Protect your business from complex workplace disputes with our expert solicitors
Managing an employee base of any size can be challenging, and disputes are an inevitable part of the process. At Shakespeare Martineau, we understand that employment disputes, if not handled correctly, can disrupt your business and impact morale. Our employment law disputes team provides comprehensive support, guiding you through the entire employment tribunal process from initial consultation to final resolution, ensuring you have the confidence and clarity to handle any situation.
Recognised by The Legal 500 for our exceptional track record, we have extensive experience in resolving a wide range of employment disputes, including unfair dismissal, discrimination claims, and complex contractual issues. We pride ourselves on offering pragmatic, effective solutions that are tailored to your business needs, enabling you to resolve disputes swiftly and efficiently.
Our approach is always focused on protecting your business interests. We work closely with your HR team to ensure that employment disputes are managed with minimal disruption to your operations. Whether it’s resolving a grievance, handling a disciplinary process, or defending your business in a tribunal, we are committed to providing clear, practical advice every step of the way.
Knowing that your business is in expert hands builds confidence and we’ll help you manage the risks to maintain a positive and productive working environment.
Specialising in Employment Disputes law
Employment tribunal process
We provide comprehensive management of the employment tribunal process, guiding businesses through every stage. From initial case evaluation to representation at hearings, our experienced team ensures a streamlined approach, reducing the burden on your business while maximising your chances of a successful outcome.
Defending employment law claims
Our team is skilled in defending businesses against various employment claims, including unfair dismissal, discrimination, harassment, and whistleblowing. We develop robust strategies tailored to your case, protecting your business’s reputation and financial interests while minimising legal risks.
Handling restrictive covenants
We specialise in addressing breaches of restrictive covenants and confidentiality agreements, providing expert guidance to protect your business’s intellectual property and client relationships. Our team takes swift action to prevent competitive damage, ensuring your business remains secure from unlawful breaches.
Prevent future employment law issues
Alongside resolving disputes, we adopt a proactive approach to help prevent future issues. By reviewing policies, providing tailored training, and offering practical advice, we help businesses create a compliant workplace culture, reducing the risk of future employment disputes and legal claims.
Why choose Shakespeare Martineau?
- Our team offer prompt and professional service, whether through in-person meetings or virtual consultations, you can trust that our advice will be timely and professional, helping you feel confident in your legal matters, every step of the way
- We provide advice that is not only pragmatic and quick but also easy to understand. Every lawyer in our firm is approachable, helpful, and committed to offering reliable legal solutions, making the process straightforward for clients
- Our clear and easily understandable approach has kept clients coming back for years, knowing they can depend on us for comprehensive legal support time and time again
- Our clients regularly highlight the exceptional expertise and professionalism of our lawyers. Our team cares deeply about every aspect of your case, ensuring you receive a thorough and attentive service
Tier 1 ranked employment experts
We are proud to uphold a Tier 1 ranking in The Legal 500 for Employment, a testament to our proven expertise and outstanding track record in handling complex employment matters. This recognition reflects our consistent success in delivering high-quality advice, and outcomes for businesses across a variety of industries.
Expert support for tribunal disputes
With extensive experience in employment tribunal proceedings, we provide end-to-end support through each phase of the dispute process. Our team’s deep knowledge and proven strategies enable us to effectively represent clients, ensuring that their cases are handled with the utmost professionalism and care.
Witness preparation for employment tribunals
We offer bespoke witness familiarisation programmes designed to prepare key individuals for employment tribunal hearings. Our tailored approach ensures witnesses are confident, well-prepared, and able to present evidence clearly and persuasively, increasing the likelihood of a favourable result for your business.
Practical dispute resolution strategies
Drawing on experience across diverse sectors and business sizes, our team delivers pragmatic and commercially-focused dispute resolution strategies. We work to minimise business disruption while safeguarding your interests, providing clear, actionable advice that aligns with your broader business objectives and goals.
Meet our Employment Disputes team
David Browne
Partner & Head of Employment Law
Philip Pepper
Partner & Head of Commercial, IP & Employment
Esther Maxwell
Partner
Jon Heuvel
Partner
Matt McDonald
Partner
Nick Jones
Partner - Employment
Rhys Wyborn
Partner
Sandeep Leighs
Partner
Tom Long
Partner
Emma Oliver
Legal Director
Ewan Carr
Legal Director
Steven Skiba
Legal Director
Danielle Humphries
Associate
Emma Noble
Associate
Lubna Laheria
Associate
Building a responsible business
Our commitment to sustainability and social impact
We are an accredited B Corporation that is committed to driving positive change in our communities, minimising our impact on the environment, and ensuring an all inclusive diverse and supportive culture for our people.
