Public Sector

Our dedicated Public Sector Employment Team acts for a large number of statutory bodies, local authorities, NHS Trusts, educational organisations, charities and housing associations operating within London and the South East. The team is led by Jenny Thorp, and contains five lawyers. Members of the team work with other members of the DMH Stallard multi-disciplinary Public Sector Group on major projects.

We appreciate that the issues facing Public Sector employers differ from those faced by private and public companies. Our specialist team understands those differences and provides support to our public sector clients to ensure that they are meeting their legal obligations and are applying good practice in a transparent and efficient manner.

Our work covers the full spectrum of employment law, including advisory work, drafting and review of policies and procedures, negotiations, due diligence, and Tribunal and Court litigation. We can also provide training for managers on the full range of employment law issues, which are bespoke to the client’s organisation.

Where litigation ensues, we have experience in creating and providing for Public Authority clients detailed case plans, in which we advise as to the background to the case, the legal issues, merits, quantum (including advice as to settlement) and the work required to be undertaken. We also give due regard to the sensitivity of a particular case and take into account any political issues, union involvement, the responsibility to act in the best interests of the Authority and its stakeholders, and the potential press interest.

The Team handles, normally without Counsel, a high volume of Employment Tribunal cases on behalf of Public Sector clients each year and represents the clients in multi-day and multi-Respondent claims including those of discrimination, equal pay, victimisation and harassment on the various unlawful grounds, unfair dismissal and breach of contract claims, claims arising under TUPE and claims under the WTR and PIDA.

Our experience of working with Public Sector clients is that there are certain requirements which are essential in order to ensure that the relationship with their external providers of legal services works well. Our key standards are to:

• Be readily available and responsive
• Provide value for money
• Keep the client informed of progress
• Encourage good relations through professionalism, pragmatism and partnership

The three main sectors we have experience of advising within are:

• Local Authorities
• Health
• Education