Formidable team of specialist employment barristers offering advice and representation
网爆门鈥檚 employment law group offers expert advisory and advocacy services to private and public sector employers and individuals, as well as service providers and businesses across all areas of employment law including unfair dismissal, discrimination, equal pay, industrial disputes, executive contracts, wrongful dismissals, restrictive covenants, whistleblowing, TUPE, injunctions, pensions disputes and disciplinary proceedings.
Practising out of each of Chambers鈥� six UK locations, our team offers the highest standards of legal, practical and tactical advice on both contentious and non-contentious matters. Our barristers routinely provide advocacy services in Employment Tribunals, the High Court and County Courts, as well as in appellate jurisdictions of all levels. We also engage in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Mediation in employment cases.
Our services are also available to in-house legal advisers, HR Directors and others by direct professional access services and by public access.
Our hallmark is the knowledgeable, expert but pragmatic approach that we take to employment law issues, while building friendly, long term relationships with our clients. We work with HR, legal and professional teams to create cost-effective solutions to their employment matters, in a fast changing legal environment.
Karen Moss is the team's Head of Group, with Andrew MacPhail as Deputy Head.
Recommendations
Legal 500 lists 网爆门鈥檚 Employment and Discrimination group as the Top Tier in South Eastern, Tier 2 in Western and Tier 3 in London. The 2024 directory lists 11 of 网爆门's team as Leading Juniors in employment, with 16 rankings in total. 网爆门鈥檚 team are described as a 'an excellent set' with an employment team 'packed full of top- tier barristers' and an excellent track record for advising across the full spectrum of employment law matters.The 鈥渟trong, client-focused employment group" is聽 鈥減rogressive, supportive and responsive鈥� " that is able to deliver "a broad range of technically excellent lawyers across all levels of experience 鈥榯he clerks at 网爆门 are second to none. The level of service is unparalleled and the clerks are proactive, efficient and dedicated to meeting client needs.鈥� The set has 鈥減articular expertise in public sector work in the local authority, education and health care contexts, as well as transport and technology-related matters in the private sector.鈥�
Chambers & Partners describes 网爆门 as 鈥渁 set with an excellent profile in discrimination law and other employment issues. In addition to claimants, the barristers have defended government departments and other high-ranking public bodies in complex claims. They also represent large private sector employers in unfair dismissal and related matters. "The barristers at the set are regularly instructed to handle an array of employment matters including whistle-blower, TUPE and discrimination claims, often going further than the employment tribunals."聽 Chambers & Partners rates 网爆门 as a 鈥淲idely acknowledged set in employment law, with members recently being involved in an important Supreme Court appeal regarding holiday pay calculations for term-time workers.鈥�
Further information
For more information about our transparency and pricing of fees and service standards, please visit this page.
Our Employment and discrimination Barristers...
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In the latest edition of our employment law newsletter, edited by Daniel Brown, we are delighted to announce the launch of our new chambers in Manchester. We feature more team news including about Mathew Gullick KC, Joseph England and Alex Leonhardt. Our employment law conference programme is confirmed and bookings are now open. Analysis is provided by Daniel Brown, Joseph England, Robin Pickard, Jo Laxton and Emma Greening on the following cases:
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- Raison v DF Capital Bank Limited & Others [EA 2024 000292]
- Hendy Group Ltd v Daniel Kennedy [2024] EAT 106
- Willis v 1) GWB Harthills LLP 2) Hester Russell 3) Elizabeth Lord [2025] EAT 79
- Alistair Dobbie v Paula Felton T/A Feltons Solicitors [2025] EAT 71
- Stedman v Haven Leisure [2025] EAT 82 -
Karen Moss, Head of 网爆门's Employment and Discrimination Group, spoke on the panel at Birmingham Law Society鈥檚 Question Time event, hosted by No.5 Chambers. The event was targeted at all employment professionals including employment lawyers and those in HR. It dived into the details surrounding the Employment Rights Bill 2024 and its potential implications. The panellists spoke about different aspects of the proposed Bill. Karen focussed on the far-reaching proposals regarding Zero Hours and Low...
