Department profile
Cloisters Chambers

Employment

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


Cloisters Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Employment - London (Bar)

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Cloisters Chambers is a premium employment set which is home to barristers acting in a wide range of complex cases including whistle-blowing, worker status and equal pay claims. Interviewees agree that the chambers offers a "selection of highly experienced advocates" who provide "high-quality, commercial and workable advice." Members frequently represent individuals and companies, as well as trade unions and public bodies, in the employment tribunals and up to the Supreme Court. They are also approached by government departments, charities and the EHRC to carry out investigations or reviews. In recent months, barristers have represented large group claims against McDonald's and their franchises in claims relating to workplace harassment and successfully represented TUI in a High Court class action brought by pilots.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerks at Cloisters Chambers are extremely helpful and responsive, particularly Grace Kurti.

    Employment respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks always deliver an excellent level of service. They are always polite, professional, approachable, and highly responsive, ensuring queries are dealt with promptly and efficiently.

    Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Their clerks provide a top-quality service, are dependable, and go the extra mile.

    Employment respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are clearly very commercially aware and seek to work with instructing solicitors in order to be able to assist with matters swiftly and efficiently.

    Employment respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks at Cloisters really stand out for their levels of service and flexibility.

    Employment respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsChris Milsom
    Star IndividualsChris Milsom

    Chris Milsom

    Chris Milsom has a broad practice, covering the full spectrum of employment and discrimination disputes, including cases concerning gender reassignment, race and age discrimination. He has also recently appeared in a number of whistle-blowing disputes and worker status claims.

    • Chris Milsom is a good advocate and client-friendly. He is intelligent and focused on issues.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Chris Milsom is such an engaging advocate.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Chris Milsom is a leading barrister who has exceptional advocacy skills and is a go-to counsel for cases involving discrimination and human rights issues.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Chris is a brilliant legal mind who isn't afraid of fighting for the underdog.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Caspar Glyn
    Band 1Caspar Glyn

    Caspar Glyn

    Caspar Glyn KC is a well-established silk recognised for his effective cross-examination and courtroom presence. He is admired for his industrial relations work, representing both employers and trade unions. He also has expertise relating to other matters, including discrimination and employee benefits.

    • Caspar Glyn is particularly good at grasping complex commercial issues quickly and has an engaging manner with clients.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Caspar is a brilliant advocate. He was fearsome on his feet.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Caspar Glyn is very thorough and impeccably well prepared.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Claire McCann
    Band 1Claire McCann

    Claire McCann

    Claire McCann has a wide practice spanning both employment and equality law issues, with expertise in discrimination claims and equal pay litigation. Her clients come from a range of industry sectors, including healthcare, aviation, banking and retail. She is adept in the handling of whistle-blowing claims.

    • Claire McCann is hugely knowledgeable and impressive.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Claire McCann was absolutely on top of all details, and she was very cool, calm and collected in negotiations.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Claire McCann is an incredible advocate.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Dee Masters
    Band 1Dee Masters

    Dee Masters

    Dee Masters heads the employment group and has extensive knowledge regarding equal pay and discrimination issues, with a particular focus on age discrimination. She represents both employers and employees.

    • Dee prepares exceptionally well, and her written and oral arguments are first-class.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Dee Masters is unbelievably clever, commercial, and has an enormous depth of knowledge and experience of employment law.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Dee Masters is brilliant and clients love her.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Jason Galbraith-Marten
    Band 1Jason Galbraith-Marten

    Jason Galbraith-Marten

    Jason Galbraith-Marten KC acts across all aspects of employment law, advising clients from local government, media organisations and the motor industry. He is particularly well regarded for his work in disability discrimination cases, as well as matters concerning TUPE, and collective employment and worker status law.

    • Jason Galbraith-Marten is switched on to the tactics of the other side, has knowledge of the issues, and he has his ear to the ground.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Jason Galbraith-Marten is a phenomenal advocate who provides effective and commercial advice responsively.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Paul Epstein
    Band 1Paul Epstein

    Paul Epstein

    Paul Epstein KC is a talented advocate who handles high-profile employment cases at all levels of the judicial system. He has a strong reputation for working on discrimination issues but is also an authority in matters concerning equal pay and whistle-blowing.

