whoswholegal - Analysis - UK Bar 2020 - Labour, Employment & Immigration

Blackstone Chambers receives six listings in this chapter.
Jane Mulcahy QC is a first-class advocate, looked upon with enormous favour thanks to her adept handling of breach of contract claims, unfair dismissal and discrimination disputes.
Paul Goulding QC is “a clear leader in the field, particularly in relation to restrictive covenant and confidentiality issues”. Respondents remark, “He is a team player and works collaboratively to assist clients to achieve their strategic objectives.”
Dinah Rose QC is a star employment advocate, singled out for her outstanding work on discrimination and equal pay disputes.
Diya Sen Gupta QC secures recommendations as a “tough but gracious opponent at the bar” and “an excellent new silk with a fantastic practice”.

11KBW receives nine listings here.
The “excellent” Christopher Jeans QC is a top name in labour and employment disputes, with strong experience in both individual and collective claims.
Richard Leiper QC is “superb with tactics, the law and clients”. One source declares they would “go to Richard over and above any QC, regardless of their experience, because he is so bright and confident”.
Daniel Stilitz QC is well versed in representing clients from the financial and professional services sectors in the High Court and the Court of Appeal.
Sean Jones QC is highlighted as “outstanding in novel and technical legal matters”.

Cloisters Chambers sees 10 silks recognised this year.
Jason Galbraith-Marten QC is “a passionate and engaging advocate”, sought out for his skills in whistleblowing, vicarious liability and EU anti-discrimination matters.
Robin Allen QC is held in high regard by market sources, thanks to his vast experience in equality and discrimination-related disputes.
Paul Epstein QC “is one of the most experienced practitioners in this area”, distinguished for his “insightfulness” and “approachable and responsive manner”.
Caspar Glyn QC is applauded by respondents who “absolutely love him” and consider him “a trial lawyer without equal”.

Old Square Chambers also receives 10 listings.
Ben Cooper QC is “a brilliant barrister” who regularly represents public health bodies, airlines, trade unions and financial institutions, on all manner of labour and employment issues.
Simon Cheetham QC earns boundless praise for his deep expertise in employment and discrimination disputes.
Mark Sutton QC is admired for his first-rate advocacy in employment disputes and disciplinary proceedings.

At Matrix Chambers, James Laddie QC earns extensive endorsements from sources for his “very commercial and strategic practice”. They add, “Clients love him.”
Karon Monaghan QC is a respected name when it comes to employment disputes, and has extensive experience in discrimination and human rights claims in the UK’s highest courts.

At Littleton Chambers, Daniel Tatton-Brown QC impresses commentators with his strong all-round employment practice. He has impressive experience in high-stakes discrimination, whistleblowing and contractual disputes.
Gavin Mansfield QC is a prominent labour and employment barrister, and “a very strong advocate who has the ear of the court”. He is deemed “head and shoulders above the rest”.
David Reade QC comes highly recommended by peers who commend him as “a brilliant lawyer” who is “leading the way” on labour matters.

Daniel Oudkerk QC of Essex Court Chambers is a key name at the bar for labour and employment proceedings, as well as “a very polished advocate” who “is excellent with clients”.
David Craig QC “is enormously hard-working and a very powerful advocate”. He is well versed in wrongful termination, bonus disputes and unlawful competition proceedings in the high court.
Andrew Hochhauser QC ranks highly among peers for his considerable experience in discrimination claims, contractual disputes and whistleblowing proceedings.

Akash Nawbatt QC at Devereux Chambers wins acclaim for his “intelligent and crisp style”. Sources highlight him as “a very conscientious practitioner and a strong lawyer”.
Bruce Carr QC is an esteemed silk with considerable experience in employment matters. He is a go-to for industrial action restrictive covenants and discrimination issues.
Andrew Burns QC ranks highly among peers thanks to his top-tier advocacy in restrictive covenant and strike-related disputes.

Stuart Ritchie QC with Fountain Court Chambers is “a really terrific lawyer” who is “superb in business protection litigation”.
Adam Tolley QC is “a truly brilliant silk” when it comes to post-termination restrictions, equal pay and whistleblowing matters.

Juniors

11KBW receives seven listings here.
Amy Rogers is “hard as nails”, say impressed sources, and “excellent on team moves and similar cases”.
The “outstanding” Simon Forshaw is celebrated as a “very bright and able practitioner” who is “top-notch and reliable”.
Jane McCafferty has successfully represented clients before the High Court on disputes relating to restrictive covenants, breaches of fiduciary duty and contracts.
Patrick Halliday is “a very bright, very personable, fearless, calm and measured advocate who can really stand his own against others more experienced”. He provides “absolute preparation and the capacity to know everything about even the most complex brief”.
Andrew Edge is “a top-drawer junior at the bar”. His expertise lies in High Court cases involving breaches of fiduciary duty, breaches of contract and bonus disputes.

Old Square Chambers sees six juniors recognised this year.
Nadia Motraghi is “a brilliant lawyer” who is “very strong on her feet and specialises in the cross-over between employment and regulatory law”.
Stuart Brittenden is a first-rate employment specialist with considerable expertise in collective redundancy, discrimination and whistleblowing matters.
Betsan Criddle wins acclaim for her first-rate practice, which focuses on restrictive covenants, doctors’ disciplinary proceedings and maternity discrimination.
Melanie Tether is well respected for her superb work representing clients in disputes relating to contractual issues, labour relations and equal pay.

Cloisters Chambers sees eight juniors highlighted here.
Christopher Milsom is “tenacious, bold and liked by clients”. Peers laud his “realistic and pragmatic approach” and his commitment to “going the extra mile in cross-examination.”
Daniel Dyal is “a supremely persuasive and genial barrister” who has built a name for himself in clinical negligence, discrimination and equality litigation proceedings.
Dee Masters is highlighted for her “extremely strong work regarding equal pay and discrimination matters, on which her knowledge and experience is second to none”.
Declan O’Dempsey is an esteemed employment barrister whose practice encompasses all employment matters, including whistleblowing, fiduciary duties, data protection and discrimination.

Andrew Allen at Outer Temple Chambers is endorsed for his impressive representation of clients on equal pay, restrictive covenants and unfair dismissal matters.
Naomi Cunningham focuses her top-notch practice on a range of employment-related matters including discrimination and whistleblowing claims.

Thomas Kibling of Matrix Chambers is well versed in complex discrimination, whistleblowing and equal pay matters in the financial services sector.
Andrew Smith enjoys a strong reputation for employment matters and is regularly engaged on discrimination, whistleblowing and unfair dismissal issues.

Lucy Bone with Littleton Chambers has “a great reputation” for her profound expertise in confidential information, breaches of director’s duties and restrictive covenant disputes.

Devereux Chambers’ Thomas Cordrey is highly sought after for discrimination, restrictive covenant and whistleblowing issues.

Richard Hignett at No5 Chambers has over 20 years of experience representing private and public-sector clients on discrimination, whistleblowing and disciplinary matters.
Helen Barney is praised for her “great attention to detail” by sources who say she “achieves a swift grasp on the issues”. They add: “She is extremely personable and collaborative in terms of seeking to achieve a client’s goal.”

Katherine Apps of 39 Essex Chambers is “a barrister of extremely high intellect matched with common sense”. One source effuses that they “have never found her knowledge of the law other than exemplary”.