Carey Olsen fields a full-service, pan-Channel Island employment law and pensions practice that is known for contentious and non-contentious matters. The employment group, headed by Huw Thomas , has substantial experience acting before the Jersey employment tribunal. It is also often called upon to assist with employment-related data protection issues. Thomas often works alongside Tarina Le Boutillier, who in addition to employment issues handles immigration law work. Other key names include pensions counsel Julie Currie, and trusts and private wealth head Siobhan Riley, who works alongside Alexa Saunders.
Employment in Jersey
Carey Olsen
Responsables de la pratique:
Siobhan Riley; Huw Thomas
Autres avocats clés:
Alexa Saunders; Julie Currie; Stephen Fitzgerald; Tarina Le Boutillier
Les références
‘Carey Olsen have been running weekly employment law update seminars for HR professionals, since the start of Covid, which have been really great – well done team!’
‘My main two contacts are Huw Thomas and Tarina Le Boutillier who are both excellent.’
‘I have recently dealt with Huw and Tarina on a case, their advice was clear, the process was easy to follow, they provided regular updates and were transparent and supportive throughout. The expertise available is second to none.’
Principaux clients
Committee of Management of the Public Employees’ Pension Fund
Management Board of the Jersey Teachers Superannuation Fund
Fairway Trust Limited
KPMG
Rossborough Financial Services Limited
Alexander Forbes CI Limited
Trustees of Aberdeen Asset Management Pension Scheme
Nedbank Private Wealth
Principaux dossiers
- Advising the Committee of Management of the Public Employees’ Pension Fund, the largest public sector pension scheme in the Channel Islands.
- Advising the Management Board of the Jersey Teachers Superannuation Fund, a scheme for those teachers employed by the Island’s government and by certain of the local private schools in the Island.
- Acted for Fairway Trust Limited in relation to one of the more significant employment tribunal of recent years, which involved the dismissal of a senior director and subsequent tribunal proceedings for unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal.
Mourant
Mourant‘s team is credited for having ‘a discreet manner that gives comfort to companies and institutions who rely on quality advice and guidance in a wide range of activities‘. Led by Carla Benest , the team cooperates with employment and pensions lawyers across the firm’s office network to provide a full multi-jurisdictional employment service to corporates and financial institutions. On the contentious side, lawyers are well-versed in unfair and constructive dismissal, discrimination claims and contractual disputes. On the non-contentious front, the group regularly advises on agile and flexible working issues, employee mobility and business restructurings. Senior associate Laurie Child takes the lead on a number of employment issues, including matters concerning restructurings and redundancy processes. Associate Katie Phillips is developing a practice that involves relocations and matters relating to the establishment of businesses on Jersey.
Responsables de la pratique:
Carla Benest
Autres avocats clés:
Laurie Child; Katie Phillips
Les références
‘Extremely personable to deal with. Understand our business and its culture. Advice is always practicable and easy to understand and follow.’
‘Mourant is a renowned legal firm in the Islands and hugely respected in the industry. Their discreet manner gives comfort to companies and institutions who rely on quality advice and guidance in a wide range of activities.’
‘Carla and her team provide a first class service in the Employment Law field. Always available and willing to give constructive, clear and concise guidance on any topic. Their factual and honest views are valuable to the work we undertake and always recommend them to colleagues in our profession.’
Principaux dossiers
- Advised on the sensitive and high risk exit of a director in the context of significant ill-health issues related to work and the individual’s significant equity interests in our client’s business
- Advised on enforcement action and potential litigation relating to a breach of restrictive covenants by a senior executive proposing to join a market competitor
- Defended a breach of contract claim brought by a global director relating to long-term share incentives arising under a deferred compensation scheme
Ogier
According to clients, the team at Ogier is ‘very responsive, commercial in its approach and will handle all aspects of any particular employment issue‘. The group handles tribunal claims for claimants and respondents, advisory work and as support to corporate transactions. The team is also equipped to act in work-related injury claims, data protection matters and issues related to employee benefit schemes. Helen Ruelle heads the employment team and handles contentious and non-contentious employment and discrimination law issues. Ruelle is ably supported by senior associate Will Austin-Vautier.
Responsables de la pratique:
Helen Ruelle
Autres avocats clés:
Will Austin-Vautier
Les références
‘The team is good at getting the work done by the appropriate level of lawyer. They are very responsive, commercial in their approach and will handle all aspects of any particular employment issue. This takes the pressure off where clients are nervous of handling difficult issues themselves eg dismissal conversations.’
