Entries by Jenny Carpenter

Reporting sexual harassment now amounts to whistleblowing

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From 6th April 2026 – Section 23 of the Employment Rights Act 2025 (ERA 2025) amends the definition of qualifying disclosure in section 43B of the ERA 1996 to include a disclosure that the worker reasonably believes tends to show that sexual harassment “has occurred, is occurring or is likely to occur”. Sexual harassment is defined by reference to section 26(2) of […]

Employment Tribunal Claims Surge

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Newly released Ministry of Justice statistics show a substantial rise in Employment Tribunal activity. According to the latest data for October–December 2025, published on 12 March 2026, the tribunal system is experiencing significant pressure: New single claims have risen by 54% compared with the same quarter in 2024. The open case load has increased by […]

EMPLOYMENT LAW CHANGES

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DAY ONE RIGHTS FOR: PARENTAL LEAVE PATERNITY LEAVE FROM APRIL 2026 Section 15 of the new Employment Rights Act 2025 removes the one-year qualifying period for unpaid parental leave, extending it to all employees as a day-one right. Section 16 similarly eliminates the 26-week qualifying period for paternity leave. However, the statutory paternity pay requirements […]

The Employment Rights Act 2025 is on its way!

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We have previously been reporting on the Employment Rights Bill. Well, it received Royal Assent on 18th December 2025.  There is a roadmap for when each of the changes will come into effect.  The Government has promised to give employers, employees and workers time to prepare for the various changes. Some changes will take effect […]

Contentious Probate Claims – we can help

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Acting as executor to an estate can be a minefield at the best of times. It is a huge responsibility. But if there is any legal claim against the estate then this becomes particularly problematic for those that are the executors. This is where our Dispute Resolution Department can advise, assist and represent the Executor(s) […]

DAY ONE EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS BEEN ABANDONED

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We have previously reported that the Employment Rights Bill would give all employees day one employment rights to not be unfairly dismissed.  Currently in most circumstances it is necessary to have two years complete and continuous service with an employer to be eligible to claim unfair dismissal. In order to get the Employment Rights Bill […]

50 years of The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975

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For half a century this legislation has now been in place enabling many individuals to challenge a Will or the intestacy rules and bring claims against an estate (the money, property and assets left when someone dies). What does the Act say? The Act enables certain eligible persons to bring a claim under the Act […]

ACAS Early Conciliation

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The government has made regulations to increase the early conciliation (EC) period under rule 6 of the Early Conciliation Rules of Procedure 2014 from six weeks to 12 weeks. This will apply to any case notified to ACAS for EC on or after 1 December 2025. What is Early Conciliation? If a worker/employee has a […]

Possible introduction of fees payable for presenting Employment Tribunal claims

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STOP PRESS Government will not be re-introducing employment tribunal fees. On 9 October 2025, the new Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, David Lammy MP, advised that the government would not be re-introducing fees in the employment tribunals. It has been reported in the media that the government is considering re-introducing fees in the employment tribunals. […]

The Employment Rights Bill has entered its final parliamentary stages.

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The Employment Rights Bill has entered its final parliamentary stages.   The House of Commons rejected significant non-government amendments passed by the House of Lords at Report Stage. The Bill will now return to the House of Lords, with reasons given by a House of Commons Committee for rejection of the amendments. In particular: • Retaining […]