With offices in both Maidstone and Tenterden, Whitehead Monckton has grown to be one of the largest legal practices in the county. We are also a legal and financial practice unique to Kent and proud to be so.
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Latest news
Whitehead Monckton welcomes Vicky Stoodley to the partnership
01 February 2012
Leading Kent law firm, Whitehead Monckton is delighted to announce that Vicky Stoodley has joined its partnership, specialising in planning law. Vicky qualified as a solicitor in 1988 and has built a formidable reputation in Kent as a specialist planning lawyer whilst previously being an associate and partner at two other prominent Kent firms. Her expertise is specifically recognised by the influential legal directories; Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500.
Debique v Ministry of Defence – claimant’s award reduced due to failure to mitigate losses
31 January 2012
Although initially sympathetic to her childcare needs, the Army lost patience with Miss Debique after a number of incidents, including an occasion where she failed to attend a parade. The Army subsequently informed Miss Debique that if she could not rearrange her childcare so that she could be available 24/7, that she would be sacked for gross misconduct. Following a formal warning, Miss Debique resigned alleging she feared she would be sacked in any event. She went on to claim that the requirement to be available 24/7 amounted to indirect sex discrimination. Miss Debique also claimed that she had been indirectly racially discriminated against because the immigration rules prevented her from inviting relatives to come to the United Kingdom to help with childcare. These claims were successful both at the original tribunal and at the Employment Appeal Tribunal. As the parties were unable to agree a figure for compensation, the matter went to a remedies hearing.
Employment tribunal changes
31 January 2012
The coming year promises a number of changes to the employment law landscape, following on from the coalition government's "Red Tape Challenge" launched in April 2011. This wide-ranging project intends to review 21,000 statutory instruments, with a view to identifying which existing regulations could be "scrapped, merged, simplified or improved". In an employment context, this approach has been targeted on assisting business and boosting economic recovery. Some of the important changes include increasing the qualifying period for unfair dismissal; making it easier for employers and employees to have frank discussions and resolve disputes; and overhauling the employment tribunal system.
Forthcoming event: Charities and tax relief, gift aid, and new pension regulations
23 January 2012
After we held our first annual Charity Conference in October last year, many delegates' feedback was that they'd like to attend seminars about gift aid and pensions. With that in mind, Whitehead Monckton is running a free charity seminar all about gift aid and pensions, which will be held on Tuesday 28 February 2012 between 4.30 and 6.30pm at our office in Maidstone.
Consultation on introduction of tribunal fees
15 December 2011
Business owners have often lamented the apparent ease with which disgruntled staff can bring employment tribunal claims. Presently, there is no fee for an employee to lodge a claim in the employment tribunal and very little chance of them having to pay for the employer’s costs of defending the claim. As things stand, the full cost of tribunal administration is borne by the taxpayer, which last year came to £84.2 million, according to government figures.
Employment law and the festive season
14 December 2011
With Christmas upon us, this article looks at some of the risks associated with office parties, all of which, unfortunately, have the potential to leave employers open to a range of claims caused by the behaviour of their employees. As American comedienne Phyllis Diller once remarked, “What I don't like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day.”
Half of British adults don't know what a charity trustee is
07 December 2011
New research from the charity Getting on Board has discovered that surveyed 2012 people found that 51% of respondents didn't know what a charity trustee is.