Worldwide: Contract of Employment

This comprehensive roundup examines critical legal and regulatory developments reshaping the UK public sector landscape, from the government's ambitious National Planning Policy Framework 2026 to sweeping employment law reforms and local government reorganisation. How will these interconnected changes affect public bodies navigating construction contracts, procurement obligations, and workforce management in an era of structural transformation?

The Court of Appeal's decision in Geeks Ltd v Watts establishes important precedent regarding training cost repayment clauses in employment contracts. When a trainee engineer was required to repay over £8,000 in training costs after resigning, the court examined whether such financial obligations constitute an unlawful restraint of trade. This ruling provides critical guidance for employers on structuring enforceable training cost clawback provisions.

The Employment Rights Act 2025 is set to reduce the qualifying period for unfair dismissal claims from two years to just six months, fundamentally changing how employers must approach probationary periods and employee terminations. With this reform taking effect in January 2027, employers face increased administrative burdens and need to rethink their probation strategies to avoid legal pitfalls.

Employment lawyers George Cokkinos and Josh Davies address frequently asked questions from employees who have received settlement agreement offers from their employers. The discussion provides practical insights into navigating these important employment law documents and understanding your rights during the settlement process.

The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces a major shift in UK employment law by reducing the unfair dismissal qualifying period from two years to just six months, effective January 2027. This change will impact both new and existing employees, requiring employers to justify dismissal decisions much earlier in the employment relationship. Understanding how to manage probation periods, maintain proper documentation, and follow fair procedures will be critical for businesses navigating this significant reform.

Following a three-and-a-half-week trial, the High Court has ruled in favour of Mr. Gagliardi in a comprehensive 154-page judgment in Robert Gagliardi v Evolution Capital Management LLC [2025] EWHC 3214 (Comm). Mr. Justice Calver found that Mr. Gagliardi was contractually entitled to a $5.385 million discretionary bonus for his hugely profitable trading in 2021, which Evolution Capital Management LLC (“ECM”) had unlawfully failed to pay. The Court dismissed ECM’s counterclaim in its entirety.

The Employment Rights Act introduces sweeping changes to UK employment law, from reducing unfair dismissal qualifying periods to strengthening trade union rights and banning exploitative practices. This comprehensive dashboard breaks down each reform by topic, clarifying current legal positions and what they will become under the Act. With implementation dates ranging from April 2026 through 2027, employers face a transformative period requiring careful preparation across multiple areas of workforce managem

Employers including restrictive covenants in precedent employment contracts may wish to review their applicability during any probationary period subject to short notice.

The UK Government's abolition of the unfair dismissal compensation cap from January 2027 creates unprecedented financial exposure for businesses employing highly paid executives...