Employment Lawyers
We have extensive experience on employment legal issues that range from the drafting of executive contracts, consultancy legal arrangements, drafting policies and staff handbooks to settlement agreements and severance packages.
We advise on all legal matters relating to employment in the workplace and which involve domestic and international employment law issues, including employer obligations on establishing businesses in the UK, hiring senior executives and other employees, terminating employment (including by collective dismissals) and the taxation consequences of such termination, settling disputes including by a settlement agreement, drafting or reviewing employee/company/staff handbooks, individual and mass redundancies and consultation requirements, the effect and validity of restrictive covenants, dual contract arrangements and the international movement and transfer of employees.
As Employment solicitors we also advise on constructive and unfair dismissal, litigation in the employment tribunals generally, sexual harassment and love contracts, all areas of discrimination and harassment, sickness, employer options if employees abuse information technology systems including under the Obscene Publications Act, subject access requests under the GDPR and other issues under that act and health and safety issues as it relates to an employment situation.
We are business lawyers and regularly advise our clients on the employment aspects of insourcing or outsourcing businesses or parts of businesses, particularly on the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (“TUPE”).
In employment tribunals, in appropriate cases, we work with barristers on tribunal matters, but in others, where it is appropriate, we undertake advocacy ourselves. Jessica Learmond-Criqui trained as a barrister and is also a Solicitor Advocate.
We provide a one stop shop to employers with interests abroad who wish to have a UK adviser co-ordinate advice on employment matters in Europe and elsewhere.
Some specific examples of our expertise in employment law are set out below.
- Represented an international publishing company in employment tribunal proceedings including advocacy before the tribunal in relation to proceedings brought by an ex-employee for constructive and unfair dismissal and sex discrimination.
- Represented an ex-employee of a publishing company in an employment tribunal claim for constructive and unfair dismissal.
- Advised an employee of a private educational establishment on unfair dismissal and whistleblowing claims which was successfully fought in the employment tribunal.
- Represented 109 employees in employment tribunal proceedings brought on their behalf under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 (TUPE) following the receivership of their ex-employer, Yardley of London Limited, and their subsequent redundancy.
- Advised a multi-national electronics company, global merchant bank and international transport group on the establishment and continued operation of their European Works Councils.
- Advised a global management consultancy on the employment aspects of outsourcing implications of their acquisition of the financial services division of a UK retailer.
- Advised an international medical equipment group on closing factories, mass redundancies, the employment aspects of the transfer of businesses including TUPE issues and its consultation obligations with employees.
- Advised on the strategic transfer of the estate to the private sector (STEPS) which dealt with the transfer of the entire property estate of the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise to the private sector.
- Advised on labour law aspects and particularly the Retention of Employment Model for the Principal Service Provider in the negotiation of one of the largest ever PFI hospital projects to provide a new 1300 bed acute hospital with separate mental health and clinical sciences units at a total capex of £360m (Coventry v Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry Primary Care Trust). The project saw non-clinical services provided to the Trusts for 35 years and was the first to adopt the Retention of Employment Model.
We can work with people in Hampstead, Camden, Highgate, Swiss Cottage, Golders Green, Belsize Park and further afield in London. We also deal with both national and international clients on employment legal issues.
Legal Publications
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Facebook users should be classed as workers and paid
October 2019Jessica Learmond-Criqui is a partner at LCS Practice, an employment law firm in London
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The Times - 12 Feb 2015
February 2015Holiday pay: how to include commission?
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Evening Standard - 3rd Feb 2015
February 2015Ruling on holiday pay changes 'could bankrupt companies'
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FT Alphaville - October 2014
October 2014The case for quotas in the British judiciary.
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The Financial Times Money supplement - October 2014
October 2014Are there drawbacks to Branson's flexi-holiday plan?
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The Guardian - Sept 2014
September 2014'Unlimited holiday' is laced with legal pitfalls for small businesses. It sounds good in principle, but the policy - championed by SIr Richard Branson - could open businesses up to discrimination claims.
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The Times - The right to be forgotten
September 2014Right to be forgotten: what does it mean for employee's references? In the employment area the balancing act between transparency and privacy is difficult and the issues much less understood.
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The Times - June 2014
June 2014Obesity, discrimination and the workplace. Where can the line be drawn between an employer’s liability and an individual’s responsibility to look after themselves?
