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Employment – Unfair dismissal. The employee sought ill-health retirement on the basis of chronic degenerative condition of his spine. Shortly after doctors had reported that he was permanently unfit to work, the employee was observed displaying a range of movements. He was subsequently dismissed on the basis that he had allegedly exaggerated his condition. The employment tribunal held that, while the employee had genuinely believed in the employee's guilt and that the dismissal fell within the range of reasonable responses, the employer had not had reasonable grounds for its belief. The tribunal further allowed a claim for wrongful dismissal. The Employment Appeal Tribunal, allowing the employer's appeal, held that the tribunal had taken the wrong approach and had substituted its own view as to whether the employee had exaggerated. The tribunal had further erred in its conclusion on wrongful dismissal. The claim was remitted.
Employment – Unfair dismissal. The employee sought ill-health retirement on the basis of chronic degenerative condition of his spine. Shortly after doctors had reported that he was permanently unfit to work, the employee was observed displaying a range of movements. He was subsequently dismissed on the basis that he had allegedly exaggerated his condition. The employment tribunal held that, while the employee had genuinely believed in the employee's guilt and that the dismissal fell within the range of reasonable responses, the employer had not had reasonable grounds for its belief. The tribunal further allowed a claim for wrongful dismissal. The Employment Appeal Tribunal, allowing the employer's appeal, held that the tribunal had taken the wrong approach and had substituted its own view as to whether the employee had exaggerated. The tribunal had further erred in its conclusion on wrongful dismissal. The claim was remitted.
Update from the Chair of the Bar
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Unlocking your aged debt to fund your tax in one easy step. By Philip N Bristow
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, discusses the upcoming changes to pensions and Inheritance Tax and the potential impact on your financial future
Save the Children UK is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
The Chief Legal Officer to the Metropolitan Police, barrister Brett Welch, tells Anthony Inglese CB about his mission and the work to turn the Met around
Barrister apprenticeships – shortly to provide the fourth pathway to the Bar – are an ideal opportunity to support local talent and ‘grow your own’, say Tim Coulson and Dr Jane Dennehy
Grok around and find out – or not? Mariya Peykova investigates the nudification scandal, what the law has to say about sexually explicit deepfakes, and whether stronger regulation is needed
Oliver Lewis spotlights an overlooked yet rapidly evolving area of law – coercive and controlling behaviour within care contexts
For one night only at Middle Temple Hall (Sunday 26 July 2026) – Abigail Bright introduces the famed annual fundraising theatrical event. This year, Martin Shaw and Jason Watkins perform John Mortimer’s The Dock Brief, a mixture of farce and pathos and all in support of the work of the Kalisher Trust in its 30th year
