Employment
“A fantastic set that always strives to please. The service is second to none!”
“Never lets you down regarding availability of Counsel, including at short notice. The expertise across the employment team is quite something.” Legal 500 2023
“St John’s Buildings impresses with its barristers’ strong advocacy when representing either employees or employers at all levels of the judicial system. Members are experienced in defending claims for whistle-blowing, discrimination and harassment, and unfair dismissal. The set also hosts barristers who are familiar with High Court team move and restraint of trade cases.” Chambers UK Bar 2023
The Employment team at St John’s Buildings is dedicated to finding effective employment solutions for our clients. We are alive to the needs of business for clear, commercial and practical advice in an environment of ever increasing employment legislation while also providing vigorous defence of the rights of employees, from Directors in the board room to the most junior employee on the shop floor.
The team has grown from strength to strength and now comprises 19 members, including recognised senior practitioners and part-time chairs of employment tribunals, offering both breadth and depth of expertise to clients. We offer advisory and advocacy services in the Employment Tribunal, Employment Appeal Tribunal, county and high courts as well as disciplinary hearings before professional regulatory bodies.
We are committed to continuing education and offer seminars and training exercises for solicitors.
Areas of work include:
- Confidential information
- Contractual disputes including changing collective terms and conditions
- Disciplinary hearings before professional regulatory bodies including the General Medical Council
- Discrimination – sex, race, disability, gender, religion and age
- Equal pay
- Maternity, parental leave, and flexible working
- Occupational stress
- Professional sports related employment issues and disputes
- Redundancy (individual and collective)
- Representing parties in mediation hearings
- Restrictive covenants
- Trade Union Law
- TUPE
- Unfair and wrongful dismissal
- Victimisation
- Whistle blowing
“The clerks are excellent and are very accommodating.”
“Rob Lang and Gemma Eachus are excellent; they’re always quick to respond and reflect so well on the set.” Chambers UK Bar 2023
Directory recommendations
“An excellent set – very broad coverage of expertise and seniority in employment and related areas of practice. ” Legal 500 2022
“Members are experienced in defending claims for whistle-blowing, discrimination and harassment, and unfair dismissal. One instructing solicitor says: “This is an excellent set for employment law, with very capable barristers who have a wealth of experience.” Chambers UK Bar 2021
“The clerks are helpful and provide a great service” Chambers UK Bar 2021
“St John’s Buildings has substantial capabilities in employment law” … “The range of barristers is really good. There is always someone available of appropriate seniority.” Chambers & Partners 2019
“St John’s Buildings’ employment team handles equal pay, whistleblowing, discrimination, TUPE, sexual harassment, bullying and unfair dismissal cases. Steven Flynn has niche expertise in handling employment disputes within the professional sports world.” Legal 500 2019
“St John’s Buildings is home to a large team of skilled employment barristers.” Chambers & Partners 2016
“St John’s Buildings’ recent instructions include cases of discrimination, sexual harassment, whistleblowing, unfair dismissal and bullying. In a major highlight for the set, Steven Flynn acted for Garry Abrams Ltd in a landmark discrimination case; the company was the party bringing the discrimination claim, making it the first ever to do so.” Legal 500 2017
“St John’s Building is host to some exceptional lawyers who have the capacity to cover all areas of employment law. It is regularly instructed in cases before the Employment Tribunal, the EAT, and both County and High Courts.” Chambers & Partners 2015

Joseph O'Brien KC
Head of Court of ProtectionYear of Silk: 2022
Philip M.D. Grundy
Head of Catastrophic InjuryYear of call: 1980
Diana Kloss MBE
Associate MemberYear of call: 1986
Nicholas Price
Year of call: 1987
Kevin McNerney
Year of call: 1992
Jason Searle
Head of EmploymentYear of call: 1993
David Flood
Year of call: 1993
Annette Gumbs
Year of call: 1994
Ghazan Mahmood
Year of call: 1997
Liam Murdin
Year of call: 1998
John Ratledge
Year of call: 1999
Kashif Ali
Year of call: 2003
Diarmuid Bunting
Year of call: 2006
Jamie Jenkins
Year of call: 2008
Jessica Denton
Year of call: 2012
Tarlun Ahari
Year of call: 2014
Thomas Wood
Year of call: 2017
David Jones
Year of call: 2019
Laura Halsall
Year of call: 2017