david reade QC

David’s CV in this field includes his appearance in many of the leading cases in the field of employment law, both statutory and Common law.

In the Discrimination field he has extensive experience of acting both for claimants and respondents. By way of example he appeared in Barton v Investec on the burden of proof, in the House of Lords in Rhys Harper v Relaxion on post termination discrimination and in Sunderland City Council v Brennan on various issues in equal pay.

He has particular experience in post termination restrictive covenants, confidential information and injunctions. By way of example he appeared in TFI Derivatives Ltd v Morgan on non competition clauses, Pennwell Publishing v Ornstein on confidential information and databases and in Standard Life v Gorman on garden leave enforcement.

David has particular experience of TUPE having acted and advised in numerous transfers. Most recently he appeared in CWU v Royal Mail before the Court of Appeal on the issue of the information and consultation.

He has wide experience of collective issues including industrial action. He appeared for British Airways before the Court of Appeal in its injunction application against Unite. He also appeared for UK Coal against the NUM on collective redundancy consultation issues.

David  has acted and advised on many pensions issues. He has successfully acted on claims both for and against Companies alleging “golden promise” pension arrangements, for example in Minter v Julius Baer.

He has advised and acted in claims based upon the proper construction of pension deeds, for example before the Court of Appeal on issues arising out of the Mirror Group pension scheme. He is able to bring his employment and commercial experience together to bridge the gap that can exist between pure pension issues and employment disputes. His broad legal experience includes acting on contentious trust issues.

He has advised a number of leading companies on issues arising out of the modification of their pension schemes and in particular on the closure of final salary pension schemes. This advice has embraced dealing with the collective consultation issues and the industrial relations consequences.

He has particular experience of the impact of TUPE on pensions and has acted in a number of cases involving “Beckman” issues under pension schemes post transfer.

David has acted in many industrial disputes, both for employers and unions. Most recently he appeared for BA in its injunction application against Unite to prevent industrial action by its cabin crew. He succeeded at first instance in a decision overturned by a majority in the Court of Appeal the following day.

He is able to act with speed and efficiency in seeking or resisting injunctive relief. His approachable and pragmatic nature means that he is committed to working as part of a team in a field where team work is critical to success.

He is one of the co authors of "The Law of Industrial Action and Trade Union Recognition" (2004) OUP and has acted and advised in many trade union recognition cases and is experienced at conducting cases before the CAC.

David has experience of a wide variety of sports related ligation. He has advised and acted on a number of managerial issues in the world of football and has experience of contracts including achievement bonuses. On the wider commercial field he has experience of prize indemnity insurance in the field of sport.

He has additionally dealt with legal issues in a wide variety sports ranging from carriage driving to Karate. He has recently being acting against Chelsea PLC for a former senior employee.

David’s knowledge and experience of issues such as restrictive covenants, disciplinary proceedings, competition law and TUPE have all been brought to bear within the field of sports law. For example he acted in connection with the TUPE transfer of part of a Formula 1 team.