Details
Orla provides advice to both public and private sector clients on contentious and non-contentious employment law matters. She predominantly undertakes work for NHS clients and other public sector employers.
Orla has experience advising clients on a full range of employment issues including redundancy, discrimination, disciplinary and grievance processes. She has particular experience in the day-to-day management of Employment Tribunal proceedings, defending high-value, multi-day claims involving allegations of discrimination, whistleblowing and unfair dismissal. She has defended NHS bodies in claims for age, sex and disability discrimination.
Orla advises public authorities and NHS clients on complex legal issues concerning senior medical staff and doctors in training, including pay banding claims, disciplinary and capability processes for doctors under MHPS and data protection issues. She also has experience in conducting High Court and County Court litigation.
Further details
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Experience
- Successfully defended a non-departmental public body against a claim of judicial review involving a trainee doctor
- Acted on behalf of an NHS body in defence of a test case addressing the scope of the extended definition of a ‘worker’ under s.43K Employment Rights Act (whistleblowing legislation)
- Successfully defended a discrimination claim brought by a transgender patient against a NHS trust involving complex issues on the Gender Recognition Act and Data Protection Act
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Affiliations
- Member of the Law Society
Orla French's Expertise
Employment law
