It would not, however, prevent them from counting toward the 250-person threshold meaning that if freelancers terminated in the next 83 days wanted to make the case in court that they were effectively employees entitled to WARN protection, and if the numbers add up, they might still be able to do so.

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We are concerned about the reduction in access to jury trial and we do warn that any reduction must be viewed with extreme caution.

BBC: Head to head: Reforming justice