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A mixed bag

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Ian Smith combines an element of sanity with the esoteric & the notorious

This month’s column mainly covers two esoteric areas, of notorious difficulty. The first is the concept of a “service provision change’”, introduced into the 2006 version of the TUPE Regulations, initially as a simplification exercise in contracting-out cases, but now perhaps starting to be seen in its true colours (actually red—as “in tooth and claw”). The second is yet another case on equal pay comparison within local authorities, a matter which should be pronounced upon at last by the Supreme Court later this year. To restore a small element of sanity, the last case is a more standard one on tribunal procedure; it concerns a well known issue/irritant arising where an adjournment is requested (possibly not for the first time) on health grounds and its result may not be what employment judges would want to hear.

TUPE & service provision changes

The decision of Judge Clark in Enterprise Management Services Ltd v Connect-up Ltd [2011]

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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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