Employment: Northern

THE SET Offering a host of outstanding individuals, 9 St John Street never fails to impress. It remains "the standout chambers in the North" thanks to its "broad understanding of employment law issues, and its provision of practical legal advice and competitive rates."

SILKS "When it comes to silks practising in the region, you can do no better than Paul Gilroy QC," assert interviewees. Endorsed for his "tough and robust" approach, Gilroy has a particularly strong reputation for representing football clients in employment disputes. Also here is the highly regarded Gerard McDermott QC. McDermott divides his practice between 9 St John Street in Manchester and Outer Temple Chambers in London, and has a particular forte advising on matters where personal injury law and employment law cross over.

JUNIORS The "fantastic" Rachel Wedderspoon is singled out as a formidable cross-examiner. She has a broad base of expertise encompassing wrongful dismissal, discrimination, equal pay, TUPE and restrictive covenants. Stefan Brochwicz-Lewinski "ticks all the boxes." Not only is he "a tenacious advocate and a hard negotiator," he also demonstrates "excellent client care skills." Joanne Connolly attracts consistent praise for her "excellent attention to detail and down-to-earth advice." She dedicates her practice solely to employment law issues, from redundancy claims to working time and whistle-blowing matters. Instructing solicitors value Nigel Grundy's thorough preparation and responsiveness. He dovetails his employment workload with his thriving personal injury and clinical negligence practice, and frequently acts for claimants and defendants in industrial disease cases.

The set's roster of impressive juniors continues with Stephen Hardy, a "switched-on and technically expert" barrister who "really makes his clients feel at ease." Hardy's recent work includes Bateman v ASDA Stores Ltd, a multiparty trade union litigation relating to the variation of employment contract terms and conditions. Also recommended here, Edward Morgan combines his in-depth knowledge of both commercial law and employment law issues to advise on director responsibilities, breach of fiduciary duties and restrictive covenants. Clients appreciate the fact that Daniel Northall offers both "strong intellectual analysis and pragmatic advice." His employment practice includes complex discrimination actions, transfers of undertakings and collective employment rights. Sources say Matthew Snarr is an "excellent advocate who quickly gets to the central points" in complex matters. He has specialist knowledge of sex, race and disability discrimination, human rights and whistle-blowing matters. He is recommended along with Kirsten Barry, who "presents herself excellently before tribunals." Her core areas of expertise are in redundancy matters and constructive dismissal, sexual harassment and public interest disclosure claims. The "absolutely superb" Brian McCluggage has established a thriving employment law practice alongside his personal injury work. His recent efforts include Keith Baker v Totesport, where he successfully defended bookmakers against a £500,000 DDA claim brought by a senior manager. Joanne Woodward continues to impress market sources with her extensive knowledge of employment and discrimination law.

THE SET Liverpool-based Atlantic Chambers remains a force to be reckoned with on the Northern Circuit. It acts for a diverse client base of corporate bodies, trades unions, public authorities and professional partnerships on the full range of employment law matters. 

SILKS John Benson QC stands firmly at the forefront of the region's Employment Bar. He can be relied upon as he is an "analytical and thorough" practitioner who takes a "resolute and dogged approach when pursuing matters on behalf of his clients." New silk Simon Gorton QC has the "ability to make the most complex issues seem straightforward," a fact which endears him to instructing solicitors and clients alike. Sources recognise his expertise in restrictive covenants, equal pay, TUPE and discrimination cases.

THE SET Manchester's St Johns Buildings has established considerable strength in employment law over recent years and now hosts over 20 barristers with experience in the field. The set attracts briefs on both litigious and advisory matters, from disciplinary hearings and discrimination claims to contractual matters.

JUNIORS Annette Gumbs has a formidable reputation in the market and is highly sought after for complex discrimination cases. In one recent matter, Nuttall v Bury MBC, she successfully represented the respondent against a claim of disability discrimination. Employment group head Ghazan Mahmood is equally impressive. He has proven himself particularly adept in race discrimination claims and recently appeared before the Court of Appeal in Deman v The Commission for Equality and Human Rights, a case concerning the proper construction of S 67(4) of the Race Relations Act 1976. Kashif Ali is one of the set's rising stars and already has a wealth of experience in unfair dismissal cases. The "incredibly efficient" Louise Quigley is also one to watch. She handles a wide array of employment disputes, from discrimination cases to equal pay claims and restrictive covenants.