Employment and Discrimination

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At a time when the law concerning employment and discrimination has developed a high political profile and an increasingly complex statutory framework, Outer Temple Chambers provides a service which combines first class knowledge with an accessible and flexible approach.

Outer Temple is notable amongst barristers' chambers in being at the forefront in the development of discrimination law. Our practitioners can justifiably claim to have played a pre¬eminent role in moulding disability discrimination law with members of Chambers having appeared in the first cases to reach the higher appellate courts both in housing disability discrimination - Manchester City Council v Romano [2005] 1 WLR 2775 - and in goods and services disability discrimination - Roads v Central Trains [2004] EWCA Civ 1541.

Chambers is also unusual in having acknowledged expertise in representing Claimants and Respondents in employment cases. Our Employment and Discrimination team provides a comprehensive and integrated service covering all aspects of employee rights. As well as appearing regularly in the civil courts, tribunals, the Pensions Ombudsman, the Central Arbitration Committee and all appellate courts, we routinely advise in connection with directors' severance arrangements, partnership disputes, TUPE transfers, European compliance issues, human resource policies and risk management. We also act and advise in relation to professional disciplinary matters. We appreciate the commercial sensitivities in litigation and advisory work concerning employee rights and provide advice and expertise in mediation, arbitration and other methods of dispute resolution.

Our clients include major commercial organizations, directors, professionals trustee companies, lay beneficiaries, trade unions, local and central government, NHS Trusts, actuaries, brokers, auditors, accountants and individual employees.

Notable Cases include:

  • British Airways Plc v Williams [2008] ICR 779
  • Airbus UK Ltd v Webb [2008] ICR 561
  • Kimberley Group Housing v Hambley [2008] IRLR 682
  • Harris v Towergate London Market Ltd [2008] IRLR 536
  • Dynamex Friction Ltd v Amicus [2008] IRLR 515
  • Robinson v Tescom [2008] IRLR 408
  • Bleuse v MBT Transport Ltd [2008] ICR 488
  • Unison v Allen [2008] ICR 114
  • Grundy v British Airways Plc [2008] IRLR 74
  • Arthur v London Eastern Railway Ltd [2007] ICR 193
  • Hay v Surrey CC [2007] EWCA Civ 93.
  • Robins and others v. Department for Work and Pensions [2007] IRLR 270, ECJ
  • Draper v Mears Limited [2006] IRLR 869

 

For further information relating to our Employment & Discrimination team, please contact Chris Gittins, Team Leader on, 020 7353 6381.

 

What the directories say 

Legal 500, 2008 

Instructing solicitors sing the praises of the ‘ fantastic clerks who deliver every time' at Outer Temple Chambers in addition to the set's ability to ‘ deliver the objectives that clients are looking for'. ‘Practical and realistic' Andrew Short's ‘ good business acumen' helps ensure clients are ‘ always satisfied'. Keith Bryant appeared on the combined holiday pay cases of Williams and Jones v BA in the EAT and is praised by referees. Richard Lissack QC demonstrates ‘ breathtaking advocacy' coupled with the ability to ‘ get to the nub of the issue'.


Chambers and Partners 2008
This set is steadily building up its employment capability and making an increasing impact on the market, a trend demonstrated by the growth of instructions received. The group now has a recognised silk in the area in the form of Richard Lissack QC, who is credited with being "extremely sharp, focused and approachable." He explains complex legal points "entirely without pomposity" and "puts clients at ease, working as part of a team." Disability discrimination, equal pay and whistle-blowing matters all fall under his remit and his highlights include acting in Lake v British Transport Police.

Jill Brown elicited praise for her handling of the TUPE case arising out of the insolvency of Unwins Off Licences, in which she acted for the claimants, whereas "great operator" Keith Bryant was rated by market commentators for his role in the BA holiday pay case for pilots.

Clients find Benjimin Burgher's "no-nonsense, commercial and unstuffy approach somewhat refreshing." As a former employed barrister in the employment department at Norton Rose, he has a "unique insight into what instructing solicitors and their clients require." He also "excels at client communications" and is a "tenacious advocate who presents cases clearly and cogently." He recently appeared with John Bowers QC in Cameron v NAAFI, the leading case on the territorial extent of discrimination legislation.

Lydia Seymour is noted for her "excellent potential" and covers a full range of employment matters. The "extremely succinct" Andrew Short was recently led by Chris Jeans QC in acting for the airline on the high-value equal pay case Grundy v British Airways.