Formidable team of specialist employment barristers offering advice and representation
3PB’s employment law group offers expert advisory and advocacy services to private and public sector employers and individuals, as well as service providers and businesses across all areas of employment law including unfair dismissal, discrimination, equal pay, industrial disputes, executive contracts, wrongful dismissals, restrictive covenants, whistleblowing, TUPE, injunctions, pensions disputes and disciplinary proceedings.
Practising out of each of Chambers’ six UK locations, our team offers the highest standards of legal, practical and tactical advice on both contentious and non-contentious matters. Our barristers routinely provide advocacy services in Employment Tribunals, the High Court and County Courts, as well as in appellate jurisdictions of all levels. We also engage in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Mediation in employment cases.
Our services are also available to in-house legal advisers, HR Directors and others by direct professional access services and by public access.
Our hallmark is the knowledgeable, expert but pragmatic approach that we take to employment law issues, while building friendly, long term relationships with our clients. We work with HR, legal and professional teams to create cost-effective solutions to their employment matters, in a fast changing legal environment.
Karen Moss is the team's Head of Group, with Andrew MacPhail as Deputy Head.
Recommendations
Legal 500 lists 3PB’s Employment and Discrimination group as the Top Tier in South Eastern, Tier 2 in Western and Tier 3 in London. The 2024 directory lists 11 of 3PB's team as Leading Juniors in employment, with 16 rankings in total. 3PB’s team are described as a 'an excellent set' with an employment team 'packed full of top- tier barristers' and an excellent track record for advising across the full spectrum of employment law matters.The “strong, client-focused employment group" is “progressive, supportive and responsive” " that is able to deliver "a broad range of technically excellent lawyers across all levels of experience ‘the clerks at 3PB are second to none. The level of service is unparalleled and the clerks are proactive, efficient and dedicated to meeting client needs.’ The set has “particular expertise in public sector work in the local authority, education and health care contexts, as well as transport and technology-related matters in the private sector.”
Chambers & Partners describes 3PB as “a set with an excellent profile in discrimination law and other employment issues. In addition to claimants, the barristers have defended government departments and other high-ranking public bodies in complex claims. They also represent large private sector employers in unfair dismissal and related matters. "The barristers at the set are regularly instructed to handle an array of employment matters including whistle-blower, TUPE and discrimination claims, often going further than the employment tribunals." Chambers & Partners rates 3PB as a “Widely acknowledged set in employment law, with members recently being involved in an important Supreme Court appeal regarding holiday pay calculations for term-time workers.”
Further information
For more information about our transparency and pricing of fees and service standards, please visit this page.
Our Employment and discrimination Barristers...
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Patrick Robson Senior Practice Manager and Centre Manager [email protected] telephone: 01865 793 736 -
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3PB Barristers (3 Paper Buildings) are delighted to announce that the Senior President of Tribunals has appointed Mathew Gullick KC as a judge of the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) for the second time. Mathew previously served as a judge of the EAT from 2018-2024, during his fixed-term appointment as a Deputy High Court Judge. This further appointment is again on a fee-paid (part-time) basis. Mathew will continue to maintain his busy practice at 3PB. Karen...
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Welcome to the latest edition of our employment law team’s newsletter, edited by Ben Amunwa - in which we proudly announce our upcoming Inaugural Employment Law Conference in Birmingham on 16 October 2025.
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While our analysis section features a note from Ben Amunwa exploring ‘When the withdrawal of a claim takes effect', our contributors this month also include Simon Tibbitts, Matthew Curtis, Gareth Graham and Daniel Brown on the following cases:
- Handa v The Station Hotel (Newcastle) Ltd & Ors [2025] EAT 62
- Melki v Bouygues E and S Contracting UK Ltd [2025] EWCA Civ 585
- XY v AB [2025] EAT 66
- Woodhead v WTTV Ltd & Anor | [2025] EWHC 1128 (KB) -
Head of 3PB's Employment and Discrimination Law Group Karen Moss (pictured here) has successfully acted in the following high-profile cases: In Selivanov v Reckitt Benckiser Corporate Services Limited KB-2025-001253, Karen successfully sought an interim injunction preventing the summary dismissal of an employee accused of gross misconduct, in circumstances where his immigration status would have been imperilled if he had been summarily dismissed. The Applicant would be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain from August 2025,...
