Cloisters provides extensive expertise across all areas of employment law, in particular, discrimination and group litigation, with members acting at all levels of the judicial system and advising in high-profile investigations and inquiries. Paul Epstein KC, Rachel Crasnow KC, Tom Coghlin KC, Tom Brown, Olivia-Faith Dobbie, and Rachel Barrett are all acting across multiple complex and high-value multi-party equal pay claims brought against Tesco and Asda, Morrison’s and Sainsbury’s. Daphne Romney KC and Anna Beale KC are acting in an equal pay dispute for 4,500 female Co-Op shop staff who are claiming equal pay with mostly male distribution workers. Elsewhere in chambers, Schona Jolly KC is acting a group claim against McDonald’s Restaurants and others.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Lawyers
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Paul Epstein KC
The man you want in a tight spot. Quietly effective at dealing with difficult opponents and challenging clients.’
Caspar Glyn KC
Caspar has a special ability to provided strong leadership of the legal team in preparation for hearings by getting them to focus on the key issues in the case and the subtleties of the evidence required to support their arguments. He is an exceptional advocate.’
Schona Jolly KC
Daphne Romney KC
Daphne’s experience makes her invaluable on large-scale equal pay claims, and her ability to read a tribunal is unmatched. She leads a team well, and is a commanding presence in tribunal.’
Ed Williams KC
A top class employment KC. Bright, analytical, great on his feet and very client-focussed. An all round star.’
Rachel Crasnow KC
Rachel is very good on her feet at a trial.’
Akua Reindorf KC
‘Akua is outstanding in both litigation and advisory matters. Her highly extensive legal knowledge and quick thinking, combined with a down-to-earth manner, make her very popular with clients and enable her to present a case highly effectively to a tribunal. ‘
2024 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
Carolyn D’Souza
‘Carolyn is extraordinarily hardworking, ensuring every angle is thoroughly examined and explored. Her attention to detail is meticulous, scrutinizing evidence with precision. She has exceptional advocacy skills and is able to present complex aspects in an accessible and compelling manner.’
Olivia-Faith Dobbie
Olivia is a go-to junior at the Employment Bar with an encyclopaedic knowledge of employment law. She is extremely persuasive with Judges and very robust when the need arises with witnesses and opponents. She will not be pushed around.’
Claire McCann
‘The go-to junior for heavy-duty cases. Clients may change their solicitors, even mid-case: they never change Claire.’
Christopher Milsom
‘Christopher has encyclopedic case law knowledge, is a team player and happy to roll up his sleeves to best serve the ultimate client. Very easy to work with, thinks strategically, and nothing is too much trouble. Highly recommended.’
Dee Masters
‘Dee is one of the best in the market.’
Rachel Barrett
‘Rachel’s skill set is rare in that she combines top-level legal and strategic knowledge with excellent client communication skills. Rachel would be one of my first choices of counsel for employment and discrimination litigation. She is excellent in a team and is committed to her cases.’
Catherine Casserley
‘Catherine is an outstanding barrister whose expertise in discrimination law is of the highest calibre. Her in-depth knowledge and practical application of this complex area of law are consistently excellent. She demonstrates a clear and nuanced understanding of the intricate legal issues that frequently arise in discrimination matters.’
Tom Brown
‘Tom is outstanding. His advocacy is focussed and persuasive and he is great at distilling cases that are complex and detail heavy into simple terms.’
Matt Jackson
Matt has an encyclopaedic knowledge of employment law and is extremely good under pressure.’
Paul Michell
Declan O’Dempsey
‘Declan is formidable when dealing with opponents, cutting through the bluster to ensure the clients’ points are well-made.’
Caroline Musgrave-Cohen
‘Outstanding all round. Caroline’s particular strength is her ability to tailor her cross-examination to the particular witness. Her tone and manner are always perfectly calibrated. She is always my first choice.’
Andrew Watson
‘Andrew is extremely knowledgeable on the law; he can digest massive amounts of material and facts quickly and thoroughly and applies the law precisely. Advice is always nailed on, and he has an uncanny ability to predict how other party in a dispute may react. ’
Nathaniel Caiden
‘Nathaniel is clever, pragmatic and a team player.’
Jennifer Danvers
‘Jen is exceptionally bright and extremely hard-working. She is excellent in judicial mediations. Her advocacy is focused and well prepared. I cannot speak highly enough of Jennifer – she is a completely brilliant all round.’
Chesca Lord
‘Chesca’s strengths lie in her measured approach to advocacy, she has a very calm authority in tribunals, and ability to break down complex legal issues into practical advice that resonates well with clients.’
Adam Ohringer
Adam is an impressive and persuasive advocate who inspires confidence in clients, who know that they are in safe hands. ’
Laura Redman
She extremely tenacious and hardworking with the experience and academic background to match more senior barristers.’
Ruaraidh Fitzpatrick
‘Ruaraidh is an incredibly sharp and clever barrister — very bright, quick on the uptake, and able to analyse complex issues with real clarity.’
Jonathan Cook
‘Jonathan is well-prepared, thorough, and has an excellent ability to pinpoint key issues in short timeframes as well as excellent cross-examination.’
Rising stars
Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.
Laurene Veale
‘Laurene has excellent advocacy skills and fantastic client care skills.’
Ameer Ismail
‘Ameer is an outstanding and exceptionally bright barrister who consistently demonstrates excellence in all aspects of his practice.’
Grace Corby
‘Terrifyingly clever and very articulate. The complete package.’