Employment for Employers
Leathes Prior’s Employment Team has long been regarded as one of the leading employment law teams in East Anglia and beyond, providing expert advice on all aspects of employment law.
Our Employment Team acts for businesses of all sizes across the UK, including a number of household name employers. The team prides itself on providing dynamic advice tailored to the specific requirements of the client, delivered promptly and in a straightforward manner. Getting good advice at the right time, and fast, can often mean an issue can be resolved quickly and simply.
Each employer is unique but the team’s decades of experience, technical expertise and commercial awareness ensures an exceptional service is provided. With an enviable track record in the Employment Tribunal over many years, the team represent clients fearlessly if litigation becomes necessary. Their expertise in all areas of contentious and non-contentious employment work includes:
Employment Disputes, Litigation and Tribunal Representation
Advocacy Services
The team frequently appear before the Employment Tribunal, Employment Appeals Tribunal and other courts representing their clients in the case the litigation becomes necessary.
Termination of Employment
Settlement Agreements
Discrimination, Bullying and Harassment
Contracts, Policies & Staff Handbooks
Disciplinary and Grievance Advice
Redundancies and Restructuring
Restrictive Covenants and Injunctions
Trade Union Recognition and Disputes
Mergers, Acquisitions and Disposals, and TUPE Advice
Advice on Multi-Jurisdictional Employment Status and Taxation Issues
Business Immigration and Visas
In-House Training and HR services
The Employment Team offers a full range of employment law in-house training sessions, tailored in every way to suit your individual business needs.
Employment Agencies and Business
Gangmasters Licensing Authority Regime
Legal Advice for Senior Executives
Health and Safety in the Workplace
Get in Touch
Reported Cases
Our Employment Team’s reported cases include:
Employment Appeal Tribunal judgment of Judge Auerbach on 28 February 2025.
Heard at: Watford Employment Tribunal by video (CVP)
On: 10 December 2024 and 11 December 2024
Before: Employment Judge Macey
Representation
Claimant: Mr Redpath, counsel
Respondent: Mr Chapman, solicitor
Held at: Manchester
On: 19 September 2017
Before: Employment Judge Sherratt
Representation
Claimant: Mr J Jenkins, Counsel
1st Respondent: Mr Chapman, Advocate
2nd Respondent: Ms J Hale, Solicitor
Heard at: London Central
On: 20 November 2017
Before: Regional Employment Judge Potter
Representation
Claimant: Ms E George, Counsel
Respondent: Mr D Chapman, Solicitor
Heard at: Norwich ET
On: 3rd & 4th July 2017
Before: Employment Judge Cassel
Respresentation
For the Claimant: Mr S Kemp, Husband of the Claimant
For the Respondent: Mr D Chapman, Solicitor
At the Tribunal
On 25 May 2011
Judgment handed down on 31 August 2011
At the Tribunal
On 12 August 2014
Handed down on 14 November 14
Heard at: Bury St Edmunds
On: 19 to 22 November 2018
Before: Employment Judge Finlay
Members: Mr R Allan and Mr V Brazkiewicz
Appearances
For the claimant: Mr D Chapman (Solicitor)
For the respondent: Mr M Foster (Solicitor)
Heard at: Nottingham Employment Tribunal (by remote CVP)
On: 21 and 22 July 2021
Before: Employment Judge K Welch (sitting alone)
Representation
Claimant: In Person
Respondent: Mr D Chapman, Solicitor
Employment Tribunal decision
Heard at: Bury St Edmunds Employment Tribunal
On: 25th September 2019
Before: Employment Judge King
Appearances
For the Claimant: Did not attend
For the Respondent: Mr D Chapman (solicitor)
The Claimant applied for interim relief pursuant to s.128 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 following the termination of his contract allegedly because he had made protected disclosures. The Respondent contended that there was no entitlement to make such an application as the Claimant was not an "employee" within the meaning of that section. The Respondent's application for a postponement of the interim relief application pending a determination of the employee issue was refused. At the interim relief hearing, the Tribunal considered that the "likely to succeed" test under s.129 of the 1996 Act applied not just to the reason for dismissal but also to the contested issue of employee status. It determined that the Claimant had a 'pretty good chance' of success in showing that he was an employee and that he was dismissed for having made protected disclosures. The Respondent appealed on the grounds that the Tribunal erred in entertaining the application for interim relief before first concluding that the Claimant was indeed an employee.
