UK Knowledge Collection | Employment law reform, privilege, and building safety

This week, the government published its responses on a number of consultations to the Employment Rights Bill, as well proposing several amendments to it. Our Insight sets out some of the more significant amendments that have been proposed, both by the government and by MPs, including on doubling the maximum protective award for breach of collective redundancy rules, dismissal and re-engagement, collective redundancy rules, statutory sick pay, trade union recognition and industrial action, and extending protections to zero-hours and low hours workers to agency workers.

Hirers, staffing companies and employment intermediaries may need to review their models in light of the changes affecting contingent workers. Our Insight looks in more detail at what the government is proposing and at the action businesses can take to prepare.

Last year saw a number of cases on legal professional privilege that served to clarify and even overturn previously understood rules. Our Insight looks at the current status of certain forms of privilege, including the "shareholder rule", joint interest privilege, without prejudice and the iniquity exception.

After last week's government response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry final report, the built environment sector can expect a number of changes to the building safety regulatory environment to be implemented. Our Insight sets out some of the principal changes outlined, and the timescales envisaged.

Recent Insights

What role can green hydrogen play as part of the future of clean energy in the UK?

The green hydrogen sector offers investment opportunities – but there are challenges that need to be addressed.
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Employment Law Coffee Break

The government has published responses to consultations on zero-hours contract and agency workers, collective redundancy remedies, trade union legislation, and statutory sick pay.
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Big changes ahead for UK contingent workers with new laws looming and stepped-up HMRC tax enforcement

The government's plans affecting contingent workforce arrangements include giving zero-hours agency workers the right to guaranteed hours and make staffing companies liable for umbrella company non-compliance.
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Privilege in English legal proceedings

There were a number of notable developments last year affecting privilege. Companies and shareholders await the Supreme Court's view on the dismantling of the "shareholder principle".
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Government response to the Grenfell final report spells major reforms for the UK built environment

Professionals in the construction and built environment sector should be aware of a range of important developments that will follow the government's response to the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 final report.
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