With a client portfolio comprising regional, national, and international businesses, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP covers the full gamut of employment issues. Sara Wilson helms the practice and has a growing focus on the healthcare sector in addition to being a go-to advisor for high-net-worth individuals. Another key contact in the group is Kelly Evans, whose expertise covers whistleblowing, business transfers and grievance issues, amongst others. Syma Spanjers left the firm for an in-house position in April 2024.
Employment: Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire in South West
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
Responsables de la pratique:
Sara Wilson
Autres avocats clés:
Kelly Evans
Les références
‘The employment team at Charles Russell Speechlys is incredibly easy to work with. They always respond promptly and provide good, pragmatic, commercial advice which is invaluable.’
‘Sara Wilson and Kelly Evans are excellent in their field and have provided timely and excellent advice whenever we have needed it.’
‘They are just so easy to deal with, friendly and personable, but with superb advice. I cannot prosper them highly enough.’
Principaux clients
Plymouth Citizens Advice
Sotheby’s
Neal’s Yard Remedies
Zenzero Solutions Limited
Framatome Limited
PCC of Holy Trinity Brompton
Alpha International
Neal’s Yard Remedies
Sony PlayStation
Principaux dossiers
- Continued to advise Sotheby’s in relation to its employment matters.
- Continued to advise a well-known retailer in relation to its employment matters.
- Advised Zenzero Solutions Limited as part of a broader cross-office team in relation to four bolt-on transactions.
Clarke Willmott LLP
Clarke Willmott LLP‘s diverse client portfolio benefits from the firm’s ability to advise on standalone employment matters as well as those intersecting with other practice areas, such as data protection and corporate. The practice is particularly popular with businesses and employees active in agriculture, education, retail, and manufacturing. Paula Squire heads the Taunton employment team and Marc Long oversees the national practice out of Southampton. Katy Ponsford left the firm in June 2023, while Kathryn Walters joined from Osborne Clarke LLP in July of the same year.
Responsables de la pratique:
Paula Squire; Marc Long
Autres avocats clés:
Kathryn Walters
Les références
‘They were very supportive of mental and physical health needs. Even at the hearings they would pre-warn the judge of my need to take a break due to my health condition. The practice is the best I have experienced.’
‘I cannot praise Paula Squire enough, she found justice for me. She also took the time to understand the complexities of the care sector. I have rarely seen this in a solicitor.’
‘Paula Squire’s legal practice stands out due to its exceptional attention-to-detail and personalised approach, ensuring a deep understanding of clients’ situations and goals. The team’s responsiveness and commitment to keeping clients informed highlight their dedication to excellent service.’
Principaux clients
Bridgwater and Taunton College Trust
Acheson Construction Ltd
BMR Solutions Ltd
BioCare Limited
Powersystems UK Ltd
Sunlife Ltd
Leweston Farm LLP
Cardstream Services Ltd
Roland DG (UK) Limited
East Devon District Council
South Somerset District Council
Hestercombe Gardens Trust Limited
Amica Care Trust
Summerfield Developments SW Ltd
Chelston Park Nursing and Residential Home Ltd
Brean Down Caravan Park
Abbey Manor Group Ltd
Branston Ltd
Plus One (South West) Ltd
Milsted Langdon LLP
Refresco Beverages UK Ltd
St Margaret’s Hospice Somerset Ltd
Wyke Farms Ltd
Severn Delta Ltd
Chatham Clothing Ltd
Greenslade Taylor Hunt
Warren Farms Holiday Centre Ltd
Northam Farms Ltd
National Farmers Union
J & K Aquatics Ltd
Ocean Estate Agents Ltd
Management Consultancies Association Ltd
R.J. Heathman (Contractors) Ltd
UTAC Ltd
Plantforce Rentals Ltd
YMCA Somerset Coast
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Cooper Associates Group Ltd
Tweenhills Farm & Stud Ltd
Teddy Mountains (UK) ltd
Taunton and Pickeridge Golf Club Ltd
Albert Goodman LLP
Freedom Dairy Systems Ltd
Goonvean Holdings Ltd
Geckoella Ltd
Veja Faire Trade Sarl
White Lake Cheeses Limited
Pennard Hill Farm Ltd
Prestige Profiles Ltd
Laines Consultancy Ltd
Gundenham Dairy Limited
Briarwood Products Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Assisted the Bridgwater & Taunton College Trust in negotiations with trade unions, outsourcing and charity advice, policy provision and advice on same-sex schools and inclusion.
- Advised Wyke Farms Limited on various employment law issues related to their large workforce, including modern slavery legal obligations, gender pay gap, equality, diversity and inclusion, recruitment overseas, in-house training and changes to terms and conditions.
- Advised BMR Solutions Limited on matters including status issues and end-user client demands .
Harrison Clark Rickerbys
Harrison Clark Rickerbys excels across the entire spectrum of employment law, advising SMEs, globally active companies, and individuals. Further to the practice providing corporate support relating to insolvency and M&A in particular, the team has a vibrant standalone employment practice handling complex disputes, exit negotiations, and restrictive covenants. Rachel Roberts leads the team and also acts as deputy head for the firm’s national employment practice; she is well-versed in dealing with TUPE matters, tribunal litigations, and restructurings. Whistleblowing and trade union disputes form part of Catherine Mitchell‘s longstanding experience in this field. Rowena Kay is also a name to note.
