When instructing a solicitor the proof is on the pudding but in order to give comfort to anyone thinking of asking for my help here are 5 testimonials from very different sources. Two are from individuals (most of my work these days ), one from a firm of accountants in Surrey, one from the legal head of an International retailer and one from a quoted IT company to show the diversity of my work.

I have also been fortunate enough to get strong recommendations over the years as a legal expert in e.g. The Legal 500 and you may want to see my CV which has more detail of my experience.

Tom Hardman (ex Main Board Director of Seven Seas)

I was recommended to use Tim by a close friend of mine because he was the best employment lawyer around and I needed some urgent and sensitive advice on leaving Seven Seas Limited where I had been a director for a number of years. Although my departure was an amicable one I needed a solicitor who could work harmoniously with their in-house Head of Legal as well as understand my career objectives. Tim did that and not only met but exceeded my expectations, particularly in his willingness to exchange calls and e-mails at all times during the day and night which was often necessary due to the urgency of the negotiations. The irony was that it was far easier to get hold of Tim than it would have been to speak to a lawyer in a big firm and I didn't have to pay their overheads! Leaving a multinational company after many years for a new challenge is obviously a stressful step to take but Tim's legal (and very constructive) advice made it a lot easier. Immensely reassuring advice, wise counsel, prompt action and excellent value. I have no hesitation in recommending Tim to anyone facing a similar career change.

Didier Prongue, businessman.

I came to Tim through a recommendation and endorsement from a friend who had been delighted with Tim's advice . My contractual relationship with my employer was complex and further complicated by my employment as a Director in another associated company. The whole issue was very delicate and confidential as it involved family friends. Thankfully, Tim’s assistance in advising on my case ensured that my best interests were protected. With his advice, guidance and considerable experience in a wide range of employment related issues he managed to extract an excellent settlement against an aggressive and hostile employer who had previously refused all suggestions of a compromise.

The prospect of legal proceedings against a previous employer is stressful and time consuming, knowing that Tim was on my side, managing the process, thinking ahead and was giving me honest and impartial advice allowed me to feel a lot more in control of the process and the costs I was incurring in taking my claim to the Employment Tribunals. Tim was able to explain all legal matters in a concise and understandable way and crucially when negotiations took off was contactable at all times in and out of office hours.

Since the conclusion of my employment related issues I have without reservation recommended Tim to other colleagues and have done so without knowing the detail of the advice required but quite safe in the knowledge that Tim will provide timely, exemplary advice and support.

Collards

Collards are a six partner firm of accountants based in Kingston Upon Thames providing a whole range of accountancy services to businesses and individuals based in London and Surrey and throughout much of the UK. We are fortunate in able to count on the experience of partners from London firms who are now happy to base themselves in Kingston Upon Thames and are, as a result, able to provide a more personal service and give better value to our clients. It was therefore no coincidence when, looking for a first rate employment lawyer for a dispute that we had to deal with involving a former employee, that we instructed Tim Russell who, although now practising on his own account, obviously benefits from having practised for many years as a partner in a major London practice. Tim not only put us all at our ease (and at the same time showed considerable sensitivity to some of our staff who had been unnecessarily brought into the dispute) but displayed a knowledgeable and professional approach which enabled us to resolve the dispute successfully. Whether we have a contentious or non-contentious employment law issue in the future we would certainly be happy to rely on Tim again.

Richard James. Director , Intechnology plc.

Tim is the most practical and helpful employment lawyer I know. He never wastes time and sticks to his guns both with the advice given and against the other side in an negotiation.He has been there in the front line, and still is - as an Employment Tribunal Chairman - and it shows. I find the whole employment world a nightmare these days but I at least know I can call on a true expert if I need to and know that my businesses get sensible advice.I am not surprised he worked in house for many years, he talks the language of business and I can see why he now enjoys working for individuals as well as corporates in his new role as a self employed consultant.I was going to say I would use him if he charged double his current rate but maybe that's a bad idea. I am happy to give him a plug because i know he won't let you down.

Rosalynde Harrison Head of legal , Monsoon.

I have worked with Tim for some 15 years . During this time i have worked as an in house lawyer at Gillette ( when i first met Tim and worked with him even though my company did not use his firm ), Burberry and now Monsoon where i am a director, company secretary and Head of Legal.Whatever the problem Tim seems to think of a practical way around it and having had experience of working with many external lawyers i will always turn to Tim where i can because he is , simply , so good.He gets things done and always comes up with ideas and recommendations i can use rather than ( as so many lawyers do) pages of less than practical options leading to a hefty bill and little benefit. I am so glad he is now working as a consultant because he is still a great employment lawyer but now his charges have been cut by 75%

5/2008
Kurzel v Roche
In Kurzel v Roche the Court of Appeal played down the importance of the "shifting burden of proof" in unfair dismissal cases. It is clearly for an employer to show a potentially fair reason for dismissing an employee and this is going to be more difficult if the employee produces some evidence of a different reason. However the burden of proof does not shift to the employee and it is a reminder that both employer and employee should have good evidence as to why they think the dismissal took place.