• An autistic employee, distracted by an open plan office, was discriminated against when the employer failed to take practical steps to understand his disability and implement two reasonable adjustments.
• The TUC and Maternity Action have warned that employers are not doing enough to protect pregnant women at work and have published new guidance to help keep female staff safe during and after pregnancy.
• The Institute for Employment Studies have published a new report which highlights that stigmatisation and discrimination of those with obesity is still a pervasive issue prevalent in employment.
• The Ministry of Justice has announced that 230 additional businesses have joined the work placement scheme to hire ex-offenders and new release on temporary licence rules will widen access to employment.

SMB has advised the majority shareholders of long-standing client, Exile Group on its minority stake sale to private equity firm Bridgepoint.
Read moreWe are delighted to have acted for Independent Talent Group in the major investment by Sienna Private Equity into the agency.
Read moreHead of Media & Communications Disputes, Jeffrey Smele was quoted extensively in an article in the Financial Times on 17 December 2025, addressing the question - ‘ Why is Donald Trump suing the BBC – and will he win?’.
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