St Philips Chambers

Employment

Adèle joined the Employment Team at St Philips Chambers having completed pupillage in criminal law. Practising in the criminal courts enabled Adèle to hone her sharp trial advocacy skills which places in her great stead in all employment hearing, but especially final hearings. Adèle has represented clients who are extremely vulnerable, including children, and has been commended for her excellent client care. Adèle’s down-to-earth and approachable style is refreshing, and she can be trusted to build a rapport with any client.

Adèle was first exposed to a wide range of employment claims when she was employed by Acas (The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) as an individual conciliator where she discussed cases with both claimant and respondent to reach a settlement. A by-product of her conciliatory role is that Adèle is comfortable advising claimant and respondents alike and is building her practice advising and representing all clients across the broad spectrum of employment law.

Adèle recently appeared against a leading silk in a hearing where Adèle appeared pro bono in representing a client whose case raised a number of jurisdictional issues (including res judicata), strike out and numerous amendment applications. The opposing silk commented:

“Ms Akers embarked upon an almost impossible task with energy and elan. Prior to the hearing and at the hearing itself, she successfully put her client’s complicated disability, race discrimination and victimisation case into order – which was greatly to [their] benefit as well as that of the tribunal. It was clear that she identified the strengths and weaknesses in his case. Her oral and written advocacy on his behalf was impressive and she showed no concern about being against leading counsel”

Prior to coming to the bar, Adèle had a career within the civil service. Working across a number of Government departments enabled Adèle to develop an acute commercial awareness, often through handling sensitive cases requiring consideration of national security and public interest. Furthermore, Adèle’s vast experience of line management gives her a first-hand perspective into advising on the reasonableness of management decisions.

Adèle has completed the Advocate Pro Bono Pledge 2023 for over 25 hours of pro bono work.

Employment Lawyer’s Association

City Law School – Bar Professional Training Course (Very Competent) University of Birmingham – LLM Criminal Law and Criminal Justice (Merit) University of Birmingham – LLB Law Liverpool John Moore’s University – BSc Forensic Science – (First Class)