Michael Pope

Michael Pope is an employment and corporate commercial solicitor at Grant Saw Solicitors LLP in Greenwich, South East London, with over four decades of experience advising businesses, directors, senior managers, employees and contractors on employment law, legal compliance, risk management and company and commercial matters. Clients value his ability to explain risk clearly and to support decision-making in real business conditions.

As an employment solicitor advising London and south-east businesses, Michael has particular experience in redundancy and workforce restructuring. With redundancy among the fastest-growing employment law concerns for businesses across London and beyond, his advice covers the full process — from the earliest planning stages through to settlement negotiations and, where necessary, employment tribunal representation.

Beyond redundancy, Michael's experience spans the complete employment law picture — unfair and wrongful dismissal, discrimination and harassment claims, TUPE transfers, and the employment aspects of business sales and outsourcing — alongside developing areas including GDPR compliance, AI in the workplace, and contractor and consultant engagements.

On the company and commercial side, Michael has supported owner-managed businesses and growing companies across Greenwich, London and the south-east with business acquisitions and sales, shareholders' agreements, joint ventures, commercial contracts and advice on director duties. His breadth across both employment and commercial law means he can advise on the legal dimensions of business decisions as a whole — not just in isolation.

Current Focus — Business Services and Compliance

Michael now leads the development of Grant Saw's Business Services practice, helping clients anticipate legal risk, adapt to major legislative change — including the Employment Rights Act 2025 — and ensure their businesses are properly structured from a legal and compliance perspective.

This work includes developing audits, diagnostics and legal health checks that help businesses identify and address risk before issues arise, alongside webinars, workshops and briefings on key legal developments for management teams and owner-managed businesses.

Michael remains closely involved in strategic and complex advisory work and in supporting key client relationships. Day-to-day employment matters are led within the team, with Yasmin Awan handling the majority of ongoing employment law casework.

Employment Law

Michael’s experience includes advising employers, employees, directors, and contractors across London and the south-east on the full range of employment law matters, including:

redundancy, restructuring and workforce change, unfair and wrongful dismissal, discrimination, harassment and victimisation claims, employment tribunal representation, TUPE transfers and the employment aspects of business sales, employment contracts, policies and directors’ service agreements, settlement agreements and mediation, GDPR, AI in the workplace, contractor engagements, legal compliance and risk management, employment law training and workshops for management teams

Employment Law — Common Questions

What does an employment solicitor do? An employment solicitor advises employers and employees on legal matters arising in the workplace — from drafting contracts and policies through to managing disputes, tribunal claims and redundancy processes.

When should a business seek employment law advice? Early advice is almost always more cost-effective than reactive advice. Businesses benefit from legal input when making redundancies, managing performance issues, handling grievances, or dealing with any situation that could lead to a tribunal claim.

What is the redundancy process for employers? A fair redundancy process requires genuine business justification, a fair selection process, meaningful consultation with affected employees or their representatives, and consideration of suitable alternative roles. Failing at any stage can expose a business to claims for unfair dismissal claims and substantial protective awards.

What is a settlement agreement? A settlement agreement is a legally binding contract between an employer and employee that resolves an employment dispute or ends an employment relationship, usually in exchange for a financial payment. Independent legal advice is required before an employee can sign one.

Company & Commercial

Michael has supported a broad range of businesses across London and beyond on company and commercial matters, including:

Purchase and sale of businesses and shares, shareholders' agreements and joint ventures, commercial contracts and terms of business, director duties and owner-managed business support, outsourcing and restructuring, strategic decision-making and commercial risk management

Company & Commercial — Common Questions

Do I need a solicitor to buy a business? Yes. Acquiring a business involves significant legal risk — from due diligence and warranties through to the employment aspects of taking on existing staff. Legal advice at every stage protects both the transaction and the buyer.

What should a shareholders' agreement include? A shareholders' agreement should cover how decisions are made, what happens if a shareholder wants to leave, how disputes are resolved, and protections for minority shareholders. Without one, disputes between business owners can become costly and difficult to resolve.

What is TUPE and when does it apply? TUPE — the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations — applies when a business or part of a business transfers from one employer to another. It protects employees' existing terms and conditions and is likely to require each party to consult with their affected staff before the transfer completes.

About Michael

Michael began his legal career at Woolsey Morris & Kennedy Solicitors in Sidcup in 1983, becoming a partner there in 1987 — a position he held for over two decades. In 2008, he founded Lawbridge Solicitors, which was later incorporated into Grant Saw Solicitors LLP, where he now heads the Employment department and leads the development of the firm's Business Services practice.

Michael holds a Masters Degree in Employment Law and Relations with Distinction from the University of Leicester. He regularly delivers employment law training, workshops and webinars for management teams and business owners — helping businesses across London and the South East understand how employment law affects their day-to-day operations.

Michael is a regulated solicitor authorised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

"Many employment disputes are preventable. The right documentation and early legal advice make the difference between a manageable situation and a costly one". — Michael Pope, Employment & Corporate Commercial Specialist | Head of Employment