Gareth was called to the Bar after leaving the British Army and is now an employment law specialist, regularly instructed in dynamic and complex cases. He is known for his pragmatic and robust style.
He has recently represented clients in the High Court, at the EAT and at the Court of Appeal.
He regularly represents NHS organisations and large companies, including the BBC, John Lewis & Partners, a leading multi-national engineering group and a large supermarket chain. He has also represented a European Embassy, a number of local authorities and a myriad SMEs across all areas of employment law. He has a particular focus on whistleblowing and discrimination cases.
He has also acted on behalf of employees in cases of a sensitive nature, including a Muslim woman in a claim for sex discrimination against her Muslim employers, a nurse involved in the alleged mistreatment of infirm nuns at a Convent which received coverage in the national media and a number of high profile claimants.
Gareth is on the panel of approved counsel to the Welsh Government and regularly provides training to clients and external bodies, including NHS organisations and ACAS.
Recent cases:
Gareth Graham has carried out various investigations for companies covering a wide range of issues. This includes a number of highly-confidential investigations for national governing bodies for sport. The issues investigated include bullying, discrimination, physical violence and sexually inappropriate behaviour.
He is often instructed in complex and lengthy investigations where a large number of individuals need to be interviewed.
Investigation Training
Gareth has provided investigation training to various NHS health boards in Wales, in conjunction with the employment team at NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership. This includes how to investigation disciplinary matters and how to chair disciplinary hearings.
Gareth Graham and Matthew Curtis examine the options in this employment law webinar first broadcast on 21 April 2021 and look at the potential pitfalls for businesses looking to make redundancies or organisational changes due to pressures caused by reduced activity.
Read their notes and answers to the most common questions received.
3PB barrister Gareth Graham analyses the latest employment law cases, covering:
•Harassment – Evans v Xactly Corporation Ltd UKEATPA/0128/18LA
•Whistleblowing: Timis & Sage v Osipov [2018] EWCA Civ 2321
•Unfair Dismissal: Hawkes v Ausin Group (UK) Ltd UKEAT/0070/18/BA
•Direct Discrimination – Lee v Ashers Baking Company Ltd and others
In other news…
•Employment Tribunal statistics
•Consultation Paper on reforming employment law hearing structures
“engaging and candid.”
Honourable Mr Justice Langstaff, former President of the EAT, reported case of Vodafone Ltd v Miss A Nicholson UKEAT/0605/12/SM.
Highly experienced in discrimination law and unfair dismissal. He is widely respected for his strategic approach to complex cases. He acts for NHS trusts across the country as well as a number of high-profile private employers. He has notable expertise in discrimination claims and whistle-blowing.
Strengths: "He is straightforward, no-nonsense, quick to respond and very bright. Clients love him."
Recent work: Successfully represented the respondent, Babcock International Group, in a claim for age discrimination and unfair dismissal.
Chambers UK 2021/Employment - Western Bar – Band 2
Strengths: "Gareth is very hands-on and approachable, and provides excellent commercial advice."
Recent work: Defended the Co-operative Group against claims of race discrimination, victimisation and unfair dismissal. The case generated a number of appeals in the Employment Appeal Tribunal and Court of Appeal.
Chambers UK 2020/Employment - Band 3
"He's very robust, very thorough and good with clients and witnesses." "He's very easy to work with and really responsive. He's a good team player and helps to deliver training to give us a team approach."
Recent work: Defended The Co-operative Group against three claims for race discrimination, victimisation, and disability discrimination. The respondent was successful and awarded almost £20,000 in costs.
Chambers UK 2019/Employment
Strengths: “He thinks strategically about his cases and can absorb large amounts of information."
Chambers UK 2018/Employment
Strengths: "As well as being technically competent on legal issues, he is also able to demonstrate a good understanding of a client's business and its commercial drivers."'
Chambers UK 2017/Employment
'Has represented high-profile employers and employees in Tribunal cases nationwide, and also acted for students in university disciplinary hearings and employees in professional internal disciplinary issues.
Strengths: "He's well regarded, thorough and client-friendly." "He gets the points across quickly and he's good at cross-examination."'
Chambers UK 2016/Employment
'Experienced in a range of employment cases on behalf of clients from a variety of sectors, including recent success with governmental, engineering and automotive clients. Alongside his traditional employment practice, he regularly acts on internal professional disciplinary matters for clients such as rugby clubs and universities.
Expertise: "He is a reliable barrister who is willing to get stuck in."
Chambers UK 2015/Employment
‘Very strong in cross-examination with an ability to think quickly and hone on on the weaknesses of an opponent's witness.’
Legal 500 2021/Employment/Leading juniors - Tier 1
‘Is a highly skilled advocate who cross-examines with precision and without bluster.’
Legal 500 2020/Employment/Leading juniors - Tier 1
'An excellent cross-examiner with a brilliant bedside manner with clients and witnesses."
Legal 500 2018/19/Employment/Leading juniors - Tier 1
‘He is very good at seeing the bigger picture in a case.’
Legal 500 2017 - Employment – Leading juniors
'He has a great cross-examination style and is very effective.'
Legal 500 2016 - Employment – Leading juniors
'He has an incisive and forensic approach to legal arguments, and is an excellent advocate'
Legal 500 2015 - Employment – Leading juniors
Gareth Graham is qualified to accept instructions directly from members of the public and professional clients under the Direct Public Access scheme.
More InformationWelcome to May's newsletter This month’s employment law newsletter features case law updates from Sarah Clarke, Naomi Webber, Andrew MacPhail and Grace Boorer covering: the correct test to apply in re-engagement orders; the workers status of foster carers under article 11 ECHR; what to do when faced with unclear and confused pleadings from a litigant in person and the ‘long-term’ adverse effect on disability status. We share a link to our new resource page for...
Continue readingTimes are looking up with the prospect of businesses reopening and the restrictions of the pandemic being lifted. While it will be ‘business as usual’ for many, what happens when trade doesn’t get back to pre-pandemic levels? Gareth Graham and Matthew Curtis examine the options in this employment law webinar first broadcast on 21 April 2021 and look at the potential pitfalls for businesses looking to make redundancies or organisational changes due to pressures caused...
Continue readingWelcome to April's newsletter In this edition we welcome Mathew Gullick QC's appointment as Silk and our new tenant Alex Leonhardt. We also introduce you to our new on-line employment law resources. Our team has reviewed the judgments in the following cases: Royal Mencap Society v Tomlinson-Blake & Others [2021] UKCS 8; Asda Stores Ltd v Brierley; Rodgers v Leeds Laser Cutting Ltd; Mallon v AECOM Ltd; Page v Lord Chancellor and ors; Smith v Pimlico Plumbers Ltd UKEAT/0211/19/DA and...
Continue readingChambers & Partners 2021 UK Bar directory lists a record nine of our employment barristers as leading Juniors in its latest edition. With one of our team ranked in the South Eastern Bar and the remaining eight ranked in the Western Bar, 3PB’s Employment and Discrimination group achieves an overall Band 2 rating in the Western Bar. The directory acknowledges ‘A set with an excellent profile in discrimination law and other employment issues. In addition...
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