    • Paul Epstein is very impressive as an advocate.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Paul brought gravitas and a sense of calm to the proceedings. He is a very talented leader and strategist.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Rachel Crasnow
    Band 1Rachel Crasnow

    Rachel Crasnow

    Rachel Crasnow KC acts across the full gamut of employment law and has a particular aptitude for discrimination cases. She is instructed by clients in the banking, media, healthcare and education sectors.

    • Rachel Crasnow has an excellent eye for detail.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Rachel Crasnow is a fantastic employment lawyer.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Robin Allen
    Band 1Robin Allen

    Robin Allen

    Robin Allen KC is a considerably experienced and eminent silk who frequently appears in the most significant employment litigation. He is well reputed for his impressive track record in the House of Lords and the Supreme Court, and is considered to be one of the best barristers available for discrimination cases. He has appeared in high-profile roles in the course of the long-running litigation over judges' pensions.

    • Robin Allen is exceptional, sharp, efficient and engaging.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Schona Jolly
    Band 1Schona Jolly

    Schona Jolly

    Schona Jolly KC is an admired silk whose employment practice is bolstered by her human rights knowledge. She is a regular counsel for banking clients and trade unions, and has been instructed in one of the leading gig economy cases in the court system. She also handles complex discrimination claims. She has represented clients in the High Court and appellate courts.

    • She has a brilliant legal mind and is always a pleasure to work with. She is brilliant with clients and faultless on discrimination law.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Her strength is her thoroughness and her foresight. She is so good at giving solicitors and clients insight into her thinking and working through problems in a way that is incredibly reassuring.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Tom Brown
    Band 1Tom Brown

    Tom Brown

    Tom Brown is a highly experienced barrister who appears at tribunals and at all levels of the court system in all manner of employment disputes. He has sound knowledge of a variety of issues, including equality law, restrictive covenants and confidential information.

    • Tom is a really good barrister. He is on top of everything but very clear and collaborative.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Tom Brown's oral advocacy is very strong and very persuasive.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Tom Brown has handled complex matters with a matter-of-fact and straightforward style.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Daphne Romney
    Band 2Daphne Romney

    Daphne Romney

    Daphne Romney KC concentrates her practice on discrimination and equal pay matters, with additional strengths in wrongful dismissal and breach of contract issues. She is also notable for her work handling whistle-blowing cases.

    • Daphne is very well versed on everything that goes on.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Daphne Romney has always been very impressive.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Daphne knows her equal pay law inside-out.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Olivia-Faith Dobbie
    Band 2Olivia-Faith Dobbie

    Olivia-Faith Dobbie

    Olivia-Faith Dobbie handles a far-reaching employment practice specialising in discrimination claims and working time disputes. She represents clients both at employment tribunals and in court.

    • Olivia-Faith Dobbie is clever, insightful and extremely thorough. No stone is left unturned on any case Olivia is dealing with.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Olivia-Faith has a very calm and reassuring presence. She is organised.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Olivia-Faith Dobbie prepares incisive and compelling skeleton arguments. She acts quickly and efficiently.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Paul Michell
    Band 2Paul Michell

    Paul Michell

    Paul Michell is vastly experienced in employment law matters but particularly focuses on wrongful dismissal and discrimination cases, with knowledge of restraint of trade and injunctive relief. He acts for a range of clients but has particular expertise in the education and sports sectors.

    • Paul Michell is excellent and very good with clients. He has a nice manner and is bright.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Tom Coghlin
    Band 2Tom Coghlin

    Tom Coghlin

    Tom Coghlin KC handles employment law matters for an impressive selection of clients, including public bodies, banks, companies, charities and individuals. He is particularly skilled at dealing with discrimination and whistle-blowing issues.

