I confess to being puzzled by the reporting of this highly emotive and complex case involving issues of judicial review and unfair and wrongful dismissal. Not surprisingly given the dreadful events it isn’t merely an employment law matter because it was brought as a claim by Ms. Shoesmith for judicial review. However, the decision she complained of had the effect of terminating her employment and, effectively, her career. The media has reported that because she won her case before the Court of Appeal she is now potentially able to win substantial compensation for dismissal, possibly as much as one million pounds. See here for a very considered pierce by the Guardian -. As many people know, the maximum compensatory award that can be made for unfair dismissal by an Employment Tribunal is currently £68,400 (less at the time Ms Shoesmith was dismissed).