Love's not in the law firm air

An English lawyer was dismissed after ignoring her managing partner's strict instructions not to enter a romantic relationship, an employment tribunal was told last week.

Barred at one English law firm?

Kate Baker said that Chris Lingard, managing partner of Truro-based Follett Stock, wanted to her to stay single and ‘not have babies’, according to a report in The Times newspaper.
The 33-year-old added that Mr Lingard created a ‘culture of bullying’ at the firm, which included staff not being allowed to talk to each other before 1pm.

Downtrodden

After joining the practice in October 2011, Ms Baker said she ‘went from being awarded prizes and being told I was brilliant and the leader of the Exeter office, to being downtrodden and having my confidence sapped within the space of a few months’.
Ms Baker – who was paid £45,000 a year – is claiming sexual harassment, sexual discrimination and unfair dismissal.
Follett Stock’s Guy Hollebon is representing the firm. He said it denied Ms Baker’s claims and that even though a deadline had been missed, a judge ruled that the firm could file a defence. A full hearing is due at a later date.

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