With the Employment Rights Act finally gaining Royal Assent in December 2025, we take a look at what's in store for employment law in 2026. Our updated tracker highlights some of the key changes for 2026: April 2026 New pay rates: Each April new statutory minimum rates apply for the year ahead. From 1 April 2026, minimum pay rates per hour will increase to: ·         National Living Wage: o 21 and over - £12.71 – 4.1% increase (or £977 increase per year for full time staff o

An employment tribunal has ruled in favour of Sandra Moody, a black higher-level teaching assistant, who successfully proved race discrimination, harassment and unfair dismissal after being accused of having an “angry face” and intimidating pupils at a Southwark primary school. The tribunal found that complaints about her tone and facial expression were vague, exaggerated and influenced by negative racial stereotypes, with similar behaviour by white colleagues not scrutinised

Following the successful conclusion of the Tom James v Max Potter case in the High Court last month, Constantine Law Managing Partner, John Hayes, writes for The Times today (11 December) about the ease with which interim employment injunctions are granted in the High Court. John points out that this practice of “holding the ring” can lead to a hugely expensive and stressful speedy-trial process during which all the usual High Court steps are compressed into between two an

Before our readers unwind for Christmas, we thought it prudent to round up where we are with The Employment Rights Bill’s ping pong deadlock.  As far as day one unfair dismissal rights goes the deadlock has finally broken with the government conceding a six-month qualifying period before the right applies. It also announced that the 52-week cap for compensation for unfair dismissal would be removed, currently the maximum award is £118,223. It is not however clear if the cap w

The House of Lords has this week stood firm against the government’s proposal to introduce "day-one" unfair dismissal rights, and have once again reaffirmed their position that there should be a six-month qualifying period. Peers argued that businesses need greater clarity and stability before such sweeping changes take effect. Speaking to People Management, Constantine Law partner, Alan Lewis , pulled no punches, describing the proposed shift from a two-year qualifying perio

In Tom James -vs – Max Potter, The Honourable Mr Justice Ritchie has decided that a 12 month non-compete clause is not enforceable against a UK visiting tailor Press Release 22 October 2025   Stefan Brochwicz-Lewinski, John Hayes, Max Potter, Julia Whyte, Zahra Mahmood A High Court case involving a young personal tailor and the world’s largest customised tailoring company, headquartered in Tennessee, US has concluded. In Tom James v Max Potter, Judge Justice Ritchie ruled tha

US based tailoring giant Tom James Company has launched legal action against an ex-employee Max Potter, alleging breaches of restrictive covenants and confidentiality. Tom James are seeking to enforce a non-compete clause until June 2026. Mr Potter denies wrongdoing, calling the case “bullying” and saying it could force him into bankruptcy. Managing Partner, John Hayes who is acting for Mr Potter commented to City AM: “This case highlights the conflict between a big US corp

The Employment Rights Bill (ERB) was published 365 days ago.  It has been billed as the biggest shake-up to employment law rights in this...

The Employment Bill’s progress to Royal Assent continues apace despite the retreat of Angela Rayner, its most prominent cheerleader, to...