Shahin Ismail
Called to the Bar in 1993

Shahin has 15 years’ experience as an in-house lawyer in the public sector. Shahin joined Fenners Chambers in 2012, following a number of high profile roles in the public sector.

Shahin understands the political and financial landscape inside the public sector, and works closely with a range of public sector clients. Shahin is the obvious choice for those who provide and those who receive public services.

AREAS OF PRACTICE

• Education: representing local authorities and parents in the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal; advising schools, academies and academy sponsors on school admissions, admission appeals, teachers’ terms and conditions of employment, teachers’ performance and all aspects of employment law affecting teachers and support staff.
• Planning and highways: public inquiries; written representations; advice on enforcement; rights of way.
• Governance: advising on constitutional and vires issues; investigating Code of Conduct complaints against councillors and senior officers; dealing with senior executive departures and settlement agreements.

HER WORK

Shahin welcomes instructions direct from all tiers of local government and the NHS, and form other public bodies, maintained schools and academy trusts.

Shahin is an experienced employment lawyer. Shahin joined Fenners Chambers in 2012, following a number of high profile roles in the public sector, including Chief Executive of Humberside Police Authority and the Head of Legal Services at Peterborough. Shahin’s experiences as an in house lawyer and strategic adviser are particularly sought after by senior public sector clients as well as the business sector.

AREAS OF PRACTICE

• Contentious employment cases: including unfair dismissal, constructive dismissal, trade union issues, interim relief, breach of contract claims, discrimination and whistleblowing.
• Non-contentious advice: all aspects of TUPE; drafting employment contracts and service contracts, advice on restrictive covenants, advising on mergers and acquisitions, drafting settlement agreements and advising on HR policies and staff handbooks.

HER WORK

Shahin welcomes instructions direct from small and medium businesses, HR providers, trade unions, schools and academies and local authorities.

Her approach is very practical and hands on.

Shahin’s direct access work is popular with business clients, and she has recently advised a City finance and stockbroking company on a major restructure process, which included redundancies, varying terms and conditions of employment to incentivise performance and devising consultancy terms.

WHAT OTHERS SAY

The case was a challenging and complex one, involving a teacher who was also the Trade Union representative for the region. Shahin’s sound advice was exceptional and reassuring
J Herriman, Head, The Duston School

Shahin’s calm, dignified manner, intelligent thinking and sharp, decisive action helped resolve difficult issues. Her advice and guidance was always timely, immaculate and sensible.
Mel Collins, Assistant Director of Children’s Services, Peterborough City Council.

REPRESENTATIVE CASES

Smart v Waterbeach Parish Council, UKEAT/0296/13/BA : appeal on the adequacy of reasons in an unfair and wrongful dismissal claim