Email address
[email protected]Contact number
0118 402 3842Share profile
Band 2
Band 3
About
Provided by Gemma Woodhouse
Practice Areas
A partner in the Reading office, Gemma advises on both contentious and non-contentious employment law and has a keen interest in all aspects of discrimination law. Since qualification in 2007, she has been involved with a significant Court of Appeal decision, a number of tribunal hearings, and appeals to the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT).
She provides corporate support on business transfers and reorganisations and advises on the terms of compromise agreements, employment contracts and employee handbooks. She also advises clients on the implications of TUPE and the terms of commercial outsourcing arrangements.
Gemma specialises in advising independent schools and academies on HR and education-specific issues including safeguarding responsibilities and compliance requirements. She provides training to schools on employment updates, safeguarding requirements and management of staff including performance management. She also hosts forums for HR directors and managers within independent schools.
Her clients describe her as having a 'good tactical approach to dealing with HR issues', being 'very swift with her advice' and as an adviser who 'acts in the client’s best interests'.
Professional Memberships
Employment Lawyers’ Association
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Publications
Regular contributor to the ISBA Bursar’s Review.
Chambers Review
UK
Gemma Woodhouse is an employment lawyer based in Reading who has a noteworthy reputation for her work in the independent school sector. She leads the education team, assisting clients with both contentious and non-contentious work, including staff dismissals, workplace investigations and pensions issues.
Gemma Woodhouse is known for her expert guidance on settlement agreements for senior executives and a range of TUPE-related questions. She is experienced across a range of employment tribunal matters, notably allegations of discrimination or unfair dismissal and whistle-blowing litigation.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Gemma always provides excellent, pragmatic and commercially sound advice. She understands how the business works."
"She's practical and gives me work I can pass on with few edits. Gemma knows how a business works and how busy in-house counsel is. She provides true value."
"She provides excellent advice and achieves a workable solution for all parties."
"Gemma is an excellent solicitor who engenders a high degree of trust. She is pragmatic."
"She is clear, supportive and has a very strong understanding of the education sector and the law."
"Gemma Woodhouse is very hard-working and offers sound, practical advice. She draws on her employment law experience to give her clients holistic sound advice."
"Gemma has excellent sector knowledge and a wealth of experience."
"Gemma always provides excellent, pragmatic and commercially sound advice. She understands how the business works."
"She's practical and gives me work I can pass on with few edits. Gemma knows how a business works and how busy in-house counsel is. She provides true value."
"She provides excellent advice and achieves a workable solution for all parties."
"Gemma is an excellent solicitor who engenders a high degree of trust. She is pragmatic."
"She is clear, supportive and has a very strong understanding of the education sector and the law."
"Gemma Woodhouse is very hard-working and offers sound, practical advice. She draws on her employment law experience to give her clients holistic sound advice."
"Gemma has excellent sector knowledge and a wealth of experience."
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