Employment in Regional Bar
9 St John Street has an 'outstanding calibre of counsel', with members acting for both claimants and respondents, including direct access instructions for some members. In a recent highlight, Assunta Del Priore acted for the employer in Frudds v Partington Group, a complex case concerning when a worker on call is working for the purposes of the national minimum wage exploring similar issues to the Royal Mencap Society v Tomlinson-Blake case scheduled to be heard by the Supreme Court in February 2020 - the matter was heard by the Employment Appeal Tribunal twice. David Campion joined the set from Atlantic Chambers in February 2019.
Simon Gorton QC at Atlantic Chambers is highly regarded in employment law, particularly for cases involving significant or novel legal argument, and is as such a regular fixture in appeal cases at all levels. He recently appeared on behalf of the employer before the Supreme Court in Royal Mail Group v Jhuti, which concerns the correct test to be applied in whistleblowing cases.
Doughty Street Chambers northern offering is home to Paras Gorasia, who primarily focuses on respondent work including discrimination, whistleblowing, and union disputes, as well as Paul Draycott, who acts primarily for claimants and is particularly prominent in cases which overlap with issues covered by the European Convention On Human Rights.
Kenworthy's Chambers is home to employment specialists who primarily act for claimants, but also for employers, in proceedings including unfair dismissal, discrimination and whistleblowing. In a recent case, Sarah Johnson successfully defended large health and social care charity Alternative Futures Group in a discrimination and breach of contract claim brought by a yoga instructor.
Members of Kings Chambers are instructed on a wide range of employment matters, acting for both claimants and respondents, with a particular specialism in court litigation and the full complement of cases at tribunal level. Steven Flynn joined the set from St John's Buildings in January 2019 - he represented a number of former Leigh Centurions rugby league players in an unfair dismissal claim against the club.
Members of St John's Buildings' employment practice group is instructed by both employers and employees, with particular specialisms in discrimination, whistleblowing and constructive dismissal cases. Notable cases include Jason Searle's successful defence of disability discrimination case brought by a former director against a company providing accessibility solutions for the disabled. Steven Flynn departed the set for Kings Chambers in January.