in the Legal 500 he was described as having been "praised for his grasp of the facts and commanding advocacy". Martyn has a mature and commercial approach to litigation, which, coupled with a very real ability to relate to people at all levels, has led to a great deal of "repeat business" from lay clients, as well as solicitors.

A CEDR-accredited Mediator since 2000, he has undertaken and been involved in many mediations, covering a wide range of disputes, including employment, commercial and intellectual property issues.

Martyn has a keen interest in Information Technology, having funded his year at Bar School by working part-time as a computer programmer. Holder of a private pilot's licence since the age of 17, and keen yachtsman since the age of 16, Martyn's sailing experience and fixed-wing and helicopter flying have proved of value in a number of cases requiring a knowledge of aviation or nautical matters. He is also a keen cook, but has yet to make use of that skill in a legal context!

Education
Martyn was educated at Dauntsey's school, Wiltshire. He studied externally for a London university LLB, which he was awarded in 1986. Following call to the Bar in 1989, Martyn was awarded a Harmsworth Scholarship by Middle Temple. He is a member of the Employment Law and Professional Negligence Bar Associations, as well as Combar.

Areas of Practice
Martyn has for many years been listed in the Legal 500 as a leading junior in the field of employment law. He appears regularly in Employment Tribunals throughout Great Britain and in the Employment Appeal Tribunal, on the full range of cases dealt with in the employment field including unfair dismissal, TUPE, and discrimination. He regulary advises on restrictive covenants in vendor-purchaser agreements as well as in employment contracts and has wide experience in injunctive work in restrictive covenant and confidentiality cases. Martyn undertakes work involving all types and facets of business dispute.

In addition to instructions received in the usual way through solicitors he receives instructions from the in-house legal departments of a wide client base including banks, financial institutions, public companies and NHS Trusts. Nine years' service in the Royal Hong Kong Police, prior to coming to the Bar, has provided a useful background for the many cases he has advised on and conducted for Police Forces around the country. Martyn has also acted for many universities and educational institutions.

There is a considerable overlap between employment, commercial and intellectual property issues, such as when departing senior employees unlawfully obtain databases and other confidential information, often stored on computers, and Martyn has advised on and appeared in many such cases, as well as those involving stress at work. Such cases involve regular appearances in the Queen's Bench and Chancery Divisions of the High Court. A Case involving a chief executive dismissed in connection with extensive construction work which he had commissioned resulted in a five-month trial in the Technology and Construction Court.

Martyn has considerable experience of and expertise in professional negeligence law, and in the rash of litigation following the property crash of the early nineties, acted extensively for lending institutions and solicitors. He has more recently acted for claimants in litigation from negligent investment advice by solicitors, which resulted in a seven figure settlement sum.