Short Richardson & Forth LLP » Commercial Property, Corporate & Commercial, Employment Law, Litigation, & Private Client Solicitors in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Latest News

TUPE GURU DR JOHN MCMULLEN JOINS EMPLOYMENT TEAM

On 14 April 2009 Dr John McMullen joined the firm's employment law team. Known in industry circles as the ‘TUPE guru’, John’s appointment broadens the firm’s experience in transactional employment matters.

John was previously a Partner at Watson Burton LLP and has 25 years experience in employment law. John is noted as being both a strategic thinker and leader in his field as well as being a practical hands-on lawyer. His client management and client care skills are well known. By peer acclaim he is one of the leading lawyers in the UK with a national and international reputation. Legal 500 has described John as “one of the country’s highest profile employment lawyers” and Chambers and Partners Guide to the Legal Professional stated that John “inspires tremendous confidence”.

John commented that “I am delighted to join Short Richardson & Forth LLP which has an outstanding reputation in employment law and a clear vision and strategy for growth and further success. The firm has seen a steep rise in work arising from the recession. This includes reorganizations and redundancy, however, consolidations, takeovers and insolvency disposals are also on the rise. The transfer of undertakings regulations (TUPE) which protect workers’ rights in these situations are of utmost importance once again and need to be at the forefront of employers’ minds.”

Senior Partner David Richardson said “We are very pleased to have appointed someone with John’s profile and ability. Despite the current economic turmoil we are committed to growth and see our employment law offering as being central to that growth.”

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2009 A GLANCE AT THE YEAR AHEAD IN EMPLOYMENT LAW

Most significantly the first half of the year brings the repeal of the Statutory Dispute Resolution Procedures. Continuing on lines of reform, we may see proposals for amendment to the Disability Discrimination Act to increase protection from discrimination and bring the Act into line with other forms of discrimination legislation. More regular changes include revised levels of compensation available in the Employment Tribunal and statutory payments payable to employees. Read on for a summary of the months ahead:-
January
• The Government’s consultation regarding disability discrimination legislation closes this month. The focus of consultation is how the legislation should be amended in light of the recent case of Mayor -v- Burgesses of the London Borough of Lewisham -v- Malcolm 2008, which weakened the concept of disability related discrimination. The proposal is to introduce the concept of indirect discrimination, which is found in other discrimination Acts, into the Disability Discrimination Act.
February
• On 1st February the maximum sum payable as compensation for unfair dismissal will rise to £66,200. The maximum amount payable for a week’s pay will increase to £350.
March
• The ACAS consultation period regarding revision of its current Code of Practice on time off for trade union duties and activities will close this month.
April
• The right to request flexible working will be extended so that it is available to parents of children up to the age of 16.
• The Finance Bill 2009 will provide for qualifying medical check ups and health check ups provided by employers to employees to be exempt from tax.
• Statutory Sick Pay is likely to increase from £75.40 per week to £79.15 per week.
• Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay is likely to increase from £117.18 to £123.06 per week.
• The Statutory Disciplinary and Dismissal Procedure and Statutory Grievance Procedure will be repealed and replaced by the new ACAS Guide on Discipline and Grievances at Work. A new ACAS Code of Practice on Dispute Resolution will also come into effect.

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Latest Press Release

SHORT RICHARDSON & FORTH LLP STRENGTHENS EMPLOYMENT TEAM WITH HIRE OF NATIONAL EXPERT AND TUPE GURU

It is timely that North East based law firm Short Richardson & Forth LLP has appointed Dr John McMullen as Partner in its successful employment team. John was previously a Partner at Watson Burton LLP and has 25 years experience in employment law. Known in industry circles as the ‘TUPE guru’, John’s appointment broadens the firm’s experience in transactional employment matters.

John is noted as being both a strategic thinker and leader in his field as well as being a practical hands-on lawyer. His client management and client care skills are well known. By peer acclaim he is one of the leading lawyers in the UK with a national and international reputation. Legal 500 has described John as “one of the country’s highest profile employment lawyers” and Chambers and Partners Guide to the Legal Professional stated that John “inspires tremendous confidence”.

John commented that “I am delighted to join Short Richardson & Forth LLP which has an outstanding reputation in employment law and a clear vision and strategy for growth and further success. The firm has seen a steep rise in work arising from the recession. This includes reorganizations and redundancy, however, consolidations, takeovers and insolvency disposals are also on the rise. The transfer of undertakings regulations (TUPE) which protect workers’ rights in these situations are of utmost importance once again and need to be at the forefront of employers’ minds.”

Senior Partner David Richardson said “We are very pleased to have appointed someone with John’s profile and ability. Despite the current economic turmoil we are committed to growth and see our employment law offering as being central to that growth.”

Read more »