Unwrapping Vicarious Liability at the Christmas Party
Published on: 24/11/2025
Article Authors The main content of this article was provided by the following authors.
Niall McMullan Partner and Head of Employment Team, Edwards Solicitors
Niall McMullan Partner and Head of Employment Team, Edwards Solicitors
Niall mcmullan

Niall joined Edwards & Company in April 2022, leaving another Commercial Law Firm in Belfast, where I practiced Employment law for 14 years. Since qualifying as a solicitor in September 2008, Niall has been advising both employees and employers (both public, private and third sector organisations) in contentious and non-contentious areas of Employment law.

He is a member of the Employment Lawyers Group and a member of the Steering Committee of the Employment Lawyers Association, where he represents the needs of my fellow practitioners.

www.edwardssolicitors.com

With December around the corner, employers are now planning the Christmas party. This event offers a chance to celebrate the achievements of the year, with an opportunity to thank staff for their hard work and in turn, boost morale. However, with these celebrations and merriment, come notable risks for employers, particularly around the actions and behaviours of employees who have had ‘a few too many’.   

What is Vicarious Liability?
Vicarious liability is a legal concept that holds employers responsible for acts committed by their employees in the course of their employment. With Christmas parties being considered an extension of the workplace, this can mean employers are liable for actions taken at such festive events. Even if an employer is unaware

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Disclaimer The information in this article is provided as part of Legal Island's Employment Law Hub. We regret we are not able to respond to requests for specific legal or HR queries and recommend that professional advice is obtained before relying on information supplied anywhere within this article. This article is correct at 24/11/2025