Landmark UK Case: Law Firms Can Require Partners to Retire at 65
In a much-watched age discrimination case that is expected to be the basis of law firm retirement policies throughout the United Kingdom, a appellate tribunal has ruled that partners can be forced to retire at a specific age.
Although the landmark ruling by the Employment Appeal Tribunal does not finally decide the case of Leslie Seldon v Clarkson Wrights and Jakes, it recognizes that age-based mandatory retirement policies can be legitimate, reports the London Times.
Seldon, a former partner at a small law firm in Kent, had argued that it was illegal, under new age discrimination laws, for him to be required to retire at age 65.
But “the EAT accepted his firm’s argument that mandatory retirement at 65 was justified because it ensured that younger associate solicitors had a realistic opportunity of making partner and so were incentivised to stay at the firm,” the Times reports. “The EAT also accepted that mandatory retirement facilitated forward planning at the firm because it would be clear when vacancies would arise.”
Earlier ABAJournal.com coverage:
Forced to Retire at 65, UK Lawyer Sues Firm for Age Discrimination
