Paris Smith LLP

Employment Law

LLP Partner

I am a specialist in employment law and have over 14 years of experience dealing with all aspects of employment law.

In particular I deal with the following issues:

Employment contracts Tribunal claims Discipline/poor performance issues Redundancies and restructuring TUPE regulations Settlement agreements Discrimination Policies and procedures Drafting handbooks Agency worker regulations Working time regulations Employee related data protection queries

Day to day advice

Whether acting for companies or individuals, I draft clear, concise contracts and other documentation and provide practical advice on a wide range of employment law issues. I provide prompt responses and look to find effective solutions to any problem.

I also advise on restrictive covenant breaches and agency worker regulation.

I have a particular focus on advising in the education sector including sixth form colleges, further education colleges and independent schools. However, I have a wide client base in various sectors including manufacturing, transport and logistics and health and social care.

Tribunals

I have a depth of experience when acting in a range of tribunal claims with issues of unfair dismissal, constructive dismissal, various discrimination, whistle blowing, TUPE and collective consultation rights. I also appear regularly in the Employment Tribunal, both in person, on the telephone and virtually. I undertake my own advocacy.

Training

I have significant experience running bespoke training sessions for employers and HR professionals on many different aspects of employment law. I deliver training online and in person.

Education law

I have experience in advising on education law matters. Given my client base in education, I also have an interest in pure education law as well as employment law.

I have been successful in representing parents in the admission of their children to schools and academies and advising parents in relation to special educational needs. I also work alongside schools and academies, advising as to their legal duties and obligations with a variety of complex procedures surrounding admissions, exclusions and special educational needs.

I aim to help parents through the difficult process of EHC needs assessments and the making of an EHC Plan. I also help parents navigate through the appeal process.

I enjoy working with my clients and want to form lasting relationships. I have great communication skills and really feel that this enables my clients to understand their situation and feel supported, whatever advice is necessary.

I look to provide commercial solutions and practical ways of solving problems. I understand that most employment issues involve complex facts, law and emotions. I like advising in challenging circumstances and bringing all of these elements together.

I am:

a member of the Employment Lawyers Association (ELA); and a trained mental health first aider.