Weekly issue 174

News in brief

The Government has confirmed that the first wave of implementation of the Equality Act will go ahead as planned in October this year, following the publication of the first commencement order in Parliament this week.

Cloak of prejudice

It is quite common for negotiations to be conducted “without prejudice” so that nothing mentioned during those discussions can be used in evidence against either party at subsequent proceedings.

Compromised on equal pay

Section 77 of the 1975 Sex Discrimination Act (SDA) says that employees must have had independent legal advice from an adviser for a compromise agreement to be valid.