DPH Legal

20/05/2026

Harvinder Dhaliwal joined DPH Legal recently as an Employment Solicitor, and we are delighted to have her as part of the team!

Harvinder has over sixteen years of experience advising both employers and employees on a wide range of employment issues, including unfair dismissal, redundancy, discrimination, disciplinary and grievance matters, as well as TUPE, and claims in the Employment Tribunal.

She has particular expertise in advising on settlement agreements, regularly acting for both employers and employees to provide clear, pragmatic advice on the terms and implications of agreements, and negotiating favourable outcomes.

Harvinder also has extensive experience in drafting and advising on employment contracts, consultancy agreements, and workplace policies and procedures. Known for her practical and commercially focused approach, Harvinder provides straightforward advice tailored to the individual needs of HR teams, SMEs and senior executives.

She takes great pride in supporting clients through what is often a very challenging period of their lives, ensuring they feel confident, informed and well-supported throughout the process. Her clients value her ability to quickly understand complex issues and deliver clear, solution-focused guidance aimed at achieving effective and timely resolution.

Harvinder is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association, The Law Society and the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, attending the theatre, and spending time with her family.

Feel free to contact Harvinder if you need legal advice about an employment issue in your workplace. You can find her contact details on our website:

https://dphlegal.com/our-team/

29/04/2026

Fiona Hewitt joined DPH Legal recently as an Employment Solicitor, and we are thrilled to have her as part of the team!

Fiona gained her LLB Law with French, having followed an accelerated degree by way of a scholarship at the University of Buckingham, before undertaking a postgraduate diploma in legal practice at the College of Law in London. She has specialised in employment and contract law for over twenty years, having trained at a pioneering firm.

Fiona advises businesses and individuals on a wide range of issues, including unfair dismissal, discrimination, harassment, disciplinary and grievance issues, TUPE, reorganisations, settlement agreements, contractual and restrictive covenant disputes, and claims in the Employment Tribunals, County Courts, and High Court. She also provides expert legal advice on employment contracts, service and consultancy agreements, and workplace handbooks and policies, including EDI.

As a qualified mediator, Fiona specialises in conflict resolution, collaborating frequently with CEOs and senior executives to resolve sensitive issues using a commercially pragmatic approach.

She regularly assists clients with bringing and defending claims in the Employment Tribunals, Employment Appeal Tribunal, and High Court, and has been listed in legal directories.

Fiona is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association, The Law Society, and The SRA and is a participant in the Next 100 Years Project. She is a former Committee Member of The Law Society’s Disabled Solicitors Network and a former ambassador of the national charity, Changing Faces. Fiona is also an Honorary Solicitor to Community Care North Bucks and Team Endeavour Racing.

Feel free to contact Fiona if you need legal advice about an employment issue in your workplace. You can find her contact details on our website:

https://dphlegal.com/our-team/

28/04/2026

We are excited to welcome Zakia Tariq to the DPH Legal Team as an Employment Solicitor!

Zakia has a strong track record of advising both employers and employees on a wide range of workplace matters. She is known for delivering clear, practical, and commercially focused legal advice tailored to each client’s needs.

With extensive experience in employment law, Zakia supports clients on issues including disciplinary and grievance matters, redundancy processes, discrimination claims, settlement agreements, employment contracts, workplace policies, and tribunal proceedings. She takes a proactive and strategic approach to resolving disputes efficiently while protecting her clients’ interests.

Clients value Zakia for her approachable manner, attention to detail, and ability to explain complex legal matters in a straightforward and reassuring way. She is committed to building strong relationships and helping clients navigate workplace challenges with confidence.

Zakia completed her legal studies at Birmingham City University, achieving Distinction, with studies including Employment Law, Commercial Law, and Private Client law.

Feel free to contact Zakia if you need legal advice about an employment issue in your workplace. You can find her contact details on our website:

https://dphlegal.com/our-team/

22/04/2026

We are delighted to welcome Christianne Silverwood to DPH Legal as an Employment Solicitor!

Christianne qualified over twenty years ago and has specialised exclusively in employment law and HR since 2013.

Christianne advises both employer and employee clients across the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious matters. Her expertise includes constructive, automatic, and ordinary unfair dismissal claims, discrimination, whistleblowing, and redundancy, as well as advising on express and implied contractual terms and settlement agreements. A seasoned litigator, Christianne has successfully handled a diverse range of claims and responses in the Employment Tribunal and has been recognised as a “Key Lawyer” in The Legal 500.

Known for her formidable negotiation skills, Christianne is frequently commended for her ability to resolve complex disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution. This approach allows her to secure excellent financial and non-financial outcomes for her clients while protecting their reputations and limiting legal costs.

Beyond litigation, Christianne provides strategic support on HR and employee relations issues. She is highly experienced in conducting complex investigations and chairing high-level disciplinary and grievance meetings for large-scale public, private, and third-sector organisations, as well as board members.

