Howes Percival Podcast

Restrictive covenants and how to protect your business when an employee leaves

In this episode, employment law Partner, Nick Benton is joined by dispute resolution Partner, Gary Pitt, to explore the role of restrictive covenants in protecting businesses when employees leave. Restrictive covenants can be key to ensuring that your clients, workforce and confidential information are protected when an employee leaves your business.   Nick and Gary break down the different types of covenants, including non-compete, non-solicitation and non-dealing clauses, and explain how they may apply in practice.   They also discuss the importance of tailoring restrictions to individual employees, and reviewing them as employees progress through their careers, as well as how to make sure the restrictions are legally robust.   Finally, Nick and Gary look at what employers can do when things go wrong and discuss the various enforcement options such as damages claims and injunctions, as well the practical steps to take if you suspect an ex-employee has breached their covenants. For more information, please visit howespercival.com [http://howespercival.com], email information@howespercival.com [information@howespercival.com] or get in touch with Nick (nick.benton@howespercival.com [nick.benton@howespercival.com]) or Gary (gary.pitt@howespercival.com [gary.pitt@howespercival.com]).

Estate Planning Myths: Why everyone needs a will

In this episode Howes Percival’s Brand & Engagement Manager, Naomi Rendell is joined by Chelsea Rosak, an estate planning specialist and solicitor in our Private Client team, to dispel some of the most common myths around estate planning and wills, and discuss why planning for the future now might matter more than you think. They cover key topics, including what defines an ‘estate’, why people should start planning early, the potential pitfalls of AI-generated or DIY wills and how having the right will in place can protect your wishes, your family and even your pets! For more information about Howes Percival’s estate planning services, please visit howespercival.com [http://howespercival.com], email information@howespercival.com [information@howespercival.com] or contact Chelsea Rosak or a member of our Private Client team.

Managing exit negotiations with confidence

With significant changes in employment law on the horizon, including the introduction of day one unfair dismissal rights from 2027, exit negotiations are expected to become increasingly important. In this episode, Howes Percival’s employment law [https://www.howespercival.com/services/employment-and-hr/] partners, Nick Benton [https://www.howespercival.com/people/nick-benton/] and Hannah Ball [https://www.howespercival.com/people/hannah-ball/], discuss different approaches to exit negotiations and settlement discussions, the issues employers should consider when holding these conversations with their employees, and practical guidance on how to ensure successful outcomes. They will cover what exit negotiations mean in practice, from open discussions to protected conversations under the Employment Rights Act 1996, without prejudice discussions and the use of ACAS. You will hear practical guidance on how to run protected conversations effectively, avoid improper conduct, use settlement agreements appropriately, and the best tactical approach to navigating negotiations confidently and successfully. Subscribe to our regular employment law updates [https://www.howespercival.com/newsletter/] here and follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/howes-percival/] for more insights. Speakers: Nick Benton [https://www.howespercival.com/people/nick-benton/](nick.benton@howespercival.com [nick.benton@howespercival.com]) Hannah Ball [https://www.howespercival.com/people/hannah-ball/] (hannah.ball@howespercival.com [hannah.ball@howespercival.com]) The information in this podcast about legal matters is provided as a general guide only. Although we try to ensure that all of the information is accurate and up to date, this cannot be guaranteed. The information should not be relied upon or construed as constituting legal advice and Howes Percival LLP disclaims liability in relation to its use. You should seek appropriate legal advice before taking or refraining from taking any action.

How mediation works (and why it’s so effective)

When people think about disputes, they may imagine a formal, costly and confrontational process, but mediation offers a very different route, focused on resolution rather than conflict. In this episode, Howes Percival’s dispute resolution partners Gary Pitt and Victoria Sandell discuss how mediation works in practice, why courts are increasingly encouraging (and in some cases requiring) parties to engage with it, and how it differs from the traditional win or lose courtroom approach. Whether you’re already in a dispute or want to understand your options before one arises, this episode is a practical introduction to mediation and why it matters. To find out more, visit our Dispute Resolution team’s page [https://www.howespercival.com/services/dispute-resolution-and-litigation/] and follow Howes Percival [https://www.linkedin.com/company/howes-percival/], Gary Pitt [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-pitt/] and Victoria Sandell [https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-sandell-05934068/] on LinkedIn. The information in this podcast about legal matters is provided as a general guide only. Although we try to ensure that all of the information is accurate and up to date, this cannot be guaranteed. The information should not be relied upon or construed as constituting legal advice and Howes Percival LLP disclaims liability in relation to its use. You should seek appropriate legal advice before taking or refraining from taking any action.

AI vs HR: Navigating AI-generated employee grievances

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the way employees are approaching grievances in the workplace. In this episode, Howes Percival's employment law Partners, Nick Benton and Hannah Ball, discuss the rise of employee grievances drafted using AI tools - often long, complex documents packed with case law and statutory references that can intimidate managers and obscure the path to finding a sensible resolution. They discuss how to spot an AI‑generated grievance, why AI "hallucinated” or misapplied law creates risk, and why investigating every aspect of an AI-generated grievance isn’t necessarily the best way forward. You’ll hear practical steps to bring the conversation back to facts: meet the employee early, confirm the complaint in their own words, summarise and agree key issues, and focus investigations on what genuinely matters. Nick and Hannah also touch on policy updates relating to grievances and AI usage, data protection safeguards when using AI tools, and available training to help HR and managers respond confidently. Visit howespercival.com [http://howespercival.com] for more insights and subscribe to our regular employment law updates [https://www.howespercival.com/newsletter/]. The information in this podcast about legal matters is provided as a general guide only. Although we try to ensure that all of the information is accurate and up to date, this cannot be guaranteed. The information should not be relied upon or construed as constituting legal advice and Howes Percival LLP disclaims liability in relation to its use. You should seek appropriate legal advice before taking or refraining from taking any action.