non-disclosure agreements covering harassment and discrimination unless the victim themselves asks for one.
Lawyers criticised for injunction application against general counsel
The High Court has criticised lawyers who unnecessarily brought a without-notice application against an in-house solicitor and then did not present the case in a “fair and even-handed manner”.
Investigate “bullying” judge or face judicial review, watchdog told
A group of 10 people is threatening a judicial review against the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office unless it investigates a judge’s alleged misogynistic and bullying behaviour.
Complaint to SRA “cannot form basis of discrimination claim”
A City law firm’s complaint to the SRA about a disabled worker cannot form the basis of a discrimination claim, an employment tribunal has ruled.
“Whistleblowing” paralegal not unfairly dismissed by immigration firm
An employment tribunal has rejected claims from a paralegal that she was unfairly dismissed by her immigration firm for whistleblowing about client-care letters not being sent out.
Law firm “did not fail to safeguard” employee against ex-partner
A Yorkshire law firm did not fail to safeguard a member of staff from her ex-partner, who had become a disgruntled client, an employment tribunal has ruled.
SRA and others obtain restraint order against law student
The Solicitors Regulation Authority and five government department have obtained a restraint order against a law student who has brought multiple employment claims against them.
Employment law platform raises £2m to expand use of GenAI
An employment law platform which has helped 12,000 people bring their own tribunal claims – providing unbundled services – has raised £2m in seed funding.
Ex-managing partner fails in appeal against £210k costs award
A former managing partner has failed in his appeal against a £210,000 costs order after trying to mislead an employment tribunal in a claim against his firm.
Consultant not entitled to 40% of all firm’s fees from client
A consultant solicitor in a long-running dispute with his former law firm over his entitlement to a share of its fees has failed in his appeal to the Employment Appeal Tribunal.
Government “working at pace” on further NDA restrictions
The government is “working at pace” on further restrictions on the use of non-disclosure agreements, a minister has told the House of Lords.
Law firm “justified” in not promoting salaried partner to equity
A salaried partner was “unrealistic” in his expectation of joining the equity of his firm given the poor financial performance of his department, an employment tribunal has ruled.
Blog
Lawyer burnout is not inevitable: what to do differently
Burnout is not simply an unavoidable cost of being a lawyer. Law firms cannot talk seriously about burnout without talking about how they design the work.
What the Equality Act adds to a housing claim
For those working across housing disrepair, there is a danger in viewing every case primarily through the condition of the property.
The SRA and privileged material – this is not the end
All disclosure to the SRA must now exclude privileged material, which will not only hamper investigations but also cause additional work for firms providing disclosure.
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