Testimonials

As a firm we all work extremely hard to exceed the expectations of our clients.  The nature of our work means that when they need us our clients expect expert advice in a timely manner and we strive to deliver.  As a result of this focus on service, professionalism and speed we are delighted to have received many endorsements of our work a selection of which are detailed here.

“Employment law can be a daunting entity however the team at DC employment solicitors informatively provided everything in simple, understandable, and concise terms. As well as advising on the implications of contractual clauses, my solicitor also provided suggestions of amendments to said clauses, with every suggestion being beneficial and accepted by the other party.

The team is evidently built of experienced solicitors, and I will be returning to DC Employment Solicitors if advise or support is required in the future.

I’d like to raise particular credit to Louis Howlett for his continuous prompt and attentive support throughout.”

Anonymous Client

“Both Darren and Louis have been amazing and guided me through a very emotional time and stressful time and explained my options clearly and through a commercial lens that focused on the best outcome for me. Everyone was quick to respond and the process was wrapped up speedily on your end, which has been amazing.”

Doreen Deicke, Client

“Laurence, I just wanted to tell you that it was a pleasure working with you on this matter. It was a delight to work with a fellow solicitor in such a professional and proper manner. There are not many of us left!”

Opposing Solicitor

“Hi Laurence, I felt the need to write and say thank you so much for all you’re doing for [another client] and how wonderfully you are supporting her through her horrendous journey. You’ve been just as amazing as you have been for me. Thank you.”

Anonymous Client

“Thanks to Claire and the team for the fantastic advice provided.  They made a stressful situation a lot easier to deal with and helped us achieve a very positive outcome.  We would most certainly recommend DC employment and they would be our first call should we need help again in the future”

Anonymous Client

“All there is left to say is a HUGE thank you for all your support over the last 6 months in this matter, you will never know how appreciative I am. I could never have done it without you.”

Anonymous Client

“I just wanted to write to say once again how incredibly pleased and impressed I have been with your service.  Right from my initial enquiry conversation with you Claire, through to our telephone consultation meeting today Laura, you have both been exceptionally professional, responsive, competent and efficient. I honestly couldn’t imagine having received better or more comprehensive assistance. You have made a real difference at what has been a very stressful and upsetting time for me. Thank you so much for your help, I really can’t say enough how much I appreciate it. It goes without saying that I will recommend DC Employment Solicitors to anyone who asks!”

Anonymous client

“I have worked with many employment lawyers via my professional career, and without doubt Laurence is the best I’ve worked with. His knowledge of employment law is outstanding. In addition, he is a fantastic negotiator, whilst maintaining a high degree of integrity. I found him extremely personable, and supportive, and his approach offers a level of clarity and understanding that drives through legal jargon. In summary, if you need a professional employment expert and tough negotiator to represent you or your company, Laurence is your man!”

Wendy Twist, Senior HR Business Partner, PepsiCo

“Daryl, I just wanted to write to say thank you very much for your professionalism and support throughout my employment concern. You provided the right advice at the right time and made me feel confident in my position due to your comprehensive knowledge of employment law. Thank you once again for all of your help and may I wish you and your company all continued success you deserve.”

Tom Woodley, Client

“I have been completely satisfied with the service received from DC Employment Solicitors over the last five years. I have called on their expertise many times over this period and have always received a prompt response with clear advice which, given their expert knowledge, could always be relied upon.”

Horsfield,  Managing Director, Construction Partnership Limited 

“A huge thanks to you all for your help and support.  We would have struggled to get this resolved without your guidance. If we have any staff or employment issues in the future, I know I can contact you. No hesitation recommending you to anyone.”

Simon Adams, Client

“As a company we have been using DC Employment’s solicitors for a number of years now and have always found their advice to be up-to-date, relevant and good value for money.

Their service is second to none and we have benefitted greatly from their expert knowledge with regards to employment issues. Their response is always timely and gives us the reassurance we need when dealing with complicated legal issues. Whatever the outcome we are thankful to have had them on our side.

If you are in business you simply cannot afford not to have competent, expert legal advice behind you and we are more than happy to recommend DC Employment Solicitors.”

D J Bowley, Managing Director, W Hurst & Son (IW) Ltd.

“We have sought the advice of Daryl Cowan three or four times over the last few years and have always found his knowledge and support to be exactly what was required. He has an impressive and comprehensive knowledge of employment law, as you would expect. But in addition he has a good understanding of business needs and how to structure solutions to satisfy these whilst at the same time demonstrating humane and ethical standards.

Legal conflict between employer and employee is always stressful for both parties and unsettling for other staff, the sooner resolved the better, in a clear and unequivocal way so as to avoid misunderstandings and confusion. Daryl always responded quickly whether for information, clarification, or production or review of documents. Where the situation was complex he was able to highlight the key issues, and we were confident that we were following the best course of action.