Responsables de la pratique:
Rachel Roberts
Autres avocats clés:
Catherine Mitchell; Rowena Kay; Ellis Walby
Les références
‘This team always provides valuable advice which is clear and concise.’
‘Responsive, attentive, common-sensical, commercial and clear. Loyal and mutual.’
‘Catherine Mitchell understands our business, possesses excellent communication skills, expertise, delivers results and has a very high customer service level.’
Principaux clients
Workshop Group Limited
Carmuge
Pertemps Recruitment Partnership Limited
Direct Wines Limited
SPTS Technologies Limited
Wiltshire Citizens Advice Bureaux
Weston College
South Gloucestershire & Stroud College
Safran UK limited
Ruroc Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Provided Pertemps with comprehensive legal advice relating TUPE queries, holiday pay issues, and agency worker regulations issues.
- Advised Direct Wines Limited on employee relations and restructuring matters, with a significant piece of advice on wage calculations and working time.
- Advised on the employment aspects of a London-based sale.
Willans LLP
Willans LLP continues to field a strong practice with strengths across the entirety of employment matters, ranging from senior-level severances to TUPE matters and internal investigations. The firm also has a dedicated business immigration sub-team, and is particularly specialised advising clients in the tech, high-end engineering, and charity sectors. Lead partner Matthew Clayton complements his employment experience with strengths in ancillary areas such as data protection. Jenny Hawrot is another key name focusing on both contentious and non-contentious issues including whistleblowing claims and contractual work.
Responsables de la pratique:
Matthew Clayton
Autres avocats clés:
Jenny Hawrot; Hayley Ainsworth
Les références
‘The team are all really helpful, responsive, practical and supportive. They strike a perfect balance between ensuring appropriate advice is given and thinking through what’s practical and realistic within an organisation.’
‘Matthew Clayton is exceptional – calm, reassuring, practical, knowledgeable and incredibly supportive. I honestly don’t know what we would do without him.’
‘Working in partnership with Willans gives us peace of mind for our business when acting in the best interests of our clients. I feel we get honest, up-front advice from the legal team, and they work collaboratively with us to ensure we are putting our clients first.’
Principaux clients
Gloucestershire Constabulary
ICSA: The Chartered Governance Institute
Commercial Limited
International Corporate Governance Network
Ecctis Limited
Caring for Communities and People
HR People Support Limited
Advanced Vehicle Systems Limited
Marchants Coaches Limited
Rappor Consultants Ltd
Delphix Software Ltd
Excelerate Technology Ltd
Randall & Payne LLP
The Dean Close Foundation
Cobalt Health
Hobbs House Bakery Limited
Viper Innovations Limited
Astreya Limited
Hydro Aluminium UK Ltd
Martha Trust (Hereford) Ltd
Good Sustainable Retail Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Caring for Communities and People on potential TUPE issues arising following a successful tender to provide residential care services.
- Defended Delphix Software Limited against claims of race and sex discrimination and harassment, automatic unfair dismissal and breach of contract.
- Provided both employment law and business immigration support to Hydro Aluminium UK Limited on its ongoing sponsor duties and management of its sponsored workers.
BPE Solicitors LLP
Praised for its ‘well-informed, comprehensive and thoughtful advice’, BPE Solicitors LLP fields a varied employment practice that is popular with domestic and international clients across sectors including healthcare, insurance, and retail. On the contentious side, the team assists clients with claims before the employment tribunal, High Court, and Court of Appeal, while the non-contentious side includes TUPE, restructurings, and policy drafting. Sarah Lee is the practice head, handling complex litigation alongside advisory work like grievances and transactional support. Heyma Holmes and Chris Aldridge left the firm in 2023 and the beginning of 2024, respectively.
Responsables de la pratique:
Sarah Lee
Autres avocats clés:
Steve Conlay
Les références
‘Communication is always the most important thing in any relationship. In my dealings with BPE, Sarah Lee has been exceptionally good at ensuring I have the information I need when I need it. She also ensures that a one-on-one conversation is had when it will expediate matters.’
‘I have found BPE Solicitors excellent to work with. In handling a sensitive and complex matter, they have provided well-informed, comprehensive and thoughtful advice at a reasonable price. They are quick to respond to queries and patient in explaining any issues that I have struggled to understand.’
‘Sarah Lee has been excellent in providing clear, accessible advice and very responsive where I have questions or need further advice at short notice. She also recommended a very good barrister for a hearing. I have found her really good to work with and would strongly recommend her.’
Principaux clients
Totally Plc
Spectrum Medical Group Limited
The Rail Delivery Group
Gloucester Rugby Limited
The Royal Academy of Engineering
The Helping Hand Company (Ledbury) Limited
Community Foster Care
The Prisoners’ Education Trust
Roots Human Resources Community Interest Company
Lilian Faithfull Care
The Smallpiece Trust
AccXel Limited
Satellite Applications Catapult Limited
Tradebyte Software Limited
Weird Fish Limited
Dodo Pub Company Limited
Crown Lift Trucks Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Defended the client in a race discrimination claim brought by one of their senior clinical doctors.
