Sorry. It’s an old trick using those three letters to catch your attention. Be assured, we haven’t suddenly changed our marketing strategy and opted for the obvious. But, in reality, sex regularly does sell legal services. If you don’t believe us, just ask some of the best-known names in the City.

What do you mean?

In recent years some of the biggest and most public claims ever have been heard before the Employment Tribunal. We have seen Stephanie Villalba present a sex discrimination and unfair dismissal claim valued at £7 million against Merrill Lynch. She may have been largely unsuccessful with the discrimination element of her claim before the Tribunal in Croydon but not before a protracted hearing, substantial legal costs on both sides and a media furore. Her legal battle goes on, but less publicly, as her claim has now been trumped by an £11million claim against HBOS. Claire Bright was Head of Asset and Liability Management for HBOS and is now suing for sex discrimination, victimisation and unfair dismissal. It will be a few months before her claim reaches Stratford Tribunal (if it is not headed off in the meantime) but we can expect the press to watch every step).

Meanwhile the papers have been busy reporting the detail of other events in Stratford as Peter Lewis pursued his £5 million claim against HSBC. Again sex was the key factor as it was allegations of lewd behaviour in the gym that led to his dismissal. Mr Lewis maintained that the allegations were untrue and part of a homophobic vendetta against him starting just weeks after he arrived at the bank, having been headhunted for the role as global head of equity trading.

Debate has raged about whether the figures put on these claims are realistic and, indeed, whether employees in the City should simply put up or shut up. But whether the claims are found to be valid or not, the employers concerned will, no doubt, have incurred huge costs and spent valuable time in defending themselves and their reputations.

Am I bothered?

But it is not just an issue in the City. In a working world where the scope of claims that can be brought continues to widen and the diversity agenda has started to impact much more substantially, we look at some of the issues that no employer can afford to ignore.