Ben James

Biography

Ben is a solicitor in the employment team. He qualified as a solicitor in March 2023.

Ben has experience working on contentious and non-contentious matters for a variety of clients, ranging from individuals to large companies and franchises and has experience assisting both claimants and respondents in bringing and defending claims in the Employment Tribunal, including for unfair dismissal, whistleblowing and claims under the Equality Act.

Ben also provides advice and general HR support to clients in both the public and private sector on various areas of employment law, including contractual matters, grievance, disciplinary and investigation processes and TUPE. This is in addition to advising on and negotiating settlement agreements on behalf of clients, as well as drafting employment documentation such as company policies and contracts of employment.

He also assists other internal departments on cross-specialism matters, including working with our corporate team to advise on the employment aspects of company mergers and acquisitions.

Before qualifying as a Solicitor, Ben completed his training contract with Ashfords. Prior to this, he completed the Graduate Diploma in Law at Plymouth University and the Legal Practice Course with a Masters in Law, Business and Management at the University of Law in Exeter. During this time, Ben also gained three years’ experience working as a commercial disputes paralegal at an international law firm.

Relevant experience

Confidential – care provider (respondent): Ben successfully represented a client in the care sector in defending a claim of constructive unfair dismissal, disability discrimination and harassment in the Employment Tribunal brought by a former employee.
Confidential – care provider (respondent): Ben also successfully represented another client in the care sector against claims of direct and indirect disability discrimination.
Confidential – financial services (respondent): Ben was instructed to assist a client in the financial services sector defend two separate claims of unfair dismissal, disability discrimination and sex discrimination. Ben achieved a successful commercial outcome for the respondent by engaging in judicial mediation on both occasions.