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18 September 2026
Issue: 8177 / Categories: Legal News , Employment , Whistleblowing , Limitation
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NLJ this week: Employment law’s four-point check

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The Supreme Court has settled a long-running dispute over part-time workers: unfavourable treatment need be a significant or effective cause, not the sole cause

Writing in NLJ this week, Ian Smith of Norwich Law School, UEA, tracks Augustine v Data Cars, which rejects reading a ‘solely’ requirement into the Part-time Workers Regulations and restores broader protection than the underlying directive.

His briefing also highlights a warning on whistleblowing interim relief: tribunals cannot dismiss an application merely because facts are contested, but must still assess whether the claimant has a ‘pretty good chance’ of success.

On limitation, the EAT confirms that merits and lack of prejudice may matter, but they do not displace the need to weigh every relevant factor.

Finally, an ET1 need not fail just because a claimant changed name after early conciliation: a name mismatch can be an ‘error’ capable of correction where rejecting the claim would not serve justice.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Anthony Collins—20 promotions

Anthony Collins—20 promotions

20 promotions mark major people investment at national law firm, Anthony Collins

Sidley—Elaine Whiteford

Sidley—Elaine Whiteford

Sidley adds competition litigator Elaine Whiteford in London

Charles Russell Speechlys—Claudina D’Costa

Charles Russell Speechlys—Claudina D’Costa

Charles Russell Speechlys welcomes Claudina D’Costa as Director of Client Development Marketing

NEWS
The 25th Pro Bono Week begins today until 6 November, with events hosted by law firms, chambers, law schools and charities across the UK
Pro bono is celebrating a silver anniversary, with initiatives putting businesses and students at the heart of access to justice
Choosing the wrong expert can cost a clinical negligence claimant more than their case
Judges risk weakening their own independence by staying silent over government reforms, a leading public lawyer argues
A discount on damages does not automatically mean an equivalent haircut for legal costs in military deafness claims
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