The disputes I advise on are often complex, sensitive and high profile, and I offer calm, considered advice in difficult situations. I specialise in working with charities, social enterprises and responsible businesses and I enjoy making a positive impact for them in my work, as they do for others. We focus on resolving the dispute wherever possible, and turning it into an opportunity to make improvements and reduce the risk of further disputes.
I’ve led Bates Wells’ work on improving gender equality and I am a proud member of our Race & Ethnicity and LGBT+ networks. I’m particularly interested in preventing, defending and resolving equality and discrimination disputes, and I advise on commercial relationships too – what to do if there’s a dispute over a contract, grant or membership.
I also help my clients to protect their identity, creative output and commercial assets – what to do if someone is using their name, brand or copyright work (intellectual property) or takes their money or data (counter-fraud).
As well as advising my clients, I negotiate settlements (including via mediation), litigate in the county court and high court, and act as a supervising solicitor in the execution of search and imaging orders. I often work with clients who share my interests in the creative and education sectors, environmental and campaigning organisations, and membership associations.
I enjoy speaking across a broad range of the topics I advise on, including equality law, investigations, social media and serious incident reporting, not just for Bates Wells seminars and webinars but also for sector specialist conferences and for Practical Law (a resource for lawyers).
- Investigating allegations of discrimination I investigated a complex series of allegations of racial discrimination against a national arts organisation. I interviewed the complainants and multiple witnesses, and made a detailed report of findings and recommendations for improving racial and ethnic diversity and inclusion within the organisation.
- Serial trade mark infringer ceases and desists My client, a trade membership body, licences its members to use its marks so customers know they’ll be getting a high quality service. When they discovered that someone else was using its marks to pretend they were a member, we took action to have the infringing marks removed and obtained a judgment from the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court to prevent the serial infringer from striking again.
- Fraud – prevention and cure When a small business found out that one of its directors had been taking its money for himself, I advised them on their plan of action for investigating and reporting the fraud and recovering their funds. I also advised them on what to do to make sure they wouldn’t fall victim like this again.
- I successfully mediated a claim against a membership organisation for alleged discrimination in relation to gender reassignment.
- I represented a high-profile membership organisation in proceedings for alleged discrimination, harassment and victimisation in relation to gender critical beliefs.
- I advised a young people's charity, which is committed to including transgender children, on how to respond to challenges to their inclusion policy.
- I advised on using exceptions in equality law for a university to offer a grant only to people who are disadvantaged and a students union in connection with single sex services.
- I advised a national membership charity on managing its relationship with members/volunteers who don't accept its equality and diversity policy and have publicly challenged it.
- I represented an Awarding Organisation in its claim for copyright infringement of its Ofqual regulated qualifications
- I advised a campaigning charity on copyright, trade marks and reputational implications of a proposed critical campaign.
- I facilitated the mediation of a dispute regarding alleged misuse of confidential information and intellectual property infringement by a joint venture partner.
- I advised a household name charity on how to address unauthorised use of its name and brand by a former member
- I advised a national youth charity on reasonable adjustments for children with learning difficulties
- I advised a membership charity on managing its relationship with volunteers who don’t accept its equality and diversity policy and have publicly challenged it
- I advised a national membership charity on responding to allegations of racial discrimination
- I advised a university on using exemptions in equality law so they can offer a grant only to people who are disadvantaged
- I advised a dance academy on a regulatory investigation by the Office for Students and managing the relationship with its higher education partner
- I advised a group of theatres on recovering and minimising their loss after their producer unilaterally cancelled a tour
- I facilitated the mediation of a dispute regarding alleged misuse of confidential information and intellectual property infringement by a joint venture partner
- I acted for a corporate client in a High Court claim for infringement of database rights under commercial licence.
- I advised a charity on recovery of funds raised fraudulently, in breach of trust and by infringement of the charity’s name and logo
- I advised a law firm on removal of images and text used fraudulently and in breach of copyright on a sham website.
- I advised a group of theatres on recovering and minimising their loss after their producer unilaterally cancelled a tour.
- I advised a charity on withholding and clawback of grant funds paid to a partner who had failed to comply with the agreed conditions.
- I acted for a charity in court proceedings where it recovered charitable funds paid ultra vires to a former trustee.
- I acted for a charity in proceedings where it recovered charitable funds paid ultra vires to a former trustee.
- I advise charities on prevention and cure of insider fraud and cyber fraud, including reporting serious incidents to the Charity Commission.
- I obtain Letters of Request for examination of UK witnesses for use in US proceedings.