Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Employment - Northern (Bar)
What the Team is Known For
Widely acknowledged as a leading employment set on the Northern Circuit, Nine Chambers is regularly instructed to handle the most sensitive employment issues faced by clients including NHS trusts, local authorities and others. Matters handled by the set include complex discrimination and TUPE claims, with individuals acting on behalf of both employers and employees. Some members are additionally sought out for representation in commercial employment law claims, involving restrictive covenants or injunctions. Members recently represented the respondent in Sarah Juillet v City St Georges, University of London, a matter concerning unlawful deduction of wages and equal pay. One client describes the team as follows: "Exceptional barristers who are both technically excellent and down to earth."
Tony Morrissey is the director of clerking.
Strengths
The clerks are approachable and responsive.
The best clerks around - special mention to Tony Morrissey who heads up the clerks but also Julia Lanza and Jane Slingsby.
I can instruct Nine Chambers with confidence, knowing that they have very high-quality barristers and a very user-friendly clerking team.
Notable practitioners
Joanne Connolly has cultivated a reputation for her expertise in disability discrimination claims but is also notably experienced in unfair dismissal, whistle-blowing and equal pay claims. She is instructed by clients from a variety of sectors, including local authorities, educational institutions, corporate bodies and the NHS.
Joanne Connolly is a top junior to instruct - if she is free, we would instruct her. She has a wealth of experience, is down to earth and exceptional with clients.
A graceful and very tough opponent, very bright and great at cross-examination.
Louise Quigley is an esteemed barrister who is capable of handling a variety of employment matters, and particularly adept in whistle-blowing and maternity discrimination cases. She acts for both claimants and respondents and is often sought out for experience with sensitive allegations.
Her pre-trial preparation is impressive and her grasp on a case is unparalleled.
Louise Quigley has a great ability to get to grips with large volumes of documents.
Louise Quigley is a formidable thinker and highly skilled at precision cross-examination.
Nigel Grundy handles the full range of employment disputes for a variety of clients including NHS trusts, businesses, local authorities and clients from the education sector. He has experience of appearing in court at all levels, including the Employment Tribunal, the Employment Appeal Tribunal and the High Court.
Nigel Grundy is always our first-choice counsel. Nothing is too much trouble. He is excellent in all things employment and is a superb advocate.
Paul Gilroy KC has wide-ranging experience in the field of employment law and is well versed in complex cases in the Employment Tribunal, Employment Appeal Tribunal and High Court. He is especially knowledgeable about employment issues in the sports industry and is highly regarded for his expertise in sports-related litigation and regulatory matters.
He is an excellent advocate and very commercial. Clients really like and rate him.
He's absolutely outstanding, in a league of his own.
Stefan Brochwicz-Lewinski has a wealth of experience in many areas of employment law and is well regarded for his knowledge of TUPE, whistle-blowing and unfair dismissal issues, as well as his ability to seamlessly handle complex discrimination and equal pay claims.
Stefan is super, clinical, he really knows his stuff. I wheel him out for a lot of induction-type work, and his delivery is superb.
Stefan in the cross-examination of a witnesses is superb. His drafting is excellent and we would not hesitate to use him if he is available.
Amy Smith has an emerging practice with a particular focus on disability discrimination. She practises across the entire country at Employment Tribunal and also has experience of advocacy before the Employment Appeal Tribunal. Smith often represents public bodies such as NHS trusts and local authorities but has also represented private employers, as well as employees.
A very capable and client-friendly choice.
Amy is an excellent barrister whom I trust completely to do a great job both with her advocacy and with my clients.
As an active advocate in the Employment Tribunal and High Court, Edward Morgan KC has a diverse employment practice. His experience in commercial law gives him a particular focus on restrictive covenants, shareholder disputes, breach of fiduciary duties claims and pension-related issues.
Edward Morgan is one of the very best counsel I have worked with.
Edward Morgan is at the top of his game, exceptional. I wouldn't hesitate to instruct him on the most complex cases.
Lena Amartey draws accolades for her successful employment advocacy on behalf of both claimants and respondents. She handles a wide range of issues including claims of whistle-blowing, discrimination and unlawful deduction from wages.
Lena is an excellent litigator, forward- and lateral-thinking, incredibly well prepared, socially aware and highly knowledgeable.
She has steered us thorough difficult cases with professionalism and strong advocacy to some great outcomes. She is approachable and friendly and we are pleased to have been able to work with her.
She is incredibly personable with a fearsome yet adaptable advocacy style.
Rachael Levene has frequently acted unled in tribunals and appeals concerning unfair dismissal, whistle-blowing and discrimination claims. She is instructed for claimants and respondents.
She is able to cut through complex issues with ease and explain legal complexities simply to lay clients.
Rachael has superb client care.
Laura Kaye is a respected employment barrister who regularly appear in employment tribunals and appeal courts. She represents respondents in unfair dismissal cases and handles advisory work.
Robert Lassey represents claimants and respondents in discrimination, unfair dismissal and other employment tribunal matters.
Robert Lassey has all the admirable skills of counsel called many years before him, including determination, carefully thought-out cross-examination and high levels of precision in his drafting work.
I am always confident in Rob's ability to get to the heart of the legal issues at play, and put these across in a way which will achieve the best outcome for our clients.