We have been advisers to the recruitment industry for 25 years. During this time we have acted for the Federation of Recruitment and Employment Services (FRES) and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).  We also act for a large number of their members, as well as non-members involved in the industry.

Continuing developments in the law both here and in Europe have made this area especially complex and fast-moving.  We are highly regarded within the industry and we are familiar with all legal and commercial issues confronting participants in this field. We are able to offer unrivalled specialist advice to employment agencies and employment businesses of all types and sizes.

The areas we cover include:

• Advice on regulatory matters: such as the Employment Agencies Act 1973, the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003, the Gangmasters Licensing Act 2004, the Employment Relations Act 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations 2010, the Bribery Act 2010 and the Agency Workers Regulations 2010.
• Advice on applicable Common law: the requisite standard of service; who is liable if something goes wrong; the fulfillment of conditions necessary to validly claim commission; the employment status of agency workers.
• Preparation and advice on the terms of business and terms of engagement for permanent and temporary employment for all types of client and staff.
• Review of and advice on non-standard contracts involving competitive tendering, preferred supply agreements, master vendor arrangements and outsourcing/managed service contracts.
• Dealing with disputes with clients, candidates or third parties over terms of business.
• The provision of employment law advice to recruitment companies, which in this most competitive of industries, includes advice on disputes with former employees including the enforcement of post-termination restrictions, confidentiality obligations and the company’s database rights.
• The provision of corporate and property advice in the event of a sale or purchase of a business, Board level disputes, shareholder issues or office relocation or lease renewal.

We can provide advice on any legal issue that confronts a recruitment company at any and every stage of its operations.

Key services

• Contractual
  Drafting terms of business and terms of engagement; advising on, drafting and negotiating ‘one-off’ client contracts.
• Regulatory
  Advising on the impact of existing legislation and new developments that affect the recruitment industry.
• Contentious
  Providing advice and representation in the event of claims arising during the course of an assignment; and in respect of commission/fee recovery.
• Employment
  Drafting contracts of employment; advising on termination and claims which may arise during and at the end of employment; enforcement of restrictive covenants; dealing with TUPE, restructuring and any other internal employment issues that may arise. For further details please refer to our Employment Services page.
• Corporate and Property related business support
  Providing advice the event of sale or purchase, Board or member disputes, relocation or lease renewal.

For more information about the services that we provide, please contact Helen Wyatt by email hwyatt@gdlaw.co.uk or tel 0207 404 0606