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Welcome to our employment law team’s April newsletter, edited by Alex Leonhardt. This month’s newsletter features analysis from Alex, Katherine Anderson, Mark Green and Michael Smith on the following cases:
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- For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16
- Mr A E Madu v Loughborough College [2025] EAT 52
- F v J [2025] EAT 34
- And Barbosa Dethling v The Metropolitan Police Service [2025] EAT 58 -
Welcome to our employment law team’s March newsletter, edited by Joseph England, featuring analysis from Joseph, Gareth Graham, Colin McDevitt and Matthew Curtis on the following cases:
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- Kau Media Group Ltd v Hart [2025] EWHC 553 (KB)
- Gourlay v West Dunbartonshire Council [2025] EAT 29
- W v Highways England and others, 18th February 2025, [2025] EAT 18, Lord Fairley
- Kostrova v McDermott International INC and CB&I UK Ltd, 13th March 2025, [2025] EAT 35, Lord Fairley
- Kamphues v Venator Materials UK Ltd, 19th March 2025, [2025] EAT 30, HHJ Tayler
- Kinch v Compassion in World Farming International, 26th March 2025, [2025] EAT 41, Lord Fairley
- Impact Recruitment Services Ltd v Korpysa [2025] EAT 22 -
Welcome to our February Employment Law newsletter, edited by Michael Smith, featuring analysis from Michael, Daniel Brown, Jo Laxton, Naomi Webber and Alex Leonhardt on the following cases:
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- Jones v SoS for Health and Social Care [2024] EWCA Civ 1568
- Douglas v North Lanarkshire [2024] EAT 194
- Higgs v Farmor’s School [2025] EWCA Civ 109
- Eddie Stobbart Limited v Graham [2025] EAT 14 -
Welcome to 3PB’s January 2025 Employment and Discrimination Law newsletter. Grace Nicholls is this month’s editor, and case analysis and legal tips were prepared by Grace, Katherine Anderson, Daniel Brown, Jo Laxton and Emma Greening on the following cases:
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- Abel Estate Agent Limited and ors v Reynolds [2025] EAT 6
- HSBC Bank PLC v Chevalier-Firescu [2024] EWCA Civ 1550
- Kaler v Insights ESC Ltd [2024] EAT 195
- Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council v Christine Oliver [2024] EAT 193 -
3PB’s Robin Pickard is being led by Karon Monaghan KC in an appeal being heard by the Court of Appeal tomorrow, 28 January 2025 in the case of Moustache v Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The appeal raises points of law of public importance as to the Employment Tribunal’s need to clarify the claims of unrepresented parties and the status of lists of issues. The decision is likely to have important implications for...
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3 Paper Buildings (3PB) is delighted to announce that senior employment and discrimination barrister Michael Smith (2009 call) has joined chambers from another well-known London chambers. Michael is an experienced barrister who advises on the full range of employment disputes including unfair dismissal, constructive dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing, breach of contract and restrictive covenants. His busy caseload covers a broad range of market sectors and Michael has undertaken both claimant and respondent work for clients, assisting...
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Welcome to 3PB’s final Employment and Discrimination Law newsletter for 2024. Edited by Jo Laxton, it features analysis from Ben Amunwa, Alex Leonhardt and Emma Greening on the following cases:
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- Connor v Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police [2024] EAT 175
- Shakil v Samons Limited [2024] EAT 192
- L v The Commissioners for His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs [2024] UKFTT 001044 (TC)
We thank all our clients and contacts for their support throughout 2024 and wish you all our best wishes for 2025. -
Welcome to our November 2024 employment law newsletter, edited by Gareth Graham, featuring news from Ben Amunwa, and celebrating our results in Chambers and Partners.
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Our newsletter includes analysis from Gareth Graham, Karen Moss and Andrew MacPhail of the following cases:
- Xie v E’quipe Japan Ltd [2024] EAT 176
- De Bank Haycocks v ADP RPO UK Ltd [2024] EWCA Civ 1291
- MacLennan v The British Psychological Society [2024] EAT 166 -
The Employment Tribunal has dismissed a claim against a local authority brought by an 'as and when' or 'sessional' social worker. The respondent, Harrow Council, hired the claimant on a casual basis and worked on a variety of projects over a period of 11 years for the youth justice team. The respondent accepted that the claimant was a 'worker' but denied that he had become an 'employee', entitled to bring a claim for constructive dismissal following a...
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Witness Evidence in Employment Tribunals: Tips for Practitioners (in-person)
Date: Wednesday 2nd Jul 2025 Time: 12:15 pm - 1:45 pm Venue: Colmore Building, 20 Colmore Circus, Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6AT In-person event Don’t miss our practical session from the Deputy Head of 3PB's Employment and Discrimination group Andrew MacPhail as he shares strategies and tips on deciding which witnesses to call; ensuring that witness statements cover the appropriate scope and do not miss important elements; and avoiding some common pitfalls. A light lunch will be served following the seminar.
