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Catherine Mitchell

Partner

Why choose me

Employment law is all about people. So, just like people, the law around the area evolves constantly – it’s never boring!

I’m a down-to-earth, pragmatic lawyer who gets to know my clients and their businesses really well. I build a rapport with them, so they see me as one of their team.

I get results for a wide range of organisations. From global tech businesses to family-owned food and drinks businesses to SMEs and further education colleges, my experience brings benefits to a variety of employers and employees facing HR challenges.

My specialisms include employment tribunal cases, disciplinary, grievance and dismissals, ill health and performance management along with senior executive exits and restructuring and redundancy to name a few.

Outside work, my passions include my daughters, my dogs, travelling, swimming and pilates!

I am described in the Legal 500 as a recommended lawyer – client quotes include ‘Our key contact is Catherine Mitchell who quite simply exemplifies every quality a client could want in their legal representation,’ and ‘Catherine Mitchell is brilliant, engaging, customer-focussed, goal-oriented and looks to achieve practical solutions.’

Contact details

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Teams I work with

Employment law is all about people. So, just like people, the law around the area evolves constantly – it’s never boring!

I’m a down-to-earth, pragmatic lawyer who gets to know my clients and their businesses really well. I build a rapport with them, so they see me as one of their team.

I get results for a wide range of organisations. From global tech businesses to family-owned food and drinks businesses to SMEs and further education colleges, my experience brings benefits to a variety of employers and employees facing HR challenges.

My specialisms include employment tribunal cases, disciplinary, grievance and dismissals, ill health and performance management along with senior executive exits and restructuring and redundancy to name a few.

Outside work, my passions include my daughters, my dogs, travelling, swimming and pilates!

I am described in the Legal 500 as a recommended lawyer – client quotes include ‘Our key contact is Catherine Mitchell who quite simply exemplifies every quality a client could want in their legal representation,’ and ‘Catherine Mitchell is brilliant, engaging, customer-focussed, goal-oriented and looks to achieve practical solutions.’

Related services and specialisms from HCR Law

Questions my clients ask me

Yes, and let’s discuss the risks. There may be other options which achieve the right result at lower costs with less risk.

By following your business’s policies, acting reasonably and taking advice at an early stage, we have a good chance of avoiding litigation. If the situation deteriorates and a claim is made, having evidence that you followed a reasonable process will put you in the best position for a reasonable defence.

Many employment contracts require an employee to attend an occupational health appointment, but they cannot be compelled to do so. If they refuse to attend without good reason, the employer is usually entitled to continue with a process such as disciplinary proceedings. It’s usually in the best interest of everyone to get specialist advice about the employee’s fitness, and more likely to lead to a resolution of any existing dispute.

Read what my clients say about me

Catherine has a refreshing approach that is client-focused and very responsive. What differentiates her from other legal advisers is that her advice is enhanced with a deep knowledge and understanding of our sector and business.

Her advice and guidance is not delivered in the form of a dry legal ‘tome’ but provides an incisive point of view on a series of options, along with a realistic assessment of risk for each approach. Crucially, this also get to grips with the practical steps needed to put their advice into action.

Catherine and the team are friendly and supremely professional, providing pragmatic, astute legal advice and guidance. They translate complex legal matters into clear understandable language that can be used practically by non-lawyers.

Moira Foster-Fitzgerald Chief Group Services Officer and Designated Safeguarding Lead for South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Catherine and her colleagues have become trusted advisors who are without fail highly responsive, supportive and most importantly, proactive.

They keep pace with the fast-moving needs of the college, and offer a pragmatic, cost-effective service which is results-focused. Their understanding of the needs of our organisation is unparalleled, and the team’s expertise in the FE sector instils absolute confidence. They are focused on helping us to achieve our business objectives and are on hand to deliver skilled advice whenever a need arises.

Andrea Greer Deputy Principal of Weston College

Catherine Mitchell has been our principal employment law partner since 2009 and worked exclusively with us since 2016. Over the years we have developed a very strong working relationship with her built upon mutual trust.

Catherine has made it her priority to fully understand Direct Wines and Laithwaites, our culture and preferred ways of working to provide a highly professional service across all elements of employment law. She is pragmatic, responsive, measured and very driven to deliver the results we expect as a client.

She possesses excellent interpersonal skills and provides high levels of confidence throughout our business. Direct Wines has complete trust in Catherine’s professional abilities and highly recommend her without hesitation.

Matt Wayne, Group HR Director Direct Wines, trading as Laithwaites

Our key contact is Catherine Mitchell who quite simply exemplifies every quality a client could want in their legal representation.

Legal 500 – Catherine Mitchell

She provides practical legal advice and guidance, not just by quoting the law, but by providing an incisive point of view on a series of potential solutions.

Chambers and Partners – Catherine Mitchell

Awards and endorsements

Chambers and Partners 2023

Chambers and Partners 2023
Legal 500 – Recommended Lawyer 2024

Legal 500 – Recommended Lawyer 2024

Legal updates and thought leadership

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