header-logo header-logo

08 October 2021 / Alec Samuels
Issue: 7951 / Categories: Features , Procedure & practice , Employment
printer mail-detail

Inquisitors, adversaries & workplace disputes

60018
Alec Samuels asks whether an inquisitorial employment disputes system might be more fair
  • Suggests moving to an inquisitorial rather than adversarial system for employment disputes, in light of Royal Mail v Efobi, a race discrimination case where a postal worker was turned down for more than 20 IT/management jobs despite having suitable qualifications.

The employee, Mr Efobi, worked for Royal Mail and applied for promotion within the company on several occasions. Usually he was rejected without interview; occasionally he was rejected following interview. So far as could be seen he was at least equal in qualification, experience and performance to the successful candidates.

The employee claimed race discrimination. He was black, whereas the other candidates were white. The application form asked about ethnicity; or anyway the employer very probably would have known of the ethnicity of the candidates. He contended it was more than coincidence, and was obviously race discrimination. He proved the above facts, the bare facts. He invited the tribunal to draw an adverse inference. The tribunal

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

Charles Russell Speechlys—James Paterson

Charles Russell Speechlys—James Paterson

Charles Russell Speechlys further bolsters Private Equity expertise with the appointment of James Paterson

Ellisons—Samuel Flower

Ellisons—Samuel Flower

Ellisons strengthens Rural Affairs team with senior appointment

Sidley—Carl Hotton

Sidley—Carl Hotton

Sidley adds insurance mergers and acquisitions partner to London office

NEWS
A deputy costs judge correctly exercised his discretion to allow late service rather than strike out the point of dispute, the Court of Appeal has held
Prince Harry, Baroness Doreen Lawrence and five others have lost their case against the publisher of the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday and MailOnline, in Various Claimants v Associated Newspapers [2026] EWHC 1637 (KB)
Public confidence in the justice system is being undermined by a lack of accessible, useable data, magistrates have warned
The Sentencing Council has launched draft guidelines for facilitation and endangering another person during a sea crossing to the UK
Government proposals to make independent written legal advice a prerequisite for workplace non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) may prove unworkable, according to a senior employment lawyer
back-to-top-scroll