Explore every episode of the podcast Lawcast

In this podcast our experts Alex Lock, Jane Marshall and Ceri Fuller discuss the fire and rehire measures in the Employment Rights Act 2025 which are set to come into force on 1 January 2027.

Alex, Jane and Ceri explore:

- The impact of the new legislation on exercises to change terms and conditions

- What the 2025 legislation says

- How the new law applies to reorganisations and ending fixed term contracts

- Practical steps to take to prepare ahead of January 2027

In this podcast, experts Richard Loxley, Steve Ellerby and Rose Jakeman discuss the unfair dismissal measures in the Employment Rights Act 2025 including:

• What the ERA 2025 measures on unfair dismissal say

• The implications of the right to bring an ordinary unfair dismissal claim becoming subject to a 6 month qualifying service period from 1 January 2027

• What unfair dismissal attracting unlimited compensation means for litigation, including Polkey deductions and losses that may be claimed under the new regime

In this episode from our NHS Estates Series, Kesena Omakobia and Dean Parrett unpack the essentials of NHS property acquisitions - from choosing the right route to occupation to navigating due diligence, governance, risk and deal terms. A quick, practical guide for anyone involved in NHS estates, planning or service transformation.

The Employment Rights Bill is now very close to becoming an Act of Parliament, with just one significant measure on unfair dismissal compensation left to be resolved.

In the third episode of series two in our podcast series, DACB experts, Partner Michelle Corrigan, and Legal Directors Ceri Fuller and Joanne Bell, look at the latest developments in the Parliamentary ping pong process, including on unfair dismissal, and the measures on which we expect there to be consultation in 2026.

The podcast also includes a discussion of what employers can do to prepare for the reduction in the unfair dismissal qualifying period, and whether the measures identified in the government's roadmap as due to come into force in April 2026 are likely still to be implemented within that timeframe.

In this latest episode from our Property Headaches podcast series, partner Nicola Fairbairn talks to legal director Gwyneth Barton and senior associate George Taylor about the Renters Rights Act.

Together they discuss what the Renters' Rights Act intends to achieve, when the provisions are to come into force, and what the key steps are that landlords need to take to prepare.

In this episode of the NHS Estates Series, Terri Trapnell and Madeline Ball outline the key elements of green leases, including sustainability clauses, data sharing, cost considerations, and clinical constraints. They discuss how these agreements support NHS net zero targets, address EPC compliance, and balance the needs of landlords and tenants, with practical guidance from the NHS Green Leases Framework.

In this latest episode from our Property Headaches podcast series, partner Nicola Fairbairn talks to partner Jonathan Bond about refurbishment of existing buildings, and how and where the liability sits for building condition during fit-out works.

Together they discuss how clients should go about delivering a fit-out project, what changes have been introduced to building refurbishments as a result of the Building Safety Act 2022, and who is responsible when things go wrong.

In this episode of our NHS Estates podcast series, Lisa Geary is joined by Alex Taylor, Director of Estates at Operose Health, and Dr. James Dixon, Regional Medical Director at Operose Health, to explore the NHS 10 Year Health Plan and its impact on primary care and the primary care estate.

They discuss what the Plan's aims to transform primary care through community-based delivery, digital innovation, a shift toward prevention and the overall focus on neighbourhood services delivery will mean for the primary care estate. This conversation offers a deep dive into the opportunities and challenges ahead.

In this podcast, our experts, partner Sarah George, consultant Stephen Foster and knowledge lawyer Joanne Bell, discuss the changes that will be bought in by the Employment Rights Bill in relation to expanding workers' protection from harassment, bereavement leave, enhanced protection of pregnant employees and new mothers, flexible working and family leave rights, and gender equality action plans. This includes discussion of what the current version of the Bill says on these topics, and what further information is contained in the two consultations that were published late last month, on bereavement leave and enhanced dismissal protection for pregnant employees and new mothers.

In this episode of our NHS Estates podcast series, Nick Hillyard speaks with Thomas Hurst and Jonathan Bond about the legal and practical challenges of healthcare construction. They cover risk allocation, procurement strategies, dispute resolution, and the evolving landscape of hospital builds - from modular design to ESG compliance.

In this episode of our NHS Estates podcast series, Victoria Armstrong and Ben Farline from our Health Real Estate team explore how NHS organisations can dispose of surplus land or buildings through public auction. They discuss the benefits, key steps, legal considerations, and how to prepare for a successful and compliant sale.

In the third and final episode of the Health Adviser podcast series, Alistair Robertson, Partner and Head of Public Law at DAC Beachcroft, is joined by Emma-Jane Dalley, Partner at DAC Beachcroft, and Dr. Raghib Ali, CEO and Chief Medical Officer at Our Future Health.

Together they explore how this ground-breaking research programme - now the world’s largest of its kind - is driving a shift toward prevention-first healthcare. With over 2.5 million volunteers and a focus on data, diversity and early risk detection, Our Future Health plays a central role in the UK government's new 10 Year Health Plan. It’s helping to build the evidence base for personalised, risk-based screening and scalable digital interventions that aim to reduce disease burden and health inequalities across the UK.

In this episode of the Health Adviser podcast series, Katherine Calder, Partner and Head of Public Procurement at DAC Beachcroft, speaks with Dr. Rhidian Bramley, Consultant Radiologist and Clinical Lead for Diagnostics, Digital and Innovation within the Greater Manchester Imaging Network. Together, they explore how Manchester is deploying AI at scale to transform cancer diagnostics, improve early detection, and reduce waiting times. As early diagnosis and AI play a central role in the government's 10 Year Health Plan, this conversation highlights a practical and pioneering model that others in the NHS may look to adopt.

