• Employment law frequently changes, and many employers find it difficult to keep up with developments. Brachers can reduce the burden of compliance and support you in protecting your business and supporting your employees.

    To help keep you up to date and compliant, please take a look at our round up of the latest changes in employment law for 2022/23.

    Why choose our employment lawyers?

    We are one of the largest employment law and HR teams in the South East, with a wide range of expertise and experience. We work with a diverse variety of clients, from family-run businesses and SMEs to large multi-national businesses, charities, education establishments and public sector bodies.

    We pride ourselves on our relationships with our clients, many of which span multiple generations. This strong partnership has enabled us to establish ourselves as specialists within a number of sectors including Education, Healthcare, Agriculture and Rural, Charities and Construction.

    As an extension to your own HR function, our experience has led to the development of our Brachers Connect service – a seamless HR and compliance management package with access to online software and an advice helpline for legal and operational support. This is the ideal solution for SMEs who would like total peace of mind in their compliance as well as streamlined HR processes.

    Our employment law services are also complemented by specialist HR support from Kent HR. Whether you need a fully outsourced HR function, mediation services or day-to-day HR advice and ad hoc project support, together with Kent HR we can create a package of support to help businesses of all sizes to help you succeed.

    Recognition of our expertise

    If you choose to work with us, you can be assured that you will receive a top class service. Our Employment team is highly ranked by leading legal directory The Legal 500, with head of the team Catherine Daw and team members Antonio Fletcher, Colin Smith and Louise Brenlund rated as ‘Recommended Lawyers’ in the 2022 directory.

    The team are also ranked in in the Chambers and Partners 2022 directory, with Catherine Daw and Partner Colin Smith individually recognised for their expertise. Associate Sarah Wimsett is noted as an ‘Associate to watch’.

    The team is also ranked in the top three law firms in the Kent Legal Sector Review 2022.

    Our lawyers are members of the Collaborative Employment Law group and Catherine Daw holds an Acas Certificate of Internal Workplace Mediation.

    Find out more about our awards, accreditations and partnerships.

    How we can help

    Our experienced team takes pride in delivering employment law and HR services that are tailored to your needs. We take the time to understand your individual circumstances and provide recommendations to enable you to make informed choices.

    Please expand the sections below for more detail on how we can help support your business.

    • Restrictive covenants, competition, and confidentiality

      Employee exits and settlement agreements

      Employment tribunals and contract claims

      Redundancies, reorganisations and restructuring

      Discrimination, discipline, dismissals, and grievances

      Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE)

      Contracts of employment, HR policies and bonus, pay and reward arrangements

      Industrial relations and actions: Trade union advice

      Employee wellbeing strategy and reviews

      Employment law training for HR staff

      Brachers Connect – HR compliance and efficient management in one solution

      Brachers Protect – Financial protection against potential employment tribunal claims

      Practical HR support

Book an appointment 30 minute free virtual consultation for employers

Schedule a free 30 minute initial online appointment with a lawyer from our employment law team. The appointment is designed to help us understand your needs and provide you with information on how we can support you.

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  • Case Studies

     

  • We drafted a response including an argument that the respondent had not been correctly identified. We also advised on strategy for the case.

    Following receipt of our response, the claimant withdrew their claim in full.

  • This included advising on:

    • Contracts and policies
    • Consultancy arrangements
    • Bonus and commissions schemes
    • Restrictive covenants
    • Directors’ duties.

  • The closure was opposed by a union which represented most of the workforce.

    We provided legal support to our client throughout the closure programme and the collective redundancy consultation process.

    The nine-month redundancy process involved more than 250 staff members.

  • The claim alleged constructive unfair dismissal and discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, race, disability, marriage or civil partnership and sex.

    We filed a robust response including denial of the claims, that the claim had been issued out of time and that the Employment Tribunal should not exercise its discretion to extend time.

    We applied to have the claimant’s claims struck out at a preliminary hearing. At the hearing, the employment judge confirmed that the tribunal did not have jurisdiction to hear any of the claims as they were out of time.

Key Contacts - Employment Lawyers & HR Support:

Meet the Team:

  • They have a real client-focused ethos.

    Chambers & Partners 2022

  • They are efficient, commercially aware and responsive

    Chambers & Partners 2022

  • An ability to break down complex issues into easily understandable segments and produce remedies that address each layer is a consistent facet

    The Legal 500 2022

  • Catherine Daw and Colin Smith are highly experienced and very strong on strategy. Sarah Wimsett is a great up-and-coming lawyer.

    Client quote

  • An excellent team, particularly within the healthcare sector. Their cases are always extremely well prepared.

    Client quote

  • They are excellent and have broad-based expertise. Crucially, their advice is delivered in a timely manner while maintaining accuracy.

    Chambers & Partners

  • We have enjoyed a very good working relationship with the Employment team at Brachers for over 8 years and have always found them to be extremely practical in their application of employment legislation, ensuring advice is clear, easy to understand and apply but most importantly is relevant to meet our complex business and people needs.

    The Legal 500 2022