header-logo header-logo

Navigating challenging times

11 November 2020 / Marian Bloodworth
Issue: 7910 / Categories: Opinion , Employment , Covid-19 , Profession
printer mail-detail
31560
Marian Bloodworth, ELA chair, outlines the current pressures on practitioners & calls for change

As I prepared to take over as chair of the national Employment Lawyers Association (ELA) a few months ago, a number of people asked me what I would like to achieve in the course of the next two years. 

Given that we were in the middle of a pandemic, simply ensuring the organisation makes it through the next two years, keeping the interests of our 6,000 members at front of mind, as we navigate COVID-19, Brexit and the concerning challenges to the rule of law among other things, will be an achievement in itself. 

However, there is more that I would like to do while in post in terms of supporting our members. It has long struck me, and indeed it is generally well recognised, that the legal profession is not as good as it could be in looking after its own. While we may advise others as to their rights, legal remedies and the protections to

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Writing in NLJ this week, Thomas Rothwell and Kavish Shah of Falcon Chambers unpack the surprise inclusion of a ban on upwards-only rent reviews in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
back-to-top-scroll