Year of call: 2007
Helen Gardiner is regularly instructed in high-value commercial matters, particularly breach of warranty claims and matters of banking and securities. She also regularly acts in equine cases, particularly involving title to horses, purchase and sale disputes (with particular emphasis on the Consumer Rights Act 2015), and veterinary negligence.
Helen’s significant experience of employment law means she is well placed to act and advise where there is a crossover between commercial and employment law, such as cases involving company insolvency and the transfer of undertakings. She has particular expertise in restraint of trade and directors’ duties. She is also regularly instructed in all areas of employment law, particularly discrimination and whistleblowing.
Helen’s commercial outlook ensures she is well able to understand the drivers and concerns for litigants in high value and urgent work. She provides robust, practical and direct advice and representation to clients whilst retaining excellent rapport.
Helen is regularly instructed in high-value commercial matters, particularly:
Helen has a particular interest in matters concerning the lease, hire and sale of goods, together with ancillary claims such as conversion.
She regularly acts in equine cases, particularly involving title to horses, and purchase and sale disputes (especially with emphasis on the application of the Consumer Rights Act 2015).
Legal 500 (2021) : ‘I am always impressed with the way in which Helen can marshal the relevant facts and communicate her advice in an accessible manner. Helen is brilliant with clients and can instantly build up a rapport which puts the client at ease.’
Helen is experienced in a host of matters relating to company law, including:
She is particularly well-equipped to advise employers in cases where business decisions have wider ramifications for employees, such as in relation to the transfer of undertakings, outsourcing, and redundancy situations.
Legal 500 (2021): ‘Helen is always prompt in returning instructions and the quality of the written work produced is excellent.’
Helen accepts instructions in a wide range of health and welfare cases, including section 21A and section 16 applications, and disputes relating to capacity and ordinary residence. She acts on behalf of the Official Solicitor, families, local authorities, CCGs, health trusts and private care providers.
Helen sits as a fee paid judge in the Mental Health Tribunal, and has a keen interest in cases involving the intersection of the Mental Health Act 1983 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Helen’s complementary commercial knowledge make her well placed to accept instructions in all property and affairs cases, and she is keen to grow this aspect of her practice.
Helen has pursued a practice in the Court of Protection, having experience of the Mental Health Tribunal, and also making difficult welfare decisions as a Recorder in the Family Division. These experiences sparked an interest in cases involving vulnerable people. Her approachable and personable nature mean Helen is well liked by clients and quickly builds a good rapport with professionals when working towards a common aim. She has a successful commercial practice, and is a skilled trial advocate experienced in cross examination of witnesses (both lay and expert), and will tenaciously fight her client’s position in any contested final hearing.
Helen regularly appears in the Employment Tribunal representing both claimants and respondents. She has significant experience in cases involving unfair dismissal, disability, race and sex discrimination, whistleblowing and TUPE and often appears in lengthy tribunal hearings. She also represents clients at judicial mediations.
Helen’s employment practice is complemented by her knowledge of commercial law, meaning she is well placed to advise businesses facing restructures or insolvency situations in relation to their obligations and liabilities as employers.
Helen is popular with clients and solicitors, thanks not only to her sound advice and skillful advocacy, but also her ability to put clients at ease very quickly.
Legal 500 (2021): ‘She is a strong advocate, quick thinking and yet incredibly personable, especially with clients.’
Successfully representing a pharmacist dismissed for gross misconduct following his failure to notify his employer of malicious allegations made against him to his regulatory body.
Representing a city council against a claim by a former employee for various forms of race and disability discrimination, harassment and victimization. All allegations were dismissed following a 10 day hearing.
Representing a servicewoman in her claim against the Ministry of Defence for disability and sex discrimination.
Successfully arguing that a company was responsible for the actions of its shareholder who had made comments which were allegedly discriminatory on grounds of religious belief. The comments were disclosed by an anonymous third party, in circumstances which were alleged by the Respondent to be illegal. Following lengthy submissions, the comments were found to be admissible.
Advising a golf club on TUPE and redundancy following a change to the management structure of the club.
Having stuck out the claims brought by a carer against an elderly woman for failure to pay minimum wage and holiday pay, disability discrimination and unfair dismissal.
