Our insights

PARTNERS IN LIFE

The press has been full of news about a major change in Family Law with the possibility of a heterosexual couple being able to enter into a legal relationship known as a Civil Partnership.

It might be helpful to explain how this change happened and the differences between marriage and a Civil Partnership.

At this time of year we are supposed to be living happy lives in happy families.  The reality is that Christmas adds pressure emotionally and financially to what might already be a fractured relationship.

Head of Family Law, Elizabeth Hassall, has once again been awarded a Tier 1 Leading Lawyer Ranking in the prestigious law publication, Legal 500. Her Tier 1 Ranking was also earlier confirmed by the Chambers Directory.

In the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) case of Phoenix House v Stockman, the Claimant had disclosed a covert recording made during her employment as evidence in her unfair dismissal claim.  The employer believed that her compensation should be reduced to reflect her conduct in making a covert recording without justification. 

In the first Supreme Court restrictive covenant case in 100 years, the Supreme Court has overturned the decision that a restrictive covenant under which a senior employee agreed not to ‘directly or indirectly engage or be concerned or interested in’ any competing business for six months after termination was enforceable as a restraint of trade.