Has over 25 years’ experience in employment law and leads the firm’s health and care sector employment practice. Widely recognised as one of the country’s leading advisers on employment law and practice to the health and care sector, acting for a large number of health bodies including the West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. Advises on a wide range of employment matters including disciplinary issues and grievances, contractual terms and conditions of very senior managers and clinical staff and complex discrimination and whistleblowing disputes. Is currently advising a number of clients on TUPE and the employment aspects of national reorganisation, acquisitions and mergers, major projects and contracting out of services. Has also advised a number of health bodies in respect of their legal responsibilities under large scale redundancy programmes. Is advising a number of Trusts in respect of doctors’ disciplinary and capability procedures. Regularly provides training on all aspects of employment law and practice.
England - West Midlands • Public sector
Mills & Reeve LLP
Mills & Reeve LLP’s healthcare practice acts for a broad range of clients, including, but not limited to, national bodies, commissioners and care homes. The team is run by Jill Mason, who has considerable experience of advising public and private sector providers on various healthcare matters, such as inquests and judicial review. Jog Hundle advises on various issues, ranging from disputes with medical staff and senior managers, to whistleblowing, while Neil Ward is experienced in Court of Protection applications for serious medical treatment cases, among other areas. Julian Smith handles strategic acquisition, disposal and joint venture projects, while Helen Tringham’s capabilities include contentious data protection matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Broad breadth of traditional experience across the NHS, as well as working on and advising independent investigations.'
'There are a limited number of firms who have this additional actual experience rather than theoretical knowledge base.'
'The partners are well networked and facilitate learning and development opportunities for their clients.’
‘Jill Mason has a healthy balance of positivity and can-do attitude.'
'Very responsive and excellent at pointing the right talent at the problem.'
'Thorough and competent and create confidence with us as customers.'
'They work hard to understand our business and the sorts of niche issues we face. This means that even if we haven’t been in regular contact, we can get to the point quickly.'
'A cohesive team with a clear and shared ethos who communicate about cases with each other, so there is always someone who can help you if the solicitor you want is not available.'
Key clients
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
- Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board
- Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust
- BMA Law
- Cleveland Clinic
- NHS England
- The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust
- Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust
- Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
- Elysium Healthcare
- South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust
- Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
- West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
- South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust
- Medipass
- NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board
- NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care|Board
- NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board
- South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
- Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust
- NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board
- NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board
Work highlights
- Supporting the UK Health Security Agency as one of the Core Participants in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
- Advising NHS England in connection with the procurement and regulatory permissibility of digital providers being appointed under the Digital First Online Consultation and Video Consultation.
- Supporting NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board on a high-profile inquest into the tragic death of a young man following receipt of the Astra Zeneca vaccination.
Lawyers
Leading individuals
Jill is Head of our Health and Care Sector – a growing and dynamic sector with over 200 lawyers working across a wide range of clients. She has over 25 years’ experience in healthcare law – the law relating to patients. As Head of the Healthcare and Mental Health law team nationally she also advises on a wide range of both contentious and non-contentious matters for clients in both the NHS and private sector. This includes inquests, judicial reviews, Mental Health Act advice, Mental Capacity Act advice, support and training around investigations, risk management, duty of candour, NHS Continuing Healthcare and consultation issues. Jill has also handled clinical negligence claims particularly complex, sensitive and high-value matters for NHS clients. Jill is client relationship partner for many of the sectors key clients. Jill sits on the firm’s Audit Governance and Oversight Panel, is on the Governance Board of the Zero Suicide Alliance and is a Trustee of The Lucy Faithfull Foundation.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Jill Mason