A ‘strong set for employment work with high profile counsel’, Old Square Chambers‘ members routinely handle significant employment cases, including appearing in the Court of Appeal. In a prominent case highlight, Michael Ford KC successfully represented UNISON as intervenor in the Supreme Court in Harpur Trust v Brazel, a high-profile case concerning if part-year workers (in this context, a term-time only music teacher at a school) accrue their holiday entitlement pro rata throughout the year, or during the parts of the year the employee is working. In a separate matter, Ben Cooper KC is acting for ASDA in ongoing, large-scale litigation concerning multiple equal pay claims. At the junior end of chambers, whistleblowing and equal pay claims have been prominent in Melanie Tether’s recent workload, and Robert Moretto successfully acted for the Department of Work and Pensions in Mackereth v DWP, a belief discrimination claim brought by a Christian doctor who refused to address transgender patients by their preferred pronouns. In March 2023, the senior end of the team was bolstered by the elevation of Eleena Misra KC and Nadia Motraghi KC to silk. Sarah Keogh is now a full-time Employment Judge.
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.
1‘Michael is razor-sharp, fantastic on his feet, and has an encyclopedic knowledge of industrial relations and employment law. His advice is clear and practical and he is excellent with clients. You want him on your side.’
1
1
2‘A silk who is very good at putting the client at ease with his calm demeanour.’
2'Ben is an exceptional advocate. He is a super bright technical lawyer.'
2
3‘An incisive and formidable advocate, who is razor-sharp on her feet and in her legal analysis. Katharine is an excellent strategist.’
4'Simon has a good, relaxed style which goes down very well with clients and instructing solicitors alike. He never panics and always instils confidence in the way that he deals with the twists and turns of tribunal litigation. His advocacy is assured - you always want him on your side.'
4
4
4'A formidable advocate who makes lay clients feel supported.'
2022 Silks
'Betsan is a brilliant technical lawyer. She can turn her to mind to a case and piece of work very quickly, and gives clear advice on merits and strategy. She is very quick-witted, authoritative and knowledgeable.'
2023 Silks
'Eleena is an exemplary advocate - her cross-examination skills are fantastic, robust when necessary and empathetic. She is analytical and detail orientated, and a great problem solver. A powerhouse.'
'An indefatigable silk who gets on exceptionally well with professional and lay clients.'
2024 Silks
'Stuart is an incredibly hard-working junior with an attractive advocacy style.'
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.
1
2'A junior who demonstrates the ability to get to grips with complex cases quickly.'
2'Tom is detailed and forensic. He has an excellent eye for detail and will fight to the last moment for his client.'
2'Jack has real gravitas in the tribunal. He has a considered, measured, and compelling approach to answering judges' questions. He is particularly knowledgeable in whistleblowing law. An excellent barrister.'
2
2'Nicola is extremely knowledgeable and insightful, and provides astute advice on the technical elements of complex cases. Her advocacy is always precise and persuasive.'
‘Paras is commercially astute, responsive and a clever advocate. Good with clients and judges.’
3'A very methodical and responsive advocate, who is very good at putting clients at ease.'
3'A formidable advocate who provides laser-precise advice. She is a client friendly barrister.'
'Laith has persuasive and respectful approach to advocacy, and his advice is always valuable and sensible.'
4
4'Darshan's advocacy is exemplary. He is an astute, formidable yet charming barrister who has the confidence of the tribunal.'
4'She is a highly intelligent barrister with excellent analytical skills.'
4'An extremely bright junior, and an authority on worker status cases.'
‘Rad is very personable and easy to work with. He has a flexible approach and always strikes an excellent rapport with clients. A robust advocate.’
5‘Ben is an exceptional advocate. He always remains calm, even in the most testing of cases, and has an excellent ability to make lay clients feel at ease and involved in proceedings.’
5'His technical knowledge is extremely good, and he has very clear analytical skills.'
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.
12'A junior who demonstrates the ability to get to grips with complex cases quickly.'
2'Tom is detailed and forensic. He has an excellent eye for detail and will fight to the last moment for his client.'
2'Jack has real gravitas in the tribunal. He has a considered, measured, and compelling approach to answering judges' questions. He is particularly knowledgeable in whistleblowing law. An excellent barrister.'
22'Nicola is extremely knowledgeable and insightful, and provides astute advice on the technical elements of complex cases. Her advocacy is always precise and persuasive.'
‘Paras is commercially astute, responsive and a clever advocate. Good with clients and judges.’
3'A very methodical and responsive advocate, who is very good at putting clients at ease.'
3'A formidable advocate who provides laser-precise advice. She is a client friendly barrister.'
'Laith has persuasive and respectful approach to advocacy, and his advice is always valuable and sensible.'
44'Darshan's advocacy is exemplary. He is an astute, formidable yet charming barrister who has the confidence of the tribunal.'
4'She is a highly intelligent barrister with excellent analytical skills.'
4'An extremely bright junior, and an authority on worker status cases.'
‘Rad is very personable and easy to work with. He has a flexible approach and always strikes an excellent rapport with clients. A robust advocate.’
5‘Ben is an exceptional advocate. He always remains calm, even in the most testing of cases, and has an excellent ability to make lay clients feel at ease and involved in proceedings.’
5'His technical knowledge is extremely good, and he has very clear analytical skills.'
