header-logo header-logo

Managing the credit crunch

04 September 2008 / Jeremy Nixon
Issue: 7335 / Categories: Features , Employment
printer mail-detail

Part 2: Jeremy Nixon reviews the law in relation to mitigation of loss

It is well established that an individual who has been unfairly or wrongfully dismissed by their employer is under a duty to take reasonable steps to mitigate their loss. The question of loss is often a key battle ground in any litigation, particularly where the parties are discussing the possibility of a settlement. Frequently, employees have high expectations in terms of the amount they are likely to recover. On the other hand, employers often prefer to focus on the question of loss particularly where their case in relation to liability is not strong. The employer's primary aim here will be to inject what they regard as some realism into the employee's expectations.
General principles

A claimant in a wrongful or unfair dismissal case is required to give credit for any sums received following their dismissal either by way of social security payments or earnings. Further, the claimant cannot recover damages for any losses which he could reasonably have avoided. The duty

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Tech companies will be legally required to prevent material that encourages or assists serious self-harm appearing on their platforms, under Online Safety Act 2023 regulations due to come into force in the autumn
Commercial leasehold, the defence of insanity and ‘consent’ in the criminal law are among the next tranche of projects for the Law Commission
The Bar has a culture of ‘impunity’ and ‘collusive bystanding’ in which making a complaint is deemed career-ending due to a ‘cohort of untouchables’ at the top, Baroness Harriet Harman KC has found
Lawyers have broadly welcomed plans to electronically tag up to 22,000 more offenders, scrap most prison terms below a year and make prisoners ‘earn’ early release
The ex-wife of a Russian billionaire has won her bid to bring her financial relief claim in London, in a unanimous Court of Appeal decision
back-to-top-scroll