Leading Partners

Next Generation Partners

Leading Associates

Employment in Guernsey

Appleby

Appleby‘s employment team is frequently seen before Guernsey employment tribunals, acting for senior executives in hearings covering claims ranging from unfair dismissal to gender discrimination claims. Practice head Richard Sheldon brings ‘compassion, professionalism, and tenacity’ to employment matters, including senior level departures. Niall MacDonald, who splits his time between the Channel Islands, also advises on contentious exits and restrictive covenants, and is also able to assist on immigration matters. James Gallimore advises on both contentious and non-contentious matters, including unfair and constructive dismissal claims, and redundancies.

Practice head(s):

Richard Sheldon


Other key lawyers:

Niall MacDonald; James Gallimore


Testimonials

‘They know our business and help us take a pragmatic approach to employee relation matters. We feel confident that by taking the advice, we will minimise our risk of adverse publicity.’

‘Always being available, even if away from the office, so even though it is a small team, we are always supported.’

‘Always provide pragmatic, invaluable guidance and support throughout the entire process, ensuring the business interests were paramount.’

‘Richard Sheldon approaches employment matters with compassion, professionalism, and tenacity, navigating through legal issues with ease.’

‘We get clear, quick and well priced legal advice. Also, good coordination across the jurisdictions in which they work.’

‘Richard Sheldon and his team are very straightforward to deal with. They understand the commercial realities for our firm and ensure that the advice they provide is succinct and pragmatic. They are always prompt with their response and advice, enabling us to better respond to our stakeholders.’

‘Richard Sheldon can be relied on for sound pragmatic advice, he has always been very responsive, particularly so when it is evident that a matter could become quite contentious.’

‘Richard Sheldon and James Gallimore have supported my business with various employment-related legal matters. My experience is always one of approachability, availability to provide support when it is needed, along with a commercial approach.’

Key clients

Admenta Group


Barclays Group


Canaccord Genuity Wealth


Eversheds Sutherland


HSBC Group


Praxis Group


Suntera Global


Work highlights


  • Represented several senior civil servants in respect of an industrial tribunal claim, which seeks to overturn changes made to the public sector pension scheme in 2016 including a change from final salary to a career average.
  • Advised the Admenta Group on the sale of seven Lloyds Pharmacy branches across Jersey and Guernsey.
  • Acted as lead counsel to Suntera Global in its c. £45m acquisition of Carey Commercial Limited.

Carey Olsen

The ‘reliable and knowledgeable’ Carly Parrott returned to Carey Olsen from Bedell Cristin in January 2024 to head the firm’s employment practice, representing clients before the tribunal on claims of mistreatment in the workplace and disability discrimination, in addition to assisting with day-to-day employment challenges. Elaine Gray is experienced in overseeing the exits of senior employees, with further expertise in managing employment issues arising out of M&A and restructuring measures. Kim Courtney acts for both corporate and individual clients in employment disputes.

Practice head(s):

Carly Parrott


Other key lawyers:

Elaine Gray; Kim Courtney


Testimonials

‘Highly experienced team. Straight to the point on where issues are.’

‘The team was readily available to assist and advise on sensitive matters concerning employees who had been with the company for a number of years. The situation was both commercially and emotionally delicate, and the team demonstrated genuine empathy and professionalism.’

‘Professional team, understanding different situations as they may arise and giving helpful advice.’

‘I have valued their patience, challenge, helpful advice and support, examples of previous cases which reflect experience and have supported me to understand contexts better.’

‘Great industry knowledge and caring attitude, it’s not just business, you are made to feel empowered and listened to.’

‘They have an extremely diverse team which has a vast amount of experience, knowledge and a great understanding of all employment legislation and challenges within the workplace.’

‘Carly Parrott has always stood out as an incredibly professional, reliable and knowledgeable employment lawyer. Carly’s willingness to not only help you understand the best and most compliant approach, but to also assist you with any challenge that arises is outstanding.’

‘Carly Parrott is timely and thorough.’

Work highlights


Walkers

Walkers‘ 'balanced and knowledgeable' employment team frequently represents financial services clients in proceedings brought by departing senior staff, with experience handling claims of unfair dismissal, discrimination and other matters. The ‘truly exceptional’ Sarah Ash leads the firm’s pan-Channel Islands employment group, advising on matters arising out of Guernsey’s Prevention of Discrimination Ordinance alongside her work on contentious executive exits. Danielle Brouard regularly appears before the tribunal regarding discrimination claims and assists with the drafting of employment documents, while Katherine Utton, who arrived from Browne Jacobson LLP in November 2023, acts for public and private sector clients in tribunal proceedings. Victoria Pratt is noted for her expertise in data protection matters.

