Martina Murphy practice focuses on employment, group litigation and professional discipline.
Martina’s “advocacy is excellent”, as is her ability “to relate to clients and really understand their aims“.
She regularly appears unled in the appellate courts including the EAT and the Court of Appeal and is often instructed directly on appeals without having appeared below. She is currently instructed in group employment litigation on behalf of 40+ Claimants. She recently succeeded in defending an appeal before the EAT, which upheld that s.19 Equality Act 2010 does allow claims of associative indirect discrimination (BA v Rollett & Ors, Minister for Women and Equalities intervening [2024] EAT 131). She has also recently been led by Andrew Short KC in the Court of Appeal case of R (on the application of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and others) v (1) HMT and (2) The SoS for the Home Department [2024] Pens. L. R. 10; a pensions, public law and discrimination case where the potential quantum was valued at £19 billion+.
Martina acted for the Respondents in the first Employment Tribunal case to determine that a member of the clergy (assistant curate), had ‘worker’ status for the purposes of bringing a whistleblowing detriment claim, applying the ‘Gilham’ extension applying Article 14 and Article 10 Convention rights. (The Revd. Green v The Lichfield Diocesan Board of Finance, Case no 2409635/2022 (17/8/23)).
Martina is also the Chair of the Employment Law Bar Association (ELBA).
In the Directories she is ranked as a leading junior for Employment and for Professional Discipline.:
“Martina is a real whiz. She is well read and up to speed as well as being very user-friendly.” “Her attention to detail and responsiveness are key strengths.” (Chambers and Partners, Leading Junior, 2024)
“The quality of her written work and advocacy is impressive, she is unflappable…” “She has a good eye for detail and she is very tenacious” (Leading Junior, Chambers 2022)
“Martina is quick to grasp complex legal and factual issues. She is client-focused, practical and technically excellent” (Chambers, 2023).
“Bright, thorough and easy to work with, and she has a great ability to comprehend the factual scenario and to get to grips with the points of law and formulate a pragmatic approach.” (Legal 500, 2022)
She “possesses expertise in whistle-blowing matters, including those arising in the medical profession.” (Chambers, 2021).
“Technically excellent, well prepared, detailed, and great with clients. She inspires confidence in clients with clear pragmatic advice. She is also liked by employment judges because she moves the hearing along, especially in cross-examination.” (Legal 500, 2021).
“Successfully defended the respondent in Khan v The WKCIC Group, against all claims of unfair dismissal, unauthorised deduction from wages, victimisation and discrimination because of sex, race, disability, age and religion.” (Chambers, 2021).
Martina has a broad employment, commercial and equality law practice including the areas of whistleblowing and discrimination. She is regularly instructed in complex trials in the Employment Tribunal with weighty documentary and oral evidence.
She acts for both claimants and respondents and is a member of both the British Medical Association’s and the MET Police’s Panels of Counsel. She frequently undertakes work on behalf of the BMA and public bodies and has particular expertise in the healthcare sector.
Martina is often sought out in cases involving vulnerable parties and or witnesses; she was instructed in the first Employment Tribunal case to appoint a Registered Intermediary. The case contributed to the issuing of Presidential Guidance on Vulnerable parties and witnesses (April 2020).
Recent instructions include:
Martina’s employment law expertise complements her notable professional disciplinary and regulatory practice. She was shortlisted for Advocate’s Pro Bono Barrister of the Year Award 2021, largely as a result of her ongoing work as case leader on GMC v M.
Martina’s experience in complex and high-value employment litigation has led to her instruction on a number of group employment claims including:
Martina Murphy 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 Nicholas Levett on +44 (0)20 7427 4908 for a confidential discussion.
Masters (LLM), Labour Law, London School of Economics and Political Science
Shortlisted for Advocate’s Bar Pro Bono Junior of the Year 2021
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