Blowing the Whistle: Key Issues for Senior Executives and their Advisers

On Tuesday, 23^rd June, we marked World Whistleblowers Day, a day intended to raise global public awareness about the vital role of whistleblowers who speak out against wrongdoing. As a firm we regularly advise clients, particularly multinational employers, senior executives and professional services firms and their members, in relation to whistleblowing claims and over recent years, we successfully represented the Intervener, Protect (formerly Public Concern at Work), in leading whistleblowing cases in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

To discuss the current protections available to whistleblowers, we have recorded a podcast addressing this important topic.

In this podcast, Merrill April (Partner, CM Murray LLP), Nick Hawkins (Senior Associate, CM Murray LLP), Louise O’Connor (Senior Associate, CM Murray LLP) and Sophie Rothwell (Associate, CM Murray LLP) are joined by Charlotte Davies (Barrister, Littleton Chambers) to discuss key areas of whistleblowing, including the strategic and tactical issues which need to be considered when contemplating a whistleblowing claim:

• Navigating the legal landscape of whistleblowing legislation – practical advice on identifying core elements of a whistleblowing claim including the standing of a worker to bring a claim, the necessary requirements of a reasonable belief and what constitutes a public interest. 

• Potential redress and remedies – a consideration of recent decisions and the potential damages available to a successful claimant. 

• Recent trends in whistleblowing – examining recent judgments and the cultural shift in attitudes towards whistleblowing. 

• Public policy considerations in whistleblowing cases – the role of the Intervener, and key principles which have been determined.

If you would like to discuss any of these issues further, or for guidance on your specific rights, responsibilities and potential liabilities, please contact Partner Merrill April who specialises in employment and partnership law issues for multi-national employers, senior executives, firms and partners.