A former partner’s age discrimination claim against Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer will go to a tribunal, it has emerged, after a case management conference this week found there was a case to be heard.
Former insolvency head Peter Bloxham is now due to face Freshfields at a central London employment tribunal in the early summer over claims his pension was adversely affected due to him retiring before the age of 55.
The claim is believed to be the first case of its kind that has been brought against a partnership since new age discrimination laws were introduced in the UK at the end of last year.
Freshfields introduced a new pensions system last May, giving its older generation of partners the option to retire from the partnership if they wanted to retain the benefits of the old package.
The case will be closely watched by a number of other Freshfields partners who are understood to be considering bringing claims relating to the pensions reforms. If there is no settlement between the parties, the case could set a precedent for other law firms on the issue.
Bloxham’s case is thought to be particularly complex and high-value, with one employment specialist suggesting that any judgment may well go to appeal.
Bloxham is being represented by Dawsons head of litigation Jo Keddie. Freshfields is being represented by Lewis Silkin.
Freshfields declined to comment.
