Latest Posts
Quastels Recognised in The Times Best Law Firms 2026
Quastels LLP has debuted in The Times Best Law Firms 2026. Listed in two categories, our Private Wealth & Tax team make their entry into their third directory of the year, alongside The Legal 500, and Spear’s 500.
About The Times Best Law Firms
The Times Best Law Firms lists the top 250 legal practices in England and Wales. Independently collected by Statistica, all listed practices are chosen by lawyers through peer nomination. We would like to extend our gratitude to our peers who nominated us.
Recognition
Quastels has been recognised in particular for ‘Inheritance & Succession’ and ‘Tax’. Our Private Wealth & Tax team were noted for their strength in core practice areas, as well as emerging fields such as digital assets and cryptocurrencies. In the ‘Tax’ category, Quastels was one of only nine firms commended. Led by Partner Ben Rosen, the team comprises of Senior Associate Jack Burroughs, Solicitors Eleanor Catling and Alice Lumley, and Paralegal Jemima Plowden Roberts. This dynamic team are known for their personal approach and forward-thinking strategies.
Get in touch with our Private Wealth & Tax team for information on how they can assist you.
Read More
Buying a Business or Tendering to Provide a Service? Don’t Get Caught Out by TUPE.
This article was published in the November/December 2025 edition of London Business Matters.
When buying a business or taking over a service, the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (‘TUPE’) is a key consideration. TUPE applies to all relevant transfers regardless of workforce size and importantly, cannot be contracted out of. TUPE protects employees from losing their jobs by automatically transferring their employment to the buyer on existing terms and liabilities.
Which employees transfer?
All employees ‘assigned’ to the business/service will automatically transfer. The assessment is rarely straightforward, particularly where roles are divided across clients or activities. While the percentage of time spent on the relevant work is a starting point, the law also considers contractual arrangements, job description, cost allocation and economics value.
ETO reasons and dismissals
Dismissals connected with the transfer are automatically unfair unless the employer can show an ‘economic, technical or organisational’ (ETO) reason ‘entailing changes in the workforce.’ Tribunals interpret ETO reasons narrowly however, genuine redundancies arising from a reduction in demand, technological change or efficiency-driven restructuring may fall within scope, provided they are also procedurally fair.
Restrictions on ‘harmonising’ terms
A buyer is unable to ‘harmonise’ terms and conditions of transferring staff with its existing workforce if the sole or principle reason is the transfer. This prohibition is not time-limited so that attempts, even years later, can be unlawful exposing the buyer to breach of contract or constructive dismissal claims. Even with a genuine ETO justification, the buyer must still obtain employees’ agreement.
Duty to inform and consult
Employees must be informed of the transfer and also any ‘measures.’ ‘Measures’ is construed widely and can include redundancies, relocations, changes to working practices or payroll. Where ‘measures’ are proposed, consultation is also required. Any procedural failures in this regard can result in protective awards of up to 13 weeks’ gross pay per affected employee.
Employee liability information (ELI)
The seller must provide specified ELI on transferring employees. Prudent buyers should carefully analyse this information as early as possible to understand the risks of assuming equal pay liabilities, enhanced redundancy rights or long-term sickness absences.
Conclusion
TUPE considerations require early legal advice and forensic due diligence. If considered late in the process, it can result in a lost opportunity to negotiate important indemnities leaving the buyer with liabilities which may outweigh the value of the deal itself.
Read More
Quastels Acts for Albion & East on Their Disposal to Urban Pubs & Bars
Quastels were delighted to represent Albion & East on their disposal to Urban Pubs & Bars, further highlighting our leisure and hospitality team’s credentials.
The transaction was led by corporate partner Adam Convisser and supported by Mark Cornelius, Jamie Crocker, Joshua Buxton and Rebecca Diogo.
Albion & East is made up of four distinctive all-day venues: Teatro Hall in Ealing, Canova Hall in Brixton, Botanica Hall in Clapham Junction, and Serata Hall in the City of London. Urban Pubs & Bars is London’s largest independent pub group.
Calum Brazier commented:
“We worked closely with Quastels both in the months leading up to the transaction and throughout to completion, and the support they provided was exceptional. They brought a genuinely rare blend of commercial understanding, clear communication and practical problem-solving — qualities that proved invaluable on a deal with multiple moving parts and structural complexities.
Adam and his team were always accessible, proactive and calm under pressure. On several occasions the deal required them to go above and beyond to keep everything progressing smoothly, and they consistently delivered with professionalism and good humour.
Their commitment, insight and commercial focus were key in helping us achieve a successful outcome, and we are hugely grateful for their efforts. We would happily recommend Quastels to anyone undertaking a transaction of this nature.”
Congratulations to all the team at Albion & East and to Urban Pubs & Bars on a successful acquisition.
Read More