News Commentary

The Supreme Court has ruled this week that employers/partners do, in principle, have the right to require older members of staff/partners in the business to retire.  But the ruling said only that it was ‘acceptable’ for the law firm involved in the case to force its partner, Leslie Seldon, to retire – not that it was ‘right’ […read more…]

We have moved to new offices in Guildford to better accommodate our continued growth. Our new postal address is: Weybourne House Hitherbury Close Guildford Surrey GU2 4DR All our other contact details remain the same as previously. If you are in the area please do call in: we would be delighted to see you.

HealthInvestor magazine has just announced the finalists for the much respected HealthInvestor Awards 2012, and we are delighted that DR Solicitors has been named a finalist in the category of Healthcare Legal Advisors of the Year. The winners will be announced at an awards dinner in May. We are particularly pleased to receive this recognition of our […read more…]

With the imminent demise of PCTs, practices currently occupying PCT owned premises should be asking themselves who will be their landlord in 2013 and what are the implications of this change? One thing is certain. The PCTs have been told to offload as much of their property estate as possible, and to do it quickly. […read more…]

In the recent case of Jackson v Liverpool, a county court decision that the employer was liable for damages as a result of an unfair reference was overturned on appeal. The claimant had left the respondent’s employment in 2007 with a favourable reference. A year later he applied for a new post and requested a second […read more…]

The recent case of Winchester & Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust v Walker was decided on appeal and sheds some interesting light on the complex matter of NHS continuity of service. It is a common misconception that NHS continuity of service is always carried from one NHS employer to another. This is not always the case. […read more…]

In the recent case of Clyde & Co LLP v Van Winkelhof, the High Court considered the question of whether a partner could bring a claim in an employment tribunal for discrimination and whistleblowing. It has long been clear that partners are entitled to protection under the discrimination and whistleblowing legislation and partners can, like […read more…]

The department of health has announced that CQC registration of GP practices will now happen by April 2013 – a delay of one year. This seems to be a recognition that 2012 was unrealistic given the other changes currently underway. In addition, the registration criteria are to be reviewed which will probably lead to a […read more…]

In a recent appeal we took to the NHSLA, the authority confirmed our view that a PMS contract cannot be varied to accommodate new or retiring partners without the written consent of all the current contract signatories. This is regardless of the status of the partnership, as a PMS contract cannot be held by a […read more…]