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The Times - June 2014
June 2014Dangerous liaisons? Some workplace rules. To what extent can employers interfere with interstaff personal relationships or those with clients or suppliers.
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The Times - March 2010
March 2010Lawyer of the week - Jessica Learmond-Criqui, a founding partner of Learmond Criqui Sokel, acted for Stephanie Booth (the stepmother of Cherie Booth, QC), who successfully sued for unfair dismissal after losing her job for whistleblowing.
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Times Online - The City and the bin-bag culture
July 2008Thousands of jobs to go in the City, scream the headlines. Given the anticipated downsizing - much less than the carnage on Wall Street with hundreds of thousands of jobs being lost - what are employers' obligations and what can staff expect from bosses?
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Times Online - Law - When good fun turns into plain old intimidation
October 2005When good fun turns into plain old intimidation
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Personneltoday.com - A happy union
May 2004Nationals from eight of the 10 accession countries that joined the European Union this month will be entitled to work in the UK. Ensure your paperwork - and theirs - is up to scratch first.
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The Times - April 2004
April 2004The mother of all discrimination
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Personneltoday.com - Firms may keep mum on avoiding hiring women
September 2003Tighter equal opportunities regulation to protect pregnant employees may drive errant employers to sidestep discrimination by avoiding recruiting young women.
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Complinet - Human Resources - Dismissal for adultery is ok, rules US judge
December 2000Dismissal for adultery is ok, rules US judge
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Complinet - Human Resources - Child porn in the workplace - a legal update
December 2000Many hapless employees have already been sacked for downloading pornographic images at work, but the law of child pornography is in many ways a separate issue.
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Butterworth Lexis direct - Stress tops workplace hazard
December 2000The trend of stress-related claims culminating in last week's record reward to a teacher, has brought into focus the most serious problems facing modern British industry. Jessica Learmond-Criqui. partner at Fladgate Fielder talks to Velida Pearce
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The Times - Creme - Live more, work less
November 2000The British workforce is catching on - part-time employment promotes wellbeing.
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Employers Law, Volume 04, Issue 06
November 2000Exploring the dark side of cyberspace
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The Independant - Home News - Watchdog to limit employers' electronic snooping
October 2000Watchdog to limit employers’ electronic snooping
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The Independant - Home News - Watchdog to limit employers' electronic snooping
October 2000Watchdog to limit employers’ electronic snooping
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The Times - September 2000
September 2000Point, click, lose your job
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The Independent - Tuesday Review
September 2000Tuesday Review - Up the workers! And vive la difference
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The Times Weekend - Home Life - It's not in my contract
September 2000Regulating the office affair could be good for business - but will it work?
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The Times - Business - Former Yardley staff sue german owner
April 2000Former Yardley staff sue German owner
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The Times - How to scupper the cherry-pickers
April 2000Recognition of laws protecting workers are vital to a successful takeover
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The Tuesday Review - Looking over Big Brothers Shoulder
March 2000From e-mails to shopping transactions, our every move leaves a cyber imprint. As we surrender our privacy in return for technological advances, how far can the new Data Protection Act protect us?
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The Times - Who's Reading your E-Mail
January 2000Employees who use the phone, Internet and e-mail for their own ends could lose their jobs,
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The Tuesday Review - There's no such thing as a free clinch
January 2000US firms are protecting themselves against office romances that end up in court. But employers in the UK are less keen on the love contract.
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The Tuesday Review - There's no such thing as a free clinch
January 2000US firms are protecting themselves against office romances that end up in court. But employers in the UK are less keen on the love contract.
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Insitute for Global Ethics - Management - British firms looking to draw up workplace 'Love Contracts'
January 2000British firms looking to draw up workplace 'Love Contracts'
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Reuters Business Briefing - Sign here if you want a romance
January 2000Flirting at the office Christmas party could soon lead to added legal complications as bosses in Britain consider love contracts.
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Beware of the 'love contract'
December 1999BBC News - Office romances
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The Independent - Contract is drawn up for lovers in office
December 1999Contract is drawn up for lovers in office
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The Independent
December 1999Contract is drawn up for lovers in office
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Legal Week - Legal Developments - The shifting balance of power
December 1999The 90s’ work environment has changed dramatically, with employees more ready and able to litigate against their employers.
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Pay Magazine, December 1999
December 1999Sending employees on multinational assignments requires some careful planning.
