News & Events
News & Events
Employment Tribunal rules in favour of agoraphobic claimant on basis of unfair dismissal and disability discrimination in Dudding v Gravesham Borough Council. Chevan Ilangaratne acted for the Claimant, Marina Dudding, who had been working for the Respondent, Gravesham Borough Council, since 2001. The Background Ms Dudding’s most recent post was as ‘Allocations Officer’ within the Housing Options Service. From 2021 onwards, Ms Dudding had worked from home following recommendations made in a stress-risk assessment. Ms Dudding was later reviewed by Occupational Health in May 2023, which concluded that she had displayed symptoms of Agoraphobia, as well as having Depression and Anxiety. From October 2023, the Respondent removed her hybrid working arrangements, and insisted on her coming into the office full-time.…
News 1 Jun, 2026
We are delighted to share that thirteen of Outer Temple’s barristers have been included in the 2026 Pro Bono Recognition list for volunteering their time (25 hours or more) to provide free legal assistance to individuals, charities and community groups. Now in its third year, the List, published annually, recognises solicitors, barristers, chartered legal executives, trade mark attorneys, patent attorneys and registered foreign/European lawyers who provided 25 hours or more pro bono legal assistance over the last year. The initiative is supported by the Law Society, the Bar Council, CILEX and all the major pro bono organisations under the aegis of the Attorney General’s Pro Bono Committee. Pro Bono Recognition List 2026 The following members have been recognised in the…
News 21 Apr, 2026
Employment Law specialists Gus Baker and Chevan Ilangaratne will be speaking at ELA’s annual refresher course ‘What’s New in Employment Law- 2026’ on Thursday 28 January. The Employment Lawyers Association (ELA) is an apolitical organisation representing the views and interests of just over 6,000 specialist, qualified employment lawyers in the UK. Since its inception in 1992, ELA has become the voice of authority in employment law. It promotes the best practice of employment law. This year’s refresher course ‘What’s New in Employment Law- 2026’ is aimed at those who have been out of practice for a period over the past year, or who are looking for a round-up of developments in 2025. The course flags up cases and other developments which…
News 27 Jan, 2026
The Court of Appeal has today handed down judgment in the case of Abel Estate Agent Ltd & Ors v Elizabeth Reynolds [2025] EWCA Civ 1357, clarifying the consequences of failure to comply with ACAS Early Conciliation. Outer Temple Chambers’ Employment Law Team acted on both sides in the Court of Appeal in the case of Abel Estate Agent Ltd & Ors v Reynolds. Gus Baker and Jessica Franklin, instructed by Kilgannon & Partners LLP, represented the appellants/respondents. On the other side were Will Young and Chevan Ilangaratne, who were instructed pro bono through Advocate to represent the respondent/claimant. The Court of Appeal has confirmed that section 18A of the Employment Tribunals Act 1996 sets a strict precondition for the presentation of Employment Tribunal claims. Where a claimant has not invoked the ACAS…
News 27 Oct, 2025
Gus Baker and Jessica Franklin will today contend with their chambers colleagues Will Young and Chevan Ilangaratne, as members of Outer Temple Chambers’ Employment Law team represent both parties in the Court of Appeal in the EAT case of Abel Estate Agent Ltd & Ors v Elizabeth Reynolds: [2025] EAT 6. This appeal brings into the spotlight a number of questions which, among other things, relate to the correct statutory interpretation of s.18A Employment Tribunals Act 1996. This provision requires, save for limited exceptions, a Claimant to engage in ACAS Early Conciliation before lodging a claim in the Employment Tribunal. The appeal covers an important procedural point given the EAT judgment introduced a significant amount of uncertainty about the effect…
News 12 Jun, 2025
Employment Law barristers Monique Bouffé and Chevan Ilangaratne will be speaking at ELA’s annual refresher course ‘What’s New in Employment Law’ on Wednesday 29th January 2025. The Employment Lawyers Association (ELA) is a apolitical organisation representing the views and interests of just over 6,000 specialist, qualified employment lawyers in the UK. Since its inception in 1992, ELA has become the voice of authority in employment law. It promotes the best practice of employment law. ELA’s refresher course ‘What’s New in Employment Law’ is aimed at those who have been out of practice for a period over the past year, or who are looking for a round-up of developments in 2024. The course flags up cases and other developments which will…
News 21 Jan, 2025
We are pleased to welcome Chevan Ilangaratne to Outer Temple Chambers as a new junior tenant, starting today. Chevan Ilangaratne is a specialist Employment, Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence law practitioner. Before coming to the Bar, Chevan worked for a number of legal charities providing advocacy and advisory services in areas including whistleblowing law, disability rights, and children’s rights. He also spent six months working for a boutique law firm in Toronto, Canada as part of Middle Temple’s Harold G Fox Scholarship. Here, he not only gained exposure to another jurisdiction, but he also had the opportunity to work on public law appeals concerning cutting edge human rights issues before the Supreme Court of Canada. Practice Director Nicholas Levett commented, “I…
News 19 Nov, 2024