I would highly recommend Daryl.”

Clare Hogg, Director of HR and Marketing, The S-T Diesel and Marine Group

“As a charity we found the support and expertise of DC Employment Solicitors invaluable in a recent employment tribunal claim. They guided us through the process, providing timely expert knowledge. It was reassuring to know that we could call them and have a speedy response to our queries. The outcome of the case was successful and has made a real difference to our organisation in terms of costs and the removal of future issues. The attention to detail and care that DC Employment Solicitors showed throughout our engagement with them means that we will be seeking their support in the future.”

Michael Clowes, Chief Executive, Community First New Forest

Laurence and his team have proved an invaluable resource for Legal/HR issues both internally and on behalf of our clients. I have no hesitation in highly recommending their services.”

Bob Law, CEO, Langdowns DFK

“It is not that we go out of our way to find the wide range of employment challenges we have experienced over the years but Daryl and the team at DC Employment have always been on hand to provide the expert advice and support we have needed in understanding the simple everyday employment obligations to the complex issues when things are not going as they should.

Always on hand, prompt and professional with their support we have achieved successful outcomes every time and DC Employment have proved to be an invaluable part of our team.”  

Mike Worley, Director, Rolwey Group Limited

I am delighted to recommend Daryl, who has been my ‘go to’ legal ally for many years. As well as recognising Daryl’s expertise, I value his idiosyncratic approach. Daryl is an affable and popular member of the Southampton business community. Employment law is a discipline which is notoriously emotive, but Daryl manages to deal with those issues with great sensitivity, whilst displaying an immediate grasp of the root of the problems – and how to resolve them.”

Graeme Lovell, Tax Director, Langdowns DFK

We greatly appreciate your firm’s expert advice across all the multitude of circumstances on which we consult you.

Manufacturing company in Andover*

“I utilised the services of DC Employment Solicitors for a particularly complex HR matter in 2012. The solicitors were recommended to me by an HR professional.  My experience was extremely good and the support that I received was highly professional at all times. I believe that the consistent level of communication coupled with the legal advice and expertise to manage my case was paramount to securing a successful outcome.  I would recommend them highly.”

Di Sheridan, Client

I am writing on behalf of all the Trustees and the young asthma and allergy researchers in Southampton who have benefited from AAIR, to thank you so much for your enormously valuable contributions to this local charity in helping resolve our employment issues.  Without your help, we would now be in a very difficult position.  You gave us wise counsel and stepped in at times with very helpful suggestions when we did not know how to proceed.  The Trustees wanted me to let you know how grateful we are.”

Professor Stephen T Holgate CBE, FMedSci, Former Chairman of AAIR

“Our (AAIR) experience of Laurence was excellent and he demonstrated what a good person he is. He really is on the ball and I doubt if you could be in better hands. He is absolutely meticulous, but combines that with being a very pleasant person who you can really talk and open up to.”

Frank Anderson, Trustee, AAIR

“Since January 2009, we have been subscribing to DC Employment’s “Enhance” package.  For a very competitive annual fee, they provide expert help and advice on all aspects of employment law.  

We normally ask our query by e-mail, and receive a clear and comprehensive response the same day, often within an hour or two, from our designated partner, Mr. Laurence Dunn.  If the matter is urgent, we have the option of speaking to Laurence on the phone, often receiving an answer immediately. 

We have received invaluable help on matters such as parental leave, disciplinary hearings, employee disputes, paternity leave and redundancy, and the advice has always been delivered in a prompt, efficient and professional manner, giving us complete peace of mind.  We have always been more than satisfied with the outcome.

We would therefore have no hesitation in recommending DC Employment to any company looking for a knowledgeable, competent and trustworthy firm of employment law solicitors.”

Client company*

“When, as an HR professional, I seek advice from an employment solicitor, I want a clear and understandable interpretation of employment law, a knowledgeable assessment of risk and an action plan based on a pragmatic and commercial approach. Both Daryl and Laurence deliver consistently against these criteria and that is why I have worked with them for many years and am more than happy to recommend them.”

Brian Kemp Chartered FCIPD, Executive Network

“Laurence,  I thought I’d drop you a note to say thanks for everything on my case.  It  goes without saying that your guidance and advice made a huge difference to the outcome that we achieved and I am very happy with the result.  I’d also like to add that working with you has been a pleasure and you managed to make what could have been a very stressful process really quite enjoyable!”

Chris Morley, client

“Thank you; for what otherwise would have been a very stressful period for me, particularly as I have been so unwell.  I am extremely grateful; you have been professional and guided me realistically to achieve what I needed too, but have also been sympathetic and understanding of my complex health needs and this has been really appreciated, not only by me,  but also my family.  Thank you!”

