Laura Halsall

Laura has a busy practice in employment law. She regularly drafts advices across the full spectrum of employment law including unfair dismissal, discrimination and whistleblowing as well as drafting particulars of claim and grounds of resistance. She advises clients at all stages from initial negotiations through to the final hearing.

Laura appears for both Claimants and Respondents in the Employment Tribunal in a wide range of hearings such as preliminary and interlocutory applications as well as final hearings and if necessary appeals. She also has experience in the Equality and Employment Tribunal in the Isle of Man.

Laura welcomes instructions in all areas of employment law and is happy to receive instructions on a direct access basis.

Recent Cases

• A £2.78 million claim was struck out on day 2 of the reconvened final hearing as a fair trial was no longer possible.
• Laura appeared on behalf of the Respondent in the EAT where the appeal was refused.
• Laura successfully appeared for a Claimant in a case of unfair dismissal due to ill health capability and discrimination arising out of her disability. Following a successful liability hearing, the case settled following negotiations.
• Laura appeared for a Claimant in a multi-day disability discrimination hearing in Manchester Employment Tribunal where the Claimant was successful.
• Laura successfully defended a multi-day unfair dismissal, whistleblowing and discrimination case for a Respondent.
• A successful application to reinstate a claim that was struck out for failure to comply with the Early Conciliation requirements.
• Laura successfully defended the Respondent in a marriage discrimination claim.
• A 7 day hearing for whistleblowing detriment and unfair dismissal was successfully defended on behalf of a District Council.

Laura has a particular interest in Education Law and has developed this area of her practice. Outside of court Laura taught children with educational needs to swim so understands the challenges and complexities faced by individuals and the families of those with SEND.

Laura mainly represents Local Authorities in the First-tier Tribunal and the Special Educational Needs Tribunal for Wales but welcomes drafting and instructions within this field from both parents and Local Authorities alike.

Her experience of employment law has equipped her with skills and knowledge in order to be able to assist with cases relating to the wider education sector including employment, discrimination and breach of contract. She has successfully defended a number of discrimination claims in recent times brought against schools and universities in the civil courts.

Her education practice encompasses wider areas such as school exclusions, admissions and discrimination within the Tribunal and Civil courts. She has a broad practice including;

• judicial review
• early advice and drafting letters
• representation at Independent Review Panels

She has completed her training to sit on Independent Review Panels.

Laura is happy to support with cases at early stages to ensure the best outcome.

Recent Cases

• A claim valued at £2 million for discrimination, breach of contract and failure to educate against a University was successfully struck out.
• Laura successfully defended an appeal of an EHCP on behalf of a Local Authority.
• She was successful in defending a claim of discrimination arising from disability and a failure to make reasonable adjustments against a Primary School.
• She successfully defended a discrimination claim brought against an Independent School.
• Laura represented the parents of a child permanently excluded from school at the IRP and in a disability discrimination claim.

Laura accepts instructions in all areas of personal injury work and civil matters.

She has provided advice on both liability and quantum in a variety of personal injury cases, and has experience of drafting pleadings for both Claimants and Defendants.

In court, Laura regularly conducts trials (in person and remotely) on both liability and quantum, infant approval hearings and MOJ stage 3 cases under the RTA protocol. She has represented at dismissal hearings as well as applications.

She has also represented clients in wider civil matters including contractual disputes and PPI claims.

• Employment Lawyers’ Association
• Northern Circuit
• Lincoln’s Inn

• Frustration in Employment Law and the effects of Covid-19
• Employment Case Law Update (February 2021)

• Swim England Dispute Resolution Panel (2024-2027)