- Settled a long-running collective consultation case, brought by Unite the Union and 18 claimants on behalf of our client.
- Provided employment advice and support to longstanding client on a multi-million-pound series of acquisitions in the insurance sector.
Porter Dodson LLP
With a focus on care and medical sector clients, Porter Dodson LLP's team is active in standalone employment matters. It also frequently works closely with the firm’s corporate and commercial property teams to support clients across a broad-range of issues, such as grievances, transactions, and TUPE business transfers. Yeovil’s Sarah Young leads the team jointly with Laura Roper in Taunton.
Responsables de la pratique:
Sarah Young; Laura Roper
Autres avocats clés:
Kate Shawcross
Les références
‘They give clear concise advice that is commercially considered.’
‘Straightforward advice that is easy to understand and make decisions based on.’
‘I have found Kate Shawcross to be proficient and very numerate with complex Schedules of Loss.’
Principaux clients
Toolstream Limited
AJ Wakely & Sons
Pitt Godden & Taylor LLP
Summerfield Developments
David & Charles Limited
AH Warren Trust (Holdings)
Oakfield Academy
DB Foods
Meyers Group
Tone Valley Service
Coneygar Lodge
Taunton Road Medical Centre
Preset Calibration
Somerset Landscapes
Quantock Vale Surgery
Cranleigh Gardens Medical Centre
Grove House Surgery
Polden Hill Vets
Principaux dossiers
- Advised AH Warren Trust (Holdings) Limited on the employment implications of the sale of Coombe Farm Retail to Eversfield Organic.
- Advised the client on the employment implications of the sale of a prominent hotel.
- Advised a manufacturing business in relation to the employment implications of its disposal of part of its business for £14m.
Stone King LLP
Stone King LLP stands out for its strengths advising clients in the education and charity sectors on employment matters. The firm has a varied client portfolio which also spans industries such as transport, hospitality, and logistics. Practice head Craig Vincent is active in the firm’s Leeds and Manchester offices, while the South West group is based in Bath and includes education specialist Jean Boyle as well as Peter Woodhouse, who is experienced across the full range of employment work.
Responsables de la pratique:
Craig Vincent
Autres avocats clés:
Jean Boyle; Peter Woodhouse; James Barratt
Les références
‘Stone King offers a completely comprehensive service from advice with difficult parents, SEND-related issues, school transfers and all employment issues. They explain things really clearly, never judge or confuse.’
‘They explain clearly, using good analogies and not legal jargon. They never judge, even when you have made mistakes, and always give sound and fair advice. They teach you ‘the good practice’ way of doing things and always provide templates and check any work produced.’
‘Always calm and approachable. Jean Boyle is excellent, as is James Barratt. I have dealt with both many times. I literally could not do my job without them.’
Principaux clients
Future Academies
Futura Learning Partnership
St Columba’s College
King Edward’s School, Bath
Kingswood School
Causeway Charitable Services
United Learning and United Church Schools Trust
Family Action
St John Ambulance
Felsted School
The Futures Trust
Trinity High School
Red Kite Learning Trust
Oakhyrst Grange School
The Vines Academy Trust
Hope Learning Trust
The Fitzwimarc School Academy Trust
The Richmond Upon Thames School
Headline Pictures
Unity Schools Partnership
Altus Education Partnership
Ethos Academy Trust
Wilsons
Praised for its ‘depth of knowledge and strategic thinking’, Wilsons advises companies and individuals in a broad-range of matters relating to trade unions, data protection, TUPE transfers, as well as providing employment training for clients and assisting on corporate transactions. Anthony Edwards leads the team and has longstanding experience that covers the entire employment life cycle from recruitment to exit.
Responsables de la pratique:
Anthony Edwards
Autres avocats clés:
Sophia Zand; Natasha Letchford
Les références
‘The team understands the education sector and therefore the issues that schools face. The team is very reactive and always provides responses and solutions tailored to fit the school environment.’
‘Depth of knowledge and strategic thinking have been instrumental in guiding us through complex legal matters. Their ability to anticipate challenges and provide innovative solutions sets them apart. Plus their meticulous attention-to-detail and strong work ethic have consistently impressed me.’
‘Flexible, knowledge and adaptable. Answer matters very quickly. Great on comms back and forward to us.’
Principaux clients
Gurr Johns International Limited
Wallgate Limited
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Benevolent Fund Limited
Foundation X
Charity A
Shareholders of Vessels Value
Daily Dose
Independent School D
Principaux dossiers
- Acted for the shareholders of VesselsValue Limited in the sale of the company to US company Veson Nautical, LLC.
- Advised a foundation of five independent schools on defending and successfully settling an employee’s discrimination claim and providing support in respect of an ongoing pay dispute with recognised trade unions.
- Advised a charity on a number of employment matters, including the introduction of a salary exchange pension and benefits scheme, restructures and grievances concerning discrimination and equal pay claims.