At Lanyon Bowdler, we specialise in employment law for employers.
Employment law and HR impact hugely on how a business functions - but it can also prove restrictive and time consuming at times for managers and business owners. At Lanyon Bowdler we can help relieve a lot of the burden in providing prompt, concise and commercially minded advice on how to deal with a full range of employment law and HR matters.
We don't just sell time; we sell experience, expertise, know-how and results. We will tailor our service, pricing and payment arrangements to suit your business and priorities, whether on a standalone basis or to complement your existing HR capabilities, from anywhere between providing unlimited 24/7 support for a fixed fee to providing “pay as you go” as-required assistance – backed by service level guarantees and, if selected, insurance cover against tribunal costs and awards, at a very competitive premium, through our market-leading AXA policy.
We approach employment law matters for business clients in the manner that will best suit the client’s requirements. This may mean applying a 'least risk', a commercially practical or an aggressive approach, depending on whether a client’s priority is to minimise exposure to risk, to reach a quick resolution or to discourage further claims of a similar nature.
Whatever your requirements, whether in relation to:
Our fixed fee retainer packages help businesses spread the cost of legal advice and assistance, whilst also providing pricing certainty; and they provide a ready means for managers to obtain advice at the point when they should prudently obtain it, rather than potentially waiting until it’s too late and problems being created, or being made worse.
In addition to reactive advice, depending upon the level of service you choose, we can provide in house training for managers at your premises on a range of topics such as absence management and how to deal with difficult employees at no extra cost.
Unlike some firms who offer retainer services, with Lanyon Bowdler you know that you will receive high quality advice from qualified solicitors – and not inexperienced advisers or otherwise non-solicitors. Further, given our wide geographical spread, we are local to most of our clients, and so conveniently on hand for when face to face advice and assistance is required.
As you may know, Employment Tribunal fees have now been abolished and claims are returning to the high level that they reached before fees were introduced.
Tribunal awards can sometimes be high, including because some claims, such as for discrimination and harassment, are uncapped in terms of the potential level of damages, and even if a claim is successfully defended, it can be extremely costly in terms of legal fees – as the usual rule is that each party pays their own costs, whatever the outcome.
For these reason, employers are often minded to settle even unmeritous claims. That can be galling – and it can also encourage future claims.
We therefore offer an insurance backed service, LB Protect, which covers the cost of legal fees in defending claims, plus the cost of Tribunal awards or settlements. This can be added on to your retainer package or purchased separately, giving you complete peace of mind.
To find out about our LB Protect Policy, download our guide or call today and speak to one of our team.
The team is recognised in the 2021 edition of The Legal 500, and states: "The employment department at Lanyon Bowdler is led by John Merry who has a strong reputation for his specialisms in TUPE, the employment aspects of business and board reorganisations (including share sales) and advising employers in the agricultural arena. The team is adept at aiding senior executives with settlement agreements and has particular expertise in advising schools. It regularly assists colleges in relation to academy conversions. William Morse is also recommended."
Published testimonials state:
‘It is an accessible and empathetic team‘.
‘It is a responsive, professional and kind team. Will Morse – professional, supportive and relevant. Strengths – responsive, clear, doesn’t waste time, efficient and therefore cost efficient too. Value for money‘.
‘John Merry is an excellent solicitor‘.
‘Mr John Merry was exceptionally knowledgeable but also understood the importance of explaining things clearly and in a format that I could understand. He was appreciative of the documents I took along to the meeting and receptive to my opinions and feelings‘.
A previous edition describes: “Key contact John Merry advises both employers and employees on employment policy issues and is an experienced advocate in employment tribunal proceedings.”
Our Education team is also recognised in the 2021 edition of The Legal 500. It says "The 'approachable' William Morse leads the practice at Lanyon Bowdler and is particularly recognised for his work in relation to academy conversions in the Herefordshire and Shropshire area. Morse also advises on all aspects of corporate governance work and employment law including trade union liaisons and collective bargaining matters. The firm also has a niche offering in relation to SEN/discrimination tribunals."
The 2020 edition of Chambers UK recognises this department as having a 'Recognised Practitioner' for the Midlands department, stating "John Merry is knowledgeable in a range of non-contentious matters, including implications under TUPE and reorganisation issues. One impressed client says: 'His approach and method of communicating is excellent and has provided me with a greater level of understanding and the ability to use his advice successfully'."
We hold Employment and HR Networking events across Shropshire and in Hereford every spring and autumn, which include presentations on employment law developments and areas of HR practice. To be included on our mailing list, please click here to be added to our mailing list.
We also provide in-house training and presentations to employers and associations.
For more information regarding our employment law & HR support services in Oswestry, Shrewsbury, Bromyard, Conwy, Hereford, Ludlow, and Telford or at your premises please telephone or complete the online enquiry form.
