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United Kingdom - Northern Ireland
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Employment

Napier Solicitors

More information
Napier Solicitors is dedicated to supporting public sector clients, with a particular emphasis on advising educational institutions, religious organisations and charities. Paul Upson heads up the team and handles both contentious and non-contentious matters, focusing on educational authorities and grammar schools.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘We have always received an excellent standard of service from Napiers, and consistently find that they act in our best interests in the sound advice we receive when we are dealing with some very complex cases. We feel they are fair in their billing and have an excellent breadth of experience across all areas of the Practice. I have recommended this Practice to many other clients and will have no hesitation in continuing to do so.’

  • ‘Paul has always impressed me with his work ethic, and I rely on and value his patience, knowledge and excellent advice. His breadth of knowledge and experience as a Practitioner of Employment Law has given me confidence in dealing with and taking many difficult actions and decisions. Paul is an excellent communicator and is always readily available to me as a client;I have found the quality of his written communications to be exemplary and second to none.’

  • ‘As a school, we appreciate the level of knowledge and understanding of this small school sector. Napiers' understanding of our particular governance structure is invaluable.’

  • ‘Prompt attention has been vital in matters where there has been an immediate risk of disruption to student learning. Those we have worked with show an understanding of a school's obligation to work collaboratively with parents for the sake of their children, even when a parent's behaviour is in itself unacceptable. We have had prompt, focused attention to difficult and immediate issues from Paul Upson.’

Key clients

  • Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS)
  • Education Authority
  • Muckamore Abbey Hospital Inquiry
  • CCL Label Ireland Ltd
  • Down and Connor Diocesan Trust
  • Diocese of Derry
  • Dromore Diocesan Trust
  • Archdiocese of Armagh
  • Aquinas Grammar School
  • St Malachy’s College, Belfast
  • Friends’ School Lisburn
  • Enniskillen Royal Grammar School

Work highlights

Acted for an education sector client at a tribunal hearing in defence of a claim for unfair dismissal brought by a teacher who was dismissed due to her sickness absence record.
Defended a claim against an education sector client in relation to alleged sex discrimination relating to the workplace dress code.
Defended a claim against an education sector client in relation to alleged disability discrimination and harassment.

Practice head

Paul Upson