DAC adds to team to cope with an increase in whistleblowing

Amy Duncan, formerly of Hempsons, joined DAC Beachcroft’s health employment team in Leeds yesterday as a solicitor, after the firm secured a number of high profile clients.

DAC Beachcroft partner Rachael Heenan, who leads the health sector team in the North, said there had been growing demand for employment law advice, which was partly in response to the tough economic climate.

She added: “Given the current job market and lack of opportunities, employment tribunal litigation has increased, particularly complex claims involving allegations of whistleblowing or discrimination.

“We are seeing more whistleblowing cases for a number of reasons. There has been a rise in public awareness of how people who have genuine concerns can raise them and gain protection...compensation is uncapped and it is relatively easy for an employee to start a whistleblowing claim.

“Whistleblowers can be at all levels, but we are starting to see more senior employees raising it as an issue.”

According to Ms Heenan, in order to protect themselves from successful litigation, employers need to have a clear procedure in place, which outlines how staff can raise concerns.

She added: “If there are separate processes ongoing, such as performance issues with the whistleblower, the employer should keep them distinct, if they can, from any investigation of the concerns that the employee raises.”

Having an independent investigation about other concerns can help protect employers from allegations that they took action against the employee simply because they had “blown the whistle”.

Ms Heenan added: “Our commercial client base continues to grow, as does our list of household name clients.

“In the health sector, we act for more than 80 per cent of the NHS bodies in Yorkshire and the Humber as well as key private health sector clients. In September, we were named Health Sector Law Firm of the Year 2012 at the Laing and Buisson Independent Health Sector Awards.”

Commenting on her appointment, Ms Duncan said yesterday: “I’m delighted to have joined DAC Beachcroft at such an exciting time for its employment team.

“I’m looking forward to contributing to the team’s continued development and growth.”

Ms Heenan added yesterday: “We are already the largest employment team in Leeds, with 24 members.

“We are regularly approached by individuals who want to join the team because we offer a wide range of interesting and challenging work, much of which often hits the headlines.”

DAC Beachcroft has around 247 members of staff in Leeds, including approximately 179 fee earners.

Altogether, the firm employs 2,000 people, who provide legal services across Europe, Latin America, North America and the Asia-Pacific.

In July last year, DAC Beachcroft announced billed revenue of £163.2m for the 2011 to 2012 financial year.

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