I am a highly experienced practitioner and have been ranked in the Legal 500 as a Leading Junior in Employment Law. Having spent a few years of my career doing solely Respondent work and having acted with high profile Claimants subsequent to that, I understand both sides of employment law very well. I currently act for a number of employers and aim to work with you according to your litigation goals whether that be for a quick settlement or to take your matter all the way to a contested final hearing.
I have been a specialist in employment law since I was called to the bar in 2002 and I completed my training at what remains one of the leading chambers in the UK for Employment Law, Littleton Chambers, and have since worked as both a self-employed barrister in chambers and as an in house barrister, prior to returning to independent practice many years ago. I have represented numerous satisfied employers and employees in that time.
Although the vast majority of my cases do not feature in the press and of course client confidentiality is paramount, I have nevertheless been involved in a number of high profile cases, some of which have been featured across every major newspaper, Channel 4 and the BBC. These most recently include Macken v BNP Paribas, Mulumba v Partners Group and Ms. A v Lord Ranger & other. I undertook direct access instructions in most of these and went onto win against highly resourced legal teams. In fact, I am the only practitioner in the top 10 litigation awards of all time to have taken direct access instructions, particularly when the cases have had that much complexity and media attention involved.
I have also recently been featured in a feature length documentary about equal pay - "Its Raining Women" - in which the central story line features one of my high profile matters.
I regularly assist my clients from the outset of the Tribunals process, or even prior to it if appropriate. With my skills in workplace mediation, I have often been called on to assist prior to a Tribunals process arising. However, once it has, I can also undertake work in relation to all aspects of employment law work which can range from drafting your response, to representing you at Tribunal. Some examples of the type of employment law work I have done in the past includes Unfair Dismissal, Discrimination, Wrongful Dismissal, advising on compromise agreements and drafting contracts.
I am also a mediator and have qualifications in corporate coaching which has led me to become accredited in Commercial, Workplace and Family mediation. I am also an accredited mediation trainer and have trained hundreds of professionals all over the world in mediation, as well as conducting seminars within organisations about various aspects of employment law.
My approach
I often assist my clients from the very outset of their claim. I am down to earth, and have been told that I have a knack for explaining complicated concepts in an easy way. I believe in treating everyone that I represent in a way that is both sensitive and professional. I know how stressful defending a claim can be, and I believe that it is my job to make that process as easy as possible for you. I take account of what all my clients want, and we then work together to make sure that you are achieving the best possible results that you can. My past client relationships have meant that I have had the good fortune of getting a lot of my current work through referral and repeat business.
My work
My services include:
Advising clients on prospects of success and Tribunal tactics on how to achieve the best results
Drafting Contracts, Claims, Grievances, Witness Statements, Appeals and other legal documents
Representation at all levels of Employment Tribunal
Commerical Mediation
Family Mediation
Workplace Mediation
Corporate Training on Employment Law issues including but not limited to minimising disputes, handling discilinary hearings, TUPE and Redundancy.
About me
I deal with all aspects of Court and non-Court work relating to employment law, including but not limited to Discrimination, Unfair Dismissal, advising on compromise agreements, TUPE issues, and drafting contracts.
What my clients say
'Sheila is unflappable in court. A robust cross-examiner who is very quick at thinking on her feet.'
Legal 500, Chambers and Partners
"As a company we unexpectedly received a notice of claim to a tribunal hearing raised by a previous employee. The claim dealt with very sensitive issues regarding the claimant's personal life style choices. We were at a total loss and made the decision that we required professional help and went to the myBarrister website. This process led us to Sheila Aly, an employment law specialist. Following our first meeting, she was quick to grasp and deal with our concerns and grievances. She was totally approachable at all times to discuss our concerns, both major and minor. Her sensitive approach made us all feel that we were being helped by a friend as opposed to engaging a professional barrister. Sheila represented us at the tribunal, and her professional, calm, confident and non-aggressive questioning to the claimant finally exposed the truth. We are extremely impressed with Sheila and would not hesitate in recommending her." - Veronica Knights, Company Secretary, Bridge Facilities Engineers Limited
"Sheila was appointed to represent a small family firm who had allegations of constructive dismissal and disability discrimination against them. Sheila was appointed under the direct access scheme and not only won the case and the family were awarded costs but she did so in an empathic, sensitive way. She managed to communicate the legal technicalities of the case in way which was wholly understood by laypeople – a skill many legal professionals lack these days." - Jane Dronsfield, MD of Jane & Co Ltd, Manchester
“Sheila represented us in an employment case and from the first minute put us at ease with her pleasant and professional manner. In court she put across our points thoughtfully and we were very happy with the result. I would recommend Sheila and certainly use her again in the future” - Mark Bent, Director, Brand Imaging Solutions, Bucks
“Miss Sheila Aly is a polite and courteous lawyer. She is always calm, composed, confident and nothing seems to faze her. Her knowledge of Law would appear to be extensive. Miss Aly was meticulous in her preparation of our brief and conducted herself professionally in court – an attribute which instilled confidence in her already stressed clients! She was commended following the verdict for an excellent presentation by the Tribunal Judge. We would retain Miss Aly’s services should the need arise in the future.” - Raj & Angela Pusuram, Care Providers, Southampton
“As a Women’s Refuge Board of Trustee’s facing an Employment Tribunal claim against us, we couldn’t have asked for better legal representation than that we received from Sheila Aly. We found her to be sensitive to our needs, to grasp the complexities of our case quickly. Her cool, calm approach that helped to build our confidence whilst seeing our situation clearly was invaluable to us. Sheila’s thorough presentation that brought out the relevant detail of our case ensured that we were successful in our response to the claim. We are more than grateful for the fact that Sheila didn’t disappear as our case ended but stayed to see some extra issues through for us making sure that she competed our case fully. We felt well supported and represented by a true professional who knows her job.” - Gill Adamson, Chair, Rochdale Women’s Refuge & Valerie Bracken Treasurer Rochdale Women’s Refuge, Rochdale
“I recommend to you Sheila Aly. When faced with the complexities of employment legislation, truth is never simple to expose. My experience of Sheila was that she listened and explained and with calm and careful reasoning represented the facts of my case. No gimmicks, no confusion and a strong legal mind.”- Irene Hadley, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Croydon Women’s Aid, London
“I thought I would put pen to paper (so to speak) to thank you for your support and hard work during the period in which you represented us for the tribunal. We really appreciate all you did for us and the way you responded to our needs. Your professionalism shone throughout and we were all very impressed with your ability and your quick thinking. Please accept our gratitude for a fine job well done.”- Simon D, Care Provider, Watford, Herts
“I have more than once approached Sheila Aly for advice on legal matters regarding my work where I deal with staff who are care givers for my disabled daughter. I had recruited staff from an agency who did not deal with my staff and me in a professional manner which meant that I needed legal help as the case had to go to court. When approached by me, Sheila was more than happy to deal with my case. She was very professional and was able to help in all legal matters concerned with the case. She was very quick, professional and ready with all the questions asked by the judge. He was happy with Sheila’s ability to deal with the case, which was heard by the judge with patience and understanding. He allowed Sheila to try to resolve with the two parties and take it back to him for his decision. Sheila dealt with the case in a very amicable manner and it went in our favour. I will recommend Sheila with confidence to who ever needs legal advise” - Nilufar Nizarali, London
Professional & academic
Law LLB
CEDR Accredited Commercial Mediator and mediation trainer
ADR Group Accredited Family mediator
PMR Ltd Accredited Workplace Mediator