Julie Dalzell, Senior Associate, Jacksons Law Firm, represented Karen Whitmore
, former Assistant Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer at Middlesbrough Council, in a liability hearing over ten days in March 2017 against Middlesbrough Council, with findings of unfair dismissal and victimisation made in favour of Ms Whitmore in a lengthy written Judgment that was promulgated to the parties on 19 June 2017. Middlesbrough Council were represented by Womble Bond Dickinson throughout and instructed Christopher Jeans QC as advocate at the liability hearing in March.
Julie went back to Tribunal with Ms Whitmore on 13th and 14th December for a hearing to determine remedy from which her client was awarded compensation in the sum of £94,523.86.
Speaking about the case after the hearing, Julie Dalzell says that she is as delighted as her client with the outcome and in particular with the recognition by the panel in the summing up delivered by Judge Wade on Thursday afternoon in an extempore Judgment, that the actions of Middlesbrough Council had a hugely significant and detrimental impact on Ms Whitmore’s health and her career at a senior level in local government, which until those actions occurred, had been both successful and unblemished. The Tribunal also found that but for the unlawful actions of the Respondent, Ms Whitmore would still have been employed by Middlesbrough council. These findings were fully reflected in the significant compensatory award that was made to Ms Whitmore for the unfair dismissal and victimisation.
Julie who has been a specialist employment lawyer and advocate for 15 years acknowledges that the case was a tremendous opportunity for her as an advocate to support and represent a client in a multi-day hearing involving a number of claims engaging complex legal points and the experience will be invaluable in her work as an advocate specialising in unfair dismissal and discrimination law.
Karen Whitmore says “I am extremely grateful to Jacksons Law Firm in general, and Julie in particular, for the assistance provided to me at this difficult time. This was a very complicated case in which Public Law and Employment Law were both engaged. Julie was able to understand all the complexities of the case including the often confusing world of Local Government and provide sound advice throughout. Julie is personable, supportive and knowledgeable, all of which were required to win the case against a very expensive and experienced QC from London. I am delighted at the outcome we achieved, the compensation awarded and in particular the comments from Judge Wade which demonstrated that my career was ended by MBC illegally victimizing and unfairly dismissing me. I am grateful to Julie for the time she spent on this case and for securing this result”.
Jacksons Law Firm has a team of highly experienced solicitor advocates which allows clients faced with bringing or defending Tribunal claims to benefit from a detailed knowledge of the case and consistency of approach that comes from involvement in the case from the outset and throughout. The team regularly advise employees to ensure their employment rights are protected when facing issues such as bullying, harassment, disability discrimination, redundancy, unfair dismissal, whistleblowing and pregnancy related detriment. The team also offer the full suite of employment services for businesses including start up business packages, Jacksons Shield, employment law training and business immigration advice. To find out more about our employment services for individuals and businesses visit www.jacksons-law.com.
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