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NLJ this week: Rubenstein’s revolution, summary dismissal, off-piste issues & ‘worker’ contracts

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In days gone by, judges wrote shorter judgments, barrister Ian Smith, emeritus professor of employment law at the Norwich Law School, UEA, writes in his latest employment law update for NLJ. Surely, they can’t have more time on their hands now?

He expresses his admiration, also, for Michael Rubenstein, editor of the Industrial Relations Law Reports, who received a lifetime contribution award at the LexisNexis Legal Awards last month. ‘Not only did Michael revolutionise the coverage of employment cases, but he also developed a radically new and reader-friendly format, which we now take for granted,’ he writes.

Smith covers the latest tranche of important cases, including two Court of Appeal cases, one on cases of summary dismissal in unfair dismissal law, and the other on the extent to which parties in an employment tribunal case should be kept to an agreed list of issues. Thirdly, he covers a case on the importance of a direct contract in the definition of ‘worker’. 

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Nikki Bowker, Devonshires

NLJ Career Profile: Nikki Bowker, Devonshires

Nikki Bowker, head of dispute resolution at Devonshires, on career resilience, diversity in law and channelling Elle Woods when the pressure is on

Ellisons—Sarah Osborne

Ellisons—Sarah Osborne

Leasehold enfranchisement specialist joins residential property team

DWF—Chris Air

DWF—Chris Air

Firm strengthens commercial team in Manchester with partner appointment

NEWS
The government will aim to pass legislation banning leasehold for new flats and capping ground rent, introducing non-compulsory digital ID and creating a ‘duty of candour’ for public servants (also known as the Hillsborough law) in the next Parliament

An Italian financier has lost his bid to block his Australian wife from filing divorce papers in England on the basis it was no longer her domicile of choice

Reforms to the disclosure regime in the business and property courts have not achieved their objectives, lawyers have warned
The Law Society has urged ministers to hold a public consultation on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the justice system as a whole
Ministers have proposed bringing inquest work under a single fee scheme for legal help and advocacy legal aid work
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