Heard at: Manchester
On: 15 April 2019
Before: Employment Judge Franey (sitting alone)
Representation
Claimant: Mr D Flood, Counsel
Respondent: Mr D Chapman, Solicitor
Heard at: Manchester (remotely, by CVP)
On: 13 and 14 April 2021
Before: Employment Judge Whittaker(sitting alone)
Representation
Claimant: In person
Respondent: Mr Chapman, Solicitor
Norwich employer MASS Computers Ltd were today celebrating the successful conclusion of a complex Employment Tribunal case brought against it by a former employee, Mr Paul Dennis. Mr Dennis claimed constructive dismissal, breach of contract, unpaid wages and a breach of the flexible working regulations. After a two day hearing, followed by a third day to deal with the issue of costs, the Tribunal unanimously dismissed all of Mr Dennis's claims.
Hearing date: 4 October 2022
Representation
Appellant: Kevin McNerney (instructed by Leathes Prior Solicitors)
Third and Fourth Respondents: Stephen Butler
Employment Tribunal decision
What our clients say
It’s not a helpline, it’s a lifeline.
Harriet is a fantastic lawyer. She is incredibly knowledgeable but also kind. She was extremely responsive, kept me up to date and went out of her way to make sure I was OK. A true champion of mental health and so understanding of the impact being involved in contentious issues, particularly employment ones, can have. Dan also seamlessly stepped in when Harriet was on annual leave and I always felt I was in good hands. Everyone expects their lawyer to know the law but sadly what isn’t a given is compassion, value for money and a personal touch. Harriet (and Dan) gave me that and I am very grateful.
Dan Chapman is the best solicitor I've ever worked with. We've used him for years.
We have been working with the Leathes Prior Employment Team for 5 years. They have helped us with contract initiations, employee grievances, staff restructuring, and general HR support. Throughout our time working together they have been efficient, highly reactive, and respectful of our company's needs. I truly feel that the LP team is part of the DMD team after working so closely together over the years. We can’t recommend them enough and we would like to give a special thanks to Sarah Appleton for her devotion to our account and brutal honesty when it’s needed, as us as customers aren’t always right!
My confidence in the outcome was never in doubt as you guys are great, both in the preparation and the execution. I really enjoy working with you for your professionalism and your humour, both go a long way so thanks again.
We honestly could not have got through the year without your help.
The Employment Team has an expanding reputation with Dan Chapman noted for his speed, efficiency and thoroughness and his Tribunal appearances.
Just a note to thank you for your robust advice, your patience and approachable attitude which made the nasty experience of redundancies a lot easier.
Leathes Prior treats every client and every problem individually and takes the time to listen and learn about each client in order to give relevant, practical and correct advice. The firm has a diverse client base in Norfolk that includes SMEs and national employers, as well as employees.
They are a very good firm - I highly recommend them.
I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you again for the high standard of service that we received from you. I found your advice to be very clear, useful and prompt which made a real difference in what was a very stressful and difficult situation. I am very happy with how the matter was dealt with and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Leathes Prior, and yourself in particular, to others. Thanks also to Coco who assisted you.
Dan Chapman has a stellar reputation in the county and leads a team of four in which associate and ‘extremely able advocate’ Gareth Stevens is ‘particularly good at making clients feel at ease and coming up with solutions they can understand and move forward with’. Sarah Appleton and Harriet Howes are also recommended.
Advises national clients across a wide range of employment issues, with notable experience at the Employment Tribunal.
Thank you so much for all of Hannah and Sarah’s help – “super-sonic efficient team”!! We are so grateful for everything Leathes Prior do to help us – really appreciated!
A tremendous wealth of knowledge and experience, provides a brilliantly cohesive service and has demonstrated a capacity to undertake highly complex work.
This professional and experienced team offers a level of client service that is as close to faultless as could be achieved.
The team covers the whole spectrum of employment law matters and there have been no problems with the service - we have been very happy.
Dan Chapman is straight to the point, prompt, professional and his advice is always relevant. The Employment Team is assertive, commercial and on top of their game and Dan Chapman is a leading individual in East Anglia.
The effective and efficient Dan Chapman has exceptional knowledge and business acumen. The firm’s innovative web-based employmentor service is unrivalled in its value for money.
Dan Chapman heads the department and is acknowledged for his skills as an advocate before employment tribunals. He is excellent and very efficient; he can think on the spot and give you both an answer and direction.
Thank you so much for taking the time to come and deliver the workshop today. I really enjoyed it. It’s always great to have a refresher.
