Anna Beale KC

Practice Areas

Employment/discrimination: Anna has particular expertise in discrimination and equal pay. She is known for her ability to simplify complex legal issues and provide practical, comprehensible advice to clients. Recent reported cases include Meaker v Cyxtera Technology UK Ltd (EAT, 2023: effective date of termination in unfair dismissal claims); Cowie v Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (EAT, 2022: definition of unfavourable treatment/disadvantage in discrimination claims) and DPP Law Ltd v Greenberg (2021 CA guidance on correct approach to appeals from the ET).

Clinical negligence/personal injury: Anna acts mainly as sole counsel in medically complex and high value clinical negligence claims. She specialises in serious spinal injury claims and difficult causation issues. Notable cases include Chapman v Mid & South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (HC, 2023: negligent treatment by pain physician resulted in paralysis seven years later; 90% liability offer valid for Part 36 purposes). Anna is also experienced in personal injury litigation, including crossover employment claims concerning harassment/injury at work.

Career

Called to the Bar in 2001. Appointed fee-paid Employment Judge in 2020.

Professional Memberships

Co-Chair, Industrial Law Society. Member of ELA, ELBA, IER, Bar Pro Bono Unit, ELAAS, AVMA, PIBA and HRLA.

Publications

Co-author of 'Employment Law and Human Rights' (3rd ed, OUP 2018) and 'Age and Employment' (European Commission 2011); co-editor of 'Discrimination in Employment: a claims handbook' (LAG 2013); contributor to 'Blackstone's Guide to the Equality Act 2010' (4th ed, OUP 2021) and 'Family Rights at Work' (Jordans 2012).

Personal

Educated at Llanidloes High School and Magdalen College, Oxford (BA Jurisprudence 1st class).