Ian Smith returns to share some tales of whistleblowing, compensation & loss
- Undone by an oral contract.
- Whistleblowing: public or private interest?
- Compensation for non-pecuniary loss: applying the Simmons v Castle uprating.
A couple of weeks ago I went out on the lash with the editor of this august journal, Jan Miller. After a night on triple vodkas with Special Brew chasers, I distinctly remember her saying that she would love to put my fee for the ‘Employment Law Brief’ up to £15m per brief. I, of course, agreed and thought myself well satisfied by this obviously legally binding variation of my existing agreement; knowing that Jan is a gentleman, I did not ask for it in writing. Shortly afterwards, I passed out just as Jan was going on to another pub, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like ‘Lightweight!’.
Some time later, and restored to health, I received the payment for the last brief and was surprised to see that it remained unchanged (a book token for £2.75, redeemable only against LexisNexis products). I therefore consulted my solicitors (Dominic,
