January 22, 2026

Take care when labelling a bonus as discretionary in a contract

The High Court recently ruled on the interpretation and enforceability of "discretionary" bonus provisions in employment contracts. Mr. Gagliardi brought a breach of employment contract claim against
January 7, 2026

Suing whistleblowers for a breach of confidence is not a viable strategy

The Court of Appeal has ruled that the initiation of legal or arbitral proceedings by an employer against a ‘whistleblower’ who has made a protected disclosure constitutes an actionable detriment
December 16, 2025

Employers may now be personally liable for unfair dismissal claims

A recent ruling has increased the scope of statutory protection for whistleblowers to include covered detriments against co-workers under the Employment Rights Act 1996. A Mr. Rice was dismissed by
November 19, 2025

Early termination of probation can constitute wrongful dismissal

The claimant began employment as a Contracts Coordinator on 23 January 2023, subject to a contractual 6-month probationary period, one which required 5 weeks' notice for termination. The contract
November 5, 2025

Tread carefully when using temporary contracts to confer tax breaks

A recent ruling has established that temporary worker arrangements do not constitute a single, continuous employment relationship in which workers retain the unfettered right to refuse assignments.
October 30, 2025

Beware of the risks of engaging employees as sham contractors

Recently, a clear legal precedent confirmed that the nature of an individual's work is determined by the reality of the actual employment relationship rather than by arbitrary titles. Mr. Gooch worked
August 20, 2025

Tripartite arrangements don’t necessarily enable an agency to escape accountability

The question was raised as to whether, in a tripartite agency relationship, an employment relationship exists between an employee and their intermediary agency. For instance, Ryanair DAC employs some