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Michael Scutt

Partner, Head of Employment and Dispute Resolution

I am a Partner and Head of the Employment and Dispute Resolution team at Crane & Staples.

I joined the firm in 2013 and became a Partner in 2016.

I qualified as a Solicitor in 1993.

I advise both businesses and individuals on all aspects of employment law and HR support including;

  • Drafting business documents, including contracts of employment, staff handbooks, policies and agreements
  • Drafting and advising on Settlement Agreements
  • Advising on redundancy and dismissal processes, including disciplinary and grievance procedures and protected conversations
  • Protecting business assets, such as confidential information and business contacts
  • Restrictive covenants
  • Representation in Employment Tribunal and Court cases

I also advise and assist in disputes concerning estates after death, including claims where it is alleged the testator did not have mental capacity to make a will and  claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependents) Act 1975.

We also undertake debt recovery work as well as Landlord & Tenant work, in both residential and commercial cases.  We can help with lease extension disputes under the LTA 1954 as well as possession proceedings  in residential settings (s.8 and s.21 Housing Act 1988)

I am a good listener and empathetic as well as being pro-active and like to take a results focussed approach to each case

I head up a dedicated team that gives clear and practical legal advice with a minimum of jargon. We are committed to trying to resolve disputes in a fair and business-like manner, using mediation where possible.

Professional Memberships

Outside the office

Away from work I like cycling and running.

In 2025, I won a Hertfordshire High Sheriff award for volunteering with my local Parkrun group and encouraging local people to keep active.

In 2023, I ran the London Marathon and raised over £2,750 for Parkinson's UK.

Michael Scutt photographed with representatives from some of the local businesses and clubs who sponsored his marathon.

Michael Scutt photographed with representatives from some of the local businesses and clubs who sponsored his marathon.

  • A brilliant result, Michael did not just simply read the document & asked me to sign, he read it, went back & challenged achieving a better settlement agreement.

  • Dear Michael, Thank you so much for all you have done. It is such a relief to have this all over and done with, life can move on now. Thank you for your persistence, wisdom and guidance over these last months.

  • Michael, Many thanks for sending through the final agreement below.  Also, thank you so much for all your help in finalising the agreement and making this process so much easier for me, it is much appreciated.

  • Thank you so much for all your help explaining the processes to me, I really appreciate that you have taken the time to advise me. Should I ever know of anyone who needs an employment lawyer I will point them in your direction.

  • I engaged Crane and Staples to assist me in dealing with a rogue builder who was doing a large project at my home in 2022 and had invoiced me for works not performed. I had refused to pay his final invoice as the amounts were spurious after which the builder in question became quite unpleasant, referring the invoice to a debt collector, resulting in a court letter. Michael and his team were a pleasure to deal with, dealing very effectively with the debt collector and their legal team, offering pragmatic and practical advice which resulted in a satisfactory outcome for me and avoided the necessity of going to court. I would not hesitate to use Crane & Staples again. Michael, thank you for your good counsel in dealing with this matter. Your professional, calm and approachable demeanour coupled with sound legal knowledge helped me get off my high horse and achieve a pragmatic solution to this issue.

  • Great service Efficient, in-depth and pleasant to work with.

  • Great lawyers - Very knowledgeable and approachable. Would highly recommend.

  • Very professional, concise and understandable advise.

  • Awesome representation, excellent communication and active listener.

  • Great advice and support during a difficult personal process.

  • Excellent and timely advice. Crane & Staples was recommended to me by a colleague, who was also being made redundant. From very first contact with them the process was efficient and timely and the whole process was wrapped up in less than a week.

  • Very good from start to finish, made you feel very comfortable, always kept in touch made things easy and very understandable.

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