Christianne is a member of The Law Society and the Employment Lawyers Association, as well as an associate member of the CIPD, and an accredited mediator.

Outside of work, Christianne enjoys spending time outdoors, keeping fit and looking after her family.

Feel free to contact Christianne if you need legal advice about an employment issue in your workplace. You can find her contact details on our website:

https://dphlegal.com/our-team/

15/04/2026

Our DPH Legal Spring 2026 News Bulletin sheds light on legal changes coming in October 2026 that will require employers to prevent “third-party harassment” of employees.

We also discuss the strategic advantages of using settlement agreements to resolve workplace disputes.

Furthermore, we cover the recent expansion of whistleblowing protections and highlight the importance of robust internal appeal processes to avoid unfair dismissal claims.

Staying informed is vital for effective risk management and compliance. Click the link below to read our full bulletin and ensure your business remains protected:

https://mailchi.mp/dphlegal/dph-legal-autumn-2025-news-bulletin-17298682

Stevyn's expertise ranges across employment law, corporate law and commercial litigation. He has successfully concluded race and disability discrimination claims in the Employment Tribunal recovering damages in excess of £100,000 on behalf of several clients. His experience also includes a range ...

31/03/2026

We are excited to welcome Damian Robson to the DPH Legal Team as an Employment Solicitor!

Damian comes with over twenty years’ specialist practice advising both employers and employees. His career has been built across the full spectrum of employment law: He began in a Trade Union firm advising employees and their representatives, moved to the Engineering Employers Federation acting exclusively for employers, and has since worked in private practice and consultancy supporting a mixed client base.

This breadth is central to Damian’s approach. He does not see employer and employee work as separate disciplines, but as two sides of the same issue. Having advised both extensively, Damian understands how decisions are made on each side, how positions are formed, and where matters are most likely to resolve or escalate. This allows him to give clear, grounded advice that reflects how situations will unfold in practice, not just in theory.

Damian is also an experienced advocate, having conducted Employment Tribunal hearings across the UK on behalf of both respondents and claimants. This gives him a practical understanding of how cases are tested and decided, and he advises with that end point in mind from the outset. Whether acting for an employer managing risk or an employee navigating a difficult situation, Damian focuses on what will ultimately matter and shapes his advice accordingly.

He advises on the full range of workplace issues, including disciplinaries, grievances, sickness absence, performance management, workplace conflict, organisational change, and negotiated exits. Damian continues to act for longstanding employer clients while also supporting employees, reflecting his balanced and established practice.

Damian is known for his straightforward approach and his focus on achieving the right outcome for each client. Those he represents value this clarity and pragmatism, particularly in situations where the stakes are high and the issues complex.

Feel free to contact Damian if you need legal advice about an employment issue in your workplace. You can find his contact details on our website:

https://dphlegal.com/our-team/

25/03/2026

The Employment Rights Act 2025 has officially received Royal Assent, marking a monumental shift in UK employment law. Although the main reforms are not expected to take effect until January 2027, employers should start preparing for them now.

Our latest article explains the unfair dismissal and “fire and rehire” reforms included in the Employment Rights Act 2025. We also look at practical steps you can take to ensure your organisation is ready for this new era of workplace regulation.

Read the full article here:

https://dphlegal.com/employment-rights-act-2025-unfair-dismissal-fire-and-rehire/

The Employment Rights Act 2025 will include increased protections for employees against unfair dismissal and "fire and rehire".

18/03/2026

As we approach the April 2026 deadline, both UK employers and employees must prepare for significant shifts in the National Minimum Wage.

Our latest guide at DPH Legal provides a comprehensive breakdown of these changes, including the specific new rates for all age groups and apprentices.

Whether you are a business owner needing to update your payroll systems to remain compliant or an employee checking your own pay slip, our guide ensures you stay informed and protected.

You can find it here: https://dphlegal.com/national-minimum-wage-changes-what-employers-and-employees-need-to-know/

Learn about the April 2026 National Minimum Wage changes, new rates, employer obligations, employee rights and steps to ensure compliance.

16/03/2026

DPH Legal are proud to continue to support local youth sports by sponsoring the successful Basildon Badgers U10 youth football team.

Basildon continue to go well in the top division of the Reading and West Berkshire Sunday youth league.

Good luck to the boys for the rest of the season. ⚽️

11/03/2026

The Government has officially extended the ACAS Early Conciliation period from six weeks to twelve weeks.

This shift under the new 2025 regulations reflects the growing complexity of modern employment cases and a rising demand for ACAS services.

For both employers and employees, the extension provides more time to seek expert legal advice and explore confidential settlements while potentially avoiding the high cost and stress of an Employment Tribunal.

Read our latest article to find out how the new twelve-week rule works and what it means for workplace disputes and tribunal claims:

https://dphlegal.com/acas-early-conciliation-extended-timeframe-explained/

The ACAS Early Conciliation period increased to twelve weeks from December 2025. Learn what the change means for UK employees and employers.