Chris Cook

Chris Cook

Head of Employment & Data Protection
Partner
St.Albans
Mobile
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EXPERTISE

I specialise in employment and data protection law, and I advise businesses and individuals on all aspects of their rights and responsibilities in both areas.

I advise employers on procedural issues such as disciplinary and grievance matters, with extensive experience in collective redundancy/restructuring programmes and transfer of undertakings for business ownership transfers and service provision changes. A large proportion of my work involves Employment Tribunal litigation, and where appropriate, I negotiate directly with opponents or via ACAS to achieve the best possible outcome for my clients.

I regularly advise individuals who are undergoing redundancy or restructuring programmes, including advice on the processes that their employers should be following, how to handle consultation meetings, and negotiating redundancy compensation packages.

The data protection advice I give is comprehensive, including both advising on and undertaking data audits to ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018 (incorporating the UK GDPR), making and managing data subject access requests, drafting data protection documentation (such as privacy notices and data protection policies), managing data breaches, and assisting in the resolution of disputes. I am also the firm’s Data Manager.

I also regularly write articles on a range of matters for the media and the SA Law website – you can read some of them here.

KEY EXPERIENCE 

  • I qualified as a solicitor on 1st November 2001
  • Member of the Employment Lawyers Association (ELA)
  • Advising a large financial company operating a venture capital fund on the employment aspects of numerous investments
  • Acting on behalf of several purchasers, dealing with due diligence, raising additional enquiries, preparing detailed reports, and warranty and indemnity advice.
  • Acting on behalf of an employer in a High Court injunction and damages claim against a former employee
  • Advising an insolvency practitioner on the employment aspects of a pre-pack administration
  • Advising a private school on a personality clash dismissal, and representing the school in the subsequent unfair dismissal tribunal proceedings
  • Advising in disciplinary proceedings including acting for clients in disputes with the NHS, the Football Association and the Police force
  • Advising educational establishments including nurseries, schools (both independent and academies), colleges and universities on safeguarding.

CAREER HISTORY

  • Data Manager, SA Law
  • Partner, Head of Employment & Data Protection, SA Law
  • Solicitor, SA Law 
  • Solicitor, Pictons 
  • Trainee Solicitor, Pictons 
  • College of Law, Guildford, LLB, (PGDLP)
  • University of Kent, LLB Law 

IN GENERAL

What my clients say

"Chris Cook understands our business very well and makes himself available when issues come up – I cannot fault his availability and engagement." - Legal 500 2024

"Chris Cook has excellent knowledge of data protection and how it affects respondent clients." - Legal 500 2024

"I’ve worked with Chris Cook for many years and his advice is always practical, up-to-date and takes consideration of the specific needs of clients. He manages his time well to make sure he’s available and responsive." - Legal 500 2023

"Chris provides excellent service to us and is very responsive and keen to make himself available." - Chambers & Partners 2023

"I’ve worked with Chris for many years now and have a lot of trust and respect for him." - Chambers & Partners 2023

"Chris has always provided timely and expert support." - Chambers & Partners 2023

Contact Chris Cook

Use this form to contact Chris Cook directly with details of your enquiry. It costs nothing to make an enquiry and it is entirely confidential.

Alternatively, you can email chris.cook@salaw.com or call 01727 798089.

See our privacy notice to find out how we use and protect your data.

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