Employment | UK Bar

11KBW is a pre-eminent employment set boasting considerable depth at the silk and junior levels. The barristers earn widespread praise from instructing solicitors with one highlighting their "formidable intellect and abilities in employment law." The set remains a popular choice for high-profile individuals and organisations in numerous sectors, from financial services to the gig economy. Members' expertise covers the full spectrum of employment law issues; they are leaders in the fields of equal pay, worker status and team moves. The barristers can boast involvement in noteworthy recent cases in the highest courts such as Miller v University of Bristol, a high-profile case in which a successful claim for unfair dismissal and direct discrimination on grounds of philosophical belief saw the Tribunal assess that anti-Zionist beliefs are protected under the Equality Act 2010. With its broad range of experience, 11KBW is praised for its "technical excellence, strength in depth, and exceptional client service."

Blackstone Chambers is a "very well-resourced set" with "excellent silks for highly complex employment work." Home to a number of leading lights in the employment law field, members' expertise covers a full spread of developing issues including restrictive covenants, employment status, equal pay and protected disclosure. The "highly intelligent" barristers act for well-known corporates and financial services firms, and are skilled in advocacy before the tribunals, the senior courts and the Supreme Court. Recent cases include acting for Dare International in its claim against two of its former traders, and acting for McLaren in its multimillion-pound claim against Alex Palou.

Derek Sutton and Adam Sloane are joint senior clerks.

Cloisters Chambers is a premium employment set which is home to barristers acting in a wide range of complex cases including whistle-blowing, worker status and equal pay claims. Interviewees agree that the chambers offers a "selection of highly experienced advocates" who provide "high-quality, commercial and workable advice." Members frequently represent individuals and companies, as well as trade unions and public bodies, in the employment tribunals and up to the Supreme Court. They are also approached by government departments, charities and the EHRC to carry out investigations or reviews. In recent months, barristers have represented large group claims against McDonald's and their franchises in claims relating to workplace harassment and successfully represented TUI in a High Court class action brought by pilots.

Littleton Chambers offers superb capability covering high-end commercial employment work, in addition to knotty worker status, discrimination and harassment claims. Members routinely act on behalf of multinational companies and financial services clients, but also undertake pro bono work for claimants. In recent months, members represented Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive, branded as Nexus, before the Supreme Court in a claim for rectification of a collective agreement. Feedback on the barristers at Littleton is consistently strong, with one interviewee reporting: "They consistently grasp the issues quickly, are able to unpick what is in front of them, and provide strategic and commercially sound advice."

Old Square Chambers is an impressive set with wide-ranging strength in employment matters, including worker status, equal pay, discrimination and whistle-blowing cases. Its barristers represent trade unions in relation to strike injunctions. The chambers also attracts and retains clients in the education and healthcare sectors at an impressive rate. One client reports that they "provide really commercial, pragmatic advice," while another feels that "there is strength across the board, with go-to barristers at each level and eminent lawyers who inspire confidence at the top level." The strength of the barristers is particularly evident in their involvement in high-profile cases such as For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers.

Devereux is a chambers which is widely praised for being "a really strong and technical set with strength in dealing with complex matters" and one where "there is an exceptional selection of advocates." The set can boast deep experience among its ranks, covering high-profile employment disputes, including matters with crossover tax implications. Members exhibit considerable expertise in cases involving restrictive covenants, industrial relations, TUPE, the National Minimum Wage, discrimination and whistle-blowing. Tenants are regularly called upon to represent claimants and respondents, with recent highlights including Royal Mail v Jhuti, a whistle-blowing case in which the Royal Mail appealed the multimillion-pound award granted to the claimant.

Glenn Billenness is the director of clerking.

Essex Court Chambers is a formidable commercial set with substantial experience of employment litigation in the High Court and above, including on behalf of financial services clients. One notable highlight saw members act for the claimant in a multimillion-pound claim for damages and final injunctive relief against a former trader in the case of Dare International Ltd v Thomas Law. Interviewees report that the set is "very adept at dealing with employment-related claims" due to its "technical excellence." The barristers' strengths extend to whistle-blowing and discrimination claims.

The senior clerk is Joe Ferrigno.

Matrix Chambers' employment law practice is considered an excellent choice for everything from tribunal cases to Supreme Court appeals, covering high-profile equal pay, discrimination and whistle-blowing claims. A number of barristers at the set also have experience in restrictive covenant cases. Members are regularly instructed by individuals and employers across a range of sectors, including the public sector and financial services. Recent highlights have seen the barristers act in notable employment cases such as Macken v BNP Paribas. An instructing solicitor states that Matrix "has enormous bench strength in terms of talented juniors and silks to choose from."

Alison Scanes is the Senior Practice Manager.

Outer Temple Chambers continues to impress with its involvement at the epicentre of ground-breaking mass equal pay litigation. The go-to barristers are highly experienced in all manner of discrimination claims and whistle-blowing matters, as well as employment cases with crossover pensions elements. One source states: "Outer Temple are responsive, reliable and armed with talented counsel, from junior end to the most senior, to suit every instruction." The chambers regularly represents significant clients in the public and private sectors, including in retail. Among recent highlights, members handled matters concerning retail equal pay claims, as in Abdar v Morrisons.

The barristers at 42 Bedford Row consist of "a good range of commercially aware and pragmatic counsel to deal effectively with whatever tribunal matters are thrown at them," according to interviewees. They act for private companies, public sector employers and employees in reputationally sensitive and challenging cases. Members are well versed in discrimination, unfair dismissal, TUPE and whistle-blowing claims. In a recent highlight, members acted in Pickering v AstraZeneca UK Ltd, a discrimination claim regarding office working policy.

Steve Sheridan is the director of clerking.

Doughty Street Chambers draws on strong employment law knowledge as well as complementary areas of practice, when acting for employees and employers in high-profile cases. Clients regard the chambers highly for its "brilliant barristers who are very responsive and always well prepared." Members are adept at handling cutting-edge worker status and union recognition cases, in addition to discrimination and unfair dismissal claims. A key recent case saw members represent the claimant in Sivanandan v Independent Office for Police Conduct & Penna Plc.

2 Temple Gardens has a notable employment team praised for its "quality of counsel" and ability to "handle complex issues with ease." Recent instructions include Thomas v Surrey and Borders NHS Foundation Trust, an Employment Tribunal case about whether anti-Muslim English nationalist beliefs are protected under equalities law post-Forstater. One commentator notes "the expertise of the KCs is the reason I seek out this chambers."

Lee Tyler is the senior clerk.

Solicitors regularly seek out 7BR's highly knowledgeable employment barristers for representation in a variety of employment law matters. The chambers can claim experts with knowledge across the employment field, including all aspects of discrimination law as well as commercial employment cases. The barristers act for both claimants and respondents, with a recent highlight being Elaine Banton's representation of Carmen Firescu in HSBC Bank Plc v Chevalier-Firescu and Carmen Firescu v HSBC Bank Plc, which concerned the successful defence of HSBC’s appeal to the Court of Appeal. One client comments: "7BR has an impressive group of true employment specialists."

Albie Barton is the senior civil clerk.