Sarah provides advice to employer clients on a range of employment law matters and in various sectors, including the care sector, manufacturing sector, charity sector and leisure and tourism sector. She assists our corporate team, advising in respect of business acquisitions and disposals. Sarah takes pride in getting to know her clients and their businesses so that she can assist them with their people strategy and so she has a full awareness of their commercial objectives and how their people strategy fits in with those objectives. Sarah is known for her down to earth and practical approach to employment law issues and is often referred to as part of her client’s “team”.
Specialises in:
Expertise
- Tribunal claims
- High level severances/exits
- Day to day HR matters
- Employment documentation including contracts, polices and directors service agreements
- Complex bonus and commission schemes
- Redundancies/restructures
- Discrimination issues
- Dismissals
- TUPE and outsourcing
- In-house training
- Charity governance support
- Trustee training
Key experience
- Successfully defended a constructive dismissal claim pursued by an ex-employee of a client.
- Conducted multiple training sessions for a charity client covering topics including Equality & Diversity, Disciplinary and Grievance Investigations.
- Advised a long-standing client on the purchase of an accountancy practice including drafting indemnities, settlement and consultancy agreements and advised in respect of liabilities and obligations arising under TUPE.
- Provided a significant amount of day-to-day employment law and HR support to a number of organisations in various sectors.
- Supported several senior executives in achieving a clean break from their employer via a settlement agreement.
Relevant experience
- Care homes
- Manufacturing
- Leisure & hospitality
- Charity sector
Date of qualification
Sarah qualified as a solicitor in 2006.
Interests
Sarah is a trustee of NE Youth, and enjoys aerial yoga, hiking, going to the gym, spending time with family, and reading.
Client via Chambers & Partners
Client
Client via Legal 500
Client via Chambers & Partners
Client via Legal 500
Client
“Sarah Furness is amazing. Always willing to support, she gives open and honest advice and always listens to my thoughts and opinions.
“Sarah Furness is an extremely knowledgeable employment practitioner who combines vast knowledge with an ability to summarise key issues succinctly for her clients. Sarah is driven to achieve the right solutions for her clients, is pragmatic and very well respected by her peers. Working with Sarah you quickly notice that she has fantastic listening skills and has the ability to cut straight to the heart of what is important in the project. I’d have no hesitation in recommending Sarah. Clearly a people person, Sarah was also a pleasure to work with- a rare combination of all the important qualities in a lawyer.
“Sarah is always quick to respond and we are never left waiting. This is important in our line of work as issues can arise quickly with a response being required just as quick. Sarah gives clear and concise advice which makes it easy for us to understand the situation and how we should deal with it.
“Sarah Furness is very responsive to our needs. We need clear and concise advice and this is exactly what is provided.
“A key reason when choosing Hay & Kilner to provide legal advice was their approachability. Sarah Furness was empathetic and patient which helped us a great deal throughout the process. Sarah is also a fantastic negotiator and I felt sure that she was on our side and would achieve the best possible result for us.
“Sarah always asks what we want to achieve and get out of it, which is great. She takes the time to understand where we are coming from and will challenge us on what we are doing to ensure she gives us the best advice. I don’t think she can improve because she ticks every box.
Professional memberships & accolades
Legal 500
Legal 500
Legal 500
ELA
Expert commentary & updates
Navigating financial and loyalty conflicts in charity governance
Sarah Furness, from our Charities & Employment Law & HR Teams, explains how charities can identify and manage financial and loyalty conflicts in governance, ensuring transparency, compliance and effective decision-making.
Ready or not: Why employers must act now on the Employment Rights Act
Employment Rights Act changes explained: Inna Ratsebarska, from our Employment Law & HR Team Team, outlines key reforms and why UK employers must act now to manage risk and prepare for 2027.
Charities seminar: 20th May 2026
Join us for a free Charity Business Briefing seminar where experts from Hay & Kilner and Armstrong Watson will explore the key developments currently shaping the charity landscape.
Preparing for the Employment Rights Act: What employers need to do now
Sarah Furness, from our Employment Law & HR Team, outlines how employers can prepare for the Employment Rights Act, including recruitment, zero-hours contracts, sickness absence and workplace culture changes.
The new Charity Governance Code: What trustees and charities need to know
Hay & Kilner’s Charities Team explain the new Charity Governance Code, what’s changed and how trustees should approach best practice and compliance.
The Employment Rights Bill: What’s planned and how can employers prepare
Sarah Furness, from our Employment Law & HR Team, explains the key proposals in the UK Employment Rights Bill and what employers can do to prepare for upcoming changes.
Unfair dismissal: Recent cases and what they tell us
Tom Clarke from our Employment Law & HR Team, explains what two recent Tribunals mean for what does and does not amount to a potentially unfair dismissal.
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