Now John will help to shape the law

Aug 29 2007 by Iain Laing, The Journal

THE Newcastle-born senior partner of a Cumbrian law firm has been chosen to head a prominent Law Society committee.

John Morris, senior partner at Burnetts in Carlisle, has been appointed chairman of the Employment Law Committee, an influential national committee which advises the Government on employment law.

John, who leads a six-solicitor employment law team, will take up his new part-time role in September.

John, 57, who has spent his career in northern England said: “I feel very honoured to have been recognised, especially as a solicitor from the regions. There is a perception that difficult legal work can only be done in London. At Burnetts we advise on some very complex legal issues for some very high calibre clients.

“I’m delighted that the value of my experience from the provinces is being acknowledged.” During his three-year appointment, John expects to be taking a leading role in employment law consultations with Government officials, on issues such as plans to overhaul the discrimination laws and changes in dealing with workplace grievances and disciplinary matters.

He said: “I’m very much looking forward to getting started. In the early part of my career, I was following the law that others laid down. When I became a part-time employment tribunal chairman I was applying that law. Now, in this new role, I’m in at the beginning, helping to shape the law.”

John is an expert on employment law and particularly skilled in tribunal advocacy. Recently he was ranked one of the North-West’s top 21 employment lawyers in Chambers UK.