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Essex Court Chambers

Employment

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)

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Essex Court Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

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Employment - London (Bar)

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Essex Court Chambers is a formidable commercial set with substantial experience of employment litigation in the High Court and above, including on behalf of financial services clients. One notable highlight saw members act for the claimant in a multimillion-pound claim for damages and final injunctive relief against a former trader in the case of Dare International Ltd v Thomas Law. Interviewees report that the set is "very adept at dealing with employment-related claims" due to its "technical excellence." The barristers' strengths extend to whistle-blowing and discrimination claims.

The senior clerk is Joe Ferrigno.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Essex Court have a strong clerking team which is at the top of its game.

    Employment respondentUK Bar

  • The clerking at Essex Court Chambers is of a very high standard. Ben Perry is very good.

    Employment respondentUK Bar

  • The clerks at Essex Court Chambers have been very responsive.

    Employment respondentUK Bar

  • The clerking at Essex Court Chambers is fantastic. They are just really good and very collaborative.

    Employment respondentUK Bar

  • The clerks there are great. Joe Ferrigno is brilliant.

    Employment respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Daniel Oudkerk
    Daniel Oudkerk

    Daniel Oudkerk

    Daniel Oudkerk KC is recognised for his commercial approach and clear advice in complex employment matters. He has extensive experience of High Court litigation and is considered an expert in team move issues and restrictive covenant work.

    • Daniel Oudkerk is an excellent all-rounder. Clients love him because he has a great way of discussing issues with them.

      Employment respondentUK Bar

    • Daniel Oudkerk is certainly a serious commercial strategist.

      Employment respondentUK Bar

    • Dan is an acknowledged leader in the field, and deservedly too. He is a pleasure to work with and is great with clients.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
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  • David Craig
    David Craig

    David Craig

    David Craig KC is renowned for his grasp of employment law and brilliance in the courtroom. He handles a variety of issues, including injunctive relief, team moves, remuneration, restrictive covenants and dismissals.

    • David is an utter superstar. He's steady and he's committed, and he sticks with you throughout the process.

      Employment respondentUK Bar

    • David Craig is hugely hard-working and a team player; he is enormously successful as a result.

      Employment respondentUK Bar

    • David Craig is an utter genius. His drafting is brilliant and his ability in court is like watching a masterclass.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
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  • Andrew Hochhauser
    Andrew Hochhauser

    Andrew Hochhauser

    Andrew Hochhauser KC has established a strong reputation in the market as a powerful, resolute advocate who will aggressively fight the client's case. He regularly handles sophisticated High Court litigation and is a trusted counsel for both large commercial organisations and senior individuals. Many of his clients come from the financial services sector.

    • Andrew Hochhauser is very good and very authoritative.

      Employment respondentUK Bar

    • Andrew is brilliant on his feet and he's so hard-working.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
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  • Charles Ciumei
    Charles Ciumei

    Charles Ciumei

    Charles Ciumei KC handles sophisticated employment law issues, with a focus on injunction work and issues associated with the protection of confidential information and business secrets, such as restrictive covenant enforcement and whistle-blowing. Sources commend his strategic direction.

    • Charles Ciumei demonstrates an exceptional ability to address complex issues with excellent strategic advice delivered in a timely manner.

      Employment respondentUK Bar

    • Charles Ciumei is brilliant and excellent with strategy.

      Employment respondentUK Bar

    • Charles Ciumei is a formidable force. He knows his cases inside-out and uses this to stunning effect.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
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  • Edward Brown
    Edward Brown

    Edward Brown

    Edward Brown KC has considerable experience of High Court litigation cases, with additional expertise in representing financial services clients in complex employment tribunal disputes. His practice covers a wide range of employment issues. He is particularly noted for his strength in cases concerning team moves, remuneration, misconduct and discrimination.

    • Edward is very good and his advocacy approach is quietly confident.

      Employment respondentUK Bar

    • Edward Brown is very measured and unflappable. His drafting is excellent, he's good with clients, and he clearly knows the area back to front.

      Employment respondentUK Bar

    • Edward Brown is calm and collected on his feet, and he won't be pushed around.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
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  • Freddie Onslow
    Freddie Onslow

    Freddie Onslow

    Freddie Onslow has substantive experience in relation to business protection issues such as team moves and restrictive covenants. In addition, she is equally adept at matters connected to discrimination in the workplace.

    • Freddie Onslow is very technically capable and easy to work with.

      Employment respondentUK Bar

    • Freddie Onslow is absolutely fantastic and churns through work at an unbelievable pace.

      Employment respondentUK Bar

    • Freddie is really hard-working, clever and incisive.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
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  • Jane Russell
    Jane Russell

    Jane Russell

    Jane Russell has a broad employment practice, encompassing commercial matters such as bonus claims and team move litigation, as well as tribunal matters such as whistle-blowing claims and equality law. She is also junior counsel to the Crown on the government's A Panel.

    • Jane Russell is a very passionate and powerful advocate.

      Employment respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at Essex Court Chambers (7)

London (Bar)

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