Ben Stepney

Ben helps businesses make sense of employment laws, and to avoid and resolve tricky employee relations issues.

Ben provides advice to businesses in relation to handling employee relations issues, including dealing with difficult grievances, complex disciplinary cases, employee competition, business reorganisation and redundancy situations.

He is a pragmatic, commercial lawyer and applies these attributes when advising clients and in conducting litigation, so that he achieves the best results for his clients. Ben takes pride in building long term relationships with his clients and this enables him to understand their business and objectives and advise accordingly.

Ben acts for employers of all sizes from start-up companies to PLCs and UK subsidiaries of global corporations. He also acts for senior managers and executives on exit arrangements including settlement agreements and post-termination restrictions.

Employment disputes in tribunal and court
Employee competition, confidentiality and restrictive covenants
The employment aspects of M&A, outsourcing and re-contracting
Employee data protection matters
Senior executive terminations and boardroom disputes
Worker status and IR35.

Defending a care home operator in the employment tribunal

And employment appeal tribunal in relation to claims for unfair dismissal, race and sex discrimination and whistleblowing.

Advising an employer who had been threatened

With an injunction for alleged conspiracy and breach of confidence In relation to several employees who had moved from a competitor.

Successfully negotiating the settlement of employment tribunal claims

For unfair dismissal, sex discrimination and failure to pay the national minimum wage for an employer for just £50.

Acting on behalf of an incoming contractor

In successfully disputing that a senior and highly remunerated employee of the outgoing contractor would transfer to it under the TUPE Regulations.

Achievements & other appointments

Ben is ranked in the leading independent guide to UK law firms, Chambers UK.

He is a trustee of Orchard Academy Trust, a multi-academy trust near Maidstone, Kent.

Education

Ben graduated from the University of Kent with a degree in law and went on to complete the Legal Practice Course at BPP London. Having successfully completed his training contract with Thomson Snell & Passmore, Ben qualified as a solicitor, and joined the Employment Team, in September 2009.

Partner, Employment

Specialisms & expertise

Examples of work