    • Tom Coghlin is very friendly, very tenacious, and has got a brilliant grasp of the law. He is a terrific oral advocate as well.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • On his feet, he is extremely adaptive, very calm, very well organised and prepared.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Tom Coghlin can fight super-hard and pull great outcomes. He is very resilient, hard-working and committed.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Akua Reindorf
    Band 3Akua Reindorf

    Akua Reindorf

    Akua Reindorf KC works primarily in highly complex discrimination cases, often representing trade unions and individuals before the appellate courts. She also has experience handling dismissal claims. She has gained in prominence following the publication of the Reindorf Report into no-platforming at the University of Essex.

    • Akua Reindorf is a devastatingly effective advocate who is able to deal with fact-heavy, legally complex matters.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Akua Reindorf is a barrister with gravitas and a powerful advocate.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Akua Reindorf is a formidable advocate.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Caroline Musgrave-Cohen
    Band 3Caroline Musgrave-Cohen

    Caroline Musgrave-Cohen

    Caroline Musgrave-Cohen is an employment law specialist barrister with strong knowledge of whistle-blowing, disability discrimination and parental rights disputes. She is regularly involved in cases concerning local authorities, the professional services and the armed forces. She is experienced in work before the High Court and beyond.

    • Caroline Musgrave-Cohen is intelligent, quick on her feet, and able to break down complex data quickly; she is an asset on any team.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Caroline Musgrave-Cohen has got a great way of explaining really complex things in an easy-to-understand manner.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Caroline was fantastic with the client and completely on top of the detail, offering practical advice throughout. Her written submissions were also excellent.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Carolyn D'Souza
    Band 3Carolyn D'Souza

    Carolyn D'Souza

    Carolyn D'Souza is a high-quality advocate specialising in complex employment cases in the financial services sector. She frequently acts in significant cases involving claims of discrimination and whistle-blowing.

    • Carolyn is an excellent adviser. She is so knowledgeable, a great tactician, and a super advocate.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • As an advocate, Carolyn is truly exceptional. She is clear and precise, swiftly grasping complex legal and factual issues and expertly conveying them in a manner that is accessible and impactful.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Carolyn D'Souza is astute, clear in her advice, and calm in her approach.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Catherine Casserley
    Band 3Catherine Casserley

    Catherine Casserley

    Catherine Casserley is widely recognised as a barrister with significant expertise in equality law and a particular focus on disability discrimination. She has experience in other aspects of employment law, acting at all levels from tribunal to the Supreme Court.

    • Catherine is highly skilled counsel, particularly in discrimination matters.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Declan O'Dempsey
    Band 3Declan O'Dempsey

    Declan O'Dempsey

    Declan O'Dempsey has vast experience across the whole expanse of employment law. He is particularly recognised for his discrimination work and for his handling of equal pay and whistle-blowing claims, as well as cases considering the effects of mental health problems on employees.

    • Declan O'Dempsey is responsive, tactically strong, and completely on top of the complexity of the issues.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Declan O'Dempsey is very experienced.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • He is a longstanding fighting barrister who is very impressive.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Edmund Williams
    Band 3Edmund Williams

    Edmund Williams

    Ed Williams KC is a skilled employment and discrimination law barrister who is often instructed in appellate cases. He acts for employers and employees from a range of sectors including finance and education.

    • Edmund Williams is a stellar employment KC.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Ed Williams has a huge amount of gravitas and is a real team player.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Nathaniel Caiden
    Band 3Nathaniel Caiden

    Nathaniel Caiden

    Nathaniel Caiden has an impressive reputation as an appellate advocate, with experience acting for both claimants and respondents. He has a broad employment practice but he can boast particular experience in discrimination and worker status cases.

    • Nathaniel Caiden is very thorough. He picks up all the points and provides detailed advice.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Nathaniel is an outstanding advocate who is incredibly detail-oriented and an incredibly safe pair of hands to have on board.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Nathaniel is excellent with clients, has strong advocacy and technical knowledge, is commercial, pragmatic and always on hand.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Rachel Barrett
    Band 3Rachel Barrett

    Rachel Barrett

    Rachel Barrett is an impressive employment law barrister who has made appearances before the highest UK courts. She acts on behalf of both claimant and respondent clients and handles a wide range of matters including breach of contract, whistle-blowing and disability discrimination.

