Paul Menham

Paul was instructed by an Islamic girls school.  The school had a policy of not employing male teachers on the grounds of the girls’ religious beliefs.  This long standing policy was challenged by the DfE (who threatened to withdraw all funding to the school).  Paul (working with a leading QC) successfully challenged the DfE’s position.  The policy continues at the school.

Paul advised a leading aviation business on a claim made by the UK’s largest Trade Union on behalf of 400 of its members relating to collective consultation on a TUPE transfer.  Paul was able to not only defeat the claim (worth potentially in excess of £400,000, if proven) but also to secure a costs award against the Trade Union on behalf of his client.

Paul was the lead employment partner working with a leading PE firm in its purchase of 23 IFA businesses.  Paul lead on all employment law and HR issues. Ultimately the deals brought together assets of over £3.5bn.

Paul was instructed by the headteacher and senior leaders of a large Bradford secondary school.  They were concerned with regard to the actions of a large group of governors, including the chair of governors – who had begun to attend the school and take extremely damaging actions in relation to a number of members of staff and costing significant amounts of school funds.  Paul worked alongside the leadership team, advising on the most appropriate course of action to protect the staff and students of the school before an interim executive board could be put in place to replace the governing body.

Paul represented a large transport company in its pay negotiations with a large group of staff.  The trade union organised strike action over the pay award offered.  Paul worked with the client on a hearts and minds exercise with the staff – demonstrating the fairness of its proposals and the uncommercial and damaging nature of the union’s approach.  Paul also advised over strike tactics, that prevented any diminution to the service provided by the client to its customers (airlines) and their passengers.  Ultimately, the previous pay award was accepted by the union on behalf of its members without further action.

Paul represented the largest FE college in Europe on a claim brought by an X Factor contestant, after she was dismissed on the instruction of the governor of the prison where she worked.  The claimant alleged unfair dismissal and sex discrimination against the college.  Paul helped to manage the legal issues, the practical aspects of the defence, significant press interest and the ongoing relationship with the prison.  Ultimately all claims against the college were dismissed.