Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Employment - North East
What the Team is Known For
Ward Hadaway houses a highly regarded team of employment specialists with an enviable client list that includes some of the largest employers in Newcastle and the North East. The firm attracts a high number of SMEs thanks to its HR Protect fixed-fee offering. The team works with clients on the full range of employment-related matters, including the defence of employment litigation claims, advice on transactions, large restructurings and day-to-day matters. The team is notable for its ability to advise clients with unionised workforces on collective consultation as well as disputes with unions.
Strengths
Ward Hadaway provide excellent guidance and direction based on a well-developed understanding of our organisation, our vision and our business objectives.
Ward Hadaway are exceptionally knowledgeable, talented and experienced in their field of work.
Ward Hadaway has a strong depth and breadth of knowledge from partners, down through the organisation.
Thet are very quick to respond to any queries we may have, and the ongoing support is invaluable to us.
In complex matters, the advice provided is jargon-free with a clear plan of action.
Work Highlights
Ward Hadaway successfully defended North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust against multiple allegations of sex discrimination, race discrimination and discrimination on the grounds of religion and/or belief.
Notable practitioners
Paul Scope is an experienced partner who handles a range of employment work. He has particular strength in employment tribunal claims and is known for his advice on contractual changes. He is also experienced in advising on trade union issues, including derecognition and revised recognition, as well as senior executive terminations.
Paul has a broad and deep knowledge of key areas and provides consistently sound guidance.
Paul Scope is an outstanding employment lawyer.
Paul's approach and experience give us confidence in the advice we receive from him.
Jamie Gamble advises employers, including those in the third sector, on a range of matters including TUPE, tribunal claims, restructurings and transactional employment matters.
Jamie Gamble stands out for his empathy and concern for clients.
Jamie Gamble is a leading light in terms of implementation and consideration of employee wellbeing initiatives.
Graham Vials specialises in advising employers in the education sector. He is able to turn his hand to both contentious and non-contentious matters. He has experience advising on strike action, and discrimination and unfair dismissal claims.
Graham is highly efficient and pragmatic. He gets to crux of the problem very quickly.
Graham Vials has a detailed knowledge of the further education sector and provides pragmatic solutions to issues.
Stephen Elliott has gained recognition for his broad-ranging employment work, covering matters such as employment tribunal claims and senior executive exits.
Stephen Elliott is knowledgeable, easy to understand, accessible and understands us incredibly well as an organisation.
Stephen is great to work with and he clearly trains his staff well.
Tom Shears is an associate in the employment practice at Ward Hadaway. He represents clients across a range of sectors in matters including employment tribunal litigation, investigations, TUPE transfers, and restructuring and redundancy processes.
We would be absolutely lost without Tom Shears' steer on relevant matters.
Tom Shears is always extremely helpful and has sound expertise.
Alan Kennedy advises clients on a range of employment matters, including discrimination and unfair dismissal claims, as well as redundancy proceedings. His clients come from both the public and private sectors, including education and charity.
Alan Kennedy has guided us through some very complex cases.