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23 October 2014 / Ian Smith
Issue: 7627 / Categories: Features , Employment
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Employment law brief: 23 October 2014

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The latest employment law developments constitute shots across the bows for employers & employees, says Ian Smith

The three cases considered this month could be seen as having one theme, namely as containing the proverbial shot across the bows—in the first one for any employer still under the impression that taking someone on as a “casual” with gaps between engagements means that they have no rights at all, in the second one for any employee going to work abroad in a country not exactly known for supportive employment laws, and in the third one for any employee faced with a possible constructive dismissal situation but wanting to delay what may be the inevitable. Whoever said that life was meant to be simple? Certainly not an employment lawyer.

Keeping it casual

The crucial distinction between an “employee” and a “worker” is further explored in the decision of the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) under Judge Clark in Windle v Arada UKEAT/0339/13, which adds a point of potentially considerable importance for the protection

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Weightmans—Elborne Mitchell & Myton Law

Weightmans—Elborne Mitchell & Myton Law

Firm expands in London and Leeds with dual merger

Boodle Hatfield—Clare Pooley & Michael Duffy

Boodle Hatfield—Clare Pooley & Michael Duffy

Private wealth and real estate firmpromotes two to partner and five to senior associate

Constantine Law—James Baker & Julie Goodway

Constantine Law—James Baker & Julie Goodway

Agile firm expands employment team with two partner hires

NEWS

From blockbuster judgments to procedural shake-ups, the courts are busy reshaping litigation practice. Writing in NLJ this week, Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School hails the Court of Appeal's 'exquisite judgment’ in Mazur restoring the role of supervised non-qualified staff, and highlights a ‘mammoth’ damages ruling likened to War and Peace, alongside guidance on medical reporting fees, where a pragmatic 25% uplift was imposed

Momentum is building behind proposals to restrict children’s access to social media—but the legal and practical challenges are formidable. In NLJ this week, Nick Smallwood of Mills & Reeve examines global moves, including Australia’s under-16 ban and the UK's consultation
Reforms designed to rebalance landlord-tenant relations may instead penalise leaseholders themselves. In this week's NLJ, Mike Somekh of The Freehold Collective warns that the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 risks creating an ‘underclass’ of resident-controlled freehold companies
Timing is everything—and the Court of Appeal has delivered clarity on when proceedings are ‘brought’. In his latest 'Civil way' column for NLJ, Stephen Gold explains that a claim is issued for limitation purposes when the claim form is delivered to the court, even if fees are underpaid
The traditional ‘single, intensive day’ of financial dispute resolution (FDR) may be due for a rethink. Writing in NLJ this week, Rachel Frost-Smith and Lauren Guiler of Birketts propose a ‘split FDR’ model, separating judicial evaluation from negotiation
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