Over the last 12 months, the Dispute Resolution Department at O’Donnell Solicitors has continued to grow from strength to strength and in recent months has seen an influx of new instructions. While there has been a notable increase in neighbour disputes, debt recovery matters and settlement agreements, the firm has attracted an increasing number of high value cases including construction and commercial contract disputes and trusts of land.
The Head of our Dispute Resolution team, Giselle Williams, joined the firm in December 2019, and has brought with her over 30 years of experience in the legal profession. Giselle has experience in cases relating to Breach of Contract, Professional Negligence, Debt Recovery, Insolvency and Construction. She also deals with Landlord & Tenant matters and has a pragmatic commercial approach to all cases and is a firm believer in mediation. Giselle is happy to undertake her own advocacy at hearings and has a good relationship with the Bar.
Suzzanne Gardener works with Giselle in the department and has been with the firm since 2016. Suzzanne practices in commercial and private litigation together with Employment Law. Suzzanne can advise both employers and employees alike, ensuring correct policies and procedures are in place, preparing contracts of employment and advising on the end of employment including redundancy and dismissal. Suzzanne can also advise both employers and employees on employment disputes, guiding them through the process as to prospects of success, early conciliation through ACAS, and where resolution cannot be found, issuing and responding to claims in the Employment Tribunal through to a final hearing.
Throughout Covid-19 there have been significant changes in legislation including the introduction of the Coronavirus Act 2020 and the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020. Our Dispute Resolution team have been on hand throughout the pandemic to advise individual and corporate clients alike on a wide range of litigation matters and whilst courts temporarily closed their doors, we have conducted hearings online and by telephone.
In September 2020 alone our dispute resolution team recovered in excess of £1 million for clients on various matters including, in particular, high value settlements in disputes concerning construction contracts and shareholder disputes which is a reflection of the team’s tenacity in dispute handling and tactical supremacy in cases of a complex nature. The team continue to attract high value work for individuals and leading companies throughout the country. Due to a wide spreading client base, the team have built strong links with the Bar and Counsel both in the North and South of England to ensure that clients are afforded the best representation.
Our Employment department has seen an increase in instructions following the introduction of Furlough through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and more recently the Job Support Scheme, advising both employers and employees on the requirements and guidelines of Furlough. This has also seen an increase in advising on possible redundancy situations, including advising on the redundancy process to be taken by employers, but also in advising employees on the terms and effects of Settlement Agreements and Unfair dismissal claims. In September 2020 we were able to negotiate a significant settlement for an employment client.
Our Dispute Resolution department can advise on both private and commercial matters including Money Claims, Contractual Disputes, Building Disputes/Construction Disputes, Land and Real Estate Disputes including Commercial Landlord and Tenant, Insolvency Act Proceedings, Professional Negligence claims, Shareholder disputes and Partnership Disputes. Our Employment Department are also on hand to advise both employers and employees at this ever-changing time. Our primary objective is always to achieve the best overall outcome for our clients, and so we aim to resolve matters at as early a stage as possible.
If you would like to speak to a member of the team contact us on 01457 761 320 or alternatively e-mail Richard Dobson Mason on richard@odonnellsolicitors.co.uk.
