Former solicitor sues former firm for disability discrimination

Claimant alleged to have had 'problems' with a female member of staff

A well-known Midlands lawyer is hoping to win possibly the most crucial case of his life - as a claimant.

Jeremy Geere, who has represented numerous clients for years at Birmingham's Employment Tribunal, has made claims for disability discrimination and harassment at the tribunal against Anthony Collins Solicitors of Edmund Street.

The firm employed Geere for ten years. He then became a caseworker for the Citizens Advice Bureau dealing only with race discrimination cases and later ran an independent charity to help migrant workers.

The former employee accused Anthony Collins of post-employment victimisation, disability discrimination and harassment after alleging derogatory remarks had since been made against him. The claims had been brought under the Protection of Harassment Act.

Geere, who has conducted tribunal cases while employed by the Collins firm, represented himself. He admitted he had not been present when the alleged derogatory remarks were made against him. But the tribunal was told that it appeared Geere had problems with a female staff member.

He said he had sent two emails to the police about the situation and alleged he had been treated less favourably by the firm than other former employees.

Geere said he had suffered from a severe stress disorder and told the tribunal he believed he was entitled to £6,000 for injury to feelings and £5,000 for his financial losses.

Stuart Brittenden, representing the respondents, said the firm opposed Geere's legal claims and denied all the allegations.

"Mr Geere has failed to prove that he suffered detriment and has failed to say what the derogatory remarks actually were," said Brittenden. He added that one of the accused denied saying anything about Geere.

Tribunal judge David Kearsley said he would make a decision at a later date.

Peter Swingler, freelance journalist