In this opening episode of our Health Adviser podcast series, Hamza Drabu, Head of Health at DAC Beachcroft, is joined by Dr. Nav Chana MBE, senior partner at Cricket Green Medical Practice and non-executive director at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. Together, they explore global models of care with a spotlight on Brazil’s community health worker scheme — a universal, preventative initiative now gaining traction in the UK. Dr. Chana discusses its integration into NHS settings, the cultural and funding challenges of adapting such models, and its relevance to health inequalities. This Brazilian approach features as part of the government’s new 10 Year Health Plan, reflecting growing interest in reverse innovation to support scalable, sustainable community health in England.

In Episode 8 of our NHS Estates Series, we explore key planning updates and top tips for developing the healthcare space and bringing health to the high street. Join our real estate experts as they share practical insights and advice on how to deliver successful healthcare projects.

In this latest episode from our Property Headaches podcast series, partner Nicola Fairbairn talks to partner Rachael Reynolds about Newcomer Injunctions.

Together they discuss what a newcomer injunction is, what they can be used for and how you would obtain a newcomer injunction.

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In this episode of our Data, Privacy and Cyber Digest podcast series, DACB partners Charlotte Halford and Rowena McCormack provide an overview of the current AdTech landscape through a privacy lens, including recent regulator activity and look at projections for the next six months.

Together they consider what AdTech is, why it raises privacy concerns, and provide some practical tips for compliance with AdTech regulations.

2025 will be a key year for organisations preparing for the phased requirements of the EU AI Act. With provisions relating to "high risk" AI systems effective from 1 August 2026, this podcast episode guides you through the actions you should be taking over the course of 2025 to prepare. DACB partner, Chris Air, and BLD partner, Dr. Alexander Beyer discuss what high risk AI systems are, what the key obligations are for deploying a high risk AI system, and what timelines need to be considered for deployment.

This latest episode of our NHS Estates Series focuses on risk management and health and safety in property estates.

Join us as we explore key issues including compliance and knowing how to respond to an incident, the impact of RAAC and managing the risk of fire.

In this latest episode of our NHS Estates Series, we’re diving into Part 4 of Estatecode, focusing on the disposal of freehold land and buildings. This section outlines the processes and guidelines for disposing of NHS-owned property, ensuring compliance with public sector rules, financial accountability, and transparency. Join us as we draw on our own experience and explore key principles, legal implications and best practices, shedding light on how NHS bodies can navigate this essential aspect of property management effectively.

This episode provides an overview of this guidance for NHS estates and finance managers and directors. Join us and listen to the conversations between our real estate health experts who work for NHS Trusts across the country and hear their reflections on the key themes which are crucial to have in mind when managing the NHS Estate.

This is the fourth and final episode of a series of four podcasts about the Employment Rights Bill. In this episode, Partners Louise Bloomfield and Tim Gooder, and Knowledge Lawyer Joanne Bell, discuss the planned restriction of "fire and rehire" practices, as well as the proposals targeted at ending what the Government refers to as "one sided flexibility". These include requiring employers to offer a contract for a guaranteed number of hours to zero and low hours workers, and to provide reasonable notice of any cancellation of or changes to scheduled shifts.

In this inaugural episode of our new Data, Privacy and Cyber Digest podcast series, Pete Given and Chris Air (partners in DACB's Data, Privacy and Cyber team) discuss the EDPB's recent Opinion 22/2024 on obligations following from reliance on processors and sub-processors.

Together they consider what the EDPB opinion covers, what the standout points are from the opinion, and what this means for controllers.

This is the third episode in a series of four podcasts about the Employment Rights Bill. In this episode, Partners Nick Chronias and Philip Harman, and Knowledge Lawyer Sara Meyer, discuss the Government's plans for trade union and industrial relations reform. These include the proposed repeal of many of the restrictions on industrial action that were introduced in 2016, as well as strengthened union rights of access to workplaces, simplification of the trade union recognition process and increased protections from detriment and dismissal for workers who participate in protected industrial action.

This episode of Lawcast discusses practical considerations for NHS Bodies when negotiating leases, both as landlord and as tenant, including an overview of key NHS specific provisions.

This is the second episode in our series of four podcasts about the Employment Rights Bill.

In this episode, Partners Sarah George and Anjali Sharma, and Legal Director and Knowledge Lawyer Joanne Bell, discuss the Bill's family-friendly, equality and harassment related proposals (including changes to flexible working, day one rights to paternity and parental leave and bereavement leave, protection from dismissal for maternity returners, the requirement for large employers to publish gender pay gap action plans and menopause support plans, and strengthening protections against harassment at work).

This is the first episode in a series of four podcasts about the Employment Rights Bill.

In this episode, Partners David Speakman and Stuart Craig, and Knowledge Lawyer Sara Meyer, discuss the proposals to make protection from unfair dismissal a day one right, change the trigger point for collective redundancy consultation, strengthen rights to statutory sick pay and create a new single enforcement body for employment rights.

In this latest episode from our Property Headaches podcast series, partner Nicola Fairbairn talks to partner Andrew Morgan about Biodiversity Net Gain.

Together they discuss what BNG is, what developments it affects, and what landowners and developers should be doing now to ensure compliance.

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Click here to find out about our upcoming Autumn Planning Conference.

This episode of Lawcast provides a reminder of how the 1954 Act works and how it might apply to non-residential leases where an NHS body is either the landlord or the tenant.

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Click here to listen to part one.

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Click here to listen to our podcast episode on MEES.

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Click here to read more about the Building Safety Act.

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Sign up here to attend our 'RAAC – Developing a Comprehensive Legal Strategy' webinar on 7 November 2023.

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