Offices around the country are gearing up for their Christmas parties and the annual antics that come with them. Whether it is drunken behaviour, office romances or mischief with the photocopier there is usual some gossip after the fun has ended. But what should employers do when a punch is thrown?

The latest curated top legal briefings of the week

Gateley warns employers of the risks of disciplining staff when Christmas parties escalate into violence. One instance of office ‘banter’ ended in tears after a fight started and a member of staff was punched in the face. The man was eventually fired for his attack while his colleague was only given a warning despite sending threatening messages to his attacker throughout the night. The Employment Tribunal upheld the company’s decision, as each case of misconduct was different. Click here for more information.

Meanwhile, Stewarts Law looks at the dismissal of Goldberg Segalla partner Clive O’Connell after a football-fuelled rant was filmed and put online. The interview, in which O’Connell called Liverpool fans “scum”, went viral and he was expelled from the firm for serious misconduct. Click here for more information.

Shoosmiths examines the US phenomenon of Black Friday. The tradition sees retailers offer their goods at massively reduced prices after Thanksgiving. However, this can lead to reduced sales in the following weeks, with retailers losing out. The best idea might be to not cut prices at all and benefit from consumers spending more as they get swept up in the Black Friday mayhem. Click here for more information.

Top five briefings by law firm 
Gateley: Christmas parties, punch-ups and consistency Download
Stewarts Law: Lawyer’s trial by social media Download
Loyens & Loeff: Three takeaways from the Facebook ‘tracking’ case Download
Encompass Corporation: Near enough is not good enough – minimising risk in legal search Download
Totum: Follow the leader: leadership skills in the legal sector Download
More law firms

Top five briefings by practice area 
Intellectual property: IP Matters, Nov 2015: the footballer and the bad doll; the Batmobile Gotham deserves; and more Download
In-house: Hiring seasonal staff: immigration concerns Download
Banking/finance: The power of a power of attorney Download
Corporate: Restatement of the rule against contractual penaltiess Download
Family: The Liam Gallagher case and confidentiality in the Family Courts Download
More practice areas

Top five briefings by region
Offshore: Taxidermy – would Uber be stuffed in Guernsey? Download
Europe: Across the EUniverse, Nov 2015: Starbucks, Fiat tax fines; Connected Continent; and more Download
UK: Black Friday to Cyber Monday: how to ensure you don’t sell out Download
US: Safe Harbour no more: complex interim rules likely Download
Asia-Pacific: Consider yourself served Download
More regions

Lawyer 2B Autumn 2015 digital edition Download