Stacey Harbut, client

“I’ve known Claire Hodson for many years now, since the start of DCES. I have always found her honest, helpful, friendly, efficient and very professional. Once business is done however we enjoy our little chats about our up and coming holidays and advise each other about places we have been and seen and where we are going next. It’s a real pleasure to pop in and see her.”

David Armstrong, ISL Office Solutions

“I have worked with Claire Hodson for over 5 years in providing her firm’s clients with Employment Protection Insurance. Claire’s attention to detail and understanding of the scheme is very impressive and I have no hesitation in recommending both Claire and DC Employment.”

Daniel Black, Albion Legal

“I have always found Claire Hodson to be warm, friendly and efficient in my dealings with her.”

An Andover based client*

“I have known Claire Hodson for the past eleven years during my employment at Blue Diamond Technologies Ltd. Throughout this period I have found her to be extremely quick in responding to our enquiries, professional, courteous, but in a friendly engaging way. Apart from these qualities, her sense of humour always shines through, which helps to brighten our days.”

Ruth Hewlett, HR Manager

“Claire is a fantastic PA/Office Manager whom I’ve known for over 6 years through DC Employment. She is highly skilled, professional and an absolute pleasure to deal with.”

Heather Oakley, Sprayzone Office Manager

“We are so grateful for your work on this, Laurence. It’s certainly been a long and difficult road but you have made me feel validated throughout, and perhaps won’t realise how monumental that has been for me. Thank you so much for all of your help, and Louis too! God forbid any of my near and dear ever need an employment solicitor, but if they do – you and your firm will come highly recommended.”

Anonymous client*

“Darren Tibble has been a most remarkable employment solicitor with sound advice delivered without fuss. His negotiating skills are excellent and he always presents a fair view on employment matters. I wish him every success – he will remain my employment solicitor.”

Richard Cuzens

“Darren Tibble has been our Group employment lawyer for over fifteen years. During that time he has given us very useful advice on constantly changing employment law, with a reasonable and readily transparent fee structure. Much more than this, Darren has given both the Directors, but more particularly our Managers, the confidence to make difficult decisions. We continue to ask Darren for his wise measured advice, usually in a hurry, and seemingly almost always late on a Friday afternoon.” 

Dr John Sargent, Director

“I was completely satisfied with the service received from Darren Tibble at DC Employment Solicitors. Nothing was too much for Darren and my claim was resolved within a matter of weeks. I would have no hesitation in highly recommending their services.”

 Anonymous client*

“I have dealt with DC Employment Solicitors for many years now and have always found Claire to be an absolute pleasure to liaise with. As the PA and Office Manager for the firm Claire is extremely efficient, personable and knowledgeable. Claire is certainly the lady that keeps the office running as smoothly as it does.”

Lorraine Ashover, Director, Minerva Procurement Consultancy Services Limited

“In the period January – June 2014 we had two exceptionally difficult H.R. issues to deal with; one relating to an Employment Tribunal claim and the other to director issues.

Daryl successfully guided us through this minefield with wisdom and humour.

Without the resolution of both issues, it is doubtful if the business would have survived.

So thank you”

Kim Beazley, Trinity Gateway Community Services

“I’m very happy to highly recommend the team at DC Employment Solicitors. Their professionalism and expertise was evident from my first telephone conversation with Daryl and Claire. Prompt communication and their reassuring presence meant I never felt alone during the process. They showed compassions and sensitivity to my personal and health issues which was very much appreciated.

CJ

I just wanted to say how amazing Laura was during the process.  She was efficient from the start of our dealing and kept me in the loop of the next steps and where we were in the process.  She did a great job at tweaking, correcting, and amending the document in a way that meant she clearly understood my situation and predicament.

When we called to run through the final piece she kept it relevant and explained clearly the restrictions it put me in, and how this impacted me – as well as exclusions that were relevant to my profession specifically.

I honestly couldn’t have been more impressed with the service I received.

Alistair Clamp, Client

I would also like to take the opportunity to say thank you for all your help and advice. It has been a very stressful time for me and you have made things so much easier and taken the stress out of it. you made things simple to follow and understand and I really appreciate everything you have done.

Daryl Flew, Client

Working alongside Daryl Cowan is always a pleasure. His personable whilst highly commercial and pragmatic approach is both refreshing and necessary in difficult workplace scenarios. We most recently dealt with a very complex matter for a large organisation together, our balanced approaches complimented the situation allowing us to achieve the right result both for the organisation and the client. I would highly recommend Daryl and his team in our field.

 Gemma Murphy, Director View HR Limited

I approached Claire and DC Employment when the relationship was deteriorating in my employment situation. She was very reassuring and the process of helping my employer and I to arrive at a settlement agreement was handled efficiently. The outcome was excellent for me and a real relief. Thank you Claire!

 William Keyte, Client

* Due to the sensitive nature of our engagements some clients have asked for their comments to remain anonymous.