Sarah Malik

Call:1999

Introduction and Contact details

Sarah specialises in all aspects of employment law, both contentious and non contentious and also undertakes professional disciplinary work.

In addition to her Tribunal practice and advisory work, Sarah has in the past contributed to Sweet & Maxwells Employment Law Manual: Tribunal Practice and Procedure and she regularly presents and takes part in training seminars for solicitors and HR Managers.
 
Sarah is public access accredited to accept instructions directly from HR, companies and individuals in relation to employment and corporate immigration matters.  She has previously been employed by Eversheds LLP as in house Counsel to the Employment Team and is fully aware of the demands faced by a variety of clients.

She  has conducted in depth and complex internal inquiries for corporate clients in relation to employee issues. As part of her work in this area, she has been involved in sensitive internal inquires for a large Commercial Chambers and a Premiership Football club.
 
Sarah has been an approved pupil supervisor since 2007.

Direct Dial: 0207 691 0307
Mobile: 0779 006 386
Email: sarah.malik@hardwicke.co.uk

COMMERCIAL

Sarah’s commercial expertise lies in all aspects of employment law where she acts mostly for employers and senior level employees.

Employment

Sarah has extensive experience of all aspects of both contentious and non contentious employment law related matters and appears frequently at Employment Tribunals across the country and also at the EAT. She has seen a marked increase in redundancy, downsizing and restructure work and exit agreements during the present economic downturn and is well placed to deal with such matters for both Respondents and Claimants.

Sarah’s client base includes National and Multi-national companies, PLC’s, Senior Executives, Bankers, High Street Retailers, International Hotels, Lawyers, Recruitment Agencies and Local Authorities. Her Tribunal work is broad ranging, covering all aspects of employment law related discrimination, whistleblowing; redundancy; TUPE;  equal pay issues; constructive dismissal; unfair dismissal; wrongful dismissal; unlawful deductions, restrictive covenants and minimum wage disputes.

She is regularly instructed to advise upon a wide range of employment policies and procedures including disciplinary, grievance, absence, sickness, redundancy, whistleblowing, maternity, paternity and holiday pay. In addition, Sarah has extensive experience in drafting contracts of employment and employment handbooks for a variety of disciplines. She is regularly instructed to lead negotiations in relation to the termination of employment for both employers and employees and is experienced in drafting and advising upon compromise agreements and exit terms. Sarah provides regular and tailored training and updates on all aspects of employment law and also provides advocacy training specific to employment tribunal litigation.

As part of her service to multinational companies/employers, Sarah advises on all aspects of corporate immigration requirements pertaining to business in the UK.

Recent Work

• Successfully defended an international Hotel Chain against claims of unfair dismissal.
• Instructed on behalf of the administrators of a Premier League Football club in administration to advise remaining employees 
• Instructed as a leader  to a more  junior member of Hardwicke’s employment team  in a 7 week trial acting against one of the largest investment banks in the world in claims for whistleblowing and discrimination. The Respondent was represented by Leading Counsel and the case settled on the eve of trial on a confidential basis for a seven figure sum.
• Successfully defended an Italian based internationally renowned  lighting Company in claims for unfair dismissal and whistle blowing
• Regularly instructed on behalf of or by senior level employees in the Financial Services Industry in relation to exit terms and has secured substantial six figure compensation packages
• Currently instructed for an East Midlands Authority in multi party equal pay litigation which has been ongoing since 2008
• Works closely with leading headhunters/recruitment agencies in relation to employment law issues concerning the agencies and candidates
• Regularly acts for the largest motor retailer in Europe in relation to various employee disputes, including success at a costs hearing after successfully defending a multi party action involving claims of race discrimination and constructive dismissal
• Provides training to leading Legal 500 law firms and international clients on redundancy, employment tribunal tactics/preparing for hearings; and whistleblowing law and practice.

PUBLIC

Sarah’s particular focus in the public law area relates to discrimination, professional discipline and regulation and also inquiries and inquests. These areas all complement her commercial employment practice.

Discrimination

Sarah undertakes all aspects of employment related discrimination litigation and advisory work including race, sex, religion, age, colour, pregnancy, orientation and disability discrimination.

Inquiries and Inquests

Sarah has conducted in depth and complex internal inquiries for corporate clients in relation to employee issues As part of her work in this area, she has been involved in sensitive internal inquires for a large Commercial Chambers and a Premiership Football club.

Professional Discipline and Regulation

Sarah has an interest in and undertakes professional disciplinary and regulatory work. She has represented at internal and external disciplinary hearings for both public and private clients.

 Academics / Memberships / Articles

Sarah graduated with a LLB Hons from Manchester in 1998 and studied the BVC at BPP Law School, London between1998-1999.  She is currently undertaking a part time LLM course at Kings College, London. She has contributed in the past to Sweet and Maxwells Employment Law Manual ‘Practice and Procedure.’ Sarah is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association and Employment Law Bar Association and also the ELAAS scheme.