LAWFUEL – The Legal Newswire – The age discrimination lawsuit brought by a partner in one of the world’s largest, most lucractive law firms, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer may start an avalanche of claims under Britain’s new Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006. The Times reports:
The highly paid male senior executive who was asked to make way for new blood was clearly going to be one of the principal beneficiaries of the new age discrimination laws that came into force last October.
The potential for substantial awards under the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 was obvious. First, compensation for age discrimination (as for other strands of discrimination) was uncapped. Secondly, well-remunerated older executives might often have problems finding alternative employment with an equivalent package.
So it is surprising that the first high-value age discrimination claim has come not from a company director or investment banker, but from a partner in a “magic circle” law firm. Peter Bloxham’s claim against Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, the firm where he was formerly head of insolvency, began at the Central London Employment Tribunal last week.
Bloxham, 54, alleges that changes made to the firm’s pension arrangements for retired partners amounted to direct and indirect discrimination against the firm’s older partners, and is reportedly claiming £4.5 million in compensation. He maintains that he was forced to retire early and take a cut in his pension, the tribunal heard.
