Doyle Clayton > Reading, England > Firm Profile

Doyle Clayton
Apex Plaza
Forbury Road
Reading
RG1 1AX
England

Employment > Employment: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40 Tier 1

‘First class’ Doyle Clayton, which operates across the full spectrum of employment issues for both employers and employees, is recommended for its ‘comprehensive understanding of intricate legal frameworks’ which ‘equips them to tackle even the most complex employment cases with confidence and precision’. New employment lead Kate Kapp bolsters the team with her expertise in high-value exits, discrimination, and harassment issues, as well as day to day employment advice for clients situated across an extensive array of industries. Former practice head Tina Wisener has been promoted to chief executive. Karen Holden fields a strong employment practice, particularly in relation to complex investigations and employment tribunal litigation. Adam Murdoch and Paul Hayward are also recommended.

Practice head(s):

Kate Kapp

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘The team at Doyle Clayton are very responsive and highly knowledgeable in their field.’

‘I think the people at Doyle Clayton want to go the extra mile for their clients. Mike Hibberd in particular has been very, very helpful and responsive, always patient and willing to answer questions and explain processes that can be very bewildering.’

‘Tina Wisener is an inspirational leader within the legal professional in the UK. She helped me navigate the most complex of situations with an extremely high level of professionalism, was extremely generous with her time.’

‘Kate Kapp was responsive, understanding and ultimately the safest and most reassuring pair of hands in guiding me through the legal challenges I faced. Would not hesitate to refer others to Kate if the need arose.’

‘Doyle Clayton boasts a team of highly skilled solicitors, who possess deep expertise in employment law. Their comprehensive understanding of intricate legal frameworks equips them to tackle even the most complex employment cases with confidence and precision.’

‘Adam Murdoch, in particular, is recognised for his strategic acumen in approaching employment disputes. He demonstrates a keen ability to analyse nuanced situations, identifying optimal legal strategies that align with clients’ objectives while mitigating potential risks.’

‘Their USP is their diligence to their clients and the cases.’

‘The team at Doyle Clayton are simply first class. Their knowledge base is second to none, and they are always fully up to speed with the latest and changing landscape of employment law.’

Key clients

Bank of Africa United Kingdom Plc

British Medical Association

Bunzl UK Limited

Work highlights

  • Advising an individual in bringing an Employment Tribunal claim alleging that RB’s administration of its Long Term Incentive Plan was indirectly discriminatory on the grounds of age.
  • Acting for Bank of Africa United Kingdom Plc and two other respondents in claims brought by their former head of HR.
  • Advising the British Medical Association in supporting a former Chief Medical Director.

Public sector > Education: individuals Tier 1

Doyle Clayton handles the full range of advice to various education providers, from prep schools to large multi-academy trusts, working collaboratively with professional associations, trade unions and examination boards. Acting for parents, students, lecturers and teachers, the education team is led by ‘outstanding’ Simon Henthorn and assists with issues such as safeguarding, discrimination and freedom of speech or in respect to education, health and care plans. ‘Sensational’ Amara Ahmad is the firm’s key contact for special educational needs (SEND) and safeguarding matters. Legal director James Murray joined in October 2023 and has particular expertise on academic freedom and free expression on campus, while Rose Smith‘s broad practice covers employment and education issues.

Practice head(s):

Simon Henthorn

Other key lawyers:

Amara Ahmad; James Murray; Jonathan Robinson; Rose Smith

Testimonials

‘Simon Henthorn was outstanding. He was very clear in his assessment of options, very open about likely outcomes, and entirely dependable.’

‘The team is highly impressive. It has an exceptional focus and depth of expertise in the field of academic employment law that places it ahead of every other major firm in London.’

‘Simon Henthorn was a model legal adviser: always impeccably prepared, swift to respond, and the source of detailed and ultimately victorious advice.’

‘Doyle Clayton Solicitors stands out for its exceptional representation in educational rights cases. Amara and Jonathan are key figures known for their dedication and expertise. Amara offers meticulous attention to detail and empathetic support, while Jonathan excels in strategic thinking and advocacy, often using the latest legal technologies.’

‘Jonathan Robinson at Doyle Clayton Solicitors played a pivotal role in my case. Jonathan’s strategic thinking and strong advocacy were crucial in resolving the dispute in my favour. He meticulously crafted compelling arguments and effectively presented them, ensuring a successful outcome. His expertise and dedication provided much-needed support during a challenging time, demonstrating his commitment to achieving justice for his clients.’

‘Amara Ahmad is sensational. Very empathetic, hardworking and strategic.’

‘Amara Ahmad is forensic, methodical, strategic, navigates a path with immense blend of legal prowess, sector insight and thoughtfulness. If you have a case or need representation in public sector/education law, you need Amara Ahmad on your side.’

