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Ian Smith observes the plight of those seeking justice in employment tribunals

The cases commented on in this epistle are particularly diverse, and served to amuse those of us still at the coalface rather than in Tuscany during the dog days of the last month. The first concerns whistleblowing (in the context of human rights) and the second is another equal pay case making the point that ultimately the Equal Pay Act 1970 (EPA 1970) is there to secure equal pay, not fair wages (though in an unusual manner). The third and fourth cases illustrate the fundamental truth that you can go for years without a decision on a particular statutory provision and then suddenly have it brought back into focus.

Whistleblowing

Heinisch v Germany (App No 28274/08) concerned the potential application of Art 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the Convention) to a case of what in this jurisdiction would be considered whistleblowing. A geriatric nurse had made several complaints to the management about poor care

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Taylor Rose—Jessica Draganescu & Emily Hewlett

Taylor Rose—Jessica Draganescu & Emily Hewlett

Firm strengthens growth strategy and group litigation capability with senior hires

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Londstanding London firm appoints new senior partner

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Commercial team in London welcomes technology specialist as partner

NEWS
The legal profession’s claim to be a ‘guardian of fairness’ is under scrutiny after stark findings on gender imbalance and opaque progression. Writing in NLJ this week, Joshua Purser of No5 Barristers’ Chambers and Govindi Deerasinghe of Global 50/50 warn that leadership remains dominated by a narrow elite, with men holding 71% of top court roles
A legal challenge to police disclosure rules has failed, reinforcing a push for transparency in policing. In NLJ this week, Neil Parpworth examines a case where the Metropolitan Police required officers to declare membership of groups like the Freemasons
Bereavement leave is undergoing a quiet but profound transformation. Writing in NLJ this week, Robert Hargreaves of York St John University explains how the Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces a day-one right to leave for a wider range of losses, alongside new provisions for pregnancy loss and bereaved partners
Courts are beginning to grapple with whether AI-generated material is legally privileged—and the answers are mixed. In this week's issue of NLJ, Stacie Bourton, Tom Whittaker & Beata Kolodziej of Burges Salmon examine US rulings showing how easily privilege can be lost
New guidance seeks to bring order to the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Minesh Tanna and David Bridge of Simmons & Simmons set out a framework stressing ‘transparency’, ‘explainability’ and ‘reliability’
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