Skip to main contentSkip to navigation
BCLP logo
  • People People

  • SectorsAerospace & DefenseData CentersEnergy TransitionFinancial InstitutionsFood & AgribusinessHealthcare & Life SciencesReal EstateRetail & Consumer ProductsSports, Media & Entertainment

    View all sectors View all sectors

    Practice areasFinanceInvestigationsLitigationReal EstateRegulation, Compliance & AdvisoryTax & Private ClientTransactions

    View all practice areas View all practice areas

  • News News

    AwardsDiversityPro Bono

    View all News View all News

    Insights Insights

    BlogsPodcastsWebinars

    View all Insights View all Insights

  • Perspectives Perspectives

    Emerging Themes 2026M&A deals that deliverThe Sustainability ImperativeConfronting CorruptionClass Actions
    Trending TopicsArtificial IntelligenceThe Corporate Transparency Act
  • Events Events

    Webinars
  • About us About us

    Pro bono & CommunityInclusion & DiversityResponsible BusinessOur Environment

    Client stories Client stories

    Media inquiries Media inquiries

  • Careers
  • Locations
  • Subscribe
BCLP logo
People
Capabilities
News & Insights
BCLP logo

Paul Sands

Paul Sands
  1. People

Paul Sands

Paul Sands

Counsel


London
Paul Sands
  1. People

Paul Sands

Paul Sands

Counsel


London

Paul Sands

Counsel

London

T: +44 (0) 20 3400 4084

VcardVcard
Download PDFDownload PDF
Print
Share
  • Biography

Biography

Paul is an experienced employment lawyer with over 16 years' post-qualification experience, advising businesses across a wide range of sectors on the full spectrum of employment law issues. Paul also has significant experience representing clients in complex Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal proceedings.

Paul advises clients on the full range of day-to-day and strategic employment issues, including collective redundancy, discrimination, equal pay, whistleblowing, unfair dismissal, grievance and disciplinary matters, senior exits and settlement agreements. He also supports clients on the employment aspects of M&A and real estate transactions, including due diligence, negotiating warranties and indemnities, and advising on TUPE compliance.

Paul is also an experienced advocate, having represented employers in numerous complex and lengthy tribunal hearings, including an 11-day hearing for an international technology client involving race discrimination, victimisation, unfair dismissal and breach of contract/unlawful deductions claims relating to commission and holiday pay, and multiple hearings for a global logistics business involving disability discrimination, whistleblowing, failure to make reasonable adjustments and constructive dismissal claims.

Paul regularly speaks at seminars and writes on developments in UK employment law.

Civic involvement & honors

  • Employment Lawyers Association

Admissions

  • England and Wales

Education

  • The University of Sheffield, Legal Practice Course, 2004

Related capabilities

Employment & Labor Employment & Labor

  • Employment & Labor

Related insights

Insights
Oct 30, 2026

UK HR Two-Minute Monthly: October 2026

The BCLP Employment team’s October updates in one place. This edition brings together the latest Employment Rights Act developments, including changes taking effect this month and revisions to the wider implementation timetable. This edition also considers proposed whistleblowing and modern slavery reforms, and whether "employment prenups" could help employers prepare for the removal of the unfair dismissal compensation cap in January 2027.
Insights
Oct 29, 2026

Employment Rights Act 2025: October round up

A trade union access request. A sexual harassment complaint. A tribunal claim that you thought had gone away landing much later than expected. October’s Employment Rights Act changes will affect how employers handle all of the above scenarios and many more. Here’s a brief summary of what’s changing this month and how to prepare your business.For further details on each of these subjects please click on the relevant links taking you to our previous articles on these.
Insights
Oct 15, 2026

Tuning the whistle - UK Government consults on reforming whistleblowing

Insights
Oct 08, 2026

“Employment Prenups” – what are they and do they allow employers to combat the imminent removal of the cap on compensation awards for unfair dismissal claims?

The removal of the unfair dismissal cap is pushing employers to think of novel ways to protect themselves against the risk of high value unfair dismissal claims at the hands of their highest paid employees (such as C-suite Employees, Senior Executives in the Banking Sector or professional sports players and managers). One such solution which is starting to emerge is this notion of an “Employment Prenup”. Essentially, a settlement agreement, entered into before the commencement of employment, which waives any future claim of ordinary unfair dismissal in exchange for a guaranteed lump sum payment on exit. But would it work?
Insights
Oct 01, 2026

UK Employment Rights Act 2025: Extension to employment time limits

From 1 October 2026 (today), most employment tribunal claims must be brought within six months, up from three months. The new limit applies where the relevant act, omission or effective date of termination (EDT) falls on or after 1 October 2026. The EDT is the date employment actually ends. Earlier claims remain subject to the three-month limit. For ongoing conduct, time runs from the last act in the series.
Insights
Sep 30, 2026