Recommendations
Chambers 2025 - Band 1
3PB Barristers has an excellent profile in discrimination law and other employment issues. In addition to acting for claimants, the barristers have defended government departments and other high-ranking public bodies in complex claims. They also represent large private sector employers in unfair dismissal and related matters. The set has strength in areas including whistle-blower protection, equal pay and union law. In one key highlight, members represented the claimant in Rajput v Commerzbank and Société Générale, a complex EAT point of law victory regarding commencement in a TUPE transfer. One client comments: "All members I have worked with have clearly been experts in their relevant fields."
Client service:
"The clerks are alive to client sensitivities and present their proposals commercially."
"The clerks are fantastic, super helpful and willing to go the extra mile."
"The clerks are all incredibly polite and transparent. We have very good relationships with the team, particularly Russell Porter, Matthew Scanlan, Patrick Steptoe and Patrick Robson."
"Patrick Robson and Patrick Steptoe are both incredible clerks. They understand the members of their chambers enough to know who would be a good fit."
"At 3PB the clerks are absolutely brilliant and go the extra mile. They are a standout from all
Legal 500 2025 - Tier 1
3PB is ‘an excellent set’ with an employment team ‘packed full of top-tier barristers’ and an excellent track record for advising across the full spectrum of employment law matters.'
3PB is ‘a chambers with a wide skill set and many highly skilled barristers’, advising on the full spectrum of employment law, including unfair dismissal cases, TUPE transfers, redundancy, unlawful deductions from pay and trade union disputes.
Chambers 2024 - Band 1
3PB Barristers is a widely respected set in employment law. The barristers at the set are regularly instructed to handle an array of employment matters including whistle-blower, TUPE and discrimination claims, often going further than the employment tribunals. The members are adept at handling claims for both claimants and respondents, including local authorities and well-known private sector employers.
Client service:
“Patrick Steptoe and Patrick Robson are both proactive in managing upcoming listings and are responsive to emails.”
“The clerking from Russell Porter is excellent; he goes the extra mile.”
“Russell Porter, the senior clerk, is excellent. He is very responsive and always willing to offer a suitable alternative option if the first choice is unavailable.”
“There can be no criticism of the service provided by the clerks - it is sublime.”
“The clerks always respond promptly, even if it is just to touch base while they are assessing options.”
Legal 500 2024 - Tier 1
A ‘first-class set’ 3PB has a ‘very good depth of experienced counsel in all areas of employment law’ and garners praise for providing ‘an effective and beneficial service’.
3PB’s ‘go-to’ employment and discrimination group boasts ‘a broad range of technically excellent lawyers across all levels of experience’.
‘3PB chambers is brilliant. The team is always able to help and support when someone requires assistance, even at the last minute. It has an array of counsel who can help and support on any given matter, and clients are in safe hands when working with them.’
‘3PB is a fantastic chamber with a great offering of counsel, training, off-the-cuff advice even when not instructed and a desire to go the extra mile to assist you.’
‘3PB offers an incredible breadth of employment specialists at all levels. They always go above and beyond, offering bespoke training for solicitors and clients.’
Chambers 2023 - Band 1
3PB Barristers is a widely acknowledged set in employment law. Barristers at the set are regularly instructed to handle an array of employment matters including whistle-blower, TUPE and discrimination claims, often going further than the employment tribunals. Members are adept at handling claims for both claimants and respondents, including local authorities and well-known private sector employers. Individuals have recently been involved in an important Supreme Court appeal regarding holiday pay calculations for term-time workers.
Client service:
“The chambers director, Russell Porter, has always been approachable to discuss business matters with us to make sure that we are happy with the services we have received and to address any concerns we have had.”
“We have a strong relationship with the clerking teams, particularly Patrick Robson, Patrick Steptoe and Matthew Scanlan. The clerking teams are very helpful and obliging and we always get the impression that we are being looked after.”
“The clerks at 3PB Barristers in Oxford are standouts for their promptness of service, friendliness and efficiency.”
“Chambers director Russell Porter is superb in going over and above what one would expect of any clerk.”
“They make you feel like you are their only client.”
“The clerks are very eager to assist and they offer counsel who are most appropriate to the claim. We cannot fault the services of practice managers Matthew Scanlan and Patrick Steptoe and centre manager Patrick Robson.”
Legal 500 2023 - Tier 1
3PB is ‘a very good set with many excellent barristers who cover a variety of commercial and employment dispute matters’.
‘3PB has a very cohesive employment group and offer good training and a good range of counsel.’
‘Good proactive chambers – seeking to provide stronger embedded relationship, cost-effective and pragmatic service.’
‘The Chambers are progressive, supportive, and responsive. Availability of counsel is generally good and, in the event where availability is limited, the Clerks provides the other options.’