‘Doyle Clayton, under the guidance of Amara Ahmad and Jonathan Robinson, is a shining example of professionalism, knowledge, and tenacity in the field of educational law. They are an invaluable resource for anybody navigating the complexity of educational legal concerns because of their uncompromising attention to getting the best possible solutions and their unwavering commitment to their clients.’

Key clients

Almut Gadgow

Work highlights

  • Almut Gadow is suing her former employer and others for – among other things – discrimination arising from her gender critical beliefs and her belief in academic freedom.

Employment > Immigration Tier 2

Distinguished for its ‘exceptional customer care and guidance‘, the seasoned immigration group at Doyle Clayton advises clients such as corporations, global businesses, educational institutions and entrepreneurs on the full range of immigration matters. Practice head and business immigration expert Anita de Atouguia has a ‘strategic approach to immigration matters that makes her service stand out‘, and Alfreda Joubert advises corporates and private clients on all aspects of business immigration, with particular expertise advising startup firms in sectors such as Construction and AI to expand their businesses in the UK. Both lawyers are dual-qualified in the UK and South Africa. Malini Skandachanmugarasan is also a key contact for corporate immigration issues, especially ones involving strategic direction and discretionary applications. Elisabeth Kynaston, who regularly advises on sponsor licenses and right to work issues, and Anna Blackden who assists clients such as educational institutions and employers on a broad range of immigration matters, are also notable practitioners. Adam Cotterill left the group in October 2023.

Practice head(s):

Anita de Atouguia

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Very attentive and skilled people.’

‘Anita de Atouguia has a comprehensive knowledge of UK immigration rules.’

‘Doyle Clayton’s immigration team is lead by the impressive Anita de Atouguia. Anita has a strategic approach to immigration matters that makes her service stand out for her clients. She gets to the heart of the matter, provides excellent advice and then steers clients through what can often be very unnerving immigration situations. Anita instils the same standard of work in all of her team, so the department as a whole delivers high quality results.’

‘I am always impressed by the reliability and timeliness of the team. The attention to detail is second to none. They also use great technology for AML requirements which makes it easy to submit relevant documents.’

‘Anita De Atouguia is great to work with, knows our firm well and is alert to our requirements. She and her team will provide detailed documentation to ensure that we can be compliant in all our immigration requirements. They always reach out well before any deadlines to ensure preparations can be made.’

‘Timely commercial advice.’

‘Responsive and commercial.’

‘What sets Doyle & Clayton apart, is the exceptional customer care and guidance they offer.’

Employment > Senior executives Tier 2

Well regarded for its involvement in ‘complex and high-profile employment claims’, Doyle Clayton handles unfair dismissals, contentious exits, discrimination claims and restrictive covenants. Serving clients from financial services, banks and private equity firms, practice head Peter De Maria specialises in new service agreements, contentious departures and settlement agreements. Dan Begbie-Clench is another key member of the practice and is called upon by senior executives in a range of sectors for assistance with the negotiation of contracts and favourable exit terms, while Peter Daly enjoys a stellar reputation in litigation involving senior executives, with specific expertise in discrimination and whistleblowing claims.

Practice head(s):

Peter De Maria

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Specialist employment team with good commercial acumen.’

‘Peter De Maria is my “go to” partner for referrals to represent senior executives and teams in team move scenarios.’

‘Peter De Maria leads an excellent and experienced team.’

‘Doyle Clayton have a longstanding good reputation and plenty of experience. The team is very client focused and carefully balances cost and risk with a focus on the best outcome for the client.’

‘The depth of understanding, the availability, and the commitment to the case and the client was outstanding. Having worked with multiple firms, in particular Dan Begbie-Clench is an incredible partner to work with.’

‘The whole team was quite clearly operating in a cohesive manner, which made communication easier and quicker. The team was highly supportive. I was having serious mental health issues throughout the trial and the manner and style of communication and support helped me cope. The case was highly complicated and I personally don’t believe any firm could have handled it any better.’

‘One of the best out there in running complex and high-profile employment claims.’

‘Peter Daly has the most incredible collection of cases. He leaves no stone unturned and gets fantastic results for his clients.’

Key clients

Carl Borg-Neal

Massimo Reina and Sebastian Cook

Maya Forstater

Work highlights

Public sector > Education: schools Tier 2

Doyle Clayton Solicitors advises clients on all issues that schools may face, including schools mergers, restructures, in employment issues, safeguarding issues, SEN, as well as parental complaints, admissions and exclusions, data protection issues and student sponsor licences. The practice is spearheaded by Simon Henthorn, who is considered excellent 'with any staffing issues’ that arise. Amara Ahmad is the team’s key advisor for special educational needs and safeguarding matters. Rose Smith's broad education and employment practice includes work on investigations, disciplinaries and grievance processes, as well as regulatory and safeguarding issues. Anna Blackden is experienced in the full spectrum of immigration matters, particularly in securing UK immigration status.

