Tom Kirk

Tom is an employment and discrimination specialist with particular expertise in disability discrimination. He is frequently instructed by both Claimants and Respondents in difficult long-term sickness absence and reasonable adjustments claims. Tom has a strong appellate court practice and has been instructed in several cases before the Employment Appeal Tribunal and Court of Appeal which have developed the law of disability discrimination. He has extensive experience of complex discrimination and whistleblowing claims in the Employment Tribunal, including multiple claims and applications for interim relief. He also undertakes restraint of trade work in the High Court and has acted for clients in non-employment discrimination / provision of services cases in the County Court.

Tom practices in all sectors but has particular knowledge in dealing with politically sensitive employment disputes for his clients in the public, healthcare and education sectors. Through his appointment to the Attorney General’s A Panel he is regularly instructed by government departments, often in high profile cases and cases heard under the national security rules. Tom is frequently involved in NHS litigation across a wide range of claims, acting for both British Medical Association members and various NHS Trusts. He also regularly advises and acts for a range of trade unions and union members on matters such as worker status, contractual disputes and equal pay.

ELA, ELBA, ILS, DLA