Firms in jobs lawsuit

Feb 26 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

TWO Merseyside firms are embroiled in the first employment lawsuit of its kind between two solicitors’ offices.

Southport-based Barnetts are being sued for compensation by six staff from Leeds Lloyd Whitley (LLW) who lost their position after the former won a £1m contract from the latter.

Some 23 staff at LLW, working on the account for the Britannia Building Society, were found other work.

The remaining six are bringing a claim under Tupe (transfer of undertakings, protection of employment) legislation, saying Barnetts was obliged to take them on.

It is thought to be the first time a Tupe claim involving the transfer of contract between law firms has been heard.