Practice head(s):

Simon Henthorn

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Simon Henthorn is excellent.’

‘We worked with Anna Blackden on a complex sponsor license matter and found her legal counsel well researched and extremely thorough. We were very satisfied with the conclusion.’

‘The team is extremely prompt in responding to initial contact. Advice is always prompt, considered and helpful.’

‘Simon Henthorn is excellent as my ‘go to’ with any staffing issues I may have. I am grateful to him for his calm, measured approach.’

‘I believe this practice is unique as it responds promptly to all requests and always accommodate any request. they also give sound advice and never shy away from any kind of question.’

Work highlights

Employment > Immigration: human rights Tier 3

The ‘very attentive and skilled‘ immigration lawyers at Doyle Clayton provide specialist human rights advice on complex and discretionary immigration applications. With expertise in private client, asylum and human rights issues, the group is a strong choice for a broad range of asylum seekers, overstayers and individuals requiring protection. The team is led by Anita de Atouguia. Malini Skandachanmugarasan specialises in in all aspects of UK immigration law, including a variety of human-rights matters such as political asylum, and Anna Blackden advises on the full range of immigration law with emphasis on human rights and personal immigration.

Practice head(s):

Anita de Atouguia

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Very attentive and skilled people.’

‘Malini and Catherine are very knowledgeable and polite, very helpful all the way through.’

Work highlights

Employment > Immigration: personal Tier 3

Overseen by Anita de Atouguia, Doyle Clayton's practice advises on all aspects of UK immigration law and is praised for its ‘attention to detail, integrity, and great responsiveness‘. Working with a diverse range of clients, the group’s expertise includes Global Talent and Innovator Founder applications, human rights issues and applications from EU nationals and family members. Malini Skandachanmugarasan ‘knows the intricacies of the laws and regulations‘ and specialises in the full range of UK immigration law, with particular skill in handling discretionary applications for individuals and families unable meet requirements under the immigration rules, in addition to late EU Settlement Scheme applications. The group also includes Anna Blackden, who is a specialist in education and student immigration matters.

Practice head(s):

Anita de Atouguia

Testimonials

‘The knowledge of the team on immigration matters is extensive but the difference is the attention to detail and to each client, which is exemplary.’

‘They demonstrate a high level of responsiveness to inquiries or questions.’

‘They have been very polite, friendly, professional and confident during the entire length of the case. They were very responsive to my queries and were very clear and direct in communication and their approach helped me calm down and have confidence in my case.’

‘Malini Skandachanmugarasan’s compassion and caring nature make the services personal. Also, her expertise and competence create confidence for the client and the team around her.’

‘Very clear attention to detail, integrity, and great responsiveness.’

‘Their service is excellent, from initial communication through to completion.’

‘Always willing to provide help and advice through the process. Excellent service.’

‘Malini Skandachanmugarasan knows the intricacies of the laws and regulations.’

Employment > Employers Tier 4

Clients of Doyle Clayton appreciate the ‘individual attention from senior staff’. The firm is a large independent and specialist workplace law firm, which provides employment advice to employers and LLPs, inhouse lawyers and management teams. Clients include small, medium and large-sized employers. It also counts start-ups and businesses looking to establish themselves in the UK as key clients. With Peter De Maria at the helm, it covers a broad range of areas from discrimination claims and workplace investigations, to redundancies and restructurings. Alison Garrow is another name to note.

Practice head(s):

Peter De Maria

Other key lawyers:

Alison Garrow; Dan Begbie-Clench; Helen Brooks; Rose Smith; Chris Brazier; James Anderson

Testimonials

‘Rapid and commercial response to any issues raised. Pragmatic and commercial. Dan Begbie-Clench – a superb partner with us as he talks in our language and provides excellent support and advice. It gives us the comfort that we can advance with any issues knowing we have support from Dan.’

‘They always demonstrated very good knowledge about HR related matters and assisted us in a number of matters. Helen Brooks has very good knowledge about HR related matters.’

‘The team are always accessible, incredibly knowledgeable and advise on matters at pace, with clarity and understanding. Really supportive through what are often tricky and emotive times.’

‘Having known Dan Begbie-Clench and Rose Smith for some time, they always deliver the highest levels of service in terms of understanding, communication and legal standpoints. They have been my go-to people for many years and will continue to be that.’

‘Alison Garrow – sensible, efficient and good judgment.’ 

‘Doyle Clayton have a strong team of employment lawyers with a higher than usual number of senior practitioners, meaning they are able to bring a wealth of experience to their clients.’

