This year’s edition of Labour Law Review is a timely reminder of how far our framework of law has developed in recent years and how far we still need to go before fairness at work can be achieved. As usual, the authors concentrate on those cases which they believe have made a significant difference or which provide useful guidance for workers and their representatives.

Following the election of an historic third term Labour government, this year’s edition of Labour Law Review is a timely reminder of how far our framework of law has developed in recent years and how far we still need to go before fairness at work can be envisaged.

As the Government undertakes its review of the Employment Relations Act, this year’s edition of Labour Law Review provides its usual authoritative insight into the main statutory and legislative developments in labour law.

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.

Over the last year there has been much discussion about UK workers developing a "compensation culture". Emphasis is placed on the increase in the number of cases going through the court and tribunal systems with particular focus on the associated increase in costs. Yet little is said about why there has been such an increase or indeed the nature of the cases.