Rachel Guthrie

Partner

"Calm, authoritative and commercial"

Legal 500 UK

Overview

Overview

I’m Partner, Head of our Guernsey Employment practice and a qualified Notary Public.

I joined the firm in January 2011 after moving from London, where I practised as a Solicitor with Allen & Overy. I was called to the Guernsey Bar in 2014.

My areas of practice are employment law, data protection and litigation. I specialise in all areas of contentious and non-contentious employment and data protection law, advising global and local companies.

Our Employment team has wide experience in all areas of employment law including the drafting of employment contracts and handbooks, negotiating compromise agreements, providing representation at the Employment and Discrimination Tribunal and giving support to our Corporate team on mergers and acquisitions and directors’ duties.

We also regularly advise on relocation issues including housing and immigration, as well as data protection and compliance issues.

I have written the Guernsey chapter in the current issue of Data Protection: Laws of the World.

Work Highlights

Successfully defended an unfair dismissal claim in the Employment Tribunal.

Advised various clients in the successful settlement of Tribunal and Royal Court claims.

Advised a banking group on a significant acquisition and subsequent restructuring and alignment of employment contracts.

Advised various clients on compliance with Guernsey data protection law.

Awards

Winner of 'Woman of the Year - Future Leaders - Senior Associate' Gold Award at the Citywealth Powerwomen Awards (2021)

“Rachel Guthrie is exceptionally proactive, strategic, tactical and balanced in her advice.”

Chambers and Partners UK 2026

“Practical and well considered.”

Chambers and Partners UK 2026

“The island’s premier employment lawyer.”

Legal 500 UK 2026

“Sought out for her expertise.”

Legal 500 UK 2026

“Rachel is very knowledgeable about employment law. She provides a great service that is always professional and friendly.”

Chambers and Partners UK 2025

“Ever so efficient.”

Chambers and Partners UK 2025

“Incredibly thorough.”

Chambers and Partners UK 2025

“One of Guernsey’s most experienced employment advocates.”

Legal 500 UK 2025

“Pragmatic, empathetic and supportive.”

Legal 500 UK 2025

“Rachel has great experience behind her, and a great handle on managing her clients’ perspectives.”

Chambers and Partners UK 2024

“Cool head, analytical brain and vast experience.”

Legal 500 UK 2024

“Supportive but at the same time sensible and obviously very knowledgeable.”

Legal 500 UK 2023

“Calm, authoritative and commercial.”

Legal 500 UK 2023

“Technically very strong.”

Chambers and Partners UK 2023

“Excellent client service.”

Chambers and Partners UK 2023

“In particular, Rachel Guthrie understood the key issues very quickly and with the minimum of fuss and drafted her advice accordingly.”

Legal 500 UK 2022

“She takes a very practical approach to employment law.”

Chambers and Partners UK 2021

Memberships

Employment Lawyers Association and Employment Law Alliance

Association of Partnership Practitioners (APP)

IoD Committee member

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