11KBW is ‘a first tier employment set, with a broad selection of top class barristers’. Among the senior end of chambers, the ‘excellent’ Sean Jones KC garners praise as ‘one of the great employment barristers’; Daniel Stilitz KC is ‘a good strategic and tactical lawyer’; and Jane McCafferty KC is ‘a phenomenal strategist’. Turning to the juniors, Amy Rogers KC has an excellent reputation for handling restrictive covenant disputes and team-poaching claims, and the ‘robust’ Sophie Belgrove is sought after for her expertise in advising on high-profile whistleblowing cases and discrimination claims. Andrew Edge is a key name for unfair dismissal cases and breach of contract issues. Clive Sheldon KC, as was, was appointed a High Court Judge in February 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
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.
'Chris is the doyen of the employment law Bar. An absolute master of the craft - hugely knowledgeable about the case law, an incredibly hard worker, very pleasant to work with and well liked by clients.'
'Sean is like Zeus: when you go to war, you want him on your side.'
'He is measured and thoughtful in his advice, always adds value with his input and inspires confidence in all those working with him, most importantly the lay client.'
‘Simon is a solid cross-examiner and is excellent in the tribunal - he prepares very thoroughly and always considers the best way to present the evidence.'
'Richard is thorough, reliable, has excellent analytical and tactical skills and always focuses on the client's needs and aims.'
'Jane is a fighter and an unsurpassed advocate. Her high intelligence and energy is a formidable combination. She has total control of the court room when she cross-examines.'
'Anya has that indispensable quality of putting clients immediately at ease, with her calm, authoritative and compassionate approach. Her strategic and tactical judgement is superb.'
4‘A silk who consistently hits the bulls-eye. A joy to work with.'
‘An expert on discrimination law, and her no- nonsense approach gives confidence to the client.’
'His serene manner instills confidence in clients, and he distils complex legal and factual issues into easily understandable terms.'
'Marcus' advocacy is refined and firm, with the required touch of steel with difficult witnesses.'
2024 Silks
'Very bright and an excellent team player.'
'A junior operating at the level of a silk.'
'Judy is a strong strategic thinker, whose cross-examination is clear and laser-focused.'
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.
'Sophie is an exceptional advocate, highly collaborative, commercial and very bright. She is strong on discrimination cases.'
2'He is phenomenally bright and capable, with a surgical ability to cut to the heart of the issues in any case. His advocacy is disarmingly calm and precise. An extremely assured and confident barrister.'
2'Andrew is very strong across all areas of employment law. He is always very prepared and very assured in his advice. He has superb client care skills.'
3'A very professional junior, whose cross-examination is focused and courteous yet firm.'
'An incisive cross-examiner who is well liked by clients.'
'Harini has a real depth of experience, and she gets to the nub of the matter efficiently. Very good with clients in conference, and her advice is always thoughtful and practical.'
3'A junior who is a pleasure to work with and meticulous in his preparation.'
'A superb barrister: clever, insightful, and a pleasure to work with. He rolls up his sleeves in the heavy cases, has the detail at his fingertips, and always spots the key points. One of the leading juniors of his generation of employment lawyers.'
'Hannah is a very safe pair of hands. She makes great arguments, is good on her feet and analyses cases well.'
3'Jamie is a tactical thinker with a great client manner.'
4
4'Ruth is a junior to watch. She is incredibly calm under pressure, a fantastic advocate and has exceptional client care skills. She has superstar quality.'
4'Zac is responsive, has great attention to detail, puts clients at ease and has strong advocacy skills.'
'A thorough and responsive junior.'
'A very knowledgeable employment lawyer. He has good judgement and an easy ability to gain the trust of his clients.'
'Nigel is thoroughly well prepared and unflappable in the court and tribunal. He oozes experience and confidence.'
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.
'Sophie is an exceptional advocate, highly collaborative, commercial and very bright. She is strong on discrimination cases.'
2'He is phenomenally bright and capable, with a surgical ability to cut to the heart of the issues in any case. His advocacy is disarmingly calm and precise. An extremely assured and confident barrister.'
2'Andrew is very strong across all areas of employment law. He is always very prepared and very assured in his advice. He has superb client care skills.'
3'A very professional junior, whose cross-examination is focused and courteous yet firm.'
'An incisive cross-examiner who is well liked by clients.'
'Harini has a real depth of experience, and she gets to the nub of the matter efficiently. Very good with clients in conference, and her advice is always thoughtful and practical.'
3'A junior who is a pleasure to work with and meticulous in his preparation.'
'A superb barrister: clever, insightful, and a pleasure to work with. He rolls up his sleeves in the heavy cases, has the detail at his fingertips, and always spots the key points. One of the leading juniors of his generation of employment lawyers.'
'Hannah is a very safe pair of hands. She makes great arguments, is good on her feet and analyses cases well.'
3'Jamie is a tactical thinker with a great client manner.'
44'Ruth is a junior to watch. She is incredibly calm under pressure, a fantastic advocate and has exceptional client care skills. She has superstar quality.'
4'Zac is responsive, has great attention to detail, puts clients at ease and has strong advocacy skills.'
'A thorough and responsive junior.'
'A very knowledgeable employment lawyer. He has good judgement and an easy ability to gain the trust of his clients.'
'Nigel is thoroughly well prepared and unflappable in the court and tribunal. He oozes experience and confidence.'