3PB’s employment team has a strong reputation on the Western Circuit for providing a wide range of ‘well-rounded and knowledgeable counsel’. Craig Ludlow has considerable experience acting for private and public sector respondent organisations, including corporate clients in the financial, retail, transport, and aviation sectors, among others, as well as NHS trusts, county councils, and education providers. He is regularly instructed by these in relation to whistleblowing and discrimination claims. Andrew MacPhail is deputy head of the employment team and stands out for his experience in multi-day discrimination and whistleblowing hearings. Gareth Graham regularly represents NHS organisations, police authorities, large multinational companies, and SMEs in connection with a wide range of employment law issues. Katherine Anderson impresses particularly for her experience handling claims relating to disabilities, mental health issues, and personal injuries. Joseph England is recognised by clients as a ‘thorough professional of the first order‘ with experience spanning the full spectrum of employment law matters.

Guildhall Chambers is widely praised as ‘an excellent set’ for employment work on the Western Circuit and has a broad range of experience at the junior level. Allan Roberts, who recently took over as head of the employment team, regularly represents high-profile clients in complex and sensitive whistleblowing and discrimination cases. Julian Allsop has considerable experience handling cases involving director’s duties, restrictive covenants, and confidentiality issues in the High Court as well as discrimination and whistleblowing cases in the Employment Tribunal. Debbie Grennan recently appeared for the respondent in Higgs v Farmor’s School, a Court of Appeal case concerning discrimination on the grounds of religious and philosophical beliefs, after a school employee made Facebook posts that were deemed by a parent of a child at the school to be homophobic and transphobic. In 2024 Fergus Currie left the self-employed Bar to go to Freeths LLP.

Old Square Chambers remains a fixture on the Western Circuit for employment work. Michael Ford KC focuses on appeal cases; in 2024 he represented the claimant in the Supreme Court case Mercer v Alternative Future Group Ltd, which issued a declaration of incompatibility recognising that UK law was not compliant with the ECHR in that workers participating in lawful strike action are protected from dismissal, but not disciplinary action short of dismissal. Jack Mitchell is a whistleblowing expert, while experienced senior junior Melanie Tether is noted for handling complex equal pay and holiday pay claims against leading employers.

Pump Court Chambers is increasingly known as a ‘first port of call for any employment tribunal case’. Timothy Dracass is noted for his respondent work for corporate entities, police forces, fire services, local authorities, and universities. His experience covers dismissal, disability, whistleblowing, and harassment claims. Daniella Gilbert focuses on discrimination and whistleblowing cases in the tribunals, while in the High Court she often handles disputes concerning restrictive covenants and the misuse of confidential information.

Queen Square Chambers is widely recognised as a ‘go-to barristers’ chambers‘ for employment work on the Western Circuit. Primarily acting for respondents, Mike Blitz has broad experience spanning whistleblowing, harassment, unfair dismissal, and disability discrimination claims, among others. Jennifer Linford is noted particularly for her experience in sex discrimination and age discrimination cases. James Bromige, head of the employment department, is regularly instructed by both claimants and respondents in connection with whistleblowing, discrimination, and unfair dismissal cases.

No.18 Chambers continues to ‘develop an excellent regional employment law offering with several barristers able to provide support whenever required’. With considerable experience handling unfair dismissal and discrimination claims, Ian Wheaton leads the employment team in chambers. Barnaby Large is widely praised as ‘astute, organised, and charismatic’ as well as for his ‘methodical approach and thorough attention to detail’. In Parker v Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary he acted for the respondent in relation to a disability discrimination claim brought by a detective who was not permitted to bring an autism assistance dog to work. John Franklin’s broad practice covers discrimination, whistleblowing, victimisation, and unfair dismissal claims, among others.