What is whistleblowing? According to whistleblowing advice solicitors, this is disclosing information or calling attention to wrongdoing.
Whistleblowers can alert authorities and other people to a criminal offence like fraud or when someone's health and safety are in danger. Expert employment lawyers can also apply if there is a risk or actual damage to the environment or a miscarriage of justice.
When applied to the workplace, whistleblowing could mean exposing possible unlawful activities in an organization, like failing to comply with legal obligations.
Thomson Reuters Practical Law said whistleblowers in the United Kingdom are protected by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA). Employees who make "protected disclosures" under the PIDA can accuse the company they work of for unfair dismissal if they are terminated due to the disclosures.
Aside from this, whistleblowers are also protected from other acts that hamper their careers, refusing to offer promotions, facilities, or training opportunities. Workers who are not employees (like independent contractors and workers provided by an agency) cannot make an unfair dismissal claim but can speak out against detrimental treatment from the company.
The types of disclosure that PIDA recognizes are the following:
Disclosures can include those that happened outside the UK. These are called “qualifying disclosures.”
However, some types of disclosure are not protected by PIDA. These include disclosures prohibited under the Official Secrets Act 1989 and those that fall under what is known as legal professional privilege.
Also, disclosures are only protected if they are revealed in good faith to the appropriate person. These are:
The employer, either directly or through an internal company procedure.
Another person whom they reasonably believe to be solely or mainly responsible for the problem.
Employees who make disclosures to a "prescribed person" (a party outside the company prescribed by the Secretary of State like a regulatory body) must meet more conditions to obtain protection. Whistleblowers who make disclosures to external persons or bodies not specified by PIDA must meet more conditions before they can qualify for protection.
Individuals who have been unfairly dismissed due to whistleblowing can claim before an employment tribunal, but this should be done within three months. This can be extended if the claims are made after following the statutory grievance procedures under the Employment Act 2002 or if the tribunal extends the time limit.
Whistleblowing can be challenging, especially if it can affect your career. To protect yourself and do this in the safest possible way, consult the whistleblowing advice solicitors of Deo Volente (DV) Solicitors in Bedford, UK. We can tell you what to do and provide the support you need.
For more information, visit Best Solicitors in the UK - DV Solicitors - Yours Legally, call 01234 350 244, or email info@dvsolicitors.com.
You have an important case that you want to be resolved as quickly as possible. Who do you call for help? Should you go to a lawyer, solicitor, or barrister?
To answer that question, it’s important to know the differences between these professions.
First, both solicitors and barristers are lawyers. A lawyer is a generic term that describes someone with legal qualifications and legal training. Some people refer to a lawyer as an attorney, but there is a slight difference.
A person who has studied law is called a lawyer, but not all lawyers practice law. This applies only to those who have passed the bar exam. An attorney is qualified to prosecute and defend clients in court, whereas a lawyer is not. Thus, all attorneys are lawyers, but not all lawyers are attorneys.
Both barristers and solicitors are licensed legal practitioners who can give legal advice. At present, there are about 15,000 barristers and 154,170 solicitors in England and Wales.
But there are differences too. To become a solicitor, a person must complete a vocational one- to a two-year course called the Legal Practice Course (LPC) after getting a Legum Baccalaureus (LLB) or Bachelor of Law degree or a graduate diploma in law (GDL). That individual must also pass the Solicitors Qualifying Exam.
A solicitor normally prepares the legal documents for the client during a court case. This person performs most of the legal work in a law firm or office.
While there are exceptions to the rule, most solicitors work behind the scenes in a law company or commercial organisation. They advise people, groups, or private companies who come to them for legal help, negotiate and hold discussions between parties to reach a legal agreement, and draft and review legal documents.
Solicitors deal with the paperwork and communication regarding their clients’ cases. Among others, they write contracts, documents, and letters. They also prepare papers for court.
As such, solicitors are regular employees with job security and other benefits. They work directly with clients, and their duties depend on their level of expertise. They can handle personal injury cases, family law issues, criminal law, and other cases.
In contrast, barristers must complete the vocational component of bar training after getting their LLB or law conversion course. They are required to work for a year under another barrister before they can work in chambers. This is the private office of a judge or judicial officer.
Unlike solicitors, barristers can represent or defend clients in court. While some solicitors can do this, they often hire barristers to handle complex issues. Barristers specialise in certain aspects of law like entertainment, sports, and family law.
Most barristers are self-employed, which means they have no job security. They work in offices called chambers which may be shared with other barristers. Law firms or organisations employ some.
Clients can’t approach self-employed barristers directly unless they go through a solicitor. The only exception is when the barrister is a member of the Public Access Scheme, which means people can go straight to them for legal advice.
Still, confused about these terms? Don’t hesitate to consult the friendly lawyers of DV Solicitors in Bedford, UK. We will carefully look at your cases and give you the right advice and attention you deserve. No problem is too big or small for us.
For more information, visit Best Solicitors in the UK - DV Solicitors - Yours Legally, call 01234 350 244, or email info@dvsolicitors.com.
Are you struggling to get through a rough patch at your workplace?
Your workplace should be a safe space for personal and career advancement. Apparently, there are times when some employees are subjected to unfair and illegal conditions by exploitative employers.
Most workers lack knowledge about their workplace rights or maybe scared of opening up against their employer in fear of recrimination.
These labour violations can lead to lost wages and benefits, missed opportunities for advancement, and unneeded stress.
Many people can expect at some stage in their careers to get legal advice from an employment solicitor.
For any employee, it always pays to address critical issues before they become a serious issue.
Unjust and discriminatory labour practices against employees occur in many forms, involving wrongful termination, prejudice, harassment, failure to give a reasonable accommodation, refusal of leave, employer retaliation, and wage and hour violations.
Workers who feel they are victims of these unethical practices by their employers may not be aware of their rights or may be frightened to speak out against their employer for fear of retaliation.
At Deo Volente, our specialist team is a recognised leader in employment law within the UK. Our best employee solicitors are dedicated advocates for fairness in any workplace and your career.
Our mission is to help you ensure you get rewarded fairly and continue working productively. We believe that giving your valuable time, skills, and commitment to your employer’s service is a significant element in any organisation.
Our team of friendly solicitors at Deo Volente give expert legal consultation and services to a diversified range of clients, including unfair dismissal compensation.
We deal with a variety of civil litigation cases, including unjust labour practices against employees.
Our qualified consultants possess the knowledge, dedication, and experience required to represent workers in a wide range of labour disputes.
You are in safe hands with us.
If you believe you may have been a victim of unfair or illegal treatment in your workplace, do not hesitate to reach out to us today so we can advise you of the open options available.
