He is experienced in all aspects of employment law, both contentious and non-contentious. Ian regularly advises in relation to complex internal procedures, including disciplinary/dismissal processes and multi-party grievances, ill-health management and equality, as well as high level exits and settlements. He is also a regular advocate and representative in the Industrial and Fair Employment Tribunals, and the civil courts, again acting across a range of different issues and claims. Ian’s advice and representation is always provided with the needs of the specific client in mind, and with a view to providing practical and commercial solutions to problems.
Ian advises local businesses of all shapes and sizes, as well as international clients, including those with existing operations in Northern Ireland and others seeking to expand into the local market, advising particularly in relation to issues unique to this jurisdiction, such as discrimination, equal opportunities, and cross border workers.
As well as advising in relation to employment law, Ian also supports clients regarding trade unions and industrial relations, and in relation to immigration and right to work issues.
Overview of Ian’s experience while at his previous firm:
- Advising and representing clients of all types and sizes, including multi-nationals, large companies, SMEs, family businesses, partnerships, sole traders, the public sector, regulatory bodies (including Law Society of NI and Bar Council of NI) and charities.
- Regular advice, assistance and representation in Industrial and Fair Employment Tribunal proceedings, to include advocacy. For instance, Ian was the sole representative in a recent Tribunal case involving the defence of complex claims of disability discrimination and unfair dismissal, received from a Claimant with capacity issues who was seeking various adjustments (including the appointment of a registered intermediary, which is a developing concept in NI employment law).
- Advice in all aspects of employment law and related areas, including the expected and unexpected. By way of non-exhaustive example, this includes redundancy (individual and collective), disciplinary and grievance processes, long term ill- health and disability issues, high level contracts, policies and procedures, dismissal procedures and exits (to include Compromise Agreements), data protection and support in relation to commercial transactions (due diligence, TUPE, warranties, indemnities, service agreements and consultancy arrangements).
- Representation and advice on proceedings in the High Court and Court of Appeal.
- Legal Island HR Conference 2023: Why 2023 is the Year of Women in the Workplace
- Merit, 2008-2010, Institute of Professional Legal Studies, Belfast
- LLB Law (1st class), 2005-2008, Queen's University Belfast