Skip to main content
Legal news

New six year equal pay rule may lead to many more claims

Jonathan Winston Jonathan Winston
2 min read

A new decision from the Supreme Court which will extend the time in which workers will have to bring equal pay claims from six months to six years will, it is expected, open the way for thousands more claims to be brought in other areas.

The case has seen about 170 former female workers from Birmingham city council claim compensation after alleging they did not receive the same benefits and payments as men doing the same level of work and therefore the council breached equal pay law. The council tried to block the claims, saying they should have been made in front of an employment tribunal which has a six-month time limit, but the employees succeeded in claiming they should be heard in a civil court which has a six-year limit.

The firm which represented the women said it had 1,000 more claims pending with thousands more expected in other areas and the Local Government Association said the Supreme Court ruling could lead to more employers going through the civil courts although it expected employment tribunals to remain the main avenue for claims.

Legal firms expect the ruling to have a significant impact on the City and it could lead to female employees more willing to bide their time and take equal pay claims to the high court. Ultimately it could make such claims more lucrative and worth pursuing by staff.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/oct/24/birmingham-equal-pay-victo...

Client feedback

Excellent response times, feel very supported by them, and give good, fair and impartial advice too when needed. Very professional.
Jessica
My Will was written during Wills Month via St Gemma's Hospice. The service was quick and efficient. I have only given 4 stars as there was an error in the original draft.
Anonymous
Found the process smooth and efficient. I was able to get information I required promptly and if not available immediately on the telephone then any messages left were replied to. Siddra Razaq and Tom McIlroy were responsible for the handling of my sale and I would certainly use them again.
Dianne
Monika in particular was very professional, efficient, friendly and helpful when drafting our wills
Brian
Very helpful and promptly anwsers emails as soon as.
Anonymous
Many of my family members have used Winstons Solicitors for their conyancing, over many years. I too have now used them and they did not disappoint. Samantha Robertson-Strong and Paulo Dos Santos were my main persons of contact. They were highly professional and very thorough, whilst maintaining an air of friendliness and approachability throughout. I cannot recommend them highly enough!
Mr T
Monika is extremely trustworthy, professional and experienced. Have very much felt in safe hands during a very difficult and stressful time of my life. Would highly recommend.
Zoe
Good Solicitors, helped couple times. Nice comunicion and people
Tadas
Contact Jonathan