Experience Overview

Paul has over 18 years' expertise in the fields of whistleblowing, discrimination and in advising Senior Executives on redundancy, unfair dismissal or bonus issues. He is also acknowledged as a national leading expert in disability discrimination cases.

He is independently ranked by legal directories at the top level, nationally, for those advising Executives.

The Legal 500 described him as having "a fine reputation, particularly for his style in the tribunal" and that "he is widely considered to be one of the finest litigators acting for employees".

The Legal 500 2011 edition says "Paul Daniels ‘fights for his clients every inch of the way’. Paul Daniels head of Russell Jones & Walker’s ‘excellent’ Sports team, is well regarded for his work representing football managers". 

Chambers and Partners 2012 edition states that Paul is "widely recognised as a "tough negotiator and real fighter who never gives up".

The Chambers and Partners 2011 edition describes Paul as "one of the toughest and most effective employment negotiators." and added "His nerves of steel" and commercial outlook make him the perfect choice for claimants involved in highly contentious situations."

Recent cases Paul has been involved in have included:

• Representing a leading City Executive on a multi million pound whistleblowing and unfair dismissal case in the High Court/employment tribunal.
• Representing 3 different Premiership Football Managers in high profile employment disputes.
• Representing a Senior Fund Manager on a multi million pound whistleblowing, discrimination and unfair dismissal case in the High Court/employment tribunal.
• Representing a Senior Lawyer in a complex disability discrimination case against a Magic Circle law firm.
• Advising a female director in the City on sex discrimination, leading to a substantial termination package and a Compromise Agreement.

Paul advised Roy Hodgson in detail on his 3 year employment contract with Liverpool FC and more recently on his departure from Liverpool following the appointment of Kenny Dalglish. He also advised David Moyes, the Premiership Manager on the successful negotiation of a new 5 year deal and employment contract and numerous other top managers.

Paul was instructed to advise and represent Alex Mcleish, on his departure from Birmingham City FC to join Aston Villa FC a high profile matter which was amicably settled.

Cases

The kind of cases he is involved in tend to be complex, high value and high profile.

Many of the cases he deals with settle out of court or at mediation.

Some of Paul's leading reported cases include Goodwin v The Patent Office in which he represented a civil servant with a mental illness which is now a leading case on the meaning of disability under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

He was also successful in one of the first whistleblowing cases under the Public Interest Disclosure Act (Azmi v Orbis).

He is praised in The Legal 500 and in the Chambers and Partners legal directory, where he is also ranked first amongst Claimant employment lawyers. The 2008 edition stated "Paul Daniels exemplifies the team's impressive representation of senior executives with an aggressive and commercial approach. He is a tough litigator and good value for money. Daniels recently acted for Lewis Findlay the former head of Cantor Fitzgerald's spread betting arm in what may be the highest whistleblowing claim brought to date in the UK. An extremely good negotiator he knows which buttons to press to get good results for clients. "

Career

Paul Daniels is a Senior Principal Lawyer in our Employment Department in London.

He trained at international law firm, Linklaters, qualifying into the employment department in 1993. He therefore also has substantial experience from the Employers' side of the fence. Paul joined Russell Jones & Walker in 1995. He was made a partner in April 2001.

In 2005 he was also appointed by the Lord Chancellor as a part-time Employment Judge. He currently judges employment cases in London South Employment Tribunal, which adds another string to his bow.

Paul is an elected member of management committee of The Employment Lawyers Association, and a member of The Discrimination Law Association.

Client Satisfaction

Roy Hodgson recently commented on the service received from Paul and RJW (part of Slater & Gordon Lawyers):

"On my departure from Liverpool FC I was advised by Paul Daniels and the team at RJW. I was extremely impressed by the level of expertise provided and the speed and volume of work done on an urgent basis, some of it through the night. Time was never an issue with Paul. I also felt I was being looked after by a real expert in employment law, who had a genuine interest in my case and who was determined to help meet my needs. I can absolutely recommend Paul Daniels and his firm RJW for anyone who needs legal advice and seeks a caring and committed approach to solving their legal needs."

Paul has a commitment to high client care standards, is open on fees and has a real a passion for meeting clients' needs.   

Interests

Paul's interests outside work include skiing and the outdoors, travelling to developing countries, (his favourites are Uganda, Tibet and Bolivia), his adorable little baby daughter and the Welsh rugby team.