    • Rachel Barrett is fantastic to work with, technically brilliant, and also emotionally intelligent.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Rachel cuts through in a way that not many barristers do and is great on her feet. She has got a razor-sharp intellect.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Rachel Barrett has a very good court manner. She's calm and collected and then pounces on you, coming out of nowhere. It's very impressive to watch.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Rebecca Tuck
    Band 3Rebecca Tuck

    Rebecca Tuck

    Rebecca Tuck KC is a talented tribunal advocate with extensive knowledge of discrimination claims and unfair dismissal cases. Highly adept at handling complex employment litigation, she often conducts investigations into employees and advises grievance and disciplinary panels.

    • Rebecca is highly sought after for particularly sensitive cases.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Rebecca's advocacy is strong. She is always a good choice.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Adam Ohringer
    Band 4Adam Ohringer

    Adam Ohringer

    Adam Ohringer possesses notable experience of issues including worker status and difficult questions on potentially conflicting provisions in the Equality Act 2010. He is also a strong choice for everything from TUPE cases to whistle-blowing claims.

    • Adam Ohringer is excellent on his feet and an effective advocate. He has great client care skills.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Clients find him a trusted adviser and a safe pair of hands. He is clear and concise.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Adam Ohringer is an excellent advocate and very responsive.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Anna Beale
    Band 4Anna Beale

    Anna Beale

    Anna Beale is a strong advocate with excellent experience before the tribunals and courts representing employers and individuals in complex discrimination and whistle-blowing cases. She also has experience dealing with equal pay disputes.

    • Anna is exceptionally well prepared and has an excellent approach to client service. She has fantastic written work and persuasive advocacy.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Anna Beale is very good with putting clients at ease. She is easy to work with and excellent on the technical side.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Anna Beale is a superb advocate who is able to make points effectively and with force.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Chesca Lord
    Band 4Chesca Lord

    Chesca Lord

    Chesca Lord is a skilled litigator who is deeply experienced in employment and equality law, including substantial discrimination claims. She has notable expertise in relation to part-time workers and sleep-in shifts.

    • Chesca Lord's legal expertise is exceptional. She always provide strategic and practical solutions to support clients while also mitigating the legal risks.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Sarah Fraser Butlin
    Band 4Sarah Fraser Butlin

    Sarah Fraser Butlin

    Sarah Fraser Butlin KC is an employment-specialist barrister who is hugely skilled in trade union cases, including union recognition matters and questions of worker status.

    • Sarah is calm under pressure, gives excellent strategic advice, and delivers a first-class service.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Sarah is very good, very clever, and also an academic. She can draw the line very well and knows when to present as a barrister and vice versa.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Sarah Fraser Butlin's advocacy is very strong and she is fantastically bright.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Sheryn Omeri
    Band 4Sheryn Omeri

    Sheryn Omeri

    Sheryn Omeri KC is an experienced employment barrister who elicits praise for her ability to represent employers and employees before the senior courts. She has particularly impressive experience in discrimination and worker status cases.

    • Sheryn Omeri is very client-focused and extremely tenacious. She never gives up the fight.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Sheryn Omeri has a brilliant mind and is lovely to work with. She is smart and focused and very hard-working.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Andrew Watson
    Band 5Andrew Watson

    Andrew Watson

    Andrew Watson is commended by instructing solicitors for his deep knowledge of employment law. He has acted for a variety of claimants and respondents in discrimination and unfair dismissal claims.

    • Andrew Watson is excellent strategically. He is incredibly bright and fantastic with clients.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Andrew is a first-class employment lawyer with excellent client care. He has strong tactical acumen, is strong on detail, and exceptional on zeroing in on nuanced but material points.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Andrew produced clear drafting and identification of key issues and risk areas despite extensive, convoluted facts.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Jennifer Danvers
    Band 5Jennifer Danvers

    Jennifer Danvers

    Jennifer Danvers attracts attention for her ability in complex cases of discrimination, whistle-blowing, unfair dismissal and harassment. She represents claimants and respondents, including those in education and academia.