‘The individuals just get the job done in an efficient manner. Can’t ask for more.’
‘Excellent private equity sector knowledge, rapid delivery of advice, clear and concise, very user friendly approach.’
Viberts
The team at Viberts handles the spectrum of employment law issues, with experts in litigation, regulatory issues, business licensing, contract advice and compromise agreements, as well as employment issues following M&A transactions. The team is led by Vicky Milner, who specialises in representing senior individuals in claims involving allegations of discrimination and psychiatric injury, as well as non-contentious advisory work. Paul Wilson is a non-contentious employment law expert with experience in redundancies. Rebecca Morley-Kirk is a litigator who regularly appears before employment tribunals, representing individuals and unions, while Giles Emmanuel is another key member of the practice. Chris Hendry is also recommended.
Responsables de la pratique:
Vicky Milner
Autres avocats clés:
Paul Wilson; Rebecca Morley-Kirk; Giles Emmanuel; Chris Hendry
Les références
‘They have a good team and have been responsive to our requirements in a timely fashion.’
‘A good understanding of HR law in practice, so able to give practical and proactive advice.’
‘Solid technical knowledge, partner involvement, practical application, competitive fees and all with a sense of humour.’
Principaux clients
Institute of Law
JP Mauger Limited
Baccata Trustees Limited
IQ-EQ (Jersey) Limited
National Education Union
USDAW
Principaux dossiers
- Represented the Institute of Law in a case in the Jersey Employment & Discrimination Tribunal and in the Royal Court: the Royal Court decision set a new precedent on costs.
- Represented JP Mauger Limited in a case in the Jersey Employment & Discrimination Tribunal, which confirmed the position on employment status.
Appleby
The practice at Appleby is geared towards advising corporates and large financial institutions on cross-border employment issues. In 2021, the group handled a number of Covid-related employment matters, including concerning outsourcing agreements. It is also active in advising on employment law aspects of M&A. Heading the group is Richard Sheldon, who is based across Jersey and Guernsey and often provides pan-island advice. In September 2021, the group was joined by Niall MacDonald from Walkers; a major boost, given his expertise in immigration, business licensing, as well as managing experts and enforcing post-termination obligations. Lara von Wildenrath joined from Werksmans Attorneys in August 2021, and handles employment disputes.
Responsables de la pratique:
Autres avocats clés:
Niall MacDonald; Lara von Wildenrath
Les références
‘This practice is always quick to respond to our needs and had great international links that work for our business’
‘I work with Richard Sheldon who is responsive, commercial and practical’
‘In my dealings with Appleby (Jersey) LLP I have always found them to be friendly, well informed and very helpful. They honour their deadlines and are easy to work with. They work is to high standard and they pull together as team to help each other out.’
Principaux clients
Canaccord Genuity Wealth
CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang
Eversheds Sutherland
Grant Thornton
HSBC Group
International Energy Group Limited
PraxisIFM
Sanne Group
Suntera Global
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Suntera Global on the employment aspects of its acquisition of Nedgroup Trust, a fiduciary services provider in Jersey and Guernsey from Nedbank Private Wealth.
- Advised PraxisIFM on the employment aspects of its sale of their Fund Administration division to Sanne Group Plc.
Walkers
Walkers predominantly advises the firm’s regulated financial services clients on the gamut of employment law issues, with experience in immigration law and matters arising from M&A transactions. Taking the lead is recently promoted partner Daniel Read, an English barrister and Jersey advocate who is known for contentious employment matters relating to restrictive covenants, unfair dismissal claims, team moves, as well as redundancies and senior executive terminations.
Responsables de la pratique:
Daniel Read
Autres avocats clés:
Jenny Brunton
Les références
‘I couldn’t have asked for a better employment lawyer than Dan Read: knowledgeable, experienced and capable under pressure. I have no hesitation recommending him.’
‘The regular contact, updates and events have provided the foundation for a strong professional relationship. The team are readily available for quick queries. They are always forerunners to bring DE&I material so we can stay on the front foot. Very relevant pandemic related work advice was provided virtually and allowed us to avoid potential pitfalls.’
‘We predominantly deal with Dan Read who we have found to be personable and professional while delivering the relevant advice, concisely and on time.’
Principaux clients
Clarivate
Entrust
KPMG
Vistra
G4S
Norman Piette
Advocate Davida Blackmore
Established in 2019, Advocate Davida Blackmore is the base for sole practitioner Davida Blackmore, who is highly active in advising on service provision contracts and handling employment-related personal injury claims, particularly mental health issues including those arising from psychiatric injuries. Blackmore is also a go-to name for matters at the intersection of employment and data protection law.
