Barristers

James Arnold

James Arnold

Work Department

Exclusively Employment.

Position

Barrister specialising in Employment.

James is a specialist in employment and discrimination law. His particular expertise lies in defending complex and high-value discrimination, protected disclosure (whistle-blowing) and detriment claims, as well as providing strategic advice on a broad spectrum of employment law issues.

He is predominately instructed by public & private-sector respondent organisations including police forces, NHS Trusts, universities, county councils and large corporate clients. In addition, he successfully represents claimant employees.

James also maintains an extensive and wide-ranging advisory practice on all aspects of employment law, including TUPE and pension transfers, redundancy issues, settlement agreements, equal pay claims, restrictive covenants and bonus schemes.

Other areas of expertise include conducting internal investigations (disciplinary & grievance), presenting or chairing internal hearings and appeals, witness training, pension advice, police collaboration agreements, ill-health retirements, injury on duty awards, policy & reputational issues and sensitive matters of national security, for which James has SC National Security Clearance valid until 18 August 2026. He also lectures extensively and provides training seminars.

As senior counsel, James is comfortable representing clients against leading juniors and QCs. Having formerly worked in the City, as well as completing pupillage at a leading shipping set, James is able to bring his commercial experience to bear on his employment practice.

James is able to accept instructions from corporate clients directly via the Public Access Scheme.

Career

Called Middle Temple 2000.

James is a specialist in employment and discrimination law. His particular expertise lies in defending complex and high-value discrimination, protected disclosure (whistle-blowing) and detriment claims, as well as providing strategic advice on a broad spectrum of employment law issues.

He is predominately instructed by public & private-sector respondent organisations including police forces, NHS Trusts, universities, county councils and large corporate clients. In addition, he successfully represents claimant employees.

James also maintains an extensive and wide-ranging advisory practice on all aspects of employment law, including TUPE and pension transfers, redundancy issues, settlement agreements, equal pay claims, restrictive covenants and bonus schemes.

Other areas of expertise include conducting internal investigations (disciplinary & grievance), presenting or chairing internal hearings and appeals, witness training, pension advice, police collaboration agreements, ill-health retirements, injury on duty awards, policy & reputational issues and sensitive matters of national security, for which James has SC National Security Clearance valid until 18 August 2026. He also lectures extensively and provides training seminars.

As senior counsel, James is comfortable representing clients against leading juniors and QCs. Having formerly worked in the City, as well as completing pupillage at a leading shipping set, James is able to bring his commercial experience to bear on his employment practice.

James is able to accept instructions from corporate clients directly via the Public Access Scheme.

Memberships

Employment Law Bar Association; Employment Lawyers Association.

Education

De Montfort University – Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) 1st class; Inns of Court School of Law – Very Competent.

Leisure

Skiing, triathlon, trail running, open water swimming and mountain biking.