Ms Catherine Knowles > Exchange Chambers > Manchester, England > Barrister Profile
Exchange Chambers Offices
201 DEANSGATE
MANCHESTER
M3 3NW
England
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Ms Catherine Knowles
Work Department
Employment; Personal Injury
Position
Catherine practises in all areas of employment law and personal injury law.
She is on the Attorney-General’s Regional A Panel of Junior Counsel and she is regularly instructed to act on behalf of government departments and agencies in cases concerning her areas of expertise.
Catherine has a well-earned reputation for her organisation, her teamwork and her ability to merge sensitivity with strength when instructed.
The fact that Catherine’s practice encompasses both employment and personal injury means that she is well placed to advise in cases which require consideration of both areas of law. This includes claims in the County and High Courts involving allegations that the employer has failed to protect the Claimant from suffering psychiatric injury due to stress at work, claims under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, and Employment Tribunal discrimination claims which involve allegations of personal injury and claims for substantial compensation.
Career
Called 2004; Junior Counsel to the Crown: Regional Panel (2015); Equality and Human Rights Commission Preferred Panel (2011-13)
Memberships
- Employment Law Bar Association
- Employment Lawyers’ Association
- Personal Injury Bar Association
- Licensed for Direct Access
Education
- BA Jurisprudence, St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford (Class II.i, 2002)
- Bar Vocational Course, Inns of Court School of Law (Outstanding, 2004)
Lawyer Rankings
Regional Bar > Northern Circuit > Employment
(Leading Juniors)Ranked: Tier 1Catherine Knowles – Exchange Chambers ‘Catherine is not fazed by huge volumes of evidence or complexities and last minute uncertainties created by claimants’ last minute attempts to change the issues and bring in lots of additional evidence. Catherine quickly, calmly and confidently gets to grips with the issues and evidence in the case, works well in preparing witnesses for hearing, and is able to flex her preparation and approach as cases evolve.’
Exchange Chambers represents employers and employees across a wide range of courts, including employment tribunals and the Employment Appeal Tribunal, county courts, and the High Court. Simon Gorton KC has an active employment law practice, and he boasts expertise in whistleblowing cases, as does David Tinkler and Catherine Knowles. Knowles is acting for the respondent in Mehmood v Secretary of State for Justice, a case in which the claimant made over 60 allegations of discrimination due to race and religion, victimisation, and harassment. Richard McLean is experienced in discrimination cases, wage claims, and disciplinary cases, while Scott Redpath represents employers, employees, and trade unions in cases concerning tax and pensions.
Regional Bar > Northern Circuit > Personal injury
(Leading Juniors)Ranked: Tier 2Catherine Knowles – Exchange Chambers ‘Catherine is extremely thorough and detailed. Her written advice is second-to-none and always clear and well thought out, she is a gritty and smart negotiator, she is excellent on her feet, and she has a broad knowledge on a wide range of topics.’