Practice head(s):

Sarah Ash


Other key lawyers:

Danielle Brouard; Victoria Pratt; Katherine Utton


Testimonials

‘Sarah Ash is truly exceptional in all dealings, through her flexibility, knowledge, initiative and technical skills.’

‘Exceptionally capable, they deliver smart and strategic advice. Flexible on approach and comprehensive on risk.’

‘Highly responsive, but also very personable. Working with external counsel can sometimes be frustrating, but never with Sarah Ash – it is a genuine pleasure.’

‘Danielle Brouard is very personable, has taken the time to understand me and my way of working/thinking, and in times when I was uncomfortable with certain tasks she subtly coaches, guides and checks back in to make sure all went ok.’

‘Their passion and commitment makes them unique. They are dedicated to their clients, and the collaboration we have with the firm allows us to work efficiently and effectively in our roles. They share the same values as us, which allows for a cohesive partnership.’

‘The Walkers Guernsey team is exemplary. Led by Sarah Ash, they work extremely collaboratively with clients and other law firms and have very strong team members including Danielle Brouard, whose subject matter knowledge and presentation skills are top rate. Sarah is fabulously knowledgeable and accessible, utterly professional and lovely to know.’

‘Balanced and knowledgeable on employment matters.’

‘Sarah Ash and Danielle Brouard handle delicate, emotionally charged situations with compassion and professionalism in a timely manner. Their communication style is always punctual, ensuring deadlines are met.’

Work highlights


Mourant

In addition to assisting clients overcome employment hurdles arising out of mergers, Mourant also advises employers on issues tied to senior exits and tribunal proceedings, covering claims of unfair dismissal and discrimination. Practice head Rachel Guthrie represents clients before the tribunal and Royal Court, alongside non-contentious work that encompasses immigration, housing and data protection matters. Hana Plsek specialises in immigration matters, including visa applications and housing issues.

Practice head(s):

Rachel Guthrie


Other key lawyers:

Hana Plsek


Testimonials

‘They provide regular updates to the HR and business community on employment law matters, enabling the community to keep up to date on important legislative changes and trends.’

‘Rachel Guthrie is pragmatic, empathetic and supportive in all her dealings related to employment law.’

‘The Mourant team is always very responsive and sees issues to completion.’

‘Rachel Guthrie is very supportive. She is also very responsive, even given that I am in an EST time zone. I feel confident in her guidance, and all matters that we have worked on together have been dealt with in a professional manner and in our and the law’s best interests.’

‘The Mourant team has two excellent, stable and highly experienced lawyers who both have the talent to be partners.’

‘Hana Plsek is just an exceptionally practical and clear thinker. She knows the law inside out, but always seeks practical solutions. Rachel Guthrie is one of Guernsey’s most experienced employment advocates. She has a calm head and a keen eye for when a problem might arise.’

‘They collaborate with a number of HR professionals regularly in Guernsey and are well known in the community for being a leading team in employment law practice.’

‘We feel well-informed and confident in what approach we are taking, thanks to the sound advice from the lawyers we work with at Mourant – Rachel Guthrie and Hana Plsek in particular.’

Key clients

Rathbones Group PLC


TD Bank


Work highlights


  • Advised Rathbones on an all-share combination  with Investec Wealth and Investment (UK) and (CI).
  • Advised Kelvin Re Limited and TD Bank in respect of TD Bank’s sale of Kelvin RE Limited.

Ogier

Acting for a client roster which includes financial services companies and senior executives, Ogier is able to assist clients facing tribunal proceedings around unfair dismissal and discrimination claims, in addition to providing advice on the employment aspects of mergers and restructurings, including redundancies. Practice head Rachel DeSanges frequently appears before employment tribunals, with further expertise relating to directors’ duties and the relocation of senior executives. Helen Ruelle handles a range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, including immigration, business licensing and the employment aspects of corporate transactions.

Practice head(s):

Rachel DeSanges


Other key lawyers:

Helen Ruelle


Testimonials

‘I have found the team to be thoughtful, hard-working, clever and client focused.’

‘Rachel DeSanges is an absolute star. She is insightful and results-driven. She thinks deeply about cases and is very strategic.’

‘All the individuals I dealt with were very prompt in there responses and happy to answer any queries I had in a calm and practical manner. Rachel DeSanges has often provided very insightful HR training.’

‘Rachel DeSanges is very responsive and diligent in her work. She demonstrates a high level of legal acumen, combined with a generally practical approach.’

‘Ogier’s specialist employment lawyers are my first port of call for employment matters.’

‘Rachel DeSanges is strategically and commercially astute. As a true employment specialist, she is well organised, responsive and creates a very good rapport with clients and fellow professionals. I have no hesitation in endorsing her.’

‘Strong, sensible advice, delivered promptly and in a professional manner.’

‘Rachel DeSanges is very responsive, delivering clear advice which we were able to implement to diffuse and resolve a difficult situation.’

Work highlights