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Virginia Allen

Virginia is a shareholder and head of the UK Employment Practice with almost 20 years’ experience in helping employers to strategically manage and optimise their workforces. She offers support at every stage of the employment lifecycle, advising on the full spectrum of matters from day-to-day advisory work to complex transactions and high-stakes disputes.

Virginia is highly skilled at guiding clients through significant and often multi-jurisdictional transactions and disputes. She frequently handles contentious matters such as claims for unfair dismissal, discrimination, harassment and whistle-blowing, as well as High Court employee competition disputes. In addition, she provides practical UK employment advice across a broad range of issues, including recruitment, performance management, disciplinary and grievance processes, and exits. She regularly counsels multinational companies on global projects such as business transformations, cross-border workforce structures, and complex and sensitive employee investigations. Virginia also acts for senior executives in relation to a variety of matters, including disputes, employee competition matters, and negotiated exits.

Virginia is recognised in Chambers & Partners UK 2025, which says she “goes above and beyond to understand and meet her clients' expectations, tailoring her services to provide personalised and effective solutions”.

Wage transparency laws are becoming increasingly common in the United States and Europe. Such laws require companies to disclose certain employee compensation information to both job applicants and existing employees

Continue Reading Wage Transparency Legislation: Implementation Across Europe and the United States

The recent case of Stedman v Haven Leisure Limited [2025] EAT 82 highlights key considerations for employers and individuals regarding disability discrimination protections under the Equality Act 2010. After Mr. Stedman’s job application was rejected, his claim of discrimination due to ADHD was initially dismissed. However, the Employment Appeal Tribunal overturned this decision, emphasizing the need for careful assessment of what constitutes a disability and reinforcing the rights of those with ADHD in the workplace.
Continue Reading UK Employment Appeal Tribunal Rules on Protection Against Disability Discrimination for Workers With ADHD and Autism

On 8 July, the UK Government announced plans to end the use of non-disclosure agreements in cases involving harassment and discrimination. The Employment Rights Bill is currently being examined by the House of Lords, following which it will return to the House of Commons and will likely pass into law later this year.

Continue Reading UK Government Proposes Ban on NDAs in Harassment and Discrimination Cases

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is expanding the reach of its Code of Conduct (COCON) for non-bank firms and consulting on new guidance related to non-financial misconduct, with changes taking effect from September 2026 that will align requirements more closely with those already applicable to banks.

Continue Reading UK FCA Expands the Reach of COCON and Consults on Non-Financial Misconduct