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M&A, Outsourcing & TUPE

Understanding and correctly applying TUPE is a critical part of the process of buying and selling businesses, outsourcing and internal group reorganisations.

Our specialist TUPE group has a wealth of experience advising on such matters including providing expert M&A employment support, drafting and negotiating suitable legal protections and assisting our clients to manage risk and find commercial solutions to contentious employment transfers. 

As employees become more aware of their rights, the risks of not managing these situations appropriately are steadily increasing and can be magnified significantly where large numbers of employees are involved. 

We have particular expertise in the following areas:

  • advising both customers and vendors on the employment aspects of outsourcing tenders
  • drafting and negotiating both market standard and bespoke warranties and indemnities including to cover multi-jurisdictional acquisitions and outsourcings
  • undertaking buyer and vendor employment due diligence and advising on pre-sale reorganisations
  • providing expert opinion on the applicability of TUPE including identifying who is correctly in scope to transfer
  • scripting and training both employers and employee representatives in meeting their consultation obligations
  • legislative reform in relation to TUPE and expert analysis of TUPE case law
  • TUPE-equivalent legislation in overseas jurisdictions
  • effecting post-transfer redundancies and harmonisation of employment terms
  • advising on the special rules applicable to insolvent businesses
  • dealing with TUPE’s effect on pensions and other benefits
  • managing TUPE litigation in the Employment Tribunal

We work closely with clients and provide transactional support both to our own M&A colleagues and to other law firms.

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In the case of a TUPE transfer when a service is outsourced or re-tendered, the Employment Appeal Tribunal has ruled that an employee’s contract can be split so they go from working full time for one employer to working part time for two or more.

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