When we opened our doors in 1997, we were the first and only legal consultancy specialising in recruitment and employment law.
Staffed by experienced legal and recruitment professionals, our aim from day one has been to support our recruiter clients and give them an edge. For nearly 30 years, we’ve done exactly that, with prevention rather than cure at the heart of everything we do, helping our clients secure their fees and trade with confidence and efficiency.
Our firsts didn’t stop in 1997. We created the first IR35-friendly contracts in 1999, the first (and only) independent accreditation standard for recruiters, Standards in Recruitment (SiR), in 2015, and the first (and only) recruitment-specific digital contract platform, Proterms, in 2022.
We have worked with government throughout, running seminars with government representatives and lobbying wherever necessary on big issues affecting recruitment and employment. For example, we devised the proposal for company opt-outs adopted in the Agency Conduct Regulations in 2003. Via the Association of Recruitment Consultancies (ARC), created by us in 2008 to represent recruitment agencies, we made the successful case in 2009 for the removal of the hypothetical comparator concept from the Agency Workers Regulations. More recently, we argued against the tax legislation relating to umbrella companies and put forward proposals for changes to the zero-hours contract plans set for 2027.
Today, hundreds of recruitment agencies and consultancies rely on Lawspeed as a trusted partner. Through ARC, SiR and Proterms, we’ve built a wider network of support that no other provider offers.
Solid, robust recruitment contracts for any type of placement, permanent or temporary.
Recruitment law advice from legal experts who understand your industry.
All of our contracts are comprehensive and professionally drafted by our own team. Built with multiple protective clauses, they’re ‘prevention is better than cure’ in action: they help you avoid costly disputes, protect your fees and keep your business compliant.
To our knowledge, they have never been successfully challenged in a dispute.
All contracts come with access to our contract management platform, Proterms. We designed it to make your life easier.
Proterms is the fastest, most efficient way to close the deal safely and get paid. With no-sign technology, you don’t wait for e-signatures. Recipients click and it’s done.
We understand the operational challenges of running a recruitment business because we’ve done it ourselves. Effectively, we bridge the knowledge gap between recruitment and law.
Adrian was a partner in 3 law firms before setting up Lawspeed in 1997. With a keen interest in efficiency of process and technology Adrian has been responsible for many of our innovations over the years including our recent digital platform. He is our lead representative when in discussion with government and is chairman of the Association of Recruitment Consultancies (ARC). Apart from his work, Adrian enjoys playing tennis, cycling, travelling, music, and cheering for Brighton and Hove Albion FC.
Theresa is a qualified solicitor, non practising. Having joined Lawspeed in 2005 she now heads our legal team. Theresa is an expert in recruitment law, working with recruitment businesses, contractor hirers and related businesses. Theresa’s areas of expertise include employment law, recruitment law, employment status, IR35, agency tax, data protection (GDPR), and employment contracts and policies. Theresa is regularly in discussion with government bodies such as EAS and HMRC on issues affecting the industry and is a lead presenter at our events. Theresa enjoys walking with her family and dog, going to the theatre, and competing in quiz nights.
Rebecca worked for several recruitment businesses before joining the recruitment and training specialist FDM Group (then FDi) in 1992 as their lead marketing executive. She remained at this business evolving into a management role until the birth of her son in 2003. In 2008 she became a director of Lawspeed and is responsible for guidance on the recruitment sector, marketing and internal recruitment. She is arguably responsible for Lawspeed as she first introduced Adrian to work for the recruitment sector in 1994! Rebecca enjoys travelling, playing tennis, rambling and cycling.
Peter is a consummate employment law professional, starting his career working for the Benefits Agency, then working as a supervisor for a Law Centre, and subsequently legal adviser for the Incorporated Society of Musicians.
Joining Lawspeed in 2017 Peter is responsible for advising clients on employment, contractual and recruitment law issues and has a particular interest in employment status. He also handles employment tribunal claims for clients, devising strategy and representing in the tribunal.
Peter is a key participant in the Lawspeed quiz team, and his time outside of work includes studying (and enjoying!) wine, music, travelling with his family, and supporting Celtic FC
When it comes to recruitment law, we don’t just talk the talk.
When the law doesn’t work in your interests, we do something about it through ARC (Association of Recruitment Consultancies).
We launched it in 2010 to focus on the things which matter to recruiters and, importantly, to lobby the government on your behalf. Several notable successes include arguing to remove inappropriate elements of the Agency Workers Regulations.
To help you stand apart from the competition, we also set up Standards in Recruitment. Approved by Crown Commercial Services, SiR is the UK’s only independent accreditation and compliance programme for the recruitment industry.
