Disputed dismissal

Leading personal injury and civil liberties firm Leigh Day is being sued by a former assistant alleging sexual discrimination and unfair dismissal, it emerged last week.

Former litigator Jemima Brewer claims that she was made redundant while on maternity leave.

The firm is strongly contesting the allegations.

Ms Brewer joined the firm in December 2000 as an assistant and worked on the ground-breaking Cape class action.

She claims that when she returned from maternity leave in September 2002, she was told there was no job for her.

'The firm said work was very slow after the resolution of the Cape litigation in December 2001 and they would have to make me redundant,' she said.

She says she was 'very surprised' and claims that 'other members of staff had work found for them and I was the only person to be let go.'

Ms Brewer also claims that when she announced she was pregnant, in October 2001, she was immediately removed from her main responsibilities.

Sally Moore, a partner with Leigh Day, said the firm prided itself on being female friendly.

'We were very reluctant to make Jemima redundant, but there was simply not enough work after the conclusion of the Cape litigation,' she said.

Of the other solicitors working on the action, Ms Moore added, two left the firm of their own volition and only one was reassigned to another group action.

Ms Brewer's claim that she was removed from her responsibilities when she announced her pregnancy could be disproved by time sheets and documentation, Ms Moore alleges.

Victoria MacCallum