Employment
UK Guide 2025 : Thames Valley
Band 4
About
Provided by Field Seymour Parkes
Our team specialises in practical commercial employment advice with the options, risks, costs and benefits explained at the outset. The team has built a diverse client base and acts for employers in a wide range of sectors, from blue chip companies to small local charities, and for senior employees.
We advise on the full range of employment issues and our balanced team of solicitors, across all experience levels, provides us with a significant advantage. We have developed particular expertise in complex reorganisations, enforcing restrictive covenants, handling difficult senior employee departures and we have an excellent success rate in litigation.
Recent work highlights include the successful defence of age discrimination claims following an eight day tribunal hearing, advising on the closure of part of a business with in excess of 1,500 employees and acting on a class action concerning underpayment of holiday pay.
Our advice is carefully tailored to each client, as we know that the same approach does not work for all. We maintain a proactive approach to ensure we gain a detailed understanding of our clients and how they work so we can tailor our advice to their way of thinking and establish long-standing relationships.
Chambers Review
Field Seymour Parkes advises clients on a full range of employment matters, with regular work on both contentious and non-contentious mandates. The group advises on everything from contracts to acquisitions and redundancies. It represents a broad client base, including large employers in the logistics, manufacturing and automotive sectors. Field Seymour Parkes offers additional services such as HR updates and briefings.
Work Highlights
- Field Seymour Parkes advised Codan on employment matters resulting from its acquisition of NEC Software Solutions, including on TUPE obligations.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team at Field Seymour Parkes works very well at allocating the right level of experience and expertise to every request for support."
"Any advice sought has been provided in a timely manner, reflecting a succinct understanding of the matter in hand."
"The team are excellent - they are pragmatic and give comprehensive advice."
"Field Seymour Parkes has handled complex and sophisticated matters with ease."
"The firm is able to flex to support pretty quickly, providing sound advice and documentation."
"The team at Field Seymour Parkes works very well at allocating the right level of experience and expertise to every request for support."
"Any advice sought has been provided in a timely manner, reflecting a succinct understanding of the matter in hand."
"The team are excellent - they are pragmatic and give comprehensive advice."
"Field Seymour Parkes has handled complex and sophisticated matters with ease."
"The firm is able to flex to support pretty quickly, providing sound advice and documentation."
Notable Practitioners
Ian Machray is an experienced practitioner and regularly advises clients on the employment law implications of international mergers and acquisitions. He also acts for clients on contentious employment issues including sex and race discrimination and harassment allegations, unfair dismissal and breach of contract matters.
"Ian is outstanding. He is responsive and has a deep understanding of employment law."
"Ian has always been an immense support and is highly reliable."
"Ian has consistently demonstrated exceptional professionalism, expertise and dedication in handling legal matters."
"Ian engages incredibly well, quickly grasping an issue's crux and providing relatable and considered responses and advice."