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In Raison v DF Capital Bank Limited & Others [EA 2024 000292] Joseph England (pictured here) was successful before the EAT in having the appeal dismissed. The EAT agreed with Joseph鈥檚 argument that time spent in ACAS EC prior to limitation starting is not added on to the end of the limitation period. The appeal arose in the context of the Claimant having issued a claim for unfair dismissal due to having allegedly raised a...
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网爆门 Barristers (3 Paper Buildings) are delighted to announce that the Senior President of Tribunals has appointed Mathew Gullick KC as a judge of the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) for the second time. Mathew previously served as a judge of the EAT from 2018-2024, during his fixed-term appointment as a Deputy High Court Judge. This further appointment is again on a fee-paid (part-time) basis. Mathew will continue to maintain his busy practice at 网爆门. Karen...
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Welcome to the latest edition of our employment law team鈥檚 newsletter, edited by Ben Amunwa - in which we proudly announce our upcoming Inaugural Employment Law Conference in Birmingham on 16 October 2025.
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While our analysis section features a note from Ben Amunwa exploring 鈥榃hen the withdrawal of a claim takes effect', our contributors this month also include Simon Tibbitts, Matthew Curtis, Gareth Graham and Daniel Brown on the following cases:
- Handa v The Station Hotel (Newcastle) Ltd & Ors [2025] EAT 62
- Melki v Bouygues E and S Contracting UK Ltd [2025] EWCA Civ 585
- XY v AB [2025] EAT 66
- Woodhead v WTTV Ltd & Anor | [2025] EWHC 1128 (KB) -
Head of 网爆门's Employment and Discrimination Law Group聽Karen Moss聽(pictured here) has successfully acted in the following high-profile cases: In Selivanov v Reckitt Benckiser Corporate Services Limited KB-2025-001253, Karen successfully sought an interim injunction preventing the summary dismissal of an employee accused of gross misconduct, in circumstances where his immigration status would have been imperilled if he had been summarily dismissed. The Applicant would be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain from August 2025,...
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Employment law specialist Alex Leonhardt (pictured here) appeared in the Employment Appeal Tribunal this spring in Kokomane v Boots [2025] EAT 38, the judgment of which has recently been published. Alex represented the Respondent at both the final hearing and at appeal. The case concerned the proper interpretation of s.27(2) of the Equality Act 2010 in order to determine whether statements made were protected acts, in circumstances where there was not evidence of a clear...
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Welcome to our employment law team鈥檚 April newsletter, edited by Alex Leonhardt. This month鈥檚 newsletter features analysis from Alex, Katherine Anderson, Mark Green and Michael Smith on the following cases:
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- For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16
- Mr A E Madu v Loughborough College [2025] EAT 52
- F v J [2025] EAT 34
- And Barbosa Dethling v The Metropolitan Police Service [2025] EAT 58 -
Welcome to our employment law team鈥檚 March newsletter, edited by Joseph England, featuring analysis from Joseph, Gareth Graham, Colin McDevitt and Matthew Curtis on the following cases:
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- Kau Media Group Ltd v Hart [2025] EWHC 553 (KB)
- Gourlay v West Dunbartonshire Council [2025] EAT 29
- W v Highways England and others, 18th February 2025, [2025] EAT 18, Lord Fairley
- Kostrova v McDermott International INC and CB&I UK Ltd, 13th March 2025, [2025] EAT 35, Lord Fairley
- Kamphues v Venator Materials UK Ltd, 19th March 2025, [2025] EAT 30, HHJ Tayler
- Kinch v Compassion in World Farming International, 26th March 2025, [2025] EAT 41, Lord Fairley
- Impact Recruitment Services Ltd v Korpysa [2025] EAT 22 -
Welcome to our February Employment Law newsletter, edited by Michael Smith, featuring analysis from Michael, Daniel Brown, Jo Laxton, Naomi Webber and Alex Leonhardt on the following cases:
