The 2026 Annual EEG Meeting, hosted generously by Lexstone Lawyers, was held on 11 and 12 June in the beautiful setting of Jersey. This year’s gathering brought together employment law experts from across our network to discuss the shifting legal landscape, the practical use of AI in legal work, and strategic updates for the group.
Key Session Highlights
1. Pay Transparency: Navigating the EU Directive
Moderator/Speaker: Adam Kraszewski, Gessel, Poland
Speaker: Michele Giammusso, Nunziante Magrone, Italy
- Italy has fully adopted the EU Pay Transparency directive, and Poland has partially adopted it, but most member states missed the June 7, 2026, deadline.
- Attendees mapped out the legal risks employers face due to conflicting national rules and an unclear regulatory environment.
2. AI in Daily Practice: What Works for Employment Law?
Moderator/Speaker: Myrddin van Westendorp, Fruytier, the Netherlands
- Artificial intelligence is now in daily practice, with all attending member firms actively utilizing or testing platforms like Harvey, Legora, Co-Pilot, and Claude.
- The discussion focused on balancing AI benefits with practical challenges, including system costs, client cost-relevance, training junior associates, and the privacy boundaries of handling sensitive medical data.
3. Mental Health at Work & Disability Discrimination
Moderator: Agnieszka Bielanska, Lexstone, Jersey
Speaker: Sharon Timoney, Senior Advisory & Conciliation Officer, Jersey Advisory and Conciliation Service, Jersey
- Guest speaker Sharon Timoney provided a crucial overview of how mental health challenges impact tribunal cases and employment relationships in Jersey and the UK.
- Amid a sharp rise in sick leave across Europe, members analyzed the delicate balance employers must strike between supporting their workforce and managing the operational and legal risks of long-term illness.
Looking Ahead
We extend our sincere thanks to Lexstone Lawyers for being such fantastic hosts, to our insightful session leaders, and to all our members whose collaborative spirit made this annual meeting an outstanding success.
The European Employment Group (EEG) continues to grow and adapt alongside the changing legal landscape. We look forward to continuing these vital conversations during our next quarterly call on September 9, 2026, and at our 2027 Annual Meeting in Paris, hosted by Lerins!
