Overview

In a recent development in equal pay law, the Supreme Court has ruled that equal pay claims may be brought in the civil courts up to six years after the end of a claimant's employment, even though they would be out of time in the Employment Tribunal. This means that individuals who realise they may have equal pay claims after the six month time limit in the Tribunal, can still bring a claim in the civil courts.

The case involves 174 former employees of Birmingham City Council (all women bar four) who brought equal pay claims in the civil courts. They claimed that they were employed to carry out work rated as equivalent to male colleagues, but did not receive the substantial bonuses and additional payments to which their male colleagues were contractually entitled.

Wragge & Co's employment team discuss what this means in practice with a detailed analysis of the case.

To read on, click 'View Briefing'.