Naomi Owen > Chambers of Adrian Keeling KC and Jonathan Jones KC > Birmingham, England > Barrister Profile

Naomi appears for both claimants and respondents in the ET and EAT at all stages of proceedings, from preliminary hearings covering a wide range of interlocutory issues through to final hearing and appeal.

She has a substantial discrimination practice, as well as appearing in cases concerning ordinary/automatic unfair dismissal, TUPE Regulations, unlawful deduction of wages, redundancy and whistleblowing.  Naomi is regularly instructed on multi-day final hearings revolving around complex issues of discrimination in its various forms.

Naomi is frequently instructed to settle pleadings and draft advices.  She is also experienced in representing parties at judicial mediation, as well as acting for individuals at internal disciplinary proceedings. She has represented governing bodies, NHS foundation trusts, trade unions, charities, small employers and individual employees as well as appearing in class actions.

As part of her Employment practice, Naomi accepts instructions to conduct investigations, including producing detailed investigation reports. She has in the past been instructed as investigating officer for a grievance procedure within one of the UK’s largest in-house pension fund managers, involving allegations of misconduct by numerous employees.  She also dealt with an internal grievance appeal for an events company that involved allegations of sexual harassment, which required a delicate touch.

Naomi is ranked Band 3 for Midlands Employment.

Reported cases:

Sandle v Adecco UK Ltd [2016] IRLR 941 – this was an important case for agency workers who are employees of agencies.  Naomi successfully defended Adecco at the ET, and at the EAT, with the finding that C’s claim of unfair dismissal was unfounded.  The case established that, when there is inaction by an employee and agency employer, that inaction is insufficient to communicate dismissal.

Notable cases:

In 2019, amongst her usual practice, Naomi represented a burgeoning political organisation against claims of sex discrimination and harassment.  

In 2018, Naomi was instructed to represent an individual in his claim for race discrimination, harassment and victimisation against his ex-employer.  She secured a judgment in his favour, and compensation accordingly.

Naomi started 2017 successfully representing an NHS Foundation Trust in defending multiple claims of discrimination as well as an unfair dismissal claim, a case which was listed for 5 days.

In 2017, Naomi’s other cases included an 8 day case for one of two respondents, defending claims of race discrimination in a myriad of forms, alongside automatic (whistleblowing) and ordinary unfair dismissal.