Ivor Adair

Ivor has considerable experience of conducting litigation in both employment law-related High Court disputes and significant employment tribunal matters, as well as experience in many other aspects of employment, partnership and data protection law.

Ivor acts for partners and employees in relation to exits from professional services firms (particularly in the legal sector), and for senior executives and partners in the insurance, banking and private equity sectors (particularly in relation to substantial carried interest disputes). He has particular expertise in advising on sensitive and complex conduct and performance investigations and harassment matters. His work demands a detailed understanding of professional regulation (bolstered in 2018 following a course focused on Financial Services and Markets Regulation), data protection rights and workplace privacy issues.

Ivor also has experience of acting for NHS Chief Executives, medical professionals, professional music performers and sports professionals, including a number of high profile football coaches and managers. Ivor’s experience includes disputes arising out of breach of contract, including in relation to remuneration (incentive arrangements and good leaver/bad leaver provisions), restrictive covenants and professional negligence claims against firms of solicitors in relation to their employment law advice. He has also advised in arbitration proceedings. His experience includes matters involving an off-shore element.

During Ivor’s career he has represented claimants in high-value and complex whistle-blowing claims, discrimination claims (including a sexual orientation discrimination claim concerning the “outing” of an individual, appealed to the Court of Appeal), executive work stress claims (overwork and or bullying) and TUPE claims. A number of his cases have established legal precedents. He appeared for the group of musicians who, in a ground-breaking claim, sought an injunction to require the National Theatre to reengage them to play their instruments in the production of War Horse following their dismissal: Ashworth & Ors v The Royal National Theatre [2014] EWHC 1176. The case had significant legal implications and received considerable press coverage.

He gives clear and pragmatic advice and is known for his highly strategic conduct of litigation and the resolution of sensitive disputes.

Ivor has been interviewed on radio and television on employment law issues, delivered seminars and numerous training sessions and been quoted in the legal press. He has presented to the membership of the American Bar Association on UK data protection, the GDPR and privacy issues.

Ivor joined Fox & Partners as a partner in 2018, moving from his position as a partner in a top 30 UK law firm. He has over 12 years’ experience in employment law. He is a qualified Solicitor-Advocate with Higher Rights of Audience (civil).

Appointments, Associations & Memberships

Ivor also has a particular interest in legislative change effecting the workplace and sits on the Legislative and Policy Committee of Employment Lawyers Association. He is also an active member of the Association of Partnership Practitioners, Professional Negligence Lawyers Association and Commercial Litigators Forum.

Client testimonials

“Ivor Adair is extremely bright and intellectually on the button.” (Legal 500 2024 – Partnership)

“Ivor has a phenomenal mind with regard to employment. He is great at sense-checking to ensure the best foot is being put forward.” (Chambers 2024 – Partnership)

“Ivor is amazing at what he does, combining a fascination with the law with pragmatism.” (Chambers 2024 – Senior Executive)

“Ivor Adair is a brilliant technical lawyer and very strategic. An experienced litigator, he knows how to get the best results for his client.” (Legal 500 2023 – Senior Executive)

“Ivor Adair is a dynamic litigator whose intellectual prowess is buttressed with commercial astuteness and versatility. Ivor’s experience shines through in heavyweight commercial disputes. He is formidable.” (Legal 500 2023 – Senior Executive)

“Ivor Adair is superb. He takes an innovative approach to legal problem-solving, providing creative solutions to tricky situations. He is extremely experienced and his technical knowledge base is stand out.” (Legal 500 2023 – Senior Executive)

“He is excellent at acting for individuals in tricky cases and he has a warm character.” “He provides crisp and definitive commercial advice. He is quick to respond and evaluate a situation and sets out a clear case management strategy, which proves highly successful.” “He is incredibly personable, he is collaborative and it is a joy to work with him.” (Chambers 2022 – Employment)

‘Ivor Adair – standout on interaction of employment law and transaction incentives.’ (Legal 500 2022 – Senior Executive)

“Ivor Adair is engaged, committed, available when needed and he provides advice with clarity and empathy. He remembers detail, he can see the big picture and the detail at the same time and shows judgment. He advises on the array of options, the pros and cons of each and he shows an awareness of cost-consciousness that is appreciated. A master of his craft.” (Legal 500 2022 – Senior Executive)

“Highly effective at litigation in employment law, with a reputation for robust negotiations. Ivor Adair is very good at succinctly explaining the level of risk with each potential course of action in an employment situation enabling the client to more easily weigh risks and make judgements.” (Legal 500 2022 – Senior Executive)

“He is extremely thorough and highly effective.“ “He has lots of energy and does great work.“ “He is highly intelligent and thoughtful about his litigation.” (Chambers 2021 – Senior Executive)

“Ivor Adair is calm under pressure and a pleasure to work with;” and “Ivor Adair is one of the most legally astute and technically gifted partners in the market.’” (Legal 500 2021 – Senior Executive)