Chevan Ilangaratne is a specialist Employment, Education Law, Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence law practitioner.
Chevan represents both Claimants and Respondents/Defendants in statutory and commercial employment disputes. He has acted in a number of preliminary, and multi-day Tribunal hearings in the Employment Tribunal, as well in the High Court proceedings regarding post-termination restrictions and breach of confidence related injunctions.
Most recently, Chevan was led in the Court of Appeal (Abel v Reynolds [2026] IRLR 106), and acted as sole counsel in the Employment Appeal Tribunal.
Chevan is also well-equipped to act in the County Court having appeared in this forum on many occasions in commercial, personal injury, clinical negligence, discrimination and employment law related disputes, acting on behalf of both Claimant and Defendants.
Chevan regularly delivers talks on his areas of practice, including on the Employment Rights Act 2025; he recently co-delivered a talk at an event hosted by the Employment Lawyers Association on this Act, and has done a number of similar talks to the businesses and HR.
Before coming to the Bar, Chevan worked alongside leading barristers in a number of legal charities providing advocacy and advisory services in areas including whistleblowing law, disability discrimination law, and education law.
As a Legal Adviser at the whistleblowing charity Protect, Chevan advised workers in the public, private and third sector on the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. He also prepared training materials for businesses across the private sector on implementing appropriate ‘speak up’ arrangements. He conducted research for Protect’s third-party intervention in the Court of Appeal case of Gilham v MoJ [2017] EWCA Civ 2220, and subsequently its successful intervention in the Supreme Court (Gilham v MoJ [2019] UKSC 44).
In other legal charity work, Chevan helped represent children in school exclusion hearings and community care cases and advised members of the public on the Human Rights Act 1998 and Covid-19 regulations. He also helped draft appeals before the European Court of Human Rights using his knowledge of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Having spent six months working for a boutique law firm in Toronto, Canada as part of Middle Temple’s Harold G Fox Scholarship, Chevan not only gained exposure to another jurisdiction, but also worked on a number of matters including public law appeals concerning cutting edge human rights issues before the Supreme Court of Canada and defamation cases.
Chevan finished in the top 5% of his cohort during his LLB Law degree at the University of Leeds, having secured a First Class Honours. Chevan also holds an LLM from the University of Cambridge, having specialised in medical law, data protection law, and human rights.
He was also a Lord Denning Scholar (including being in receipt of a Residential Scholarship) at Lincoln’s Inn, which supported his studies through Bar School.
Away from work, Chevan maintains a strong interest in cricket owing to his Sri Lankan and Yorkshire roots.
Chevan has developed considerable experience in employment law, having represented both claimants and respondents in a number of preliminary and final hearings in the ET, as well as in judicial mediation hearings and Dispute Resolution Appointments. He also brings with him an in-depth knowledge of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 having worked for a whistleblowing charity as a Legal Adviser.
In addition to the above, Chevan has advised countless employees and employers in writing on various employment matters, including discrimination law, whistleblowing law, unfair dismissal, personal injury in the workplace, TUPE, holiday and sick pay, and breach of contract.
Court of Appeal: Abel v Reynolds [2026] IRLR 106
Chevan was led by Will Young of Outer Temple Chambers in a significant Court of Appeal Case where they acted on behalf of the Claimant. The appeal considered the interpretation of the Early Conciliation scheme in the ET. Their submissions were praised in the judgment of Underhill LJ as being “of high quality” (para.10). The Respondent’s appeal in relation to the early conciliation regime was allowed, but the ET’s decision to allow the claim to proceed was upheld on alternative grounds. A short summary of the judgment can be found here.
EAT – Mr Saleh v Singletrack Systems Ltd
Chevan represented Mr Saleh, the original Claimant, and Appellant, in a matter before the Employment Appeal Tribunal concerning a challenge to an ET’s decision where claims of constructive unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal were dismissed in full. The judgment is reserved and is expected to be delivered at some point in 2026.
Specific Disclosure Application
Chevan also recently represented an individual in a Specific Disclosure Application which was listed for two-days in the Manchester Employment Tribunal. The Tribunal also heard the Respondent’s Costs, Strike Out and Deposit Order Applications which were dismissed in full by the Tribunal after Chevan made submissions on behalf of the Claimant which the Judge agreed with.
Mr M Steeds v London Underground Ltd
Chevan successfully represented the Claimant, Mr Steeds, in a multi-day Employment Tribunal hearing in which he was successful in claims of Automatic Unfair Dismissal (s.103A ERA 1996), and Ordinary Unfair Dismissal. The whistleblowing allegations made by the Claimant concerned matters relating to alleged possible asbestos exposure to staff during their work in a number of London Underground tube stations, as well as a lack of appropriate PPE. A Remedy Hearing will follow.