Thank you for all your excellent advice, negotiations for the additional amounts and particularly your kind support - very much appreciated. It was good to know, throughout that there was a professional from whom I could get the right support and feel I could trust them to treat me well. I would definitely recommend you to others.
Response times are the best and industry knowledge is first class at Leathes Prior.
Can I take this opportunity of sincerely thanking you for all your patience, advice, support and enthusiasm – at times when the going looked difficult you in your pragmatic style kept our feet on the ground, and reassured us that we were strong and in the right. We will always be extremely grateful.
I really do appreciate your support and advice during what has been a very unsettling and stressful time. Having you there beside me has been a massive boost in helping me to see through what seemed a pretty thick fog at times.
Autumn Budget 2025: Agricultural Property Relief & Business Property Relief Changes
It was announced in the 2025 Budget that from 6 April 2026, changes will be made to agricultural property relief and business property relief. These changes bring APR and BPR in line with the nil-rate band rules, meaning unused allowances can be transferred to a surviving spouse or civil partner. This is a significant step towards making estate planning easier for families who own farms or businesses.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 is expected to come into force tomorrow (18 December 2025)
After an extended period of back-and-forth amendments between Parliament and the House of Lords, on 16 December 2025, the ERB finally received approval from the House of Lords, with the formality of Royal Assent due to take place tomorrow (18 December 2025). Head of LP Employment, Dan Chapman, explains...
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Charity of the Month: The Matthew Project
Leathes Prior is delighted to be supporting The Matthew Project as our Charity of the Month for December 2025. The Matthew Project supports young people and adults across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex to overcome issues around drugs, alcohol, and mental health, empowering them to rebuild confidence and lead fulfilling lives.
Leathes Prior’s Milan Pandit appointed President of the Norfolk & Norwich Law Society
Leathes Prior Solicitors is proud to announce that Milan Pandit, Solicitor in our Corporate & Commercial Team, has been appointed President of the Norfolk & Norwich Law Society (NNLS) for 2025/26.
Commercial Lease Renewals: A guide for Landlords & Tenants
Commercial lease renewals are a topic that every commercial landlord and business that rents commercial premises should have at the forefront of their minds. It is essential for good succession planning, though it is often neglected until the expiry of an existing lease term is looming or once the existing term has come to an end and the tenant is holding over. In this article, our newly qualified solicitor, Maggie Berry explores the process that landlords and tenants can expect when navigating this complex area of law.
Our Guidance, Your Legacy: What is a Will, and why should I make one?
Not only is a Will one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are respected, but it also limits the likelihood of a claim/dispute following your death. To ensure your loved ones and the causes you care about benefit from your estate, a Will is essential to ensuring this happens. Find out more in this article.
Lease extensions: The essentials to getting started
Extending your lease can seem complex, but taking the right steps early can make the process much smoother. Jake Mowatt, Associate and Harry Smith, Trainee Solicitor in our Residential Property Team outlines the key essentials every leaseholder should understand prior to extending their lease.
Upcoming changes to bringing employment law claims: What these mean for you
The highly anticipated Employment Rights Bill (ERB) is set to increase the time limits in which employees can bring an employment tribunal claim. Gareth Stevens & Rose Woolterton explain what this means for employers & employees.
Service Charges in Residential Leases: FAQs
Service charges are forever a hot topic in the world of property disputes, and it remains one of the most contentious areas between freeholders and leaseholders, particularly in long residential leases. Danny Turpin, Associate, discusses frequently asked questions regarding service charges on long residential leases.
Leathes Prior winners in nine categories in the prestigious Legal 500 Future Laywer Survey
We are thrilled to announce that the firm has placed once again in the Legal 500 Future Lawyer survey as No.1 in the UK for our Social Life; a ranking we have held in the survey for seven years out of the past nine years.
Jess’s Rule – New Guidelines for GPs
A new initiative is being rolled out across GP practices across England in the hope of preventing serious illnesses being missed by GPs where patients present with the same, or deteriorating, symptoms on multiple occasions. Kimberley Nelson in our Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence Team discusses new guidelines for GPs.
Leathes Prior are excited to announce that four Trainee Solicitors qualify at the firm
Leathes Prior is excited to announce that four of our amazing trainees, Eleanor Chapman, Maggie Berry, Alex Robinson, and Georgia Sartin, have successfully completed their training contracts and are now qualifying as Solicitors at the firm.