    • Technically she is amazing. You feel that you are in very good hands.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Jennifer Danvers is a brilliant all-rounder. She is excellent with lay clients, totally on top of the papers, and very commercial in the advice she provides.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Jennifer is a truly exceptional barrister. She is able to combine sharp legal acumen with a personable approach.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Matt Jackson
    Band 5Matt Jackson

    Matt Jackson

    Matt Jackson has a dedicated employment and discrimination practice in which he acts for both employer and employee. His work covers whistle-blowing cases and contractual matters.

    • Matt's advocacy is strong and he is a good barrister.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Matt Jackson knows employment law inside and out. He is very good at appellate level.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Jonathan Cook
    Band 6Jonathan Cook

    Jonathan Cook

    Jonathan Cook is a reputable choice of counsel acting for both claimants and respondents in employment disputes. He is adept at handling disability discrimination and constructive dismissal claims, with notable experience across the Employment Tribunal and the Employment Appeal Tribunal.

    • Jonathan Cook is an excellent advocate. He has a firm grasp of issues in a short timeframe and excellent matter management.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Jonathan Cook is a very experienced counsel who can deal with complicated cases. He has a good manner with clients and was very able in front of the judge.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Up and ComingAmeer Ismail
    Up and ComingAmeer Ismail

    Ameer Ismail

    Ameer Ismail has a varied employment practice which includes acting in unfair dismissals, discrimination, whistle-blowing, contractual and TUPE-related matters. He has experience acting for both claimants and respondents.

    • Ameer is a fantastic and very bright junior. He has a brilliant way with clients and adopts a forensic approach to his preparation.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Ameer Ismail is our go-to junior for employment matters, thanks to his impressive drafting skills, deep legal knowledge and strategic insight.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Ameer is super-responsive, conscientious, has strong attention to detail and turns over every rock. He has excellent drafting skills.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Up and ComingHelena Ifeka
    Up and ComingHelena Ifeka

    Helena Ifeka

    Helena Ifeka acts for claimants and respondents in a range of employment matters, including whistle-blowing, redundancy, discrimination and TUPE-related trials. She has prior experience in industry and consultancy, giving her a unique commercial background.

    • Helena does not get things wrong. She is very thoughtful about the tactics in litigation and also very, very pragmatic and sensible in how she approaches advice.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Helena Ifeka has provided clear advice on strategy. She has great aftercare in terms of following up after hearings with useful, pragmatic advice on next steps.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Up and ComingLaurene Veale
    Up and ComingLaurene Veale

    Laurene Veale

    Laurene Veale's expertise covers a range of discrimination matters, including those concerning maternity, age, disability and part-time workers. She has acted for claimants and respondents in appeals to the EAT, as well as covering large group claims.

    • Laurene is a pleasure to work with. She is meticulous.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Laurene Veale is very responsive and the client is extremely pleased with her level and quality of communication. Her written work, oral advice and advocacy are excellent.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Laurene is an outstanding advocate with excellent client care skills.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
  • Up and ComingRuaraidh Fitzpatrick
    Up and ComingRuaraidh Fitzpatrick

    Ruaraidh Fitzpatrick

    Ruaraidh Fitzpatrick has significant experience in trade union law as well as age discrimination, redundancy and sex discrimination in the workplace. His professional expertise also draws on human rights and international legal norms.

    • Ruaraidh Fitzpatrick is an impressive advocate, a skilled and experienced barrister, and a pleasure to work with. Clients love him.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Ruaraidh Fitzpatrick is a superior counsel and adored by lawyers and lay clients. He breaks tricky topics down into bite-sized chunks.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
    • Ruaraidh's questioning is focused and effective, and he handles both the procedural and tactical elements of hearings with skill.

      Employment respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Cloisters Chambers (36)

London (Bar)

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