andrew stafford qc

Described as “…stellar employment barrister” (Chambers UK 2010), Andrew Stafford QC has a reputation for giving “clear & effective advice” (Legal 500 2007).

Praise for Andrew reflects his “fantastic courtroom demeanour” (Chambers UK 2010) and his capacity as “…a really good lateral thinker” (Chambers 2008).

Andrew is a robust advocate, with many years experience of courtroom battles. He is also a collaborative worker, enjoying a rapport with the solicitors, clients and juniors with whom he works. Andrew has been described in one directory as “responsive, user-friendly & immensely practical” (Chambers UK 2009).

In addition to his involvement in some of the most significant cases in recent years, Andrew is the joint author of a leading work on Fiduciary Duties, a contributor & editor of an encyclopaedia on Transfer of Undertakings, and an Advisory Board member of Gore-Browne on Companies.

Andrew has developed some additional areas of expertise beyond traditional employment and commercial law, most notably in relation to cases involving sports law, medico-legal issues and professional negligence. He is also an experienced mediator.

commercial

The best way to describe Andrew’s commercial practice is to say that it is largely to do with “corporate skulduggery”.

Fraud, conspiracy, bribes & secret profits, inducing breach of contract, dishonest assistance in a breach of fiduciary duty, knowing receipt of trust monies, and breach of fiduciary duty are almost invariably at the heart of Andrew’s work in this field.

Recent cases have concerned a senior executive accused of duping his employer into agreeing a generous bonus scheme; a company alleged to have conspired with employees of a trade rival to damage the employer’s business; and an agent said to have siphoned off funds from his principal.

Andrew’s work in this field means that he offers extensive experience of freezing orders, search and seizure orders, and pre-action disclosure.

Andrew is the co-author of a leading work on Fiduciary Duties and as member of the advisory board of Gore-Browne on Companies.

employment

Andrew Stafford QC has practised in the field of employment throughout his career as a barrister and, as a consequence, brings to his work a wealth of experience. There is almost no area of employment law which he has not tackled. He has appeared at every level of court from Employment Tribunal to the House of Lords.

Andrew’s depth of knowledge attracts high profile, high value & complex cases such as those involving industrial action, pension-related employment cases, breach of fiduciary duty by directors or employees, and City related cases.

In recent times, he has developed a niche practice in medico-legal employment cases, dealing with & contributing to the fast-developing jurisprudence of hospital doctors’ employment rights and regulatory regime.

In addition, Andrew has developed a practice area concerning the cross-over between employment and pension, especially relevant at a time when many companies are seeking to change the basis upon which pensions accrue and may be taken.

Andrew’s practice involves a considerable volume of injunction work and, especially in the context of covenants in restraint of trade, he is highly experienced in taking a case to a speedy trial.

mediation

With 10 years experience as a trained mediator, Andrew Stafford QC brings to the role a depth of experience.

Most of the disputes which he asked to mediate involve issues relating to employment law or fiduciary duties, although on occasion he has been asked to mediate disputes involving the commercial aspects of sport, such as the dismissal of football managers.

There are three skills which Andrew brings to such tasks – his specialist knowledge of the underlying area of law, the experience of having sat in a judicial capacity as a part-time Employment Tribunal Judge, and the range of his experience as a mediator.

Approachable and calm, Andrew brings to mediation a flexible approach and has the capacity to generate creative solutions beyond the scope of any remedy which the courts could award at the end of a trial.

Andrew writes and lectures on mediation.

sports law

Experienced and with particular expertise in the issues relating to football and motor racing, Andrew Stafford QC has developed a strong and growing practice in sports law.

Acting for football clubs, agents & managers, he has acted in cases involving player transfers, dismissals, covenants and breach of fiduciary duties. Amongst his clients have been Benfica, Sunderland AFC, Rafa Benitez, Nacional di Montevideo.

In motor racing, Andrew was leading counsel for the engineer caught up in the McLaren-Ferrari dispute which involved not only contractual issues and issues concerning confidential information but also the regulatory & disciplinary aspects of the affair. Most recently, Andrew has acted in a Formula 1 case involving covenants in restraint of trade & confidential information.

professional negligence

Andrew has for many years acted for solicitors, surveyors and accountants in relation to issues concerning the proper performance of professional duties. This experience includes claims brought by clients, regulatory matters, and issues concerning insurance policy wording and application.

There is a major overlap between the word relating to fiduciary duties which Andrew undertakes for professionals and that which he undertakes for directors and employees.

Andrew has written widely on this and one of his articles, specifically relating to the position of solicitors, was cited with approval by the House of Lords in Twinsectra v Yardley.

Andrew is currently acting in a major claim against a firm of solicitors based upon a property-related scam and for a mortgage broker in relation to dealings with a client.

Silk: 2000 | Call: 1980
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