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Employment Legal Specialists

It may be a well-worn statement but it is entirely true that “employees are an organisation's most valuable asset”.

It is equally true that getting the most from employees is no easy task, one that requires particular skills and expertise as well as a large investment of time.

Employment lawyers working in partnership with you

The Hugh James employment and HR legal specialists deliver astute expertise to ensure that your greatest asset doesn’t turn into your worst nightmare.

 

Hugh James legal employment services

We work in partnership with clients to offer pragmatic solutions, minimise risk and help maximise human capital.

We adopt an innovative approach to employment law as we understand that advising about employment means going much further than just understanding the law. We take time to understand the bigger picture - the regulatory context, the internal ramifications and the sensitivities so that we can deliver effective legal solutions that work for you.

The team provides a comprehensive range of services in dealing with professional and operational HR issues and handles a variety of employment law work.  We deliver high quality services that make a real difference to businesses.

Our services include:

  • Absence management
  • Advice on legislation, relevant case law, best practice guidance
  • Defending employment tribunal claims; including all preparation and advocacy
  • Dispute resolution and mediation
  • Drafting contracts, contractual disputes and implementation of contractual changes
  • Expert advice on atypical working i.e. part time and fixed term employees
  • HR policies and procedures
  • Managing diversity; ensuring compliance, best practice and resolving conflicts
  • Managing risk of dismissal processes
  • Pensions and employee benefits
  • Redundancies, restructuring and change management
  • Stress and bullying claims
  • TUPE

Hugh James legal employment experience

Examples of some recent employment matters that the Hugh James employment team have worked on:

  • Advising (in conjunction with our corporate team) on complex procurement exercises or business sales/purchases
  • Acting as presenting officers for the General Teaching Council for Wales in professional misconduct and capability hearings
  • Acting on behalf of a transport sector client in relation to a long-running  grievance, implementing changes at senior management level, mentoring, restructuring of the departments and a change management process
  • Advising a public sector client on a number of difficult performance and  grievance issues at a senior level including allegations of whistle blowing bullying and harassment
  • Advising and providing guidance to a Welsh Government sponsored organisation on trade union recognition and information and consultation
  • Advising both private and public sector clients in respect of trade union matters
  • Advising a public sector client on a number of matters, including issues arising out of the implementation of an agreed job evaluation process
  • Advising a Housing Association client on the harmonisation of terms and conditions of employment following a TUPE transfer including complex issues regarding pension benefits. This resulted in successfully defending a multi-party claim in relation to the imposed changes to terms and conditions.

Hugh James training courses

Training programme        All Year round dates

Hugh James also offers a comprehensive list of training services. Find out how we can help train your business employees.

 


Contact

Emma BurnsEmma Burns

Partner
Head of Employment and HR Services Group

E emma.burns@hughjames.com

T 029 2039 1075


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Contact

Emma BurnsEmma Burns

Partner
Head of Employment and HR Services Group

E emma.burns@hughjames.com

T 029 2039 1075

Client Testimonials

Valued for its "availability, response time, clarity of steps necessary to achieve solutions and commercial approach to time keeping," Hugh James is highlighted as a go-to firm for clients looking for a cost-effective employment solutions.

Sources say: "They look at the issue from both a legal and a commercial point of view" and "they respond quickly and make the effort to ensure their advice is as cost-effective as possible."

Head of department Emma Burns provides "clear, concise, commercial advice." Clients value the "strength of her knowledge and her negotiation-focused approach, coupled with her friendly and approachable style."

Chambers UK 2013
 

Hugh James delivers ‘sound expert advice from a legal perspective and a commercial/practical point of view’. Well-regarded partner Louise Price can ‘translate often complex legal issues into simple layman’s terms’. They successfully defended the WRU in an unfair dismissal claim. Other clients include Braces Bakery and a range of HR directors, while new instructions came from the Farmers Union Wales and Bywaters.
Legal 500 2011

 

“Takes time to understand our culture and to get involved in our issues. Works within our culture to find solutions that fit our business. Makes us feel that he is part of the company while working with us yet at the same time still able to take a helicopter view. Communicates feedback and recommendations effectively”.

HR consultancy and employment client


Provided good support which inspired confidence. Very professional and courteous. Always got back when promised and in a timely manner and met his commitments. Always appreciate his ability to involve (the employment lawyers) when legal advice is required.”

HR consultancy and employment client

“Many of the issues we discussed were sensitive and potentially contentious.  However, John’s challenging yet supportive approach helped the team to work through these in a focused and constructive way and enabled us to make some key strategic decisions”.

HR consultancy and employment client

The service provided was worth every penny – it was money well spent. Not one aspect of the service could be improved. A bonus for us was using Hugh James – we wanted a top drawer firm and got one”.

HR consultancy and employment client

 

This team is noted for its advice on contentious matters to a range of public and private sector clients. Recent highlights include successfully defending a claim of unfair dismissal on behalf of the Welsh Rugby Union.

Emma Burns has an "encyclopaedic knowledge of equal pay law." She has handled several thousand equal pay claims on behalf of Welsh local authorities.

Chambers 2012

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