Garvey Hanchard
Partner
I am a specialist in employment law, with over 20 years of experience that includes high-profile cases against City financial institutions, Premier League football clubs and in the widely reported bullying case against the former Home Secretary, Priti Patel, and the Department for Work and Pensions.
I have provided extensive training on employment law matters to companies, HR professionals, academic institutions and to legal professionals.
My experience
I have worked for a wide range of clients – from employees to senior executives- across different sectors in situations that range from multi-national household-name companies to small businesses. I use this extensive experience in my work at Bloomsbury Square, navigating negotiations to achieve the best outcomes for my clients.
Highlights:
- Securing a widely-reported settlement with the Department for Work and Pensions for a civil servant in government
- Providing legal and strategic advice on the employment aspects of a phase change in a major rail development programme across London
- Acting for the head physio at a top Premier League football club in a contentious exit, and successfully negotiating a severance package
- Successfully representing a client in a £1.7 million constructive dismissal shares case
- Successfully acting in a multiple-claimant union sponsored claim about overtime rates of pay against a train operating company
- Successfully acting in a high-profile race discrimination / harassment claim against a police authority
My approach
I am a strong believer in alternative dispute resolution and achieving solutions through negotiation, without having to resort to contentious employment tribunal or court proceedings, where possible. I am an accredited workplace mediator with experience both in chairing mediations, and representing parties in a mediation setting.
There will always be occasions where litigation is necessary, and I have extensive case preparation and advocacy experience representing clients in employment tribunals and professional regulation tribunals.
I understand that engaging in discussions with employers about your employment can be a very stressful time, it can often feel one-sided as your employer usually has more power, experience of similar situations and more resources at their disposal. Working with an experienced solicitor can help you to redress the imbalance, reduce the stress of a dispute, and provide confidence to best achieve your desired outcomes.
Garvey's featured article
Employment Disputes – Negotiation, Mediation or Litigation
Employment Partner and Accredited Workplace Mediator at Bloomsbury Square Employment Law discusses the options
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