Lauded as ‘fearless lawyers and very creative thinkers’, the team at Leigh Day primarily act for individuals and trade unions in equal pay, discrimination, and gig economy claims. The team’s diverse client base includes supermarkets, retailers, and local authorities. Practice co-heads Nigel MacKay and Emma Satyamurti lead on high-profile holiday pay, whistleblowing, and group equal pay litigation. Chris Benson advises private sector clients on equal pay matters, while Kiran Daurka focuses on age and sex discrimination cases. Paula Lee handles whistleblowing and unfair dismissal claims, including those before the Supreme Court. Recognised by clients for his ’unrivalled experience in this area,’ Michael Newman is a key contact for trade union detriment and local authority equal pay disputes. Elizabeth George leads group equal pay actions nationally, and Annie Powell frequently acts in gig economy and belief discrimination claims. Liana Wood, primarily claimant-focused, has recently advised on modern slavery and holiday pay issues, while Nick Webster is notably experienced in reasonable adjustments and victimisation claims in employment tribunals.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Annie Powell is a powerhouse and is entirely focused on getting a good outcome for her clients. She has a great combination of strategy and tactical thinking and applies this to her excellent, expert knowledge of equality and employment law. Annie also has a wonderful personality and is easy to work with. Having Annie by my side has been life-changing.'
‘What made them stand out is their experience in dealing with individuals rather than organisations, their strong values surrounding equality and fairness, their dedication to achieving the best outcome for their clients, their care for clients, and their resilience and conviction when dealing with the opposing side in court.’
‘A formidable firm, and hands-down the best claimant employment solicitors in the country. They have strength at every level of seniority and know the law back to front. They are fearless lawyers and very creative thinkers. They are a pleasure to work with. They have a particular strength in group litigation across all areas of employment law, such as worker status claims, equal pay, holiday pay and national minimum wage claims, among others.'
- 'Michael Newman is the leading solicitor in the country for equal pay claims. He is calm and collected, with unrivalled experience in this area.'
‘Nigel Mackay is at the top of his game, able to manage large claims. He is a revered opponent.'
‘Leigh Day are the best solicitors in the UK and we speak from experience - whether it’s equal pay; discrimination, human rights; industrial relations or internal advice, we wouldn’t go past them. They set the standard of legal representation so high and yet somehow still manage to continually exceed our expectations. We have worked with multiple partners, associates, trainees and support staff on a number of occasions and the standard is incredibly high.'
‘Leigh Day have revolutionised employment law for employees and trade unions over the last 10 or 15 years. They are without doubt the pre-eminent firm in that space. A combination of class actions, test cases and high-profile individual claims has changed the face of ET work.’
‘Emma Satyamurti runs an excellent team with commitment and skill.'
'My experience with the employment team has been very positive. They are expert in a complex and dynamic area of equality law.'
'The team that represented me was outstanding in terms of knowledge, expertise, efficiency and care with which they dealt with the sensitive issues surrounding my case.'
Key clients
- Next workers
- Bolt drivers
- McDonald’s employees
- Addison Lee drivers
- Just Eat couriers
- FREENOW drivers
Work highlights
Represented Next workers in a group equal pay claim, achieving a successful Tribunal judgment.
Representing over 16,000 drivers in their claims against Bolt.
Representing 750 drivers in a worker status claim against Addison Lee.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Paula Lee
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Nigel Mackay; Emma Satyamurti
Other key lawyers
Chris Benson; Kiran Daurka; Paula Lee; Michael Newman; Elizabeth George; Annie Powell; Nick Webster; Liana Wood