Employment

Parklane Plowden is renowned for its work tackling employment law matters of significant sensitivity and complexity including discrimination, harassment and victimisation claims. The barristers are also knowledgeable about whistle-blower protection, and National Minimum Wage matters form an additional area of expertise. The set maintains a broad client base which includes claimants and private or public sector respondents. Clients state: "Parklane Plowden is well placed to handle instructions across the employment spectrum from straightforward matters to complex multi-week litigation." Demonstrating their facility with complex instructions, Andrew Sugarman represented the respondent in Various Claimants v WM Morrison Supermarkets PLC, a key case regarding equal pay in the workplace.

"Emma Frazer and Sharon Robson are two of the best clerks I have dealt with in my career."

"The clerks team have a fantastic lead in Sharon Robson."

"The clerks at Parklane Plowden are particularly good."

"The clerks are a key strength and are a reason I use the chambers."

"The clerks are very supportive and will do their utmost to assist you."

Andrew Sugarman is an established barrister in the employment law field who commands considerable respect for his representation of claimants and respondents. His client base includes both public and private sector clients. He offers vast expertise in claims regarding issues such as victimisation, race and sex discrimination, unfair dismissal and unequal pay. "Andrew is one of the best on the circuit." "A superb lawyer, Andrew is excellent with clients and just a really easy person to work with." "Andrew is simply a brilliant advocate."

Andrew Webster has an impressive practice on the circuit but also attracts instructions from clients across the country. He is primarily called upon to act for respondents in the public sector including local authorities, NHS trusts and other government bodies. He offers expertise advising on a range of employment matters, such as those relating to discrimination, unfair dismissal and statutory annual leave. "Andrew presented well to the client. His advocacy is excellent, as are his tactics." "Andrew is impressive in pre-hearing conferences and at the Employment Tribunal, and at liaising with the client and other side." "He is very client-friendly. He is calm, clear and well prepared. He's dogged in cross-examination."

Claire Millns is a well-regarded barrister who has a strong reputation in employment litigation, with particular expertise in complex discrimination and whistle-blowing claims. She is highly rated for her knowledge of difficult and technical areas of employment law. "An excellent barrister who is well liked by clients. Claire always delivers an excellent service. Clients find her very approachable, and her advocacy is faultless." "I would have no hesitation in instructing Claire in relation to complex matters. She is an excellent advocate and a pleasure to work with." "Claire is absolutely superb counsel with a great manner with clients."

Amy Rumble is developing an excellent employment practice with a focus on unfair dismissal and discrimination, having acted at first instance and on appeal. "Amy is my 'go-to' barrister for tribunal cases. Amy is particularly fantastic on tricky equal pay claims. She consistently provides strategic advice and achieves a favourable outcome at hearings." "Amy is one of my go-to junior counsel. She is always well prepared and is excellent at putting witnesses at ease and reassuring a client before a hearing." "Amy is very impressive. She is bright and has done a great job for our clients on various occasions."

Bryony Clayton is a well-regarded barrister with strong knowledge of unfair dismissal and discrimination. She demonstrates notable skill in her handling of long and difficult cases. "I've been impressed with her work on tricky matters and her very approachable manner with clients." "She has a full and solid grasp of cases and the points to be put forward. She has an easy and effective communication style and advances the client’s position effectively." "Bryony is a very able junior with a reassuring style."

Gareth Price has expertise in discrimination and whistle-blowing claims, and those concerning mental health and wellbeing. He acts for both claimants and defendants in various sectors including healthcare. "Gareth has a great ability to get to the heart of things. He gets it done." "Gareth is very responsive and easy to work with. He always does a great job and has a very good level of expertise." "I find Gareth’s expertise and approach impressive. He is approachable and client-friendly, reactive to fast-moving developments and able to grasp the technically complex aspects of a case."

Hari Menon is an experienced employment specialist who frequently represents claimants from trade unions in discrimination and harassment cases. "Nothing is too much trouble for Hari. He is meticulous in his preparation, thoughtful in his analysis and really gets the whole picture for my clients." "Hari's cross-examination and general preparation is exceptional, but where he shines is in his support for clients and instructing lawyers." "Hari always provides very sound advice and expert representation. He provides direct and reliable advice."

Nicola Twine has attracted acclaim as a barrister practising in areas including wrongful dismissal, discrimination and other employment law topics. She acts for claimants and respondents, often in multi-day and complex cases. "Nicola is very helpful and responsive. She provides clear, commercial advice." "Nicola quickly identifies the issues and provides practical advice and support. Her advocacy skills are great." "Nicola is unflappable and really thorough."

Richard Ryan is known for his work in employment law, particularly regarding complex discrimination and national minimum wage matters. "Richard is personable, good to work with and great with our clients. He does a great job and we have been impressed with his work." "Richard is pragmatic. He is thoroughly prepared and covers all bases. He is approachable, explains everything well and forms a good working relationship with clients."

Sophie Firth has built a strong reputation for her work in National Minimum Wage Regulations claims, as well as offering experience in gender reassignment discrimination matters. Other areas of expertise include whistle-blowing and equal pay. "She has a phenomenal brain and works really, really hard. She's going to be a star of the future." "Sophie is exceptionally well prepared and offers clients pragmatic advice that is detailed and identifies risks. She is a go-to for cases involving complex gender identities or belief discrimination." "She was easy to work with, kept me updated and put our client and witnesses at ease. She grasps issues extremely well and achieves very good outcomes."

Tim Wilkinson's work in the employment law field includes complex and sensitive claims of discrimination and whistle-blowing detriment. He draws praise as an incisive and approachable barrister. "Tim is a first-rate advocate and great with clients." "Tim's advocacy skills are excellent - he knows when to press and when the point has been made. He is also very receptive to solicitors and communicates well with clients." "Tim provides sound advice and expert representation when instructed. He provides direct and reliable advice." "Always reliable and extremely helpful, Tim gets on with the job and will always steer calmly around obstacles. I always enjoy working with him."

May Martin is developing a strong practice as an up-and-coming junior who regularly represents NHS trusts and local governmental bodies in employment tribunal cases. "She is excellent in court. She is well prepared, courteous and able to command the confidence of the tribunal with able submissions." "May's advocacy skills are excellent. She is calm and composed throughout. No stone goes unturned!" "May has a very good manner with clients/witnesses and is excellent in cross-examination. I would not hesitate to instruct her again."

Robert Dunn is building a really strong practice in employment litigation. He is known for his work for respondents in ET cases. "He does an excellent job representing clients in ET claims. He quickly gets to grips with the crux of a case and identifies a strategy with which to successfully defend the case at the final hearing." "Robert is a fantastic junior." "Robert achieves a perfect balance of demonstrating commercial acumen and deft employment law expertise." "Robert is an excellent advocate and I would not hesitate to instruct him on any matter, no matter how complex the facts." "Robert is one of our go-to barristers. We all love him; we love his experience and knowledge, his ability to get to grips with the issues quickly, his approach with clients and his advocacy generally."