Sector Focus


Legal


Sponsored by: Sydney Mitchell LLP


Supermarket merger may affect employment


A different way


Every family is different whether they are married, live together, have children, are childless or same sex. Why then should there be only one option i.e. the court, to help families when relationships come to an end or when families want to agree what should happen if a relationship comes to an end. Collaborative law has been


around for over 10 years. It puts families in control of how children and assets are going to be dealt with if the family are no longer going to live together. It excludes court involvement, except to approve what the parties have agreed. It is entirely private. It is non-confrontational, but it still involves lawyers and other professionals in helping families make arrangements. It is completely transparent. Discussions take place in meetings with all parties including lawyers so. Frankly, it works. It is harder


to lose sight of trying to reach an amicable solution when you sit in a room together. You are in control of the agenda so that you can prioritise matters that are important to the family. The collaborative process can


also be used at the start of a relationship in order to negotiate and agree a pre- nuptial agreement or living together agreement in anticipation of marriage, cohabitation or a civil partnership. We have a collaborative


lawyer at each of our offices.


If you wish to discuss this process in any more detail or to see if it is suitable for you please look at the video at the link below: www.sydneymitchell.co.uk/serv ices-individuals/family- law/separation-and- divorce/collaborative-law Or contact Judi Wood, Amanda Holland or Teresa Mannion on 0808 166 8870.


Sydney Mitchell LLP is a Top Tier Legal 500 firm with offices in Birmingham, Sheldon, Shirley and facilities in Sutton Coldfield.


56 CHAMBERLINK June 2018


L-R: Steve Allen and project manager Wendy Thomas with Chris Adlam, construction manager for Area, who fitted-out the new office


Office refurb sets-out law firm’s ambitions


Mills & Reeve has refurbished its Birmingham office in a move the law firm says reinforces its commitment to growth in the city. Work is taking place on all six floors of the period building in Colmore


Row. As well as creating a modern office with the ‘wow’ factor, the design will also reference the area’s heritage and celebrate Birmingham. Steve Allen, partner and head of the Birmingham office, said: “We want


to create a space that encourages the type of ground breaking work we are really proud of, both as a firm and a city. We are building on the history of innovation Birmingham is known for and our new working environment will not only look fantastic but also encourage better ways of working.”


Staff working at Sainsbury’s and Asda may see changes to their terms of employment following the merger of the supermarket titans, according to Thursfields Solicitors. The leading Midlands law firm


was commenting after Sainsbury's chief executive Mike Coupe confirmed the plans to merge with Asda, which is currently owned by US supermarket giant Walmart. Mr Coupe – who would lead the


new group – also said the proposed deal would not lead to store closures or job losses, although the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority said it was “likely” to review the merger. Jade Linton, associate solicitor in


the employment team at Thursfields, said: “While the initial suggestion is that there would be no store closures or job losses, this merger is bound to lead to duplication among head office and centralised functions, and the possibility of employment contract changes needed to harmonise terms of employment.


“This could include basic terms


like hours of work, sickness and holiday conditions but at worse could involve changes to rates of pay and pension arrangements, assuming these terms differ between the two groups of employees.” Ms Linton explained that


generally an employment contract can only be amended in accordance with its terms or with the agreement of all parties and that this is the option carrying the least risk of any claim of unfairness or breach.


However, she warned: “An


employer seeking to harmonise terms of employment could do so by terminating the existing contracts of employment and offering re-engagement on new terms, or simply by imposing the changes. “These options are not without


their risk and one would expect appropriate consultation with unions or employee representatives.” Ms Linton said companies the


size of Sainsburys and Asda would almost certainly be planning to take detailed advice from their legal teams. But she added: “For any


companies considering acquisitions or mergers, they should remember any changes to an employee’s contract should only be made with the benefit of legal advice and with union agreement where applicable.”


‘This merger is bound to lead to duplication among head office and centralised functions’


New president for Law Society


James Turner has been appointed president of Birmingham Law Society (BLS), 200 years after the organisation was founded. James, a criminal defence specialist, manages the Birmingham office of law firm Tuckers Solicitors. He succeeds Andrew Beedham, of Clarke Willmott. He said: “It is an honour to


be taking on this prestigious role in such a milestone year. “I will use it to raise the


profile of the profession, to encourage new members and work to ensure we remain inclusive and relevant.” James will also use his year


in office to raise funds for two charities - Headway, the brain injury association, and the Jeff Astle Foundation, which supports those who have suffered head injuries in sport. Also appointed at the AGM


were vice-president Linden Thomas, deputy vice-president Inez Brown and joint honorary secretaries Chaitali Desai and Sophie Samani.


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