Plymouth lawyers named among best in UK
Plymouth law firm Beers LLP has double cause for celebration, with two of its partners being named as among the best in the country in a prestigious national guide.
Paul Housego and Richard Jones are listed as leaders in their field in the 2015 edition of Chambers UK, a guide to the best lawyers in the UK.
Paul, who has been with Beers since 1979, specialises in employment law and Richard, a partner for almost 10 years, is head of the firm’s property team. There’s further recognition for Paul and his employment team, who are included in the 2015 Legal 500 – another guide to the nation’s top lawyers.
To get into the Chambers directory, solicitors are researched by the compilers, who interview clients – and lawyers from other firms.
“This is hugely prestigious for Beers LLP,” said Paul. “We are a small firm and the Chambers directory is for big, national firms. It’s recognised as a kitemark for excellence and we are delighted to be included in it again.
“Being a smaller, niche firm means that as well as the expertise which is recognised in Chambers as being as good as the bigger firms, our clients also get great personal service. Developing that personal relationship is very important to us.”
Chambers praises Paul for his “vast experience, wonderful wisdom, sensitivity and balance”, and an “amazing level of judgement” in a range of employment cases.
One of Paul’s high profile cases is Miller & others v the Ministry of Justice, in which retired Devon judge Robin Miller took on the Government – and won. Mr Miller is one of 150 judges Paul and his team represent, part of a campaign by well over 1,000 part-time judges who have successfully fought a case for pension and other rights.
“The case has lasted seven years and we have now won the case in principle, after a similar case went to the Supreme Court twice and in between to the Court of Justice of the European Union,” explained Paul.
“Finally, our clients are starting to receive cheques and the retired judges their pensions.”
The European Court ruled that the UK was wrong to deny pension rights to part-time judges: “This was clearly discrimination against part-time workers,” said Paul, “though the Government fought it tooth and nail.”
Richard, who works in all aspects of property but specialises in the commercial field, is praised by Chambers for his “very good technical knowledge, along with guiding the client well where needed”.
He and his team are currently being kept busy, as Plymouth reaps the benefit of increased inward investment: “There’s a lot of activity in Plymouth,” said Richard. “It’s good news for Plymouth and it’s one of the reasons we felt we needed to move from our previous office at Marsh Mills into our new premises at Sutton Harbour.”
Michael Hasler, senior partner of Beers LLP, said the recognition for Richard and Paul was “a fantastic achievement”. He added: “Their success is also a reflection of the quality of work done by everyone within the firm and our commitment to providing exceptional levels of client care and legal advice to all of our clients throughout the region.”
The firm, which also has an office in Kingsbridge, moved into its premises at Sutton Harbour in August 2013. www.beersllp.com