‘Excellent service from the clerks. They are always happy to help and try to assist us in seeking a barrister who is the right fit for the case.’
Chambers UK 2022
3PB Barristers has an excellent profile in discrimination law and other employment issues. In addition to claimants, the barristers have defended government departments and other high-ranking public bodies in complex claims. They also represent large private sector employers in unfair dismissal and related matters. The set has strength in areas including whistle-blower protection, equal pay and union law.
Client service:
"The clerks at 3PB go above and beyond." "I have found the set's clerking to be exceptionally collaborative, and their prices to be competitive." "3PB are friendly, pragmatic and helpful - they usually have an employment barrister available and respond to enquiries very promptly. The clerks are excellent and easy to work with." Mark Heath leads the clerking in Bristol.
Legal 500 2022
‘3PB’s range of advocates for employment-related assistance is excellent and of the highest quality‘.
3PB's employment practice has 'great strength in depth', and fields a team who appear before the Employment Tribunal, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in a range of matters.'
‘3PB’s employment group is fantastic. All the barristers I have used from 3PB have been excellent, knowledgeable and provide practical advice to all clients. The set can always suggest a barrister of appropriate level and experience to deal with a matter, and the barristers are available to assist even on short notice‘.
Chambers UK 2021
A set with an excellent profile in discrimination law and other employment issues. In addition to claimants, the barristers have defended government departments and other high-ranking public bodies in complex claims. The set has strength in areas including whistle-blower protection, equal pay and union matters.
Client service: "They always provide an absolutely amazing service – they're always going out of their way to help us."
Legal 500 2021 - Western
3PB has a 'strong, client-focused employment group that is able to deliver strong advocates on short notice'.
Legal 500 2021 - South Eastern
Barristers at 3PB act for claimants and respondents alike across the full gamut of employment matters. The set has particular expertise in public sector work in the local authority, education and health care contexts, as well as transport and technology-related matters in the private sector.
Legal 500 2020
South Eastern Circuit: 3PB is home to Andrew MacPhail and Karen Moss, both of whom act for respondents and claimants, with particular specialisms in Employment Appeal tribunal work and disability and sex discrimination respectively.
Western Circuit: 3PB's employment specialists are instructed on behalf of all parties across a range of employment disputes, including TUPE, discrimination, constructive dismissal, and protected disclosures. Craig Ludlow recently represented a London bus company, which was one of three respondents to a large-scale claim for unauthorised deductions from wages brought by 55 employees, which related to non-payment of a historical meal allowance. In another highlight, Sarah Clarke acted for a respondent in an unfair dismissal case which also involved issues of protected disclosure, successfully defending against all 29 claims.
Chambers UK 2020
3PB is a set well known for its representation in a broad range of employment cases, and the barristers are particularly experienced in discrimination claims of all kinds. The chambers acts for both claimants and respondents across a variety of industries, with a particular focus on the public sector, including local authorities and the NHS, as well as the transport and technology industries. Members of the set also have experience representing high-profile individuals. One client says: "3PB are always ready to assist even with tight timescales, and go over and above to ensure they can help us. It is a very client-focused chambers."
Client service: An instructing solicitor says: "The clerking service was very responsive and helpful." Russell Porter is the practice director for this area.
Legal 500 2020
"The combined clerks’ room across the set’s six offices is a ‘well-oiled machine’."
"Chambers director Russell Porter ‘leads on outstanding client service’."
"‘accessible and user-friendly’ employment practitioners".
Chambers and Partners 2019
"3PB represents both claimants and respondents in the full range of contentious employment issues. The set has expertise across a range of sectors, and regularly handles matters relating to local authorities, healthcare, technology and transport. The chambers has particular expertise in injunctive relief matters on the enforcement of restrictive covenants. As one impressed solicitor remarks, "They're fantastic, they're knowledgeable, and nothing is too much trouble – they jump through hoops and bend over backwards for us."
"The clerks are fantastic and very receptive; they'll get us quotes straight away and if someone isn't available they'll find us another good match." Russell Porter is the practice director for this area.
Legal 500 2018/19
3PB's employment team has nine barristers ranked as leading juniors in this year's Legal 500 UK Bar Directory. The directory notes the employment practice as covering a broad spectrum of employment matters, with extensive experience of whistleblowing, equal pay, unfair dismissal claims and discrimination cases.
Legal 500 2017
With ‘very strong barristers in the employment field’, 3PB maintains a solid reputation. Barristers handle discrimination, whistleblowing and unfair dismissal, as well as a range of other claims, where they represent both respondents and claimants.
Quality of work is superbChambers and Partners