Responsables de la pratique:
Davida Blackmore
Principaux clients
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
D’Houet Limited t/a FCJ School
Marbral Advisory
Principaux dossiers
- Providing advice and assistance to Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in respect of all employment and data protection related matters, including representation before the Employment and Discrimination Tribunal.
- Acting for a number of senior HR individuals in respect of employment exits, including claims for unfair constructive dismissal, unfair dismissal, redundancy and ill-health grounds.
- Acting for a senior employee in respect of a claim for psychiatric injury, discrimination and constructive unfair dismissal against their former employer.
Bedell Cristin
Bedell Cristin kickstarted its standalone pan-Channel Islands employment practice in May 2021, with the arrival of Carly Parrott from Carey Olsen to the Guernsey office. Parrott handles employment matters in Jersey, including in relation to contentious issues. Heather Watters is another name to note for contentious employment matters.
Responsables de la pratique:
Carly Parrott
Autres avocats clés:
Heather Watters
Principaux clients
JT Group
Principaux dossiers
- Providing advice to JT Group on the full spectrum of employment matters including the exit of senior and junior level staff, advising on the restructuring of operations, data protection and health and safety matters, dealing with staff absences, capability and conduct issues and policy re-drafting.
- Assisted a multi-national consultancy and construction company in the transfer of employees from England to Jersey and the set-up of operations in Jersey as part of the Jersey Hospital Project.
- Advised one of the largest agricultural employers in Jersey on a myriad of issues including defending a number of tribunal claims, re-drafting their employment related documentation for salaried, seasonal and contract workers and advising on the re-structuring their seasonal working arrangements.
Parslows
At Parslows, the team advises businesses in Jersey on the updating of and new sets of employment contracts and handbooks, as well as assisting with employment advice stemming from M&A. The team is led by Carl Parslow , who according to clients ‘offers realistic and solid advice‘ and Lorraine McClure .
Responsables de la pratique:
Carl Parslow; Lorraine McClure
Les références
‘Accessible, friendly presence. Listening and accommodating client’s needs.’
‘Carl Parslow offers realistic and solid advice and case work and oversight. Very trustworthy and can be quite passionate. Strong thinker with great skills and attributes.’
Principaux dossiers
- Acted for client in relation to advisory on restrictive covenants issue. Ex – employee acting in same space attempting to poach client base. Advised on the effectiveness of the relevant clauses in the contract and suggested way forward.
- Advising client in relation to share scheme dispute over distribution rights and appropriate compensation relating to his past employment with a Jersey trust company
- Advisory in relation to redundancies at firm as a result in the downturn of the market.
Seymour Law LLP
Clients praise the ‘personal service‘ offered by Seymour Law LLP, which has significant expertise in advising high-level employees and business stakeholders on exits. In addition, key partner Jean-Marie Renouf provides day-to-day employment advice to regulated businesses operating in Jersey.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jean-Marie Renouf
Les références
‘Personal service and expertise from well established partners who are highly thought of in their chosen areas. This means the legal advice is of high quality and to the point and the process of obtaining it efficient and cost effective.’
‘Advocate Jean-Marie Renouf was attentive and responsive and ready with a summary of the key practical issues and focussed pre-emptive words of advice to manage expectations regarding the negotiations to be undertaken. He has an excellent grasp of employment law and whilst he will present the position at each end of the spectrum, is ready with pragmatic realistic advice. He also showed great client care and was a reassuring point of reference checking in and following up from time to time.’
‘I recently engaged Jean-Marie Renouf in relation to a recent employment dispute with my former employer. It required a very swift turnaround of less than a week. Jean-Marie made himself available to assist me in an urgent matter at very short notice, which was appreciated. In all of my dealings with him, I have found him to be highly effective, knowledgeable, responsive, and empathetic. When handling a personal matter rather than a corporate matter, this is all the more important. This is in comparison with other lawyers with whom I have dealt who do not communicate and leave clients waiting for days with little consideration. Jean-Marie’s advice is robust, thorough, and pragmatic.’
Principaux clients
Le Quesne Garden Centre
Hotel de France
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Le Quesne Garden Centre on an employment dispute which ended ultimately with the negotiation of terms of exit for that individual.
- Advises Hotel de France on all matters pertaining to employment law; providing general advice, drafting documents and procedures, and dealing with specific issues which arise relating to individual employees.