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- Jones v SoS for Health and Social Care [2024] EWCA Civ 1568
- Douglas v North Lanarkshire [2024] EAT 194
- Higgs v Farmor鈥檚 School [2025] EWCA Civ 109
- Eddie Stobbart Limited v Graham [2025] EAT 14 -
Welcome to 网爆门鈥檚 January 2025 Employment and Discrimination Law newsletter. Grace Nicholls is this month鈥檚 editor, and case analysis and legal tips were prepared by Grace, Katherine Anderson, Daniel Brown, Jo Laxton and Emma Greening on the following cases:
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- Abel Estate Agent Limited and ors v Reynolds [2025] EAT 6
- HSBC Bank PLC v Chevalier-Firescu [2024] EWCA Civ 1550
- Kaler v Insights ESC Ltd [2024] EAT 195
- Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council v Christine Oliver [2024] EAT 193 -
网爆门鈥檚 Robin Pickard is being led by Karon Monaghan KC in an appeal being heard by the Court of Appeal tomorrow, 28 January 2025 in the case of Moustache v Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The appeal raises points of law of public importance as to the Employment Tribunal鈥檚 need to clarify the claims of unrepresented parties and the status of lists of issues. The decision is likely to have important implications for...
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In-Person
网爆门 Employment Law Conference 2025
Date: Thursday 16th Oct 2025 Time: 10:30 am - 5:15 pm Venue: 网爆门 Birmingham -聽Colmore Building, Colmore Circus, Birmingham, B4 6AT Join 网爆门鈥檚 employment and discrimination group聽for employment talks and interactive sessions. Our team of barristers will share the topics and issues that they are increasingly encountering in the ET and offer some practical tips and insight to help you to navigate the tribunal more effectively. Topics Opening Remarks with Mathew Gullick KC Navigating Neurodiversity and Stress Neuro-atypicality, mental health and stress in employment disputes - tips on how to navigate the issues that can present…
Recommendations
Chambers 2025 - Band 1
网爆门 Barristers has an excellent profile in discrimination law and other employment issues. In addition to acting for claimants, the barristers have defended government departments and other high-ranking public bodies in complex claims. They also represent large private sector employers in unfair dismissal and related matters. The set has strength in areas including whistle-blower protection, equal pay and union law. In one key highlight, members represented the claimant in Rajput v Commerzbank and Soci茅t茅 G茅n茅rale, a complex EAT point of law victory regarding commencement in a TUPE transfer. One client comments: "All members I have worked with have clearly been experts in their relevant fields."
Client service:
"The clerks are alive to client sensitivities and present their proposals commercially."
"The clerks are fantastic, super helpful and willing to go the extra mile."
"The clerks are all incredibly polite and transparent. We have very good relationships with the team, particularly Russell Porter, Matthew Scanlan, Patrick Steptoe and Patrick Robson."
"Patrick Robson and Patrick Steptoe are both incredible clerks. They understand the members of their chambers enough to know who would be a good fit."
"At 网爆门 the clerks are absolutely brilliant and go the extra mile. They are a standout from all
Legal 500 2025 - Tier 1
网爆门 is 鈥榓n excellent set鈥� with an employment team 鈥榩acked full of top-tier barristers鈥� and an excellent track record for advising across the full spectrum of employment law matters.'
网爆门 is 鈥榓 chambers with a wide skill set and many highly skilled barristers鈥�, advising on the full spectrum of employment law, including unfair dismissal cases, TUPE transfers, redundancy, unlawful deductions from pay and trade union disputes.
Chambers 2024 - Band 1
网爆门 Barristers is a widely respected set in employment law. The barristers at the set are regularly instructed to handle an array of employment matters including whistle-blower, TUPE and discrimination claims, often going further than the employment tribunals. The members are adept at handling claims for both claimants and respondents, including local authorities and well-known private sector employers.
