The extended length of this year’s Labour Law Review reflects the increasing significance of the law at work. New statutory developments and continuing judicial interpretations may offer new opportunities but they also add to the complexity facing trade unionists at work. The aim of this Review is to clarify these developments and highlight the main implications of the leading cases.

The Review looks for the first time at CAC cases involving the statutory recognition procedure; it looks at important decisions relating to industrial action – including new judicial restrictions surrounding the conduct of ballots; on health and safety the Review covers stress at work and looks at the implications of the Fairchild case on asbestos. The Review considers the operation of the Working Time Regulations, the Human Rights Act, developments around TUPE and looks at the extended European obligations in relation to discrimination.