A ‘top-quality regional firm with city credentials’, Howes Percival LLP is lauded for its ’wide scope of capabilities and expertise in all areas’ of employment law. Leveraging the bench strength of the employment team’s regional spread, the group is able to advise a wide range of local, national, and international clients on tribunal matters, redundancies and restructuring, TUPE issues, restrictive covenants, and senior executive exits. The team is headed by Simon deMaid, a key contact for clients in the retail, automotive, manufacturing, education, and healthcare sectors, who boasts deep expertise in disability discrimination claims, large-scale redundancies and restructures, and high-value executive terminations. Hannah Pryce, a seasoned advocate within the Employment Tribunal, delivers workplace training on equality, diversity, and inclusion, and advises on complex HR issues, including anti-bullying, harassment prevention, and strategic crisis management.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Wide scope of capabilities and expertise in all areas. Key strength is commerciality and understanding business challenges and needs.’

  • ‘They work as part of your team, where you can tap into their expertise when required, and they seamlessly integrate. Simon deMaid is our main contact and always available to provide advice and connect us with the experts within their business.’

  • ‘Our main point of contact was Anna Bithrey who we found to be excellent throughout the whole process, always giving good prompt and sound advice and easy to talk.’

  • ‘A very capable Employment team who are responsive and very helpful commercial advice provided. I have also valued the employment updates that have been provided by the team.’

  • ‘Hannah Pryce is very easy to work with, quickly grasps the issues, and explains the advice in 'easy to understand' terms.'

  • ‘Simon deMaid and his team are always great to deal with. Clear direction given in all circumstances. Credit to Howes Percival, they know their business very well and always approach in a supportive manner.’

Work highlights

Advised Group 1 Automotive UK Limited on the employment aspects of the acquisition of Mercedes-Benz dealerships at Bishop’s Stortford, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, and Stevenage from a BVI seller, L&L Investments Limited and ultimate sellers based in Hong Kong.
Advised the shareholders of The Tyre Store Limited, trading as ‘Just Tyres’, a national tyre fitting retail chain on the employment aspects of the successful sale of the company to Malvern Tyres, part of the Tyre Group.
Advised an education sector client on TUPE, redundancy and consultation with trade unions in relation to a merger and change of function of their service provision following a successful bid for a new site.

Lawyers

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

Simon deMaid

Other key lawyers

Hannah Pryce; Anna Bithrey