Gareth advises both employers and employees on all employment law issues, and specialises in offering support and assistance with complex disciplinaries, grievances and dismissals, with a particular focus on managing high-level exits for senior employees and directors. His practical and down to earth approach has helped guide many clients through the difficulties and complexities of the employment law minefield.
Gareth also assists companies with drafting and implementing employment contracts and policies tailored to suit their needs. He assists employees and employers in the drafting and negotiation of settlement agreements, and is often praised for his pragmatic and timely advice in such situations.
In addition, Gareth is well-recognised for providing excellent Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal representation for both individuals and businesses in a wide variety of cases, ranging from redundancy and unfair dismissal through to complex discrimination and employment status cases. Gareth also regularly conducts his own advocacy in the Employment Tribunal.
He also has expert knowledge of the education sector through his work with numerous schools, academies and MATs.
After studying law at Durham University, Gareth qualified as a Solicitor in 2007, joining our Employment Team in February 2016 having previously been Head of Employment Law at another local firm. Gareth is highly respected within the local business community, and has gained a wealth of knowledge and expertise over 16 years of practicing employment law. Gareth was made a Senior Associate at the firm in May 2019, and invited into the firm's Partnership in May 2024.
I have been consistently impressed by the services provided by Gareth and the employment team. His expertise in employment law has been invaluable. The advice received has always been clear, practical, and tailored to our specific needs. We highly recommend Gareth and the team to any business seeking competent and reliable employment law advice (as well as free parking when visiting their office!)
Following difficulties experienced by my husband with his employer, we decided to seek legal advice and Gareth Stevens was recommended to us by a family member. We had an initial meeting with Gareth which was very informative and helpful, and confirmed our feelings that my husband was being treated unfairly and in a discriminatory manner. We continued to keep Gareth advised of developments over a number of months until matters came to head at which point Gareth issued a letter to my husband’s employer. The matter was resolved very quickly and efficiently in our favour. Our situation was about being treated fairly and respectfully; Gareth had total empathy and understanding of our situation, and we are very thankful for his help and support through a difficult time.
My mother-in-law and I chose to seek legal advice from Gareth Stevens on recommendations. We were immediately made to feel welcome and at ease. Mr Stevens was remarkable and, most importantly, he was honest. Mr Stevens went above and beyond to advise us, support us, guide us and he also made suggestions for changes. Mr Stevens felt that it wouldn’t be fair to take thousands in legal fees from my mother-in-law for what would be a tough job with the odds not in our favour, despite that though, he gave us such sound advice and has been so kind to us and has made sure that the documents that we have prepared ourselves, have the right contents and wording, etc. My mother-in-law and I are so grateful and would not hesitate to recommend Gareth Stevens and the company to anyone who needs legal advice that comes with honesty, experience, guidance, patience, and humanity. Thank you so very very much.
Gareth Stevens was absolutely excellent when dealing with an unfair dismissal case for us - kind, knowledgeable and honest, and we could really trust his judgement. Thoroughly recommended.
Just a note to mention some excellent customer service from your Firm, and Gareth Stevens especially in relation to assistance with a settlement agreement from my employer in recent days. I phoned him direct from the website contact details, and so refreshing to speak to a specialist direct rather than via the usual reception/take a message/delay route. Gareth was extremely helpful with prompt advice, and returned voicemails within minutes - very rare in my professional experience. Between us we got the agreement reviewed, signed and engrosssed by my employer in 48 hours - and thus a potentially stressful situation for me was mitigated with efficiency - thank you. Well done too for your reception team on my arrival at your offices yesterday, very polite and great coffee too!
I would highly recommend the services of Leathes Prior, in particular Gareth Stevens. When I had a difficult situation with one of my employees Gareth was able to carefully talk me through the process of making them redundant, a process which took over 5 months to complete. His response times in dealing with phone calls and emails was excellent. His calm manner on the phone was very reassuring. As a direct result, what was a difficult situation was dealt with in a well measured manner.
Just a quick email to thank you for all of your advice and support throughout this process. You are an absolute credit to your profession and your law firm. You will, without doubt, be receiving future recommendations based on your work ethic, honesty and pure professionalism.
Gareth Stevens has provided me with sound advice, and comprehensive contracts, I would highly recommend him and Leathes Prior Solicitors
Superb, technically competent and personable lawyer.
Known for his work on sensitive redundancy issues, Gareth Stevens is 'a fighter for his clients' cause, often achieving great results.
Gareth Stevens is particularly good at making clients feel at ease and coming up with solutions they can understand and move forward with.
Extremely able advocate.