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The Guardian - Jobs - Health - Stick or carrot for stressed workers
November 1999London s Wandsworth Council is planning a punitive approach towards staff who take days off sick. But experts say this maybe self defeating.
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Company Secretary, Volume 23, Number 12
October 1999This article gives details of both the new obligations on service providers in respect of disabled rights of access and the powers of the recently established Disability Rights Commission (CSR Vol 23, pp5,36 and 60).
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Pay Magazine, July 1999
July 1999Your guide to the Working Time Regulations
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Top Pay Monitor ISSN No 1461-6602
January 1999New Labour, new rights, old worries
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Director, October 1998
October 1998The working-time regulations will have serious repercussions for all employers.
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Growing Pains - Professional Advice - June 1998
June 1998WORKING WEEK - How are the draft working time regulations, issued in April 1998, likely to affect my business?
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Director, June 1998
June 1998WORKING WEEK - How are the draft working time regulations, issued in April 1998, likely to affect my business?
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Business Law Review, Volume 19, Number 05
May 1998Business Law Review - Beware: References Can Be Dangerous to Your Health
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Growing Pains - Professional Advice - April 1998
April 1998PERSONNEL - One of my employees is not pulling his weight. How can I dismiss him without exposing myself to an industrial tribunal claim?
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Director, April 1998
April 1998PERSONNEL - One of my employees is not pulling his weight. How can I dismiss him without exposing myself to an industrial tribunal claim?
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Business Law Review, Volume 19, Number 03
March 1998Business Law Review - RSI, Stress, other White Collar Health Conditions and Reporting Obligations for Employers
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Business Law Review, Volume 19, Number 01
January 1998Business Law Review - The Social Chapter and EU Social Policy: What's In Store for UK Businesses?
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Danger Unauthorised Employees
January 1997Beware of unauthorised employees is the message for employers from 27 January, 1997
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European Employment Law - Europe For Hire
November 1996Transnational companies face a bewildering patchwork of laws, rules and regulations when they try to take on staff in foreign countries.
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HR Direct (Green Book)
November 1996Working abroad for a period can be a rewarding experience for staff and beneficial for the company provided the right arrangements are made.
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HR Direct
November 1996European Works Councils - soon a reality. Many big companies will have to set up European Works Councils. Should we welcome them or be wary?
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Employee Relations, Work Councils - Talking Points
October 1996Staff and employers now share control over setting up a European Works Council. This recent shift from management-only control carries with it a range of legal implications and potential pitfalls.
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Business Law Review, Volume 17, Number 03
March 1996Business Law Review - Like It Or Lump It - Your European Works Council
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Business Law Review, Volume 17, Number 02
February 1996Business Law Review - Like It Or Lump It - Your European Works Council
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International Insurance Law Review December 1994, Vol 02, Iss 12
December 1994INTO THE TWILIGHT ZONE: THE FUTURE OF PENSIONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
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PLC VOL V, Number 01 Jan-Feb-1994
January 1994Profit related pay - Creating a win-win situation
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Director, January 1993
January 1993WORKS COUNCILS - I recently heard that redundancies will be without legal effect unless works councils are consulted. Is there any need to adjust my redundancy procedures at present?
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The Independent - Not fit for jury service
Deaf people can’t serve on juries because their interpreters are ‘strangers’. But that could soon change.
Testimonials
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"I have worked extensively with Jessica, especially since 2002 and she stands out as the most effective employment lawyer I have worked with. She combines an excellent mastery of all aspects of employment law with a strong commercial focus: she is therefore empathetic to the commercial pressures and drivers faced by clients and develops appropriate legal strategies, complete with risk analyses and risk mitigation plans.
As well as providing clear, unequivocal legal input, she can also support clients with practical implementation guidelines, legal documentation templates and other ‘turnkey’ services. In this sense, unlike many ‘old school’ employment lawyers, she genuinely partners with clients in a practical, hands-on way.
Jessica is highly intelligent, articulate and persuasive and, at the same time, relates extremely well to clients at all organisational levels. Whilst pragmatic in her approach, she stands her ground when necessary but in a non-threatening manner. She is also very responsive to client needs, often ‘going the extra mile’ to provide quick responses to queries and other requirements, frequently at unsocial hours when necessary."
Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Expert
August 28, 2010Paul Allan
hired Jessica as an Attorney in 2002, and hired Jessica more than once