Aug 21, 2007Quickie Link: Law Firm Settles Homophobia Discrimination Case
By vanrozenheim
(UK) - Clifford Chance, the world's biggest law business, has paid out an undisclosed sum in settlement of what is believed to be the first claim against a law firm for discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation. The case is the latest brought under the sexual orientation legislation to hit the City and could have cost the firm up to £1m. Last year Peter Lewis, a former head of global equity trading at HSBC, claimed £5m for unfair dismissal from the bank after a colleague alleged he made unwelcome sexual overtures while showering in the gym. Lewis lost the case but has won leave to bring the case again later this year. In this latest case, Michael Bryceland, a former partner in Clifford Chance's competition department, sued the so-called "magic circle" firm in November. It is understood that Mr Bryceland alleged both direct and indirect discrimination.