‘Chris Brazier is great to work with. He is personable and instils confidence in his clients.’

‘Helen Brooks is an outstanding advisor who is able to explain the most complex area of employment law in a manner that mere mortals can grasp. Helen is also able routinely to put us at ease, so no question feels stupid.’ 

Key clients

Howard Kennedy LLP

LGB Alliance

The Amtico Company Limited

Employment > Pensions (non-contentious)

Led by Andrew Campbell, the team at Doyle Clayton was recently bolstered thanks to the recruitment of pensions regulatory and restructuring expert James Saddler.

Doyle Clayton is the UK’s largest and most successful specialist workplace law firm. It is a recognised market leaders for its work with both employers and individuals.

About the firm. Doyle Clayton was set up by Peter Doyle and Darren Clayton in 1997 as specialist employment law boutique. Over the years it has expanded its services to include immigration, pension, regulatory, data protection, employee benefits, share schemes and remuneration, health and safety, start-up support and employee ownership trust services. It also has one of the UK’s leading education teams providing services for the education sector, its employees as well as students/parents. This also includes a specialist team providing SEND (special educational needs) help and advice so that children and young adults get the help and support they need at the right school, college or university.

Today the firm operates from two offices (London and Reading) and employs over 50 specialist lawyers and advisors. It is also a founder member of ELLINT (www.ellint.net), an international network of specialist employment law firms.

Types of work undertaken: Doyle Clayton advises on a wide range of workplace legal issues (both contentious and non-contentious).

Employment: specialist employment lawyers provide high-quality advice and support which covers the full range of employment law matters including: contracts, policies and procedures; employment disputes in the High Court and tribunals; TUPE; redundancy situations and termination of employment; settlement agreements; injunctions and team moves; and partnership and minority shareholder disputes.

Business immigration: this specialist team has a wealth of experience in all areas of business immigration law, including the points-based system (PBS), and keeps abreast of the latest developments so that it can guide both individual and employer clients through the immigration process. The firm has expertise in relation to applications under each tier of the PBS, including applications for investors and entrepreneurs under Tier 1 and Tier 5 (GAE) visas. It advises employer clients on applying for sponsor licences, related compliance issues, and issuing certificates of sponsorship (under Tier 2 of PBS, which includes the general skilled category and the intracompany transfer category). It has a 100% success rate for clients’ sponsor licence applications and knows how to expedite matters when required. The team is expanding its global immigration visa assistance capabilities, including advising on Schengen visas. In addition, the team advises on other non-PBS visas including sole representative applications, as well as assisting individuals to obtain settlement and British citizenship. The team also has particular expertise in EEA matters in relation to obtaining immigration documentation for EEA nationals and their dependant family members.

Employee benefits: the pensions team has experience of all forms of UK-based pension arrangements, advising employers, trustees and intermediaries. Doyle Clayton’s employee share incentives experts can help design and deliver the right share scheme solution for each business, guiding clients through the increasingly challenging tax, corporate governance, employment law and regulatory issues. It also advises on the operation and administration of share schemes, helping on the grant of new awards, processing vested awards, dealing with departing employees and advising on corporate transactions.

Other areas: data protection, regulatory, corporate/commercial, employee ownership trusts, notary public and health and safety.

Sectors: finance, insurance, professional services, manufacturing, media, education, retail, hospitality, leisure, transport and logistics, technology, pharmaceuticals and startups.

Department Name Email Telephone
CEO Peter Doyle
Employment - Reading TIna Wisener
Employment - London Peter De Maria
Business Immigration Anita de Atouguia
Pensions Andrew Campbell
Regulatory Charlie Herbert
Corporate Liz Barton
Data Protection Piers Leigh-Pollitt
Employee Ownership Trusts Garry Karch
Education Simon Henthorn
Notary Public Sukhpal Matharoo
Photo Name Position Profile
Karen Holden photo Karen Holden Partner
Kate Kapp photo Kate Kapp Partner and Head of Thames Valley Office
Piers Leigh-Pollitt photo Mr Piers Leigh-Pollitt Piers is a Partner with our Thames Valley team. He advises on…
Photo Name Position Profile
Russell Dann photo Russell Dann Senior Associate
Mike Hibberd photo Mike Hibberd Legal Director
Sukhpal Matharoo photo Mr Sukhpal Matharoo Sukhpal is an experienced employment lawyer who provides advice to a broad…
Adam Murdoch photo Mr Adam Murdoch Legal Director
Tina Wisener photo Mrs Tina Wisener Tina is the head of Doyle Clayton’s Thames Valley office. She is…
Number of UK partners : 24
Number of other UK fee-earners : 40
French
Italian
German
ELA (Employment Lawyers Association)
ILPA (Immigration Lawyers Practice Association)
Solicitors Regulation Authority
CILEx