Sarah is not only highly knowledgeable but also incredibly responsive, ensuring every step was clear and stress-free. She provided timely updates, explained everything in a straightforward manner, and demonstrated meticulous attention to detail. Everything was handled with impressive speed and efficiency, making the whole experience seamless. Trustpilot February 2025

Sarah is an Associate in the Corporate, Commercial and Employment team at Phillips Law Solicitors, a legal 500 recognised and SRA regulated law firm. Sarah advises clients across Basingstoke, Farnborough, Winchester, Hampshire, Berkshire and surrounding areas, as well as nationally and internationally.

Sarah has a background in Management Accounts and completed a Law Degree with the Open University and graduated with First Class Honours. Sarah then went on to complete the Legal Practice Course as part of the Master of Laws at the University of Law and graduated with Distinction. Sarah qualified in July 2020 after completing an employment law focussed training contract.

Sarah specialises in employment law, primarily advising employers. Sarah works closely with the Corporate, Commercial and Commercial Property team when advising clients.

Sarah prides herself on taking a pragmatic approach when advising employers and has become a trusted adviser to her clients.

Specialist Expertise

Sarah’s practise focuses on advising employers and includes:

• Drafting director service agreements, employment contracts, and policies.
• Advising on and drafting capability and redundancy processes
• Advising on the off-payroll working rules (IR35) for small and large companies and drafting consultancy agreements.
• Drafting settlement agreements including dealing with equity.
• Negotiating exits for directors, management and senior staff.
• Advising on exits, teams moves and breaches of restrictive covenants.
• Corporate support work including TUPE.
• Working with the corporate team to establish EMI schemes, drafting EMI scheme rules and agreements. Drafting and advising on EMI rollover schemes following restructuring.
• Drafting documents and board minutes for the exercise of EMI options
• Advising and supporting HR managers.

Sarah advises employers and HR managers from all sectors.

Approach

Sarah combines strategic legal expertise with a pragmatic and commercial view.

Sarah focusses on achieving the best possible outcome for clients by understanding early on what the client’s outcomes are. Whether that is to ensure compliance with legislation or to handle a complex workplace issue.

By identifying the desired outcomes early along with the key issues Sarah quickly gets to grips with the client’s requirements.

Sarah has excellent communication skills and prides herself on being responsive to client needs. Sarah ensures that clients are keep updated on a timely basis throughout the matter.

Who Sarah Acts For

Sarah acts for:

• Employers
• Owner managed businesses
• Small to medium businesses
• HR managers in medium to large businesses
• Directors and senior employees in their individual capacity

International and Cross Border Matters

Sarah also advises businesses who are based outside of the UK but have a UK presence. Sarah can advise them on all aspects of English and Welsh employment law for their UK entity.

How Sarah Helps Clients

Sarah provides clear, practical and tailored advice for employers, businesses and HR managers. Sarah can advise on all aspects of English and Welsh employment law.

ERA Stress Test

Sarah offers a free, no obligation ERA Stress Test. A confidential review of a business’s employment documentation to check whether the employment documentation is compliant with the requirements under the Employment Rights Act 2025. The business will receive a compliance report setting out where they are compliant, what’s coming and where they are already in legal breach. The ERA Stress Test is completely free with no obligation; further information can be found here https://phillips-law.co.uk/services/employment/free-employment-rights-act-stress-test/

If your business would like to receive a free ERA Stress Test, then you can complete this form https://phillips-law.co.uk/services/employment/free-employment-rights-act-stress-test/#contact and a member of the team will be in contact to arrange receipt of the employment documentation on a confidential basis.

FAQ

Is Sarah experienced in drafting director service agreements?

Yes, Sarah is regularly instructed by businesses to draft the employment agreements for directors. These are different to a standard employment contract as should contain the important duties and protections connected to the director’s fiduciary duties.

Can Sarah advise businesses on making redundancies?

Yes, Sarah advises businesses on making redundancies. It is essential to get early advice where we can help you to establish your businesses case for the redundancies and create the redundancy process. We can provide you with all meeting scripts and letters and be on hand to advise and guide you through the process.

Can Sarah advise on off payroll working rules (IR35) and consultancy agreements?

Yes. Sarah advises private companies on the off payroll working rules (IR35) including establishing which rules apply, whether a status determination statement is required and where any risk and liability sits. This includes establishing the correct employment status and advising on deemed employment status. Sarah drafts consultancy agreements for companies who use consultants and ensures that the company has the required contractual protections in place.

Can Sarah advise on the Employment Rights Act?

Yes. Sarah can advise on all aspects of English and Welsh employment law which includes the Employment Rights Act 1996 and the recent Employment Rights Act 2025.

Is Sarah a regulated solicitor?

Yes. Sarah is an SRA-regulated solicitor at Phillips Law Solicitors, providing clients with the assurance of professional standards and regulatory protection.

Sarah has been recognised on Trustpilot February 2025: ‘Sarah is not only highly knowledgeable but also incredibly responsive, ensuring every step was clear and stress-free. She provided timely updates, explained everything in a straightforward manner, and demonstrated meticulous attention to detail. Everything was handled with impressive speed and efficiency, making the whole experience seamless.’

Speak to Sarah Filsell

If you are an employer, business owner, or HR manager and need comprehensive employment law advice Sarah is here to help.

To discuss your matter in confidence, contact Sarah directly:

01256 854 658

[email protected]