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.
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.
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.”
The group's practice management team can be reached here.
The employment and discrimination team regularly produces newsletters, articles, videos and podcasts on topical employment law issues.
You can find all of our content in one page by going to our Employment Law Resources Hub.
For more information about pricing 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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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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3PB’s employment law team is celebrating another strong set of results in Chambers and Partners’ 2025 edition published today, with a total of 18 individual rankings for 16 of our employment barristers in London, Western, South Eastern and the Midlands Circuits While clients’ comments on our individual barristers once again testify to their dedication and excellence, our clerking team, led by Russell Porter, also attracts much praise and is seen as 'absolutely brilliant and going...
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3PB Barristers (3 Paper Buildings) breaks another record in the latest edition of Chambers and Partners with a total of 96 rankings (81 last year) achieved by 80 of its barristers. The national set is rewarded with accolades in 21 areas of law, in the London Bar as well as in the North Eastern, South Eastern, Western and Midlands Circuits and exceptional comments for its expertise and service delivery. Click here to view the full...
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Colin McDevitt edits our October 2024 employment law newsletter, announcing the arrival of Rachel Best KC as an associated member and celebrating our team’s outstanding performance in the 2025 edition of the Legal 500.
Our newsletter includes analysis from Colin McDevitt, Mark Green, Robin Pickard and Alex Leonhardt of the following cases:
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- Tesco Stores Ltd v USDAW [2024] UKSC 28
- South Gloucestershire Council v Ms Hundal [2024] EAT 140
- Treadwell v Barton Turns Development Limited [2024] EAT 137
- AB v University of East London and others [2024] EAT 157
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Religious and philosophical belief: lessons from Higgs v Farmor’s School
Date: Thursday 29th May 2025 Time: 12:15 pm - 1:45 pm Venue: 3PB Bristol Chambers, Royal Talbot House, 2 Victoria Street, Bristol, BS1 6BN You are invited to attend this in-person seminar by 3PB's Employment and Education Law Teams. Specialist Employment and Education law barristers Charlotte Hadfield and Alex Leonhardt will speak about the recent Court of Appeal judgment in Higgs v Farmor’s School, which focuses on expressions of religious and philosophical beliefs by employees in and out of the workplace. Alex and Charlotte will analyse the legal implications of the judgment, including how direct discrimination interrelates with human rights,…
Recommendations
Chambers 2025
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
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.
always very competitive on feesLegal 500