header-logo header-logo

18 September 2026
Issue: 8177 / Categories: Legal News , Employment , Whistleblowing , Limitation
printer mail-detail

NLJ this week: Employment law’s four-point check

259148
© Getty images
The Supreme Court has settled a long-running dispute over part-time workers: unfavourable treatment need be a significant or effective cause, not the sole cause

Writing in NLJ this week, Ian Smith of Norwich Law School, UEA, tracks Augustine v Data Cars, which rejects reading a ‘solely’ requirement into the Part-time Workers Regulations and restores broader protection than the underlying directive.

His briefing also highlights a warning on whistleblowing interim relief: tribunals cannot dismiss an application merely because facts are contested, but must still assess whether the claimant has a ‘pretty good chance’ of success.

On limitation, the EAT confirms that merits and lack of prejudice may matter, but they do not displace the need to weigh every relevant factor.

Finally, an ET1 need not fail just because a claimant changed name after early conciliation: a name mismatch can be an ‘error’ capable of correction where rejecting the claim would not serve justice.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Bell Yard Kysen—Liz Giles

Bell Yard Kysen—Liz Giles

Bell Yard Kysen appoints senior legal PR and ex-government communications adviser, Liz Giles

Clarke Willmott—Lee Edwards

Clarke Willmott—Lee Edwards

Clarke Willmott boosts Southampton commercial property team with addition of partner Lee Edwards

Lime Solicitors—four promotions

Lime Solicitors—four promotions

Lime Solicitors announces four promotions

NEWS
The Attorney General, Ellie Reeves KC MP, and Solicitor General, Andy Slaughter KC MP, marked the 25th anniversary of Pro Bono Week by joining lawyers, charities, students and parliamentarians at events celebrating voluntary legal work
Witness evidence can be compromised by AI before a solicitor sees the draft, leaving safeguards focused on authorship incomplete
Possession claims are entering a new digital era, with procedural traps awaiting practitioners who assume familiar rules still govern every step
A polished legal defence may owe more to artificial intelligence than legal merit—and creditors risk paying the price in delay and expense
An indemnity costs battle with a £20m gap could reopen an important question: what weight should an approved budget carry?
back-to-top-scroll