Ms M Dudding v Gravesham Borough Council
Chevan successfully represented the Claimant, who had a number of health conditions including Agoraphobia, against her former employer, a local authority, who had dismissed her during a sickness absence process. The Claimant succeeded in claims of: 1) ordinary unfair dismissal; 2) s.15 Equality Act 2010; 3) s.19 Equality Act 2010; 4) s.20 Equality Act 2010. A Remedy Hearing will now follow. This case attracted press coverage including on The Independent and The Telegraph.
Mr A Press v First Greater Western Limited
Chevan represented the successful Respondent, a well-known train company, in a multi-day trial heard in the Swansea Employment Tribunal (in person). The Judge delivered an oral judgment, dismissing all the claims brought by the Claimant (ordinary unfair dismissal and s.15 EqA).
British Airways
Chevan acted for British Airways, the Defendant, in the County Court in a case in which a former employee instituted a wrongful dismissal and breach of contract claim against the Defendant. In one of the related hearings in the County Court, Chevan appeared against a King’s Counsel Barrister representing the Claimant and was successful in resisting the Claimant’s attempts to Strike out the Defendant’s Defence. That matter is ongoing.
Mr Vaid v Royal Mail
Chevan represented the Royal Mail, the Respondent, in multi-day Employment Tribunal Hearing with a number of allegations being dismissed in full by the Tribunal.
Chevan successfully represented in the Respondent in the Employment Tribunal in claims brought by a former employee. All claims of direct race discrimination, direct age discrimination, harassment, and victimisation were dismissed by the Tribunal.
Mr A Wisdom v Secretary of State for Justice
Chevan acted for the successful Claimant, a probation hostel manager, which confirmed the hours he spent on standby were working time and should be compensated with rest periods. The case engaged the Working Time Regulations 1998. Chevan also represented the Claimant in the Reconsideration Hearing which followed which, in the main, upheld the original ET ruling; the Reconsideration judgment can be found here. The matter was subsequently listed for a Remedy Hearing. This case attracted press coverage including on Law 360, and Unison’s website.
Mr G Ssemukuutu v ISS Mediclean Limited
Chevan successfully represented the Respondent, a large facilities management workplace services company, against race-discrimination, harassment related to race, and victimisation claims, brought by a former employee.
Ms G Abou-Ameira v Great Ormond Street Hospital
Chevan was led by Andrew Allen KC in a four-week Employment Tribunal claim concerning whistleblowing allegations under s.47B ERA 1996, brought by a Consultant working in Paediatric Dentistry. Chevan assisted with the cross-examination preparation, the Applications arising from the case, and helped draft the written-closing submissions. Chevan was in attendance for the full-trial.
Mr A Smith v Brighton & Hove County Council
Representing a local authority in a 4-day hearing in the Employment Tribunal. All claims of discrimination under s.15, s.19, s.20 and s.26 Equality Act 2010 were dismissed by the Employment Tribunal.
Mr M Tolley v Birmingham City Council
Representing a local authority in a 12-day case in the Employment Tribunal concerning a number of allegations, including automatic unfair dismissal on the grounds of whistleblowing (s.103A ERA).
Class Action case
Representing three (out of over a thousand) Claimants at a preliminary hearing in a class action against an international transportation company. This matter concerned compensation sought in light of the said Claimants having secured ‘worker’ status (the case has now been listed for a final hearing). Chevan represented these Claimants in a hearing alongside a leading employment KC, and several senior junior Employment Barristers.
Court of Appeal: Rodgers v Leeds Laser Cutting Ltd [2022] EWCA Civ 1659
Assisted a senior Barrister with drafting a skeleton argument for the successful Respondent in a landmark s.100 ERA case concerning Covid-19 in the Court of Appeal.
Represented a large supermarket in a case concerning alleged race and age discrimination against a customer (the Claimant) by staff in one of the supermarket’s stores. Chevan secured a Strike Out of all the claims brought under the Equality Act 2010 and Human Rights Act 1998 during a Hearing in County Court, and secured full costs sought by the Respondent.
Represented owners of a corner shop in in a County Court hearing where disability discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 was being alleged by a customer, in relation to an incident concerning an assistance dog.
Advised Prisoners, and drafted a Particulars of Claims, in relation to inadequate prison settings and care; these cases concerns issues of disability discrimination, and invoked the Equality Act 2010 and Human Rights Act 1998.
Chevan has advised on and acted in regulatory matters, including appearing for the Nursing and Midwifery Council in Interim Hearings; on each occasion, Chevan successfully argued that an Interim Order, placing significant restrictions on the Registrant’s Practice, should stay in place pending final disposal of their Disciplinary Hearing.
He welcomes further instructions in the area of Professional Discipline Law whatever the sector.