Helen’s practice incorporates all aspects of insolvency and restructuring litigation, with particular emphasis on:
Legal 500 (2021): ‘Helen is always prompt in returning instructions and the quality of the written work produced is excellent.’
Helen has a wealth of experience in dealing with matters concerning the Mobile Homes Act 1983 on behalf of site owners and residents, including:
Helen is regularly instructed to deal with possession actions and orders for sale, including applications for stays of execution. She is experienced in matters relating to securities, including challenges to the actions of receivers, actions on behalf of mortgagees to obtain possession and sale of properties, recovery of assets held pursuant to finance agreements, allegations of fraudulently executed securities, subrogation, and undue influence.
She also advises and acts in cases involving nuisance, Rylands v Fletcher, trespass to property, and boundary disputes.
Led by Ed Pepperall KC, defending a complex $76 million breach of warranty claim heard over 5 weeks in the TCC.
Obtaining an ex parte worldwide freezing injunction and passport order against an Afghan citizen.
Obtaining an injunction on behalf of a property developer against a bank to restrain appointment of receivers, and acting in the claim for over £1 million against it for alleged misrepresentation and breach of loan facility agreements.
Acting in the Crown Court for a bank and successfully protecting its security over a property which was the subject of a confiscation order pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Representing a director of a company accused of breaching his duties, conspiring by unlawful means with his new employer, inducing breaches of customer contracts and breaching confidentiality obligations.
Representing a city council against a claim by a former employee for various forms of race and disability discrimination, harassment and victimization. All allegations were dismissed following a 10 day hearing.
Representing a servicewoman in her claim against the Ministry of Defence for disability and sex discrimination.
Successfully representing a pharmacist dismissed for gross misconduct following his failure to notify his employer of malicious allegations made against him to his regulatory body.
“Helen is approachable, knowledgeable and extremely dependable.”
“Helen is someoneI really do rate highly.”
Chambers UK 2025
‘Helen is tenacious, superb on her feet, and excellent with clients.’
‘Helen gets to the details really quickly and advises on complex issues in a comprehensible manner. Her advocacy is concise and considered, and she is well-respected by judges.’
Legal 500 2025
“Helen is extremely bright, client friendly and responsive, and has an affable gravitas in court and client conferences.”
“Helen is a brilliant advocate. She can cut through the detail and deliver clear and practical advice which aligns to the client’s objectives.”
Chambers UK 2024
‘Helen is an incredibly strong advocate who breaks down complex matters into well structured arguments. She provides clear and succinct advice, and remains entirely professional yet puts both solicitors and clients at ease with her approachable and personable nature. She is an asset to have on your team.’
‘Helen has a very down to earth, relaxed and confident approach to advocacy. She is a force to be reckoned with.’
Legal 500 2024
“An excellent advocate for us as a client. She achieved a detailed understanding of a complicated case in a very short period of time.”
“Helen is very commercial. She is extremely bright, down to earth and approachable.”
“Helen provides pragmatic advice.”
Chambers UK 2023
‘Helen is a strong negotiator. She is extremely bright, and can assimilate a large amount of information quickly and with excellent recall. Clients love her pragmatic, direct approach to matters, and her straight-talking. She is an excellent advocate, and her court demeanour is charming yet extremely skilled in her delivery.’
Legal 500 2023
“An excellent advocate for us as a client. She achieved a detailed understanding of a complicated case in a very short period of time.”
“Helen is very commercial. She is extremely bright, down to earth and approachable.”
“Helen provides pragmatic advice.”
Chambers UK 2022
“She is bright, articulate, knowledgeable, hard working, tactically astute and fantastic with clients.”
Legal 500 2022 (Employment)
‘She is a strong advocate, quick thinking and yet incredibly personable, especially with clients.’
Legal 500 2021 (Employment)
‘I am always impressed with the way in which Helen can marshal the relevant facts and communicate her advice in an accessible manner. Helen is brilliant with clients and can instantly build up a rapport which puts the client at ease.’
Legal 500 2021 (Commercial Litigation)
‘Helen is always prompt in returning instructions and the quality of the written work produced is excellent.’
Legal 500 2021 (Company and Insolvency)