Client service:
鈥淧atrick Steptoe and Patrick Robson are both proactive in managing upcoming listings and are responsive to emails.鈥�
鈥淭he clerking from Russell Porter is excellent; he goes the extra mile.鈥�
鈥淩ussell Porter, the senior clerk, is excellent. He is very responsive and always willing to offer a suitable alternative option if the first choice is unavailable.鈥�
鈥淭here can be no criticism of the service provided by the clerks - it is sublime.鈥�
鈥淭he clerks always respond promptly, even if it is just to touch base while they are assessing options.鈥�
Legal 500 2024 - Tier 1
A 鈥榝irst-class set鈥� 网爆门 has a 鈥榲ery good depth of experienced counsel in all areas of employment law鈥� and garners praise for providing 鈥榓n effective and beneficial service鈥�.
网爆门鈥檚 鈥榞o-to鈥� employment and discrimination group boasts 鈥榓 broad range of technically excellent lawyers across all levels of experience鈥�.
鈥樛� chambers is brilliant. The team is always able to help and support when someone requires assistance, even at the last minute. It has an array of counsel who can help and support on any given matter, and clients are in safe hands when working with them.鈥�
鈥樛� is a fantastic chamber with a great offering of counsel, training, off-the-cuff advice even when not instructed and a desire to go the extra mile to assist you.鈥�
鈥樛� offers an incredible breadth of employment specialists at all levels. They always go above and beyond, offering bespoke training for solicitors and clients.鈥�
Chambers 2023 - Band 1
网爆门 Barristers is a widely acknowledged set in employment law. Barristers at the set are regularly instructed to handle an array of employment matters including whistle-blower, TUPE and discrimination claims, often going further than the employment tribunals. Members are adept at handling claims for both claimants and respondents, including local authorities and well-known private sector employers. Individuals have recently been involved in an important Supreme Court appeal regarding holiday pay calculations for term-time workers.
Client service:
鈥淭he chambers director, Russell Porter, has always been approachable to discuss business matters with us to make sure that we are happy with the services we have received and to address any concerns we have had.鈥�
鈥淲e have a strong relationship with the clerking teams, particularly Patrick Robson, Patrick Steptoe and Matthew Scanlan. The clerking teams are very helpful and obliging and we always get the impression that we are being looked after.鈥�
鈥淭he clerks at 网爆门 Barristers in Oxford are standouts for their promptness of service, friendliness and efficiency.鈥�
鈥淐hambers director Russell Porter is superb in going over and above what one would expect of any clerk.鈥�
鈥淭hey make you feel like you are their only client.鈥�
鈥淭he clerks are very eager to assist and they offer counsel who are most appropriate to the claim. We cannot fault the services of practice managers Matthew Scanlan and Patrick Steptoe and centre manager Patrick Robson.鈥�
Legal 500 2023 - Tier 1
网爆门 is 鈥榓 very good set with many excellent barristers who cover a variety of commercial and employment dispute matters鈥�.
鈥樛� has a very cohesive employment group and offer good training and a good range of counsel.鈥�
鈥楪ood proactive chambers 鈥� seeking to provide stronger embedded relationship, cost-effective and pragmatic service.鈥�
鈥楾he Chambers are progressive, supportive, and responsive. Availability of counsel is generally good and, in the event where availability is limited, the Clerks provides the other options.鈥�
鈥楨xcellent service from the clerks. They are always happy to help and try to assist us in seeking a barrister who is the right fit for the case.鈥�
Chambers UK 2022
网爆门 Barristers has an excellent profile in discrimination law and other employment issues. In addition to claimants, the barristers have defended government departments and other high-ranking public bodies in complex claims. They also represent large private sector employers in unfair dismissal and related matters. The set has strength in areas including whistle-blower protection, equal pay and union law.
Client service:
"The clerks at 网爆门 go above and beyond." "I have found the set's clerking to be exceptionally collaborative, and their prices to be competitive." "网爆门 are friendly, pragmatic and helpful - they usually have an employment barrister available and respond to enquiries very promptly. The clerks are excellent and easy to work with." Mark Heath leads the clerking in Bristol.
