The Manchester-based group at Gateley Legal has noteworthy expertise in contentious and non-contentious employment matters. Lorna Harris is adept at acting for employers, particularly those that operate in a unionised environment, in relation to a wide range of complex investigations. She also represents clients in litigation proceedings concerning whistleblowing, discrimination and bullying claims. The ‘commercially astute’ Avril England oversees the practice and has experience advising well-known clients on senior executive hires as well as on the employment aspects of restructurings, insolvencies and acquisitions. Rachel Collister is also recommended. Former team head Chris Thompson departed the team in June 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Avril England is extremely professional, knowledgeable and responsive. She thinks outside the box, is commercially astute and is able to balance legal and business perspectives. She has great knowledge of our business, policies and culture. We are very appreciative of her contribution to our team and would highly recommend her as a seasoned and respected professional.’
- ‘Legal knowledge combined very practical application and commerciality. They weigh-up risks and implications of alternative approaches. They are very responsive and also proactive in sharing legal updates.’
- ‘They are pragmatic and commercial, offering a range of options to suit the desired outcome. They do not get you tied up in legal speak and they are very responsive. They are flexible acting across various industry sectors and quick to adapt.'
- ‘Avril England is exceptionally client friendly and dedicated to her clients. Commercially savvy and very easy to work with. Lorna Harris has excellent client handling skills and a very collaborative approach as well as very good technical skills.’
- ‘Avril England has given us a lot of guidance over the years, is down-to-earth and pragmatic. Avril has helped to keep our organisation safe over the past few years, especially when things become difficult where employee relations have broken down.'
- ‘They engage with the customer very well and are very thorough in their response. They are honest and transparent, and to date have been successful defending cases that they have worked on for us. They are all very knowledgeable in the employment law field and we feel there is always someone who you can engage with for support.’
- ‘Avril England is accessible, flexible and pragmatic whilst setting out any potential risk and mitigations. Very commercial, doesn't tie you in knots with legal speak. Down-to-earth and easy to understand.’
Key clients
- Asahi UK Limited
- Bilfinger UK Limited
- BKUK Group Limited (Burger King)
- The Big Table Group Limited
- Channel Four Television Corporation
- Comojo/Nobu Limited
- Creams Café Limited
- Diversey Limited
- English National Opera
- Europcar (UK) Limited
- Partou UK Limited
- ProofID Limited
- Gist Limited
- Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Europe Limited
- Harmony Fire Limited
- HTI Toys UK Limited
- Impakt Housing & Support Limited
- K3 Capital Group
- Levi Strass & Co
- Medivet Group Limited
Work highlights
Acted for HTI Toys UK Limited in their acquisition of Sambro International out of administration.
Acted for the client, successfully defending a claim for detriment due to making protected disclosures, direct sex discrimination, direct race discrimination, race related harassment and constructive dismissal.
Carried out numerous workplace investigations on behalf of a number of organisations.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Avril England
Other key lawyers
Lorna Harris; Rachel Collister