Welcome to December's newsletter

With the Christmas countdown officially beginning, we bring you a cracker of a newsletter, stuffed full of legal analysis.

We have a webinar recording on whistleblowing, analysis of recent cases on applications to amend, justification of age discrimination and the latest from the Court of Appeal on whistleblowing, which sits nicely with our free webinar on protected disclosures generally.

Also, scroll down for news of how you can attend a free theatrical reading starring 3PB thespians, and our Christmas opening times.

Whistleblowing: key concepts, injunctions, and updates on procedure

Colin McDevitt and Karen Moss provide an overview on the key concepts in protected disclosure cases, as well as the most recent whistleblowing case law. 

Sarah Bowen gives media interview on holidays during furlough​

Sarah Bowen gave an interview to Central TV regarding the legal issues involved in requiring employees to take annual leave when on furlough. Read the full statement from the Birmingham Law Society.

Changes to ACAS Early Conciliation

On 1st December 2020 changes to ACAS Early Conciliation took effect. The time allowed for ACAS Early Conciliation is now up to six weeks without any extension (replacing the earlier provision of up to a month with a possible 2-week extension).

FREE theatrical reading

On 13 December at 6pm some of 3PB’s thespians are taking part in a reading of the very first stage adaptation of Nicholas Nickleby for the Society for Theatre Research. 

Dray Simpson v Cantor Fitzgerald: whistleblowing masterclass revisited  

Joseph England examines the Court of Appeal's judgment on the case of Simpson v Cantor Fitzgerald Europe, a case that revisits wide-ranging issues of various fundamental whistleblowing concepts across its seven grounds of appeal.

View Joseph's profile here

Cost plus: still alive and kicking? 

Matthew Curtis analyses Heskett v Secretary of State for Justice [2020] EWCA Civ 1487, a case likely to make it easier for employers to prove they have a legitimate aim in age discrimination cases.

View Matthew's profile here.

November's important employment law update

Lachlan Wilson and Stephen Wyeth 
provide an update on:

- Changes to the furlough scheme
- Decision on amendments in the case of Vaughan v Modality Partnership
- Remote hearings practice direction and how this is being applied a few months in.

How representatives should best prepare for an application to amend

Andrew MacPhail reviews Mrs G Vaughan Modality Partnership UKEAT/0147/20/BA and its implications on how representatives should prepare for an application to amend.

View Andrew's profile here.

The strictness of contractual appeal time limits

Matthew Curtis analyses Joseph v Deloitte NSE LLP [2020] EWCA Civ, and reminds us that where contractual rights of appeal are involved, it is essential to get the appeal in within the time specified in the contract, even in if the employer has delayed another part of the process.

View Matthew's profile here.

10 December Webinar - personal injury claims arising out of discrimination

Our next live webinar will take place on 10 December at 11am presented by Sarah Clarke and Grace Nicholls. 

Please register to book your place.

Meet the team

3PB’s employment law group offers expert advisory and advocacy services to private and public sector employers across all areas of employment law including unfair dismissal, discrimination, equal pay, industrial disputes, executive contracts, wrongful dismissals, restrictive covenants, whistleblowing, TUPE, injunctions, pensions disputes and disciplinary proceedings.

Monday 21st December
Tuesday 22nd December
Wednesday 23rd December
Thursday 24th December
Friday 25th December
Monday 28th December
Tuesday 29th December
Wednesday 30th December
Thursday 31st December
Friday 1st January
Monday 4th January

0830 - 1815
0830 - 1815
0830 - 1815
0900 - 1400
Closed
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1000 - 1600
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1000 - 1600
Closed
0830 - 1815