Weekly Issue 74 - October - November 2002

Unfair dismissal protection Hitt again

Sainsburys Supermarkets Ltd v Hitt [2002] EWCA Civ 1588

In the recent case of Sainsburys Supermarkets Ltd v Hitt the Court of Appeal have clarified, beyond doubt, the scope of the reasonable responses test in unfair dismissal cases. It permeates every aspect of the test.

Does justice delayed mean justice denied?

Teinaz v London Borough of Wandsworth [2002] IRLR 721(CA)
Andreou v Lord Chancellor's Department [2002] IRLR 728 (CA)
Silver Fund Investment Co Ltd v S C James EAT/1169/01 (EAT unreported)

Robin Thompson: trade union lawyer

Robin Beauchamp Thompson, solicitor: born London 15 September 1924; married (one son, one daughter); died London 31 October 2002

The trade union lawyer Robin Thompson devoted his life to the struggle for workers' rights, including health and safety and legal protection at work.

Developing a charter of workers' rights

The government's review of the Employment Relations Act, 1999 is currently underway.

Whistle blowing: follow the tune

ALM Medical Services Ltd v Bladon [2002] IRLR 807 CA
Sim v Manchester Action on Street Health (unreported) EAT/0085/01
Parkins v Sodexho [2002] IRLR 109 EAT
Aspinall v MSI Mechforge Ltd (unreported) EAT/891/01

Source of confusion

Lawrence and others v Regent Office Care Ltd [2002] IRLR 822 ECJ

The European Court of Justice has now given judgment in this case which tests the limits of equal pay law and contracting out of services.