Strike action could be avoided if judges were appointed to make final decisions over industrial disputes– Britain’s top criminal defence lawyer has claimed
The country is facing a summer of crippling industrial action.
However lawyer Nick Freeman – nicknamed Mr Loophole for successfully defending A-list clients with legal technicalities – says that paralysing strikes could be avoided if a single independent arbitrator – ideally a crown court judge-had the power to make a final, legally binding decision over, say, pay disputes.
Meanwhile, he adds, the law should also be changed to award compensation for any aggrieved parties who have suffered a loss because of strike action. Paid for out of union coffers.
“With the country facing unprecedented levels of industrial action, urgent action needs to be taken to find a decisive way to resolve disputes“, said Mr Freeman, whose clients include David Beckham and Frank Lampard.
“Of course negotiation is important. But if, after three rounds of talks, there is a deadlock, then the final call should be made by an independent adjudicator. Ideally a High Court judge because they have the perfect skill set to consider both sides’ representations and then arrive at an intelligent and fair balanced conclusion.
“There would”, adds Mr Freeman, “be a final right of appeal and after that, parties would have to accept the judgment.”
He says: “Each side would have to pay for their own representation. And since the decision is legally binding, any parties who then fail to comply would face sanctions – from financial penalty to even custody.”
Rail passengers are predicted to have to deal with more summer strikes after drivers backed fresh industrial action in a row over pay.
Members of the ASLEF Union that represents drivers at eight train firms voted overwhelmingly to walk out over pay. It means train services across Britain could be cancelled in the coming months, with national walkouts threatening chaos for travellers this summer.
A raft of other strikes have been mooted this summer including the airline industry
Adds Mr Freeman, “To be a fully functioning economy and to ensure the general public can go about their business, we have to find a way to stop the apparent domino effect of industrial action.That’s why we need to adopt a model for negotiation based on the appeals system in the criminal courts. I understand the role unions have to play in looking after the interests of their members, especially if they are underrepresented. But we have to find a way to protect members of the public too. Finding an independent arbitrator is surely the only way forward.”
About Freeman & Co.
Freeman & Co. are a specialist firm of road traffic and criminal defence solicitors based in Manchester but with nationwide coverage.
Freeman & Co. specialise in a wide variety of road traffic cases, ranging from drink driving, speeding and mobile phone offences, to name but a few.
The firm was created by Nick Freeman, who has been dubbed “Mr Loophole” by the press for his technical legal ability and robustly challenging the prosecution.
Nick is well regarded as an expert road traffic lawyer and has successfully represented many high profile clients for a variety of motoring offences as well as criminal offences.
The firm of Freeman & Co. embodies the way Nick works, with minute attention to detail and challenging the prosecution at every turn.
If you are facing a road traffic matter or criminal offence and need the services of Freeman & Co. please call on 0161 236 7007.
Freeman & Co. are available for Police Station attendances and an experienced criminal lawyer is on hand to take your call.
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Our Details
Freeman & Co Solicitors
8 Oxford Court
Manchester
M2 3WQ
Tel. 0161 236 7007
