Department profile
Old Square Chambers

Industrial Relations

UK Bar Guide 2026 : All Circuits


Old Square Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Industrial Relations - All Circuits

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Old Square Chambers is noted for being a set that is a "go-to for complex matters" with "excellent lawyers." Its market-leading credentials are evidenced by its array of high-quality silks and juniors, who are adept at taking on the full spectrum of industrial relations matters. Members frequently appear in higher courts, including the Supreme Court, ECJ, ECHR and the Court of Appeal, and represent a range of clients in sophisticated, significant and high-profile matters, such as trade union recognition, collective bargaining, industrial action and fire and rehire matters. Barristers from the set have recently been involved in major, seminal cases, including Uber BV v Aslam & ors.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerks are able to get an instruction and papers with a quick turnaround for advice.

    Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
  • They are responsive and excellent to work with. There is no job too small nor too big and they are always happy to help.

    Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
  • The service levels provided by the clerks are excellent. Senior Clerk William Meade and Team Leader Olivia Moliterno are particularly good.

    Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks team is hugely responsive, helpful and solutions-focused.

    Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
  • Senior Clerk William Meade has a great grasp of the particular area of law, knows exactly what we need and is extremely able at finding individuals for the work.

    Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Madeline Stanley
    Band 1Madeline Stanley

    Madeline Stanley

    Madeline Stanley is an outstanding junior at the Industrial Relations Bar, who is adept at acting unled. Well versed in industries such as manufacturing, heavy industry and retail, Stanley has impressive credentials. Indeed, she has a history of appearing in higher courts, including the Supreme Court, as well as the Central Arbitration Committee.

    • Madeline Stanley is a standout lawyer with a brain the size of a planet. She is incredibly hard-working, is good at strategy and problem solving.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
    • Madeline provides excellent service and clear advice, and she is practical and easy to work with.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
    • Madeline Stanley is very practical and analytical in her approach. She is very responsive and excellent.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
    • Madeline Stanley is a very clever woman who is a good and clear advocate.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
    • Madeline Stanley is down to earth, good at explaining complex concepts simply and someone who gets to the heart of the matter and quickly analyses the important points.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Michael Ford
    Band 1Michael Ford

    Michael Ford

    Michael Ford KC is a renowned silk with an exceptional industrial relations practice. Ford is a staple in higher courts, such as the ECJ, ECHR and Supreme Court, and has been involved in significant cases, including those with legislative consequences.

    • He is a dominating silk in the area.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
    • He is very good indeed.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
    • Ford is a one-in-a-million barrister. He is a star player in the field of industrial relations. He is approachable, a team player and razor-sharp.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Oliver Segal
    Band 1Oliver Segal

    Oliver Segal

    Oliver Segal KC is an accomplished, market-leading silk who is an expert in equal pay claims, breach of contract claims and collective disputes. Segal impresses with his activity in the Supreme Court and involvement in major judicial reviews. He has an enviable track record, having partaken in recent seminal industrial relations matters, such as Kostal and Uber.

    • Segal is very technical and detail-minded. For the right case, he is first-rate.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
    • He is a dominating silk in that area.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Betsan Criddle
    Band 2Betsan Criddle

    Betsan Criddle

    Betsan Criddle KC is a well-reputed silk who frequently acts in large-scale claims and litigation. While other clients are represented, she is particularly active in supporting unions. Criddle is highly capable in matters such as equal pay claims, race discrimination and collective action.

    • I think she's a very effective advocate. Her cross-examination is very good.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
    • She was completely indispensable as part of the team. Her knowledge of the area is second to none and she was so responsive.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
    • Criddle has done great. She is very bright and great to work with.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
    • She conveys an aura of calm no matter how complex or urgent the situation may be. Her advocacy is tenacious and her written work is comprehensive.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Melanie Tether
    Band 2Melanie Tether

    Melanie Tether

    Melanie Tether is a capable senior junior who regularly acts for unions in complex industrial relations matters, some of which are of notably high profile. Tether is adept at advising on issues relating to discrimination, holiday pay claims and equal pay claims, among others.

    • Melanie Tether is always super-friendly and nice. She knows the weak points.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
    • Melanie provides excellent service, clear advice and is practical and easy to work with.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
    • Melanie is incredibly experienced.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Stuart Brittenden
    Band 2Stuart Brittenden

    Stuart Brittenden

    Stuart Brittenden KC is an acclaimed, high-quality silk who is a regular in influential and large-scale litigation cases. Brittenden is skilled in an array of matters, including injunctions, discrimination and industrial action. He frequently appears in higher courts, the Employment Appeal Tribunal and also has a strong appellate practice.

    • Brittenden is an absolute standout, class act and best in the business.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
    • He's there to guide you throughout a claim and his written work is first-class. His advocacy is excellent and highly persuasive.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
    • Brittenden is a very hard worker and very supportive of the solicitor team around him.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Tom Kirk
    Band 2Tom Kirk

    Tom Kirk

    Tom Kirk is a skilled junior who often acts for respondents. Kirk is capable of handling complex cases in the industrial relation space, including test cases. He has developed an impressive appellate practice, taking on high-profile cases in the Court of Appeal.

    • He has consistently delivered an excellent service. He has a considered approach to both his written work and advocacy, and feedback from the client has been excellent.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3David Cunnington
    Band 3David Cunnington

    David Cunnington

    David Cunnington is a junior with longstanding experience. Among other things, Cunnington often advises companies in industrial relations matters. In particular, he is adept at injunction relief applications, industrial action, balloting, bargaining and union recognition.

    • David is a happy mix of commercial, responsive and pragmatic.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
    • David Cunnington has exceptional knowledge of this field.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Ijeoma Omambala
    Band 3Ijeoma Omambala

    Ijeoma Omambala

    Ijeoma Omambala KC is a well-reputed silk who acts for clients such as trade unions and governmental bodies. Omambala has developed particular expertise in maternity pay and compensation matters, as well as in injunctions and discrimination claims.

    • Ijeoma was excellent. She was across the detail quickly and easily, distilled advice and was communicative and efficient.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Katharine Newton KC
    Band 3Katharine Newton KC

    Katharine Newton KC

    Katharine Newton KC is a talented silk who has notable experience of significant, high-profile test cases. Newton often handles matters with technological elements. She also represents clients in the Supreme Court.

    • Katharine Newton is incredibly sharp, very quick on her feet and very hard-working. She is always available.

      Industrial Relations respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Old Square Chambers (10)

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