Esteemed for the team’s ‘great skill in managing group litigation’, Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is sought after for its expertise in representing police officers in group actions, and it also handles a broad range of discrimination claims, including those related to sex and disability. Leading the team, Binder Bansel brings extensive expertise in advising on claims relating to disability discrimination, sex discrimination, and discriminatory dismissal. Bansel is regularly instructed in complex employment disputes before the Employment Tribunal, representing groups such as police officers and trade union members. Considered by clients as a ’standout partner’, Anthea Christie leads on high-value and large group discrimination claims, with expertise in transitional provision issues. Birmingham-based Gemma Faulkner is a key contact within the team for disability discrimination, pension matters, and complex sex discrimination claims, while Saima Sarwar provides support on pension-related issues and unpaid overtime disputes.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Excellent client management and overall case handling. This team is filled with true experts in employment law, and police employment law specifically. They have great skill in managing group litigation, making innovative use of share file technology to collaborate with counsel teams and clients to get the best outcome possible.’
‘Penningtons is one of the very few solicitors in the UK that deals with the whole range of employment law, both individual and collective and both public and private. It has special expertise in large group claims.'
‘Binder Bansel is in the uppermost echelon of employment law practitioners, combining unmatched experience in all areas.'
- 'Anthea Christie is one of the foremost solicitors in employment law, with great experience and expertise in large group claims. She combines outstanding attention to detail with an unerring ability to spot how to win the case.’
‘Excellent employment team with particular expertise in group actions.’
‘Anthea Christie is a standout partner. She has an excellent legal brain with superb litigation instincts.’
Key clients
- Police Federation of England and Wales
- Communication Workers Union
- Civil Nuclear Police Federation
- United Road Transport Union
- British Transport Police Federation
- Police Superintendents’ Association
- Association of School and College Leaders
- Unison
- School Leaders Scotland
- British Dietetic Association
Work highlights
Acted for a claimant successfully against the Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police for disability discrimination; the claimant was awarded £1,168,561 in compensation.
Representing approximately 40,000 members of the Police Federation of England and Wales and the Police Superintendents’ Association in claims for discrimination arising out of the transitional provisions of the Police Pension Regulations 2015.
Advising Communication Workers Union on a collective consultation protective award claim for over 500 employees who were formerly part of the BT Fleet team who were subsequently part of a TUPE transfer.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Binder Bansel
Other key lawyers
Anthea Christie; Gemma Faulkner; Saima Sarwar