Employment & Discrimination Law

7 Bedford Row possesses an impressive breadth of experience in employment and discrimination law. All areas of employment related work are undertaken. Members of the team have expertise in appellate and first instance work alike, acting for both employers and employees. Our client base ranges from individual employees and directors to large private and public sector organisations.

We undertake both individual and collective employment law work. This includes work relating to:

• All strands of discrimination
• Equal pay
• Unfair and wrongful dismissal
• Claims under the Employment Rights Act 1996
• Industrial relations and trade union affairs
• Directors' disputes
• Employee share schemes
• Injunctive relief
• Breach of contract
• TUPE transfers
• Working time regulations
• Pensions

Drawing on Chambers' considerable strength in general common law and personal injury law, members of the team regularly advise on stress at work, harassment and bullying claims. They also appear in internal and professional disciplinary proceedings. A number are able to take on Direct Access work.

Recent cases include:

S Johnson v Edwardian International Hotels Ltd [2008]
The question of how employment tribunals are to approach the issue of a party's mental capacity to litigate.

McCarthy v McCarthy & Stone Plc [2007] EWCA Civ 664; (2008) 1 All ER 221
The proper construction of a share option scheme.

Father Hart v Home Office and Roman Catholic Diocese of Brentwood [2007]
Case involving allegations of sexual orientation and sex discrimination bought by a Prison Chaplain. At issue was the status of persons with gender dysphoria under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and under EC law.

Atkinson & Ors v Redcar Borough Council [2007]
Major equal pay group litigation against local authorities in the North East of England.

Smith v Dresdner Kleinwort [2007]
Part of a group equal pay and sex discrimination action litigated in the UK and the USA for $1.4 billion.

Kidd v Alliance & Leicester plc [2007] All ER (D) 82
Presentation of an unfair dismissal claim out of time. Incorrect advice from a trade union office as to the relevant time limit was not a sufficient reason for extending time.

Reported cases include Skidmore v Dartford & Gravesham NHS Trust [2003] IRLR 445 (House of Lords); Capek v Linconshire County Council [2000] IRLR 590; Digital Equipment Co Ltd v Clements (no.2) [1998] IRLR 134 (Court of Appeal); Aniagwu v London Borough of Hackney & Anor [1999] IRLR 303; Carrington v Harwich Dock Co. Ltd [1998] IRLR 567 (Employment Appeal Tribunal).

Members of the team regularly contribute to legal textbooks and journals. They are active members or committee members of the Employment Law Bar Association, the Employment Lawyers Association, the Industrial Law Society and the Discrimination Law Association. Chambers regularly provides training in all areas of employment and discrimination law and can provide bespoke training. Mediation facilities are also available in chambers.