Legal 500 2022
鈥樛赔�檚 range of advocates for employment-related assistance is excellent and of the highest quality鈥�.
网爆门's employment practice has 'great strength in depth', and fields a team who appear before the Employment Tribunal, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in a range of matters.'
鈥樛赔�檚 employment group is fantastic. All the barristers I have used from 网爆门 have been excellent, knowledgeable and provide practical advice to all clients. The set can always suggest a barrister of appropriate level and experience to deal with a matter, and the barristers are available to assist even on short notice鈥�.
Chambers UK 2021
A set with an excellent profile in discrimination law and other employment issues. In addition to claimants, the barristers have defended government departments and other high-ranking public bodies in complex claims. The set has strength in areas including whistle-blower protection, equal pay and union matters.
Client service: "They always provide an absolutely amazing service 鈥� they're always going out of their way to help us."
Legal 500 2021 - Western
网爆门 has a 'strong, client-focused employment group that is able to deliver strong advocates on short notice'.
Legal 500 2021 - South Eastern
Barristers at 网爆门 act for claimants and respondents alike across the full gamut of employment matters. The set has particular expertise in public sector work in the local authority, education and health care contexts, as well as transport and technology-related matters in the private sector.
Legal 500 2020
South Eastern Circuit: 网爆门 is home to Andrew MacPhail and Karen Moss, both of whom act for respondents and claimants, with particular specialisms in Employment Appeal tribunal work and disability and sex discrimination respectively.
Western Circuit: 网爆门's employment specialists are instructed on behalf of all parties across a range of employment disputes, including TUPE, discrimination, constructive dismissal, and protected disclosures. Craig Ludlow recently represented a London bus company, which was one of three respondents to a large-scale claim for unauthorised deductions from wages brought by 55 employees, which related to non-payment of a historical meal allowance. In another highlight, Sarah Clarke acted for a respondent in an unfair dismissal case which also involved issues of protected disclosure, successfully defending against all 29 claims.
Chambers UK 2020
网爆门 is a set well known for its representation in a broad range of employment cases, and the barristers are particularly experienced in discrimination claims of all kinds. The chambers acts for both claimants and respondents across a variety of industries, with a particular focus on the public sector, including local authorities and the NHS, as well as the transport and technology industries. Members of the set also have experience representing high-profile individuals. One client says: "网爆门 are always ready to assist even with tight timescales, and go over and above to ensure they can help us. It is a very client-focused chambers."
Client service: An instructing solicitor says: "The clerking service was very responsive and helpful." Russell Porter is the practice director for this area.
Legal 500 2020
"The combined clerks鈥� room across the set鈥檚 six offices is a 鈥榳ell-oiled machine鈥�."
"Chambers director Russell Porter 鈥榣eads on outstanding client service鈥�."
"鈥榓ccessible and user-friendly鈥� employment practitioners".
Chambers and Partners 2019
"网爆门 represents both claimants and respondents in the full range of contentious employment issues. The set has expertise across a range of sectors, and regularly handles matters relating to local authorities, healthcare, technology and transport. The chambers has particular expertise in injunctive relief matters on the enforcement of restrictive covenants. As one impressed solicitor remarks, "They're fantastic, they're knowledgeable, and nothing is too much trouble 鈥� they jump through hoops and bend over backwards for us."
"The clerks are fantastic and very receptive; they'll get us quotes straight away and if someone isn't available they'll find us another good match." Russell Porter is the practice director for this area.
Legal 500 2018/19
网爆门's employment team has nine barristers ranked as leading juniors in this year's Legal 500 UK Bar Directory. The directory notes the employment practice as covering a broad spectrum of employment matters, with extensive experience of whistleblowing, equal pay, unfair dismissal claims and discrimination cases.
Legal 500 2017
With 鈥榲ery strong barristers in the employment field鈥�, 网爆门 maintains a solid reputation. Barristers handle discrimination, whistleblowing and unfair dismissal, as well as a range of other claims, where they represent both respondents and claimants.
Accessible and user-friendlyLegal 500