Rollits

In the case of Scott v Walker Morris LLP, Walker Morris were found to have directly discriminated against a senior partner due to age (a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010) as the firm refused the partner’s application to extend the duration of the retirement policy. Mr Scott was a senior partner in the Construction team. Partners could, under the policy make two applications at the age of 60 and 63 to remain at the firm until 65.

Court and Tribunal fees are set to increase from April 2025 in line with inflation with the proposal by the Ministry of Justice indicating that the majority of fees increasing by 3.2% and some increasing by 13.5% whilst some being reduced to ensure they are “aligned with the latest estimate of their underlying cost.” () Get in touch Name Email Phone Message How did you hear about us?

New guidance published by ACAS assists employers to increase awareness of neurodiversity in the workplace (Understanding neurodiversity - Neurodiversity at work - Acas). The guidance includes how the Equality Act could apply to different people and how employers can support neurodivergent employees. Employers are encouraged to read and implement the guidance to ensure an inclusive work environment and raise awareness whilst promoting an open culture.

There was a proposal for the “Right to Switch Off” to eventually form part of the Employment Rights Bill. The proposal formed part of the Labour Governments’ “New Deal for Working People” and intended on increasing protection for employees to protect their private lives and take a proper break from work so that work life does not become a 24/7 routine. Reports now suggest that this proposal is due to be dropped.

Higgs v Farmor’s School and another (2025) In the recent Court of Appeal decision, it was determined that an employee (Mrs Higgs) was unlawfully discriminated against on the grounds of religion and belief. Mrs Higgs was a pastoral assistant in a school and had published her opinions on her private Facebook account regarding the school having been teaching relationship education.

In the case of Graham v Eddie Stobart, the Employment Tribunal awarded £10,000 (at the lower end of the middle of the Vento bands) for injury to feelings in response to various successful claims of pregnancy and maternity discrimination arising largely out of the employer’s failure to appropriately respond to a grievance raised by the claimant. As background to the case, the Claimant was employed as a Planner and had informed her line manager about her pregnancy in October 2021.

The recent case of Gallagher v Mckinnon Auto and Tyres (2024)  confirmed that pre-termination discussions under section 111A Employment Rights Act cannot be admitted to the Tribunal in claims for unfair dismissal. Provided that such pre-termination discussions, also referred to as protected conversations, are conducted properly, the existence of such are inadmissible in the Employment Tribunal.

Two of Lincolnshire’s and Yorkshire’s leading law firms have announced they are to merge on 1 April 2025. Wilkin Chapman LLP and Rollits LLP will merge under the trading name of Wilkin Chapman Rollits. The new firm will have more than 500 people including 70 partners and have a combined annual turnover of £40 million. It will operate from six locations: Grimsby, Lincoln, Louth, Hull, York and Beverley.

Gerry Morrison and Harriet Wheeldon from Rollits and Sophie Bartup from the HEY Smile Foundation are the co-hosts of the HEY Charity Podcast The HEY Charity Podcast is a six-part series for anyone involved with charities but brings charity law to life with practical insights from the people who have lived and breathed charities in the Hull and East Yorkshire area. Episode 3 – Trustee Recruitment with Deb Oxley OBE Trustee recruitment is critical to the success of charities.

So, this week has seen the launch of the consultation on the new OFSTED Report Card. After months of debate and rhetoric around the well-being and workload of leaders and school staff, is this proposal really any better than what we already have/have had in the past – the simple answer is, it appears unlikely for all sort of reasons. There is so much to say but as a blog should be no more than 1000 words (I am reliably informed) I am going to limit my opinions.