In our recent blog we look at the Kostal appeal case on Trade Union inducements. Kostal UK Ltd v Dunkley and ors Sadly the Court of Appeal has overturned the decision of the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) in this case on unlawful inducements. S.145B of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (“TULRA”) says that an employer must … Read More
Women & Equalities Committee is ‘disappointed but not surprised’ to hear examples of large employers putting pressure on employees who pursue allegations of discrimination or harassment in new report.
The Women & Equalities Committee (WEC) of the House of Commons has produced its report on The Use of Non-Disclosure Agreements in Discrimination Cases. Some strong words from the WEC: “We have been disappointed, but not surprised, to hear examples of large employers using the significant resources at their disposal to put considerable pressure on employees who pursue allegations of … Read More
Hospital admitted there were ‘missed opportunities’ to save the life of a 12 month old child
With an increase in the incidence of meningitis in children in the UK; a recently reported article in the Manchester Evenings News is concerning and should be taken as a warning. The full article can be found here. “Dad of baby who died of meningitis pleaded with a doctor to give son a blood test – they replied ‘why?” The … Read More
Morrish Solicitors appoint a new Solicitor in the Employment team.
We’re delighted to have appointed Nicola Williams as an Assistant Solicitor in the Employment department in February this year. Based in our ever expanding Leeds office, Nicola joins us from a reputable York law firm. Nicola attended Lancaster University and obtained a law degree in 2006. She began her legal career in 2010 as a Paralegal in civil litigation and … Read More
Inheritance Tax – it’s here to stay
Like it or not Inheritance Tax (IHT) is here to stay. It’s been around for decades and is colloquially known as “Death Duties”. It is a tax on the value of your estate when you die. The rules relating to IHT have changed considerably since 2007. Effectively now the threshold at which IHT is chargeable on the estate of a … Read More
Morrish Solicitors partner with Napo to offer members a dedicated service
Morrish Solicitors is the new legal partner for Napo offering circa 8,000 members a bespoke legal service, including a dedicated helpdesk, offering support and advice on a variety of legal services. With offices across West Yorkshire, Morrish Solicitors is renowned for its partnerships with trade unions, working closely with the Transport Salaried Staffs’ association (TSSA) and Equity to name a … Read More
The Price of Justice
It seems such a long time ago now that Claimants had to pay fees to bring their claims. It was 26 July 2017 that the fees regime was abolished as being unlawful. We remember it well, here at Morrish Solicitors – the moment the email arrived confirming the Unison decision, our employment team erupted with a spontaneous cheer! The decision … Read More
Major changes to Divorce Law on the way
In November of last year I wrote asking whether it was time to change the outdated divorce laws (in place since 1973) in England and Wales, by introducing “No Fault” Divorces. Many think the current fault-based divorce system exacerbates stress and tension at an already highly stressful time. There were concerns that it exposed children to the damaging impact of … Read More
We are family! Or are we?
The definition of “family” is changing. It used to be the nuclear unit of husband, wife and 2.4 children. Although the divorce rate has been going down recently, numbers of cohabitants are rising. And the belief you can be a “common law” husband or wife still exists, despite it being a myth. So what constitutes a family and is this … Read More
Sleep in shifts – the pay debate
After a satisfying hard day’s graft at work and having successfully completed another torturously packed train journey home, it is always a lovely feeling to be able to share the company of loved ones during an evening. We get to have a hot shower, put on some comfy pyjamas and enjoy some delicious dinner whilst binge-watching as many thrilling tv … Read More
‘Workers are risking GDPR penalties by forwarding work emails to personal accounts’
Sixty-four per cent of UK workers admitted to breaching rules by forwarding work emails to their personal email accounts in the months following the introduction of GDPR.
Michael Parker v the Chief Constable of Essex Police 2018 EWCA 2788 Civ
Whilst this case concerns the TV personality Michael Barrymore’s claim for damages against the police for his false imprisonment following his (unlawful, as the police admitted) arrest in 2007, it has relevance to employment law and specifically ‘Polkey’, an often misunderstood principle (and an often negative one for Claimants). Michael Parker, stage name Barrymore, claimed £2.4 million in damages (allegedly … Read More
How far to take an Uber?
Uber’s latest attempt to avoid their drivers having ‘worker’ status and thus minimum protections for national minimum wage and paid holiday has failed yet again – but only just. On appeal to the Court of Appeal, after losing at ET and EAT levels, Uber has been defeated but only by a majority basis of two to one. So, has the … Read More
Divorce Law update – is it time to introduce “No fault” Divorces?
