Band 3
Band 3
Band 4
About
Provided by Claire Darwin KC
Practice Areas
Claire Darwin KC is a leading silk specialising in employment and discrimination law, with related expertise in education law, judicial review and multi-party/group litigation. She is ranked in the latest editions of the legal directories as a leading silk in Employment, Education, Pensions, Administrative Law and Human Rights, and is described as a “highly impressive advocate and a class act”. According to Chambers & Partners 2024 “she is excellent with clients, very popular and manages a large caseload”. Claire was a finalist for Employment Silk of the Year at the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2024, and for Public Services and Charities Silk of the Year in 2023.
Claire’s recent work includes Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia v Alhayali [2024] IRLR 381 (now before the Court of Appeal); acting for UCL in Hamon and others v University College London [2024] EWHC 1744 (KB), a claim by thousands of university students seeking compensation for the impact of the pandemic and industrial action on their studies; and advising the EHRC on its enforcement powers under the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023.
Career
Called to the Bar 2005. King’s Counsel 2023. Appointed a Recorder (part-time Circuit Judge) in 2023. Appointed to the Attorney General’s A Panel 2017, reappointed 2021. Member of B and C Panels before that. Also appointed to the Attorney General’s Panel of Special Advocates and the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Panel of Preferred Counsel 2024-2028 (and previous panels).
Chambers Review
UK Bar
Claire Darwin KC is an expert in education and equality law and is highly active in judicial reviews and private claims brought against schools and universities. She has acted for numerous institutions as well as the Department for Education, in matters concerning tuition, admissions and employment.
Claire Darwin KC of Matrix Chambers has a very strong practice that sees her working often in pensions cases involving claims of discrimination. She acts for a variety of clients including employers and individuals, and is frequently instructed by the Pensions Regulator.
Claire Darwin KC is a highly experienced employment barrister who has an extensive practice encompassing equal pay, worker status, industrial relations and discrimination claims. She frequently appears before the EAT and appeal courts, and offers notable expertise in various employment law issues affecting large public sector organisations and government departments.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"She is very easy to work with and her advice is commercial and pragmatic."
"Claire is user-friendly, pragmatic and engaging."
"She is very bright, thorough and nice to work with."
"Claire's commercial acumen, knowledge of the law and personable manner are very impressive."
"Claire's input is really valuable. She handles really tricky legal issues well, is really down-to-earth and a true part of the team, and is always available."
"Claire Darwin is a very composed and impressive courtroom advocate. She cuts to the point in a clear, concise way that lands persuasively with the judge."
"Claire is extremely bright and has very good client care, with an advocacy style that is effectively robust."
"Claire is incredibly good at what she does. She is very knowledgeable and very client-friendly."
"Claire can make complicated areas appear simple for a judge."
"She is very easy to work with and her advice is commercial and pragmatic."
"Claire is user-friendly, pragmatic and engaging."
"She is very bright, thorough and nice to work with."
"Claire's commercial acumen, knowledge of the law and personable manner are very impressive."
"Claire's input is really valuable. She handles really tricky legal issues well, is really down-to-earth and a true part of the team, and is always available."
"Claire Darwin is a very composed and impressive courtroom advocate. She cuts to the point in a clear, concise way that lands persuasively with the judge."
"Claire is extremely bright and has very good client care, with an advocacy style that is effectively robust."
"Claire is incredibly good at what she does. She is very knowledgeable and very client-friendly."
"Claire can make complicated areas appear simple for a judge."
Discover other Barristers at
Matrix Chambers
Silks (KC)
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