Ed Beever

Relevant Experience

With a 70% Respondent profile, Ed continues to be highly regarded in his Claimant work, including senior employees and collective claims. A skilled veteran of numerous reported cases, Ed’s experience is varied, gained in cases of the highest value, complexity and importance.

A sample of Ed’s relevant and leading experience in some of those reported cases includes:

• Hyperama v Poulis [2019] EWHC, Yip J – commercial fraud allegations – search orders – rights of inspection.
• The Wealth Group v Neale and Others [2016] EWHC – breach of directors’ duties – restrictive covenant litigation.
• Canavan v Birmingham City Council [2015] UKEAT/0187/13 – whistleblowing – trades union activities – application of time limits.
• Templeton Insurance v Brunswick and others [2012] EWHC 3319 – fiduciary duty – directors’ liabilities – breach of trust – knowing receipt – bankruptcy- fraud – costs.
• Millwood v Birmingham City Council [2012] EqLR – discrimination – burden of proof – effect of inadequate explanations.
• Re Infinity Lifestyles Ltd: [2009] BPIR 290: s.8 of CDDA – directors of a company engaged in money circulation schemes.
• A F Blakemore & Son Ltd (2) Trustees of the A F Blakemore & Son Ltd Staff Retirement Scheme v (1) N D Machin (2) J H[2007] EWHC 963 (Ch) – compromise agreements – findings of fact – oral contracts – pension benefits – pensions ombudsman – effect of compromise with employer on former employees’ right to complain about pension administration.
• Wightman v Bennett [2005] BPIR 470 – directors’ duties – high value property development – misfeasance.

Ed regularly deals with complex issues at the most complex interface of employment, commercial and insolvency arrangements. A snapshot of those issues includes dealing with:

• Senior employee breach of duties, fiduciary and restrictive covenants, in varied industry sectors including: online casino; insurance broking; accountancy and wealth management; veterinary profession; education.
• Appeals to the EAT in respect of discrimination (relevance of inadequate explanations), age discrimination (strike out/costs), interim relief and complex whistleblowing claims.
• Freezing Injunctions and commercial pre-emptive remedies.
• Substantial TUPE and insolvency issues.
• Financial derivatives, in the context of directors’ negligence and constructive dismissal employment tribunal proceedings.
• Age and disability discrimination concerning senior employees of listed companies.
• Whistleblowing, race discrimination, including in the local authority environment.
• Multi-party redundancy in teaching profession, including from a trade union perspective.
• High profile claims defence, including philosophical belief claim brought by a politician.
• Commercial disputes relating to senior and board level employees and directors; ranging from well-known national companies to SMEs and in both the public and private sectors.
• Contentious high court proceedings, including breach of fiduciary duty claims, emergency injunction / relief work, interim and final hearings.
• Complex advisory work, including on the legality of restraint of trade clauses.
• International commercial disputes, including a £2m dispute as to the quality of a monorail system constructed in Malaysia.
• Constructive trusts and tracing remedies in substantial breach of fiduciary litigation in the Business and Property Courts.

Working with Ed

Ed understands in complex and high stakes litigation that informal and frank discussions can cut through the issues and often lead to the most effective results. Ed is praised for having “superb attention to detail” and for being “an excellent advocate”.

Whether by Zoom conference, over the phone or in person, Ed’s approachable and down to earth style means that he provides an excellent service for his clients, breaking down even the most complex issues into digestible points.

Ed regularly gives seminars and informal sessions, with particular emphasis on commercial / employment issues, such as restraint of trade, TUPE, insolvency, fiduciary / directors’ duties and performance management. Ed is also renowned for arming his solicitor clients with the practical tools and strategies needed to preparing for and defending injunction claims. If you would like to discuss opportunities for witness handling sessions or other valuable training events then feel free to get in touch.

Education

Merton College, Oxford, BA (Hons), Jurisprudence

Appointments and Memberships

Member of Attorney General Panel of Counsel

Fee Paid Employment Judge, 2013

Employment Lawyers Association

Midlands Commercial and Chancery Bar Association

Testimonials