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09 February 2012
Issue: 7500 / Categories: Legal News
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Lawyer discrimination

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EAT finds law firm guilty of sexual orientation discrimination

In Bivonas LLP v Bennett [2011] UKEAT 0254/11/3101, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) held that a law firm discriminated against a lawyer on the basis of sexual orientation when a partner sent a memo falsely implying that the lawyer only selected gay barristers and suggesting that he be sacked.

The EAT agreed the content of the memo was “a professional slur of the utmost gravity”. It also held the firm’s conduct of his grievance was discriminatory.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission funded the defence of the lawyer, Lee Bennett, against the law firm’s appeal.

Issue: 7500 / Categories: Legal News
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

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Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

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Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
NLJ this week: Jury reform risks justice for efficiency’s sake
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
NLJ this week: Crypto fightback offers ‘new frontier for law’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
NLJ this week: Time to revive the duty to report crime?
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
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