Wherever you are on your journey, our Employment Disputes specialists are here to answer any questions you might have
If you’d like to speak to a member of our team, please fill out the enquiry form. We will aim to reply to your query within 2 hours
Need to talk to someone sooner? You can call use at the number below
Call Us: 0330 024 0333
Employment Disputes FAQs
Our team of employment law experts handles a wide variety of employment disputes, including the employment tribunal process, by preparing and filing all necessary documentation, including the defence (ET3 form) and preparation of bundles and witness statements, to free up your time throughout the tribunal proceedings. We will also review documentation and advise you on the prospects of a successful defence, ensuring you are armed with all the information you need to make an informed decision on how to proceed.
We also help with progressing your claim to a final hearing where required, liaising with witnesses, attending hearings on your behalf, and protecting your business at every stage. We have also devised our own bespoke witness familiarisation training programme to ensure that your witnesses are fully prepared for the day.
Additionally, we work with you to protect your business and provide pragmatic advice on dealing with restrictive covenants such as breaches of confidentiality or post-termination restrictions.
Handling the employment tribunal process can be complex and stressful. We manage the entire process for you, ensuring that every step is handled efficiently:
- Document preparation and filing: We prepare and submit all necessary documentation, including the defence (ET3 form), bundles, and witness statements.
- Case review and advice: We review all documentation, providing a clear assessment of your case’s strengths and weaknesses, helping you understand the prospects of a successful defence.
- Honest and pragmatic guidance: From the outset, we offer straightforward, practical advice on your options, ensuring you can make informed decisions that align with your business objectives.
- Outcome-focused support: Our approach is tailored to help you achieve the best possible result for your business, minimising stress and disruption throughout the process.
Our witness familiarisation training is a tailored programme designed to ensure your witnesses are well-prepared and put at ease for employment tribunal hearings. The training focuses on familiarising witnesses with the tribunal process, helping them understand what to expect during cross-examination, and guiding them on how to present their evidence clearly and effectively. By preparing witnesses to handle questioning and stay composed, we help boost their confidence, ensuring they can provide credible, well-structured testimony, which ultimately supports a strong defence for your business.
We assess the merits of defending an employment claim through a thorough review of the documentation and facts surrounding the case. Our team evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the claim, considering factors such as evidence, witness reliability, and relevant legal principles. We provide you with honest and pragmatic advice on your chances of success, guiding you on whether to proceed or explore alternative resolutions. This ensures you have all the information needed to make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals and minimises risk.
Outside of disputes in the employment tribunal process, our team is experienced in alternative dispute resolution methods, including negotiation and mediation, to resolve conflicts before they escalate to a tribunal. We adopt a proactive approach to prevent future disputes and work with you to find practical, cost-effective solutions that protect your business interests without the need for formal tribunal proceedings.
We protect businesses from confidentiality breaches by providing expert advice and taking swift action to enforce confidentiality agreements and restrictive covenants. Our team helps to ensure sensitive business information is safeguarded by advising on the legal steps you can take if a breach occurs. We can pursue injunctions or other legal remedies to prevent further damage, and we work closely with you to mitigate any potential business risks.
Our approach to settling employment disputes is pragmatic and commercially focused. We aim to resolve issues quickly and efficiently, minimising disruption to your business. By thoroughly assessing the merits of each case, we provide clear, honest advice on the best strategy, whether that’s defending a claim or exploring settlement options.
We prioritise finding practical, cost-effective solutions, often through negotiation or mediation, to achieve the best possible outcome for your business while avoiding the costs and complexities of tribunal proceedings where possible.
Should the issue need to escalate to the employment tribunal then our team of experts are equipped to guide and prepare you through the process.
We help prevent future employment disputes by taking a proactive approach that focuses on compliance and best practices. Our team works with businesses to review and enhance their employment policies and procedures, ensuring they are up-to-date and legally compliant.
We also provide tailored training for management and staff, fostering a positive workplace culture and equipping employees with the knowledge to handle issues effectively. By identifying potential risks and implementing strategies to mitigate them, we aim to create an environment that reduces the likelihood of disputes arising in the first place.
