The firm accused of sacking a lawyer after its Managing Partner warned her not to date or have babies has settled the employment tribunal claims she brought against it.

Kate Baker, 33, claimed that the Exeter office of Follett Stock where she worked was a hotbed of bullying. She said Managing Partner Chris Lingard berated employees for almost anything, including swapping desks, using the window blinds or tuning the radio away from his preferred stations. Or for looking miserable. She also claimed that Lingard  instigated "Golden Time", a period between 9am and 1pm when staff where forbidden from speaking to each other.

A spokesman for Follett Stock said ""

Baker, who brought claims against the firm for sexual harrassment, sexual discrimination and unfair dismissal, says Lingard ordered her not to have a relationship, or children, and then sacked her when she started dating. She claimed that  Lingard's wife even sent her a text saying "[Lingard] does say he doesn't want you in a relationship!"

The firm however said Baker was sacked for gross incompetence and inappropriate email correspondence, although its defence was not heard by the tribunal because, errrr, it missed its own deadline for submission.

This week both parties said they were pleased to have reached a settlement. Baker, who was on £45k a year, is now understood to be under a permanent Golden Time obligation not to disclose its terms.