St John’s Buildings ‘has a strong and respected employment set with many heavy hitters at its senior end and a good range of call throughout the set’. With particular experience in discrimination cases, Jason Searle continues to lead the team. Claims brought by doctors and NHS executives as well as claims involving social media use are also areas of strength for him. James Jenkins also focuses on discrimination cases as well as those in the education sector. Annette Gumbs has considerable experience handling discrimination, whistleblowing, and unfair dismissal claims, among others. She recently represented the claimant in Muir v AstraZeneca, who was found to have been unfairly and discriminatorily dismissed from his role as a senior scientist; the pharmaceutical company did not adequately take into account his mental health condition when dismissing him for bullying and harassing behaviour, the Tribunal ruled.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Work Department
Employment
Position
Jason Searle is a specialist employment and equality law barrister, representing employers and employees in employment and HR litigation. He generally acts for high net worth individuals, law firms (and other professional advisory firms) and a range of FTSE listed companies/SMEs. He is proud to be the head of the St Johns Building’s Employment Law Team and immensely enjoys the responsibility of this role.
- ason acts for employers and employees, with an even split. Jason has a wealth of experience of discrimination cases. He has successfully resisted and presented claims brought by doctors and senior NHS executives. He has been responsible for presenting some of the most heinous campaigns of discriminatory treatment before the employment tribunals.Jason has become the ‘lawyer’s lawyer’ and is regularly instructed by solicitors privately and in house barristers. He has advised in cases for and against National firms of solicitors and is often against Leading Counsel. He has acted in cases involving National Security and has been responsible for training solicitors and others in discrimination law. He frequently appears in the Employment Tribunal; EAT; County Court and High Court.Jason is also an expert in Social Media in the Workplace and the legal ramifications for employers and employees. He has handled a number of cases where the use of Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and other social networks has led to disciplinary action (including dismissal) by an employer, leading to Employment Tribunal cases. He is frequently called upon to advise when solicitor’s employee clients find themselves accused of IT misuse.
Jason has also appeared in regulatory and disciplinary tribunals. He has advised teachers, doctors, nurses and those involved with FCA compliance.
Career
Called 1993; Middle Temple.
Memberships
- Employment Law Bar Association
- Employment Lawyers Association
Education
Parrswood High School; University of East London (1991 LLB Hons).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Rob Lang is able to give accurate fee quotes over the phone at the outset which assists with transparency and helps keep on top of budgets for clients. Fees are often flexible depending on the individual needs of the clients.'
- 'Xanthé Young is always very friendly and approachable.'
- 'SJB has some helpful and responsive clerks! Chris Shaw and Mark Williams go the extra mile to ensure availability and have a realistic and fair view on fees.'
- 'Clerks are always attentive and reactive.'
- 'A strong set with friendly and helpful clerks and a strong team of barristers.'
- 'SJB has a strong and respected employment set with many heavy hitters at its senior end and a good range of call throughout the set.'
- 'SJB has a big employment department with a range of counsel at different years of call. The clerks always have someone on hand to be able to turn urgent work around.'
- 'A solid set for employment law.'