The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 19
Paul Humble boasts almost 20 years’ experience as an employment lawyer, having acted for a wide range of employers throughout the region.
Ben Healey provides employment and commercial business advice to companies, ranging from one-man start-ups to larger regional firms.
Below: Greystone Legal helped John and Margaret Allen diversify their business interests with the acquisition of the restaurant and pub at Woodham Golf Club in Newton Aycliffe, assisting with the transfer of ownership.
person at the other end of the telephone, getting away from factory-type legal work which has arisen in recent years where essentially you’ re dealing with call centres and people reading from scripts.
“ A lot of law firms say they’ re partner-led, but what you often find is you’ re not always dealing with an experienced lawyer and work is passed further down the food chain. With us you’ re dealing with an experienced solicitor with a high-level of expertise in their field.
“ We want to work with businesses as they grow and make sure they’ re fully compliant with all the legalities in terms of commercial and employment law.”
Greystone’ s client list already includes some of Aycliffe Business Park’ s residents, such as transport company NE Business Solutions, financial advisors Gallagher & Tarran, and shipping and freight management service NIMS Freight Services, which trades as InXpress.
Greystone Legal have also recently helped John Allen, of Aycliffe firm JRS Software, and his wife Margaret to diversify their business interests with the acquisition of the restaurant and pub at Woodham Golf Club in Newton Aycliffe, assisting with the transfer of ownership of the business and providing ongoing business support and employment law services.
John said:“ We are grateful to Paul and Ben for the calm and professional manner in which they handled the acquisition. The biggest benefit for us is the ongoing support and the assurance that we have our advisors close at hand when we need them.”
Greystone offer tailored retainer packages for businesses which can include include the provision of terms of business, shareholders or partnership agreements and all employment law contracts and policies and procedures.
Their services are offered on a fixed-fee basis to local SME’ s and, to assist with cashflow, local businesses can take advantage of payment plans whereby legal fees are paid in monthly instalments.
“ For us it is about establishing relationships, getting to know the business and its requirements and helping to steer businesses along the right path as they grow or face challenges.” says Paul.
Even more impressively, Greystone’ s retainer deal includes access to a library of documentation as well as a HR support tool which allows holidays, absences and disciplinary issues to be administered via an online system. This is designed to simplify staff management and provides a central resource where management and staff can access employment policies and procedures.“ We’ re one of the few regionally based law firms to provide a comprehensive human resources and employment law service from qualified lawyers,” adds Ben.
“ We have a level of employment law expertise that many other law firms can’ t offer and we take the time to get to know our clients. We get to know business owners and managers personally and gain an understanding of how their businesses work.
“ Our approach is to be practical and business focused, resolving employee problems as soon as they arise.
“ A proactive approach can save companies a lot of time and money in the long-run. When things do go awry we can provide experienced tribunal representation so it’ s the whole package.”
If you wish to discuss any employment law issues you can contact Greystone Legal on 01325 787007 or email paul. humble @ greystone. legal
Free Employment Law Seminar
Greystone Legal are hosting a free employment seminar at the Work Place on Friday, October 27, from 8 to 9.30am.
This is the first of a number of employment law updates which will be provided, and on this occasion there will be important information about recent changes in holiday pay requirements.
Greystone will also provide the low down on employment references: when are employers obliged to provide references for employees, what should they contain and to what extent can an employer be liable for references which they have provided. Attendees will also receive an update on the abolishment of employment tribunal fees, which were brought in three years ago but quashed by the Supreme Court recently – a move which is expected to see a hike in tribunal claims.
To find out more about the seminar and to register, call Greystone Legal on 01325 787007 or by email to paul. humble @ greystone. legal
The Legal Lowdown...
Greystone Legal can provide advice, assistance and representation in respect of the full range of employment law issues, including the following: > Disciplinary and dismissal procedures > Grievance procedures and their application > Performance Management > Managing long-term illness and capability > Redundancy and restructures > Business sales, transfers and the implications > Contracts of employment and making changes to contractual terms > Unfair dismissal and discrimination claims > Breach of employment contract claims > Working hours and holiday entitlement > Parental leave and time off for dependants > Equal pay and minimum wage claims > Harassment and victimisation in the work place