And Finally

The Government is proposing to introduce regulations which will provide that breach of health and safety duties will not give rise to civil liability unless there has been negligence on the part of the employer. This is a fundamental change to the current strict liability approach. However, the Government has recently completed consultation on a proposal that strict liability will remain in relation to pregnant women and new mothers.

UNISON has been given permission to seek a judicial review of the Government's decision to introduce fees for claims in the Employment Tribunal and the EAT from 29 July 2013. The union is arguing that the imposition of fees is a breach of EU law, indirectly discriminatory against women, and unfair because no fees are payable in other tribunals of a similar level in the judicial hierarchy. If the union's challenge is successful, any fees paid will be refunded.