Christopher is brilliant. He listens and provides support throughout and gives very clear advice.
Chambers & Partners UK Guide 2026
However well prepared your business, no employer can absolutely guard against the possibility of a claim
And if your business is threatened with or served with a claim then Simcocks is well placed to provide expert advice as to how to defend it. Simcocks can advise you of the most cost effective route to avoiding civil or reputational loss either in the High Court or in Tribunal. A case is often won and lost on meticulous preparation of evidence and legal argument and Simcocks will provide you with the best advice as to how to respond to any claim situation. Our advice will be detailed and clear.
Often, disputes with employees can be successfully conciliated. This is often, but not always, a good way of resolving matters – given that employers are highly unlikely to recover any of their legal or management costs of defending an Employment Tribunal claim. We are able to advise on whether you should or should not compromise and provide advice on a suitable settlement agreement to ensure that any further claims are prevented.
Contact Chris Brooks now for expert guidance.
Some more specialist examples of the areas we can assist with are set out below:
Employee Competition and Loss of Data
It is sadly the case that employers cannot always trust employees to act in their best interests and occasionally an employee may be tempted to download confidential data for their own purposes or to cause the employer harm. Further, the employee may wish to set up in competition with the employer and look to poach clients or suppliers or employees. Simcocks can assist in advance with the drafting of suitable restrictive covenants to be incorporated into employment contracts to mitigate or reduce this potential.
Where data has already been taken or misused, Simcocks can advise on emergency action needed to mitigate or prevent the use of data by the rogue employee through emergency Court action and investigation into the activities of the worker.
Advice on employee investigations can be given in other context to where there is a suspicion of wrongdoing on the part of a member of staff.
Equality Advice
Isle of Man law provides protection for workers so that they are not discriminated against on the basis of protected characteristics. These protected characteristics are age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. Disabled persons have a right to expect that reasonable adjustments will be made for them in the workplace. The extent of this right may be the subject of dispute and the answer to the question ‘What is reasonable?’ may be unclear.
It is important that employers understand their responsibilities and seek appropriate preventative advice to fulfil them.
In addition, where a claim is threatened or brought it is important that the organisation is able to take early specialist advice to ensure the best possible outcome. Such situations can be very costly for employers if not handled correctly.
Whistleblowing
Additionally, organisations need to have appropriate procedures in place to deal with whistleblowing by workers and most ensure that these policies and procedures actually function in practice. If a situation develops that is likely to lead to a claim or through which a claim arises, then it is very important that employers take early appropriate advice to mitigate the chances of a successful claim against them being maintained. This is very important because the cost to organisations can be considerable from successful claims as there is no statutory cap to compensation in protected disclosure or health and safety related cases and awards can be very large.
Data Protection Subject Access Requests
When employees make Subject Access Requests, significant work can result for their employers. It is very important that the correct documents are disclosed failing which there can be civil or regulatory consequences. Our Commercial Department regularly advise on the strategy and requirements in dealing with such requests. Contact Alex Spencer for more information.
Other Employee Issues
Simcocks can readily advise on a wide range of other employer/employee issues and disputes. When choosing an Advocate, it is important to choose a firm which has appropriate experience in this specialist area and Simcocks is able to give you the guidance that you need to deal with all employment situations. Spending time and money on human resources should be a fundamental part of any business. We will look to give you the best possible support in the most cost-effective way.
Call Chris for more details of how we can help with any contentious matters.
