Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Employment - North Eastern (Bar)
What the Team is Known For
Parklane Plowden is renowned for its work tackling employment law matters of significant sensitivity and complexity including discrimination, harassment and victimisation claims. The barristers are also knowledgeable about whistle-blower protection and National Minimum Wage matters. The set maintains a broad client base which includes claimants and private or public sector respondents. One client says: "Parklane Plowden is my go-to set for employment law expertise." Demonstrating facility with complex instructions, Andrew Sugarman has continued to represent the respondent in Various Claimants v WM Morrison Supermarkets PLC, a multimillion-pound case regarding equal pay in the workplace.
Paul Clarke is senior practice director.
Strengths
The clerks have always been quick to respond and are very helpful.
The clerks are very helpful in finding the right counsel for the job and alternatives when needed.
Notable practitioners
Andrew Sugarman is a well-established barrister in the employment law field who commands considerable respect for his representation of claimants and respondents. His client base includes both public and private sector clients. He offers vast expertise in claims regarding issues such as victimisation, race and sex discrimination, unfair dismissal and unequal pay.
He is by far the best employment barrister in the North of England.
He's a standout. He is phenomenal - a formidable barrister.
Andrew Sugarman is pound for pound the best junior on circuit.
Dominic Bayne is a well-trusted barrister with an impressive track record in all facets of employment law including discrimination, redundancy and equal pay claims. He is highly experienced in claims for unfair dismissal and unfair redundancy. He has a broad and diverse practice representing both private and public sector employers and employees.
Dominic Bayne's knowledge and experience is invaluable.
A strong choice and a safe pair of hands for employment disputes.
Andrew Webster has an impressive practice on the circuit but also attracts instructions from clients across the country. He is primarily called upon to act for respondents in the public sector including local authorities, NHS trusts and other government bodies. He offers expertise advising on a range of employment matters, such as those relating to discrimination, unfair dismissal and statutory annual leave.
He is methodical, an effective communicator, approachable and has the ability to build relationships and gain the confidence of clients.
On technical cases, he is excellent. He grasps detail very quickly and easily.
Claire Millns is a well-regarded barrister who has built a strong reputation in employment litigation, with particular expertise in complex discrimination and whistle-blowing claims. She is highly rated for her knowledge of sensitive, difficult and technical areas of employment law. Claire is also sought out for her ability to work with vulnerable witnesses.
She is fantastic with clients and hugely supportive of us as instructing solicitors.
She is always fully prepared and on top of her brief, a sharp advocate who gets results.
Amy Rumble has developed an excellent employment practice with a focus on unfair dismissal, equal pay and whistle-blowing. She's well versed in sensitive disputes that involve vulnerable groups.
We regularly instruct Amy on delicate cases.
Amy Rumble is very helpful in difficult matters.
Bryony Clayton is a well-regarded barrister with strong knowledge of unfair dismissal and discrimination. She demonstrates notable skill in her handling of long and difficult cases.
Ms. Clayton was excellent when handling an ET claim for us.
Bryony Clayton is a really steady and dependable counsel.
Gareth Price has expertise in discrimination, unfair dismissal and whistle-blowing claims, with particular experience in those concerning mental health and wellbeing. He acts for both claimants and defendants in various sectors including healthcare.
Gareth Price provides very experienced and effective counsel, with superb client care skills.
He has a really nice manner with clients but is also technical and extremely bright.
Hari Menon is an experienced employment specialist who frequently represents claimants from trade unions in strike action, discrimination and harassment cases.
Hari is very experienced and effective with superb client care skills.
Hari is a pleasure to work with, organised and thorough, a safe pair of hands.
Hari is exceptionally insightful in analysing cases.
Nicola Twine has attracted acclaim as a barrister practising in areas including wrongful dismissal, discrimination and other employment law topics. She acts for claimants and respondents, often in multi-day and complex cases.
Nicola is always well respected by our clients for the quality of her work.
Richard Ryan is known for his work in employment law, particularly regarding complex discrimination and national minimum wage matters.
Richard Ryan has a practical and approachable manner which helps to get to the heart of the matter quickly.
Robert Dunn is building a really strong practice in employment litigation. He is known for unfair dismissal work and his work for respondents in ET cases.
Rob is extremely helpful in reducing the financial risk of matters. Rob is available and the client trusts his approach.
He's really well liked by our team. He is quick to pick up on things and is a safe pair of hands.
Sophie Firth has built a strong reputation for her work in National Minimum Wage Regulations claims, as well as offering experience in menopause and gender reassignment discrimination matters. Other areas of expertise include whistle-blowing and equal pay.
She was an outstanding advocate who advised meticulously on the areas of appeal as well as achieving a successful outcome at the original hearing.
Sophie Firth is an excellent advocate who fought our corner.
Tim Wilkinson's work in the employment law field includes complex and sensitive claims of discrimination and whistle-blowing detriment. He draws praise as an incisive and approachable barrister. Tim mainly acts for respondents.
Tim gives succinct and practical responses which are easy to understand.
Tim is both professional and personable; he was able to explain matters in a digestible way.
Tim is unflappable and just what a client needs on a difficult case.
May Martin is developing a strong practice as an up-and-coming junior who regularly represents NHS trusts and local governmental bodies in employment tribunal cases.
She stands out as an upcoming star of the Bar.
May Martin is a focused and excellent advocate; she is unwavering and practically excellent.