Rebecca joined Birketts in July 2021 and is an Associate in the Employment Team, based in the Ipswich office. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in employment law.
Rebecca loves advising on complex Employment Tribunal claims and has expertise in assisting clients in managing and defending claims in both the Employment Tribunal and the Employment Appeal Tribunal. She is particularly skilled in handling intricate legal areas such as holiday pay issues, TUPE, and the Working Time Regulations 1998. Additionally, Rebecca assists with collective redundancy exercises, restructures, and employer-led bulk COT3 agreements.
Rebecca provides comprehensive advice to employers on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious issues. She offers strategic, tailored solutions, from drafting employment contracts to managing complex disputes. Whether for a small start-up or a large corporation, Rebecca provides personalised solutions to protect the business interests and minimise legal risks. Her experience with clients who recognise trade unions gives her valuable insight into the complexities of unionised workplaces.
She frequently works with clients in the technology, shipping, health and social care sectors, and is part of the hospitality and leisure, care, and financial services sector teams. In addition, Rebecca acts as legal adviser to professional conduct panels of the Teaching Regulation Agency.
Recent work highlights
Advised a client on a complex intra-group transfer and sale of part of its business involving complex TUPE and collective redundancy advice.
Advised a client, who recognises a trade union, on the successful defence of unfair dismissal and disability discrimination claims in the Employment Tribunal, which included providing guidance on their absence management policy. Further, Rebecca advised the same client on successfully defending a multi-respondent whistleblowing claim in the Employment Tribunal.
Rebecca advised a client on the successful defence of a multi-allegation claim, initially including multiple claims involving numerous protected characteristics brought by a litigant in person. The case involved an extensive bundle of documents exceeding 2,500 pages. She employed strategic methods to narrow the allegations to three heads of claim: pregnancy discrimination, notice pay, and whistleblowing.
Experience & education
2021 Joined Birketts
2020 Qualified as a Solicitor
Areas of Expertise
Insights
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Over half of care workers are being paid below the National Living Wagelegal updateOver half of care workers are being paid below the National Living Wage
Rebecca Hughes10 Apr 20252 min read37 -
The importance of legal advice on settlement agreementslegal updateThe importance of legal advice on settlement agreements
Multiple Authors20 Feb 20253 min read169 -
Employment Rights Bill bitesize: tips and gratuitieslegal updateEmployment Rights Bill bitesize: tips and gratuities
Multiple Authors18 Nov 20243 min read84 -
New Minimum Wage Rates for April 2025: preparing for increased costs in leisure and hospitalitylegal updateNew Minimum Wage Rates for April 2025: preparing for increased costs in leisure and hospitality
Rebecca Hughes18 Nov 20242 min read325
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The King’s Speech: what’s next on the agenda for employers?legal updateThe King’s Speech: what’s next on the agenda for employers?
Rebecca Hughes17 Jul 20242 min read18
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Is your business ready for changes to tipping laws?legal updateIs your business ready for changes to tipping laws?
Rebecca Hughes27 Sep 20233 min read20
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Skilled worker shortage: the impact of COVID-19 and Brexitlegal updateSkilled worker shortage: the impact of COVID-19 and Brexit
Rebecca Hughes10 Sep 20212 min read7
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Settlement agreements: what you need to know before signinglegal updateSettlement agreements: what you need to know before signing
Rebecca Hughes6 Sep 20214 min read147
