‘The team really understand our organisations culture and challenges. They are so helpful and quick to respond and can take complex legal issues and get to the heart of them providing clear advice. Nothing is too much trouble and they actually feel like part of our team rather than an external supplier.’

‘Paul McGowan is incredibly knowledgeable and approachable and has an ability to get to the heart of matters clearly and provide concise, tailored advice. Helen Scott and Charlotte McBride are also invaluable and incredibly helpful, credible and effective.’

‘Hugely knowledgeable and expert. Pragmatic. We particularly value the expertise available in relation to equality matters.’

‘This first rate employment niche firm is headed by the skilled and steady hand of Paul McGowan. Paul has an engaging yet responsive manner with his clients. He is diligent, intelligent and on the money with his advice. He leads a great team of employment lawyers. He is supported by the very able and knowledgeable Charlotte McBride who provides clear, helpful advice and is a joy to work with. In my view, Collingwood Legal are “the region’s best”.’

‘Personal service from lawyers who are easy to get on with; Attention to detail; Correct, precise and concise advice.’

‘Paul Johnstone is the key stand out person for us. He is an incredible teacher, mentor, guide for our senior managers. They have an enormous amount of trust in his knowledge and ability. He is a fantastic communicator who is able to ensure our staff understand the complexities of Employment Law. Paul is responsive and dependable but most of all incredible knowledgeable in his field of work. Paul has had a huge influence on our organisational culture when it come to positive employment practice. He is a key reason for our rating of “Outstanding” from our CQC regulators .’

‘Paul McGowan is superb. His legal knowledge is exceptional. His commercial sense is also spot on.’

‘Collingwood Legal only focus on employment matters and as such they are deliver an exceptional service in this complicated area. The team has a broad range of experience coupled with differing expertise, enabling them to provide information and support quickly and easily.’

‘Very knowledgeable, technical, unflappable softer skills. They tell you the risks but are pragmatic about what you should do. Very helpful with written comms and always refer to handbook and contracts, which they keep us up to date with. Often host a wide range of business seminars.’

‘Jo adopts a very hands on pragmatic approach to every situation. She knows our systems and policies and is able to comment on when updates are needed to fit in/ adapt to our situation.Tom also offers this, and is very thoughtful and detailed in his replies. He has a very logical brain which always considers the outcome required.’

‘As a practice everyone is exceptionally efficient in what they do, from the first point of contact of a receptionist taking your call to the solicitors advising you. They are a company that you can truly trust, billing is always correct and on time with no discrepancies. Communication is always very good with a regular newsletter updating us on any changes in law that may be likely to happen and seminars that we can attend. They have a fantastic network of professionals from a variety of sectors whom we meet on a periodic basis through the excellent seminars that Baines Wilson facilitate. The information is always up to date and topics covered highly pertinent.’

‘I would highly recommend using the services of Baines Wilson, as a practice they have been working with our well established reputable care organisation for the past 17 years. Jo Holborn is one of the senior partners at the practice, as a consultant and advisor she has always provided clear accurate information and her attention to detail has aided in keeping our organisation on track during the recent pandemic and though some exceptionally difficult times prior to that. Jo is not only thorough but also easy to work with and is always willing to take the time to discuss my concerns and respond to questions in a timely way. Equally her colleagues Tom Scaife and Carolyn Rayner are professionally noteworthy too.’

‘The team at Baines Wilson have a very practical and pragmatic approach to the advice they give you, which is what you need as a business so that you can make informed decisions on the right approach and the risks involved. Every time that I speak to Baines Wilson for advice I feel confident that I am being given the best advice for our business and culture and the solicitors really make you feel protected by their approach.’

‘Jo, Tom and Caroline are all extremely personable when you work with them and they give you advice in a way that doesn’t sound patronizing and allows you to come to your own decisions about the advice. I always find that they are really down to earth and realistic in their approach which is refreshing.’

‘I work closely with Joanne Holborn and her approach and support is excellent. Jo always provides detailed reasons and different options we can take, as well as being available for us when we need her.’

‘A great employment law team. What we appreciate: No question is too trivial- Use of technology during the pandemic was a huge help – Free workshops. They sponsored the CIPD to provide mental health awareness – someone in the team is always readily available.’

‘David Gibson and Anna Lovett – Delivered some excellent TUPE workshops for our managers. Easy to understand, clear advice, communicated at the right level.’

‘The team at Burnetts Solicitors have always maintained high professionalism and great service delivery, whilst maintaining that key personal approach to customer service. Having had a long serving business relationship with Burnetts, they maintain a valued customer relationship with us here.’

‘Each member of Burnetts has displayed a personal approach to their role. Pleasant, engaged, efficient and very responsive. Always aiming to provide the very best customer experience.’

‘We prefer to use Burnetts because they have an excellent supportive team who are very friendly, approachable, and engaging. No matter when we ask for help, they are always immediately there giving good sound advice whether this is legal or good general HR practices.’

‘In the main we use David Gibson. David is absolutely excellent; he really listens to the issues and always finds a way to help. His friendly disposition makes him very likeable and gives to confidence that you are in good hands. David goes above and beyond to help and as an example on many occasions following an issue David has developed and delivered excellent training packages to support our teams.’

‘Local & business knowledge. Innovations with local businesses in terms of seminars and forums.’

‘The team at Swinburne Maddison is absolutely fantastic. They are highly skilled knowledgeable and professional. Compared with other law firms I have dealt with they have taken ownership of my case from the onset and have ensured that at every juncture they have dealt quickly and efficiently with any matters that arisen and have kept me fully informed throughout. The firm prizes itself on a truly personal service and there is absolutely no doubt that any client requiring legal assistance will be in entirely safe hands with Swinburne Maddison.’

‘Jonathan Moreland is the Managing Partner and a stand out individual in the firm who has a vast and in depth knowledge of the law. He is both highly skilled and meticulously organised. Jonathan promptly deals with any matters that may arise and keeps me fully informed through regular emails and phone calls so I am fully aware of everything I need to know in relation to my case.’

‘Extremely professional but friendly . I have used the Swinburne Maddison to support me to reach a settlement agreement with my previous employer. My husband’s business also have used the team to support with employment contracts. We have both very much appreciated personal, immediate advice by telephone.’

‘Jonathan Moreland has at all times provided excellent support and advice. He is professionally extremely knowledgable with a friendly and supportive manner which makes life easier in difficult circumstances.’

‘Everyone I have dealt with at Swinburne Maddison LLP has been extremely professional. Excellent communications with me at all times regarding my case.’

‘The stand-out people I have dealt with over the past 10 months since I first contacted Swinburne Maddison are Jonathan Moreland and Sharney Randhawa. They have both shown me a high level of respect whilst providing their advice, which I cannot fault. Both are excellent communicators, responsive and extremely diligent.’

‘The fact that Jonathan Moreland demonstrates a real desire to partner with the client, and solve their problems in a consultative approach is highly appreciated. We have benefited from excellent communications, fair pricing and excellent service overall. The way our recent case was handled demonstrated sensitivity and excellent interaction to formulate the solution required.’

‘The employment team at Swinburne Maddison are a genuine pleasure to deal with. Each of our employment law contacts, being Jonathan and Sharney are both very approachable and I would have no reservations about running any issue we have by them. They are both highly knowledgeable, and the workshops they have run have been invaluable to me.’

‘The practice offers top of the range services at a cost effective price. They respond to queries in a timely manner and tailor their responses depending on the recipients so are easily understood.’

‘They are very approachable and able to explain themselves clearly to the audience. Sarah Furner, partner and Tom Clarke, solicitor stand out.’

‘Sarah Furness is our main contact, she is always quick to respond and we are never left waiting. This is important in our line of work as issues can arise quickly with a response being required just as quick. Sarah gives clear and concise advice which makes it easy for us to understand the situation and how we should deal with it.’

‘From the very start Hay & Kilner have always been extremely professional. I would highly recommend their services to anyone. It is always easy to get to speak to one of the team and they respond to emails quickly. We have previously used alternative HR support; Hay & Kilner have been by far the best. The advice we get is very helpful and we are guided and talked through every step of the way especially when dealing with very sensitive situations. The law changes so frequently so it is important as a business to be able to reach out to experts for advice. Hay & Kilner have also guided us though situations that have arisen during the pandemic. We pay a monthly subscription for the services provided.’

‘Our main contact is Sarah Hall. I cannot praise Sarah enough. She visited our premises initially to introduce herself and we have maintained her as our contact since. Sarah is extremely professional and knowledgeable, she is easy to communicate with and has guided us through different HR situations. If Sarah is unavailable she always makes sure that one of the team is on hand to assist.’

‘I have always found the employment team at Hay & Kilner to be very flexible. They always ensure that they really understand our business issues and the nature of the employment problem so that they can provide clear and commercial advice.’

‘When dealing with employment matters, availability and responsiveness are almost always very important. I have always found the Hay & Kilner employment team to be available, accessible and responsive and able to provide support and advice when needed, whatever the issue or timescale. In particular, our main point of contact, Sarah Furness, has always been available to provide an excellent service.’

‘The team is a joy to work with, in what is usually a stressful time, the team acts promptly and with ease as they assist and support our business in all employment aspects.’

‘Mincoffs Employment Team, headed by Nick Smith, provide a highly efficient and reliable resource for our employment law queries. Every query to Mincoffs is dealt with couteously and professionally, and without exception competent and compliant advice is given in written form the same day, and often with a backup telephone call. We particularly appreciate the annual retainer basis for our relations with Mincoffs. This allows us to reliably factor in HR legal costs into our annual budget.’

‘We deal primarily with Nick Smith and Laura Liddle. They are both worthy of superlatives in dealing with any of our Company’s business.’

‘I have found Mincoffs Solicitors to be efficient and dilligent in all aspects of the HR and Property Services they provide. They are particularly suited to extremely delicate matter of HR issues which they expertly deal with in a calm and professional manner. ’

‘Highly responsive, genuine considered advice that is grounded in experience and a measured approach. Always take the time to understand the issues in full and then respond with a range of options with a risk based approach. Documentation is prompt, accurate and timely with greater concern for getting it right rather than ‘ thinking of the fees first ‘ which generates a high sense of trust and confidence. Good range of expertise in the Employment Team and a consistent standard regardless of whom you deal with. Billing always fair .’

‘Nick Smith is a trusted adviser. Quiet approach that allows considered discussions. Up to date and highly responsive. Respected by other firms and by barristers.’