Cloisters
Cloisters ‘has an excellent employment law offering’. The ‘very strong’ team is ‘incredibly knowledgeable’ and has an excellent track record for advising across the full spectrum of employment law matters. Discrimination cases form a key pillar of the practice, and members report an uptick in equal pay claims as well as undertaking larger volumes of sensitive investigations. Schona Jolly KC and Ruaraidh Fitzpatrick represented the applicant before the European Court of Human Rights in Buttet v UK, which considered the extent to which the law of state immunity can prevent foreign nationals from bringing proceedings against their own governments in the British courts. In another matter, Caspar Glyn KC and Adam Ohringer successfully acted for an employer before the Employment Tribunal in a claim concerning the dismissal of care home employees who declined COVID-19 vaccinations. Key growth for the set includes Sheryn Omeri KC and Akua Reindorf KC taking silk in March 2023, and Andrew Watson joined the team in June 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Glenn Hudson is a living legend.'
- 'Glenn Hudson inspires confidence, is user friendly, and has great humanity.'
- 'Andy Hunter and Mark Skipp are helpful and understand the clients' needs.'
- 'Frankie Beale is very efficient.'
- 'Mark Skipp is fantastic.'
- 'Cloisters boasts a number of excellent barristers.'
- 'Cloisters is one of the foremost sets in employment law.'
- 'Cloisters has excellent barristers in the employment/discrimination law field and are always a pleasure to work with.'
- 'Great set for employment matters, with depth and breadth of experience and barristers who are both technically excellent and great to work with.'
- 'Excellent employment law expertise, with great depth. Counsel go the extra mile in respect of availability.'
Silks
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Hall of fameCloisters
‘Paul is a first-class advocate; forensic and has an exceptional intellect. He is excellent at putting nervous clients at ease with his open manner.’
Hall of fameCloisters
'A powerhouse in the tribunal. He strikes fear into the hearts of opposing counsel as he is so sharp and on top of his brief. A silk with an impressive level of gravitas.'
Hall of fameCloisters
'Tom is fiercely intelligent. He is particularly good on his feet, and always finds the right words to win an argument. A truly exceptional barrister.'
Hall of fameCloisters
‘Rachel is an expert in equal pay matters. Her tribunal advocacy is great; she really knows where the tribunal is going and can steer them in the desired direction.’
Hall of fameCloisters
‘Schona is a marvel to watch on her feet – quick-witted and able to deftly pivot according to the bench’s mood, while also being resilient and forceful when required. Her advice is always exceptional – structured and intelligent. Her tactical acumen is impressive.’
Hall of fameCloisters
'Daphne's persuasiveness, quick logical thinking, and good humour are hallmarks of her advocacy style. She can be devastating in cross-examination.'
Hall of fameCloisters
‘Ed is persuasive, calm under pressure and easy to work with. His advocacy is first-rate. His submissions are well-considered and his cross-examination incisive.’
2023 Silks
Cloisters
'Akua is an incredible barrister. She is an outstanding advocate, highly technical, and has excellent client care skills. She is always one step ahead.'
Juniors
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
1Cloisters
'Carolyn is stunningly clever, incredibly tenacious and an outstanding cross-examiner.'
Cloisters
'A strategic barrister who is very user-friendly and cuts to the key issues of a case swiftly.'
Cloisters
'She's a superstar! A brilliant advocate who can read the room, technically fantastic and strategically and commercially astute. Witnesses and clients love her.'
Cloisters
'Rachel is a standout barrister. Her technical ability is fabulous. She is particularly strong on discrimination cases. A real team player and wonderful with clients.'
Cloisters
'Caroline has the enviable mixture of being both technically brilliant and commercially savvy. She builds rapport with clients very quickly and easily.'
Cloisters
'Adam is incredibly knowledgeable in employment law. He instills confidence in clients as a result of his ability to explain the situation in an empathetic, supportive and understandable way. He always provides advice that is clear and commercially sound.'
Cloisters
‘Andrew is very knowledgeable and has a quiet authority which makes him highly persuasive in court. He is incredibly thorough and quick to grasp details while also being good with clients. He is confident in his approach.’
Cloisters
'Nathaniel's advocacy exudes calmness and authority. He cuts to the key issues and clients are very reassured by him.'
Cloisters
‘Jennifer is an absolutely brilliant barrister. She is incredibly intelligent and her knowledge of employment law is second-to-none. She explains even the most tricky issues clearly and concisely. You always know you are in a safe pair of hands when you instruct her.’
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
1Cloisters
'Carolyn is stunningly clever, incredibly tenacious and an outstanding cross-examiner.'
Cloisters
'A strategic barrister who is very user-friendly and cuts to the key issues of a case swiftly.'
Cloisters
'She's a superstar! A brilliant advocate who can read the room, technically fantastic and strategically and commercially astute. Witnesses and clients love her.'
Cloisters
'Rachel is a standout barrister. Her technical ability is fabulous. She is particularly strong on discrimination cases. A real team player and wonderful with clients.'
Cloisters
'Caroline has the enviable mixture of being both technically brilliant and commercially savvy. She builds rapport with clients very quickly and easily.'
Cloisters
'Adam is incredibly knowledgeable in employment law. He instills confidence in clients as a result of his ability to explain the situation in an empathetic, supportive and understandable way. He always provides advice that is clear and commercially sound.'
Cloisters
‘Andrew is very knowledgeable and has a quiet authority which makes him highly persuasive in court. He is incredibly thorough and quick to grasp details while also being good with clients. He is confident in his approach.’
Cloisters
'Nathaniel's advocacy exudes calmness and authority. He cuts to the key issues and clients are very reassured by him.'
Cloisters
‘Jennifer is an absolutely brilliant barrister. She is incredibly intelligent and her knowledge of employment law is second-to-none. She explains even the most tricky issues clearly and concisely. You always know you are in a safe pair of hands when you instruct her.’