UK HR Two-Minute Monthly: September 2026

From workplace social events and harassment risk to the Employment Rights Act 2025 and the resurgence of interim relief claims, this edition examines some of the most significant developments shaping the employment law landscape. We also share recent BCLP commentary on upcoming legislative reforms, flexible working and the practical challenges facing employers in an increasingly complex operating environment.
Insights
Sep 24, 2026

From twenty a year to twenty a month: what's driving the Interim Relief boom and how can employers stay ahead

Interim relief applications are on the rise at a staggering rate according to the Presidents of the Employment Tribunals for England & Wales, and Scotland, putting pressure on unwary employers.
Insights
Aug 20, 2026

Can you hold three fingers in front of your face? AI transparency at work

Do your employees understand when and how they are being exposed to/monitored by AI in the workplace?
Insights
Aug 06, 2026

Equal pay for all? Government proposes the biggest shake-up of equal pay laws in over 55 years

On 14 July 2026, the Office for Equality and Opportunity launched a 15-week consultation proposing the most significant overhaul of UK equal pay law since the Equal Pay Act 1970. The consultation period closes on 27 October 2026 and, while nothing is yet law, assuming the proposals are adopted, primary legislation will follow, with a two-stage implementation strategy. The strategy is clear - fix the current system, then extend it further.

Related insights

Insights
Oct 30, 2026
UK HR Two-Minute Monthly: October 2026
The BCLP Employment team’s October updates in one place. This edition brings together the latest Employment Rights Act developments, including changes taking effect this month and revisions to the wider implementation timetable. This edition also considers proposed whistleblowing and modern slavery reforms, and whether "employment prenups" could help employers prepare for the removal of the unfair dismissal compensation cap in January 2027.
Insights
Oct 29, 2026
Employment Rights Act 2025: October round up
A trade union access request. A sexual harassment complaint. A tribunal claim that you thought had gone away landing much later than expected. October’s Employment Rights Act changes will affect how employers handle all of the above scenarios and many more. Here’s a brief summary of what’s changing this month and how to prepare your business.For further details on each of these subjects please click on the relevant links taking you to our previous articles on these.
Insights
Oct 15, 2026
Tuning the whistle - UK Government consults on reforming whistleblowing
Insights
Oct 08, 2026
“Employment Prenups” – what are they and do they allow employers to combat the imminent removal of the cap on compensation awards for unfair dismissal claims?
The removal of the unfair dismissal cap is pushing employers to think of novel ways to protect themselves against the risk of high value unfair dismissal claims at the hands of their highest paid employees (such as C-suite Employees, Senior Executives in the Banking Sector or professional sports players and managers). One such solution which is starting to emerge is this notion of an “Employment Prenup”. Essentially, a settlement agreement, entered into before the commencement of employment, which waives any future claim of ordinary unfair dismissal in exchange for a guaranteed lump sum payment on exit. But would it work?
Insights
Oct 01, 2026
UK Employment Rights Act 2025: Extension to employment time limits
From 1 October 2026 (today), most employment tribunal claims must be brought within six months, up from three months. The new limit applies where the relevant act, omission or effective date of termination (EDT) falls on or after 1 October 2026. The EDT is the date employment actually ends. Earlier claims remain subject to the three-month limit. For ongoing conduct, time runs from the last act in the series.
Insights
Sep 30, 2026
UK HR Two-Minute Monthly: September 2026
From workplace social events and harassment risk to the Employment Rights Act 2025 and the resurgence of interim relief claims, this edition examines some of the most significant developments shaping the employment law landscape. We also share recent BCLP commentary on upcoming legislative reforms, flexible working and the practical challenges facing employers in an increasingly complex operating environment.
Insights
Sep 24, 2026
From twenty a year to twenty a month: what's driving the Interim Relief boom and how can employers stay ahead
Interim relief applications are on the rise at a staggering rate according to the Presidents of the Employment Tribunals for England & Wales, and Scotland, putting pressure on unwary employers.
Insights
Aug 20, 2026
Can you hold three fingers in front of your face? AI transparency at work
Do your employees understand when and how they are being exposed to/monitored by AI in the workplace?
Insights
Aug 06, 2026
Equal pay for all? Government proposes the biggest shake-up of equal pay laws in over 55 years
On 14 July 2026, the Office for Equality and Opportunity launched a 15-week consultation proposing the most significant overhaul of UK equal pay law since the Equal Pay Act 1970. The consultation period closes on 27 October 2026 and, while nothing is yet law, assuming the proposals are adopted, primary legislation will follow, with a two-stage implementation strategy. The strategy is clear - fix the current system, then extend it further.

Back to top

BCLP logo
  • People
  • Capabilities
  • Practice Areas
  • Sectors
  • News & Insights
  • Awards
  • Blogs
  • News & Events
  • Insights
  • Webinars
  • Perspectives
  • M&A deals that deliver
  • Emerging Themes
  • The Sustainability Imperative
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Locations
  • Subscribe
  • Legal notices
  • Privacy notice
  • Modern Slavery Act
  • Cookie policy
  • UK Transparency Rules
  • Tax Information
  • Media inquiries
Icon: facebookIcon: linkedin

© 2026 Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP