Ms Jane Biddlecombe > Paris Smith LLP > Southampton, England > Lawyer Profile

I am an employment law specialist with over 20 years of experience in all sectors including manufacturing, logistics, education, technology, engineering and agriculture dealing with:

• disciplinary issues and dismissals;
• performance management; absence management and capability issues;
• handling grievances;
• discrimination;
• redundancies and business re-organisations;
• post-termination restrictions;
• employment issues relating to acquisitions and disposals including TUPE;
• drafting employment contracts and policies/procedures;
• settlement agreements, including Director exits; and
• tribunal claims, including representation at hearings.

I am also an immigration specialist advising on all aspects of immigration law.

Business:

• right to work checks and penalties;
• obtaining a sponsor licence to employ skilled workers in the UK and advising on compliance with sponsor duties;
• visas for employees For example, Skilled Worker visas, Global Business Mobility visas (including intra-group transfers of senior or specialist workers) and Temporary Worker visas (including seasonal worker visas for farms and vineyards);
• advice on the rights of EU nationals to work in the UK and settled status;
• advice on the post-Brexit immigration system for employing skilled overseas staff, including EU nationals.

Personal:

• joining family in the UK (e.g. partner visas, fiancé(e) visas and parent visas);
• applications to extend leave to remain in the UK;
• settlement/indefinite leave to remain applications;
• British nationality queries and British Citizenship applications;
• visas to work in the UK, such as Skilled Worker visas and Global Business Mobility visas;
• studying in the UK under a Student visa or working under a Graduate visa; and
• advice on temporary Worker visas such as Youth Mobility Scheme visas and Religious Worker visas.

Whether they are small owner managed businesses or large national companies, I have an excellent reputation in partnering with my clients to achieve practical and commercial solutions to their problems.  I work with my clients to pro-actively manage their day-to-day employee issues and, where possible, avoid protracted disputes.

I work closely with each of my clients, tailoring my support to the needs of the business and the company’s attitude to risk.

In relation to immigration advice, it is often daunting for both individuals and businesses to navigate the Immigration Rules and Home Office guidance documents.  I support my clients by providing clear and concise advice in this complex area and regularly updating clients in this ever changing field of law.  

It is vital for clients to keep up to date in the fast moving areas of employment and immigration law. I provide training to HR teams and managers (either at our offices or at the client’s premises) as well as presenting at our seminars (ranging from small group case studies to large seminars with over 150 attendees).  

I am a member of the Employment Lawyers Association and the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association.