Major reform to our Divorce laws could follow in the wake of a recent high-profile Divorce case. The government has said it is already “looking closely” at reforms to the Divorce system after the Supreme Court in the case of Owens v Owens ruled that a 68-year-old woman must remain married to her Husband. Mr and Mrs Owens married in … Read More
Employment Tribunal awards compensation to former Maplin workers
An employment tribunal has awarded compensation to former Maplin workers who have established that the company failed in its statutory duty to consult with them about impending redundancies. The former Head Office workers pursued claims against the electronics retailer when they were made redundant without sufficient information being given to them in advance and without any adequate consultation process. 80 … Read More
We are recruiting – Work with us
Think you might have what it takes to work with a leading trade union law firm and the country’s most motivated team of legal minds? We’re always on the lookout for new talent and currently have vacancies for the following positions in our Leeds and Yeadon offices: Employment Solicitor – Leeds Clinical Negligence Solicitor/Legal Assistant – Leeds Legal Secretary – Leeds … Read More
Morrish secures top accolade from The Law Society
Morrish Solicitors have once again achieved the prestigious Lexcel standard from The Law Society. The Lexcel practice management standard is only awarded to law firms who provide the highest level of client care and business management standards. Accredited practices undergo rigorous independent assessment every year to ensure they meet required standards of excellence in client care, structure and strategy, financial … Read More
Banter or harassment?
Section 26 of the Equality Act 2010 states that a person (A), harasses another (B), if A engages in unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characteristic (e.g. sex or race), and the conduct has the purpose or effect of violating B’s dignity, or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for B. In deciding whether the conduct … Read More
Morrish Solicitors featured in The Times Best Law Firms 2019
Morrish Solicitors is pleased to announce that it has received a ranking in The Times Best Law Firms 2019. Statista, an international market research firm, carried out the research earlier this year. It contacted more than 20,000 solicitors in England and Wales, and hundreds of clients, and asked them to recommend the best law firms in any of 31 categories. … Read More
Lawyers join forces for inaugural justice week
This week is Justice Week. It comprises a week-long programme of new research, public events, and digital content, revealing how the public really view justice at a time when successive governments have restricted access to it more than at any time since Legal Aid was established in 1949. How we can do more to encourage support for justice funding? New … Read More
Unite member awarded compensation after leg crushed at work
Peter was involved in an accident during the course of his employment at Barratt Steel. On the day of the accident, Peter was loading cut steel onto a roller transporter. A colleague operating the machine activated it before Peter had finished repositioning the steel and his leg was crushed. Peter was diagnosed with a fractured femur and sustained muscle and … Read More
Bellman – more on vicarious liability
Bellman v Northampton Recruitment Ltd [2018] EWCA Civ 2214 Following a recruitment agency’s Christmas party, to which all employees and their partners were invited, a number of the guests including Mr Major, the Managing Director (“MD”) of the agency, and Mr Bellman, an employee of the agency and the Claimant, continued their celebrations at a hotel bar where some of … Read More
GDPR & Lasting Power of Attorney’s – why it’s more important than ever to put a Lasting Power of Attorney in place
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney & why you need one A Lasting Power of Attorney is a document which lets you decide who you wish to help make decisions on your behalf in relation to your property and financial affairs and health and welfare when you are not able to make those decisions yourself. Be aware that you … Read More
New Partner promotion at Morrish Solicitors
Leeds law firm Morrish Solicitors LLP has promoted employment Solicitor Daniel Kindell to Partner to mark his contribution to the business. Daniel joined Morrish Solicitors in 2005. Daniel has a wealth of experience and will continue to advise clients on a full range of employment issues. He specialises in complex employment litigation, including unfair dismissal, discrimination and contract claims as … Read More
Morrish appoint two new trainee solicitors
We are delighted to announce the appointment of two new trainee solicitors from within the firm, James Battle and Shamaila Gul. James, who completed a degree in Applied Criminology and Legal Studies at Canterbury University, followed by a Masters degree in Management, Business and Law at the University of Law in 2017, begins his training contract in our personal injury … Read More
Employment Tribunal claim pursued by ex-Poundworld employees
Over 180 former employees of collapsed retailer Poundworld, are claiming compensation due to the failure to consult with staff prior to making mass redundancies earlier this year. The claims follow the collapse of Poundworld in June, which saw the loss of over 5,000 jobs across the UK. Almost 300 of those were based at their head office and distribution centre … Read More
Unmarried couples – rights of surviving partner
There was a recent case in the Supreme Court which has highlighted the vulnerability of the survivor when one partner dies and the couple were not married. Siobhan McLaughlin successfully claimed Widowed Parents’ Allowance following her partner’s death. Current law states that this benefit is only available to bereaved partners who have children and have been married to or in … Read More
Fairness: with knobs on
There is a really interesting report this week of a decision by the Employment Appeal Tribunal that looks at a number of current issues about fairness both in general terms and procedurally, the approach of the ETs in making decisions about what is fair and the relevance of the right to be accompanied at a disciplinary/grievance hearing. Some useful guidance … Read More
Shop and Office Fit Out Works: What Does the Lease Say?
Most retail shops and offices will be occupied by tenant owners under the terms of a Lease. The issue of fitting out the shop or office will usually arise as part of the negotiations when a new Lease is granted to the original tenant or at a later stage if either the tenant transfers the Lease to a new tenant … Read More
TSSA and Morrish Solicitors win case of disability discrimination and victimisation against Network Rail
TSSA and Morrish Solicitors have won a long-running case of disability discrimination and victimisation against Network Rail, which has resulted in the employer having to pay in excess of £32,000 in compensation. Natalie Brown was and remains employed as an information controller for Network Rail. At the time of these events between November 2016 and June 2017, she suffered from … Read More
