ABSTRACT
In approaching the task of revising this chapter for the last edition, from the original work of Sir Patrick Elias I noted that in its original form and layout it refl ected a time when the concept of ‘ employment law ’ meant as much the law governing the relations of large trades unions and employers as the, then nascent concepts of redundancy and unfair dismissal and the newly created industrial tribunals. I noted also that in the original form, equal importance had been given to the law on collective labour relations as to individual rights. The common law governing individual rights were similarly holding their own against the statutory creations of unfair dismissal and sex and race discrimination. Passing references were made to the (potential) effect of European legislation on domestic law!. If for no reason other than that European Directives have been the major factor in the increase in employment legislation, substantial additions to the chapter were plainly necessary. The chapter was for example silent on matters of great signifi cance such as the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 which plainly called for inclusion. There has been no let up in the volume and scope of changes which have been brought, principally to refl ect the European infl uence, and this revision seeks to include a summary of those changes. Age discrimination is now in force, there have been amendments to the Disability Discrimination Act to name but two issues which needed to be added.