Represented an individual, the Defendant, in a High Court Injunction ‘review’ Hearing after an interim injunction had been granted against him without notice following the issuing of a breach of confidence claim by his former employer. Chevan successfully obtained important revisions to the Injunction Order, permitting the former employee to whisteblow to a wider range of bodies if he so wishes; Chevan drew on his knowledge of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 and Article 10 ECHR in making his submissions. The matter is ongoing with a final injunction hearing expected to take place at some point in 2026. Chevan also provided last-minute written advice on the injunction pursued by Claimant Company in this matter.
Advised a recruitment company, and drafting pleadings for claims in the High Court, in respect to three former employees that set up and worked in a rival company, allegedly in breach of restrictive covenants. Such claims engaged a number of Defendants (including the rival company), and a number of actions, including that of breach of contract and confidence, as well as inducement. The Defendants subsequently agreed to undertakings dispensing with the need for an Injunction Hearing; the claim for breach of contract is ongoing.
Chevan advised a construction company in relation to their former employees who allegedly undertook competitive activity in breach of their restrictive covenants; Chevan drafted Pre-Action Protocol Correspondence to this end which led to the Claimants agreeing to undertakings dispensing with the need to issue a claim in the High Court.
Chevan welcomes instructions in relation to any employment matters (even those with a commercial offshoot) within the DFIC. Chevan recently attended Outer Temple Chambers trip to the Dubai within the DIFC, attending the International Employment Lawyers’ Annual MENA Employment Sumit, where a member of Outer Temple Chambers spoke.
Chevan also maintains a busy Personal Injury practice having specialised in this area during Pupillage. Chevan has represented clients in a number of small claims and fast track trials relating to personal injury. He has also acted in Stage 3 Hearings for both Claimants and Defendants and Infant Approval Settlement Hearings.
In addition, he has also drafted pleadings and advice on liability and quantum in various Personal Injury matters, including complex cases concerning loss of earnings, drawing on his employment law knowledge to assist him.
Chevan has advised, and drafted pleadings on behalf of a cricket player who was injured during a cricket game as a consequence of alleged negligence by the umpires during the game. To this end, Chevan welcomes instructions in personal injury matters that intersect with sports law, or sporting establishments.
He has also represented both Claimants and Defendants in a number of Credit Hire cases (both small claim and fast track trials) and is well-versed in the law relating to this area, including recent developments in case-law.
Chevan has advised on a range of clinical negligence matters, securing a settlement in a case concerning a lack of informed consent in relation to treatment given to a psychiatric patient, and another case where an individual had suffered injury to her left ear during a (negligent) t-tube removal procedure. In both these instances, Chevan provided coherent and pragmatic advice with a view to enabling a reasonable settlement was secured in the best interests of the respective clients.
Chevan also regularly acts for Defendants, including the NHS and private healthcare providers, in clinical negligence matters including in CCMCs.
In one recent case in the Birmingham District Registry (High Court), Chevan represented the Defendant, a healthcare provider, in a Clinical Negligence matter, in which liability had been accepted by the Defendant. A relative (since deceased) of the original Claimant purported to accept a Pt36 which was made by the Defendant at time in which the former was alive; this relative therefore sought to enforce the terms of the proposed settlement. Deploying the sparse case-law available, Chevan successfully argued that the Pt36 Offer was not capable of acceptance as the Party purporting to accept it did not have probate at the material time; as such, the Court listed the matter for a quantum trial with a CCMC to take place before it. Chevan subsequently represented the Defendant in the said CCMC hearing and worked constructively with the Claimant’s Counsel to agree a Draft Order which was subsequently approved by the Court. The matter is ongoing.
Tying in with Chevan’s knowledge of discrimination law from his employment practice, Chevan has advised both parents, students and local authorities in relation to the matters concerning discrimination in educational settings – be that school and universities. His knowledge in this area recently developed further after having completed a secondment in education law at a national law firm.
Chevan regularly represents local authorities in the First Tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) both in preliminary and final hearings, often taking on instructions at short notice. The matters Chevan has acted in include challenges to sections B, F, H and I of EHC Plans.
Chevan has also drafted Academic Appeals on behalf of students challenging their university grades on disability discrimination and procedural unfairness grounds.
Chevan has also, prior to coming to the Bar, represented children in school-exclusion hearings before Governing Bodies and IRPs.
Chevan Ilangaratne is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please click here.
To find out more, contact Nick Levett on +44 (0)20 7427 4908 or Sura Mustafa on +44 (0)20 7427 4883 for a confidential discussion.
● Lincoln’s Inn
● Employment Lawyers Association UK (ELA)
● Pamel Walsh Peaker Scholarship, University of Leeds (2014)
● Access to Justice Scholarship, University of Leeds (2015)
● Lincoln’s Inn Lord Denning Scholarship (2019)
● Lincoln’s Inn Accommodation Scholarship (2019)
● Middle Temple Harold G Fox Scholarship (2021)
