dale martin

Dale “really works as part of a team with instructing solicitors, who commend him for being "a master of his papers," and "very good at delivering difficult messages to clients." Chambers & Partners 2011/12

“Dale Martin is making a name for himself by “making even the most difficult cases look easy.” The consummate professional, Martin “pays close attention to detail, provides decisive and robust advice and is robust and unflappable in court.”” Chambers & Partners 2010/11

"bright and grasps complex issues very quickly": Legal 500 2010/11

Dale Martin is one of the UK's top juniors specialising in employment law. Much in demand, Dale has recently featured in several high profile cases, both in his own right and led by silks within Chambers and from other sets. Increasingly instructed by blue chip firms, Dale's practice continues to go from strength to strength.

Ranked for a number of years by Legal 500 as a leading employment practitioner, Dale has been led by numerous silks both within and outside of Chambers.

He has a broadly based practice with a focus on injunctions, discrimination, equal pay, TUPE, restrictive covenant matters and fiduciary duties of directors and senior employees. For a full list of reported cases, see Dale’s CV.

Recent work:

In early 2012, Dale, led by David Reade QC, obtained judgment in their client’s favour in a 12 day team move springboard injunction trial, with indemnity costs. The case resulted in the first known order for final springboard relief consequent upon breaches of employees’ duties of fidelity and breaches of fiduciary duty whilst in employment. They had already been successful in obtaining two interim injunctions prior to trial. See QBE v. Dymoke [2012] EWHC 80 and [2012] EWHC 116;
In December 2011, Dale appeared in a six day Employment Tribunal appeal in relation to employment training levies in excess of £350,000. Following the cross-examination of 13 witnesses, judgment was given in favour of his client. Dale also advised the Board in relation to amendments to be made to legislation relating to its constitution and governing its revenue raising powers and duties. Dale continues to act on other matters for the Board running to many millions of pounds in terms of total liability;
In November 2011, Dale acted on behalf of a solicitor charged with professional negligence in the giving of employment advice. The case settled on the eve of trial with a substantial payment being made to the solicitor.

employment & injunctions

Recent work:

In early 2012, Dale, led by David Reade QC, obtained judgment in their client’s favour in a 12 day team move springboard injunction trial, with indemnity costs. The case resulted in the first known order for final springboard relief consequent upon breaches of employees’ duties of fidelity and breaches of fiduciary duty whilst in employment. They had already been successful in obtaining two interim injunctions prior to trial. See QBE v. Dymoke [2012] EWHC 80 and [2012] EWHC 116. Dale has worked on many other restrictive covenant and team move injunction cases in recent months, both as sole counsel and with leaders;
In July 2011, Dale appeared before Burton J in the Commercial Court in relation to a claim of fraudulent misrepresentation arising out of a share purchase agreement. The Purchaser alleged wholesale fabrication of financial data and obtained a freezing injunction.
Dale continues to act in relation to many high-profile discrimination matters. Recently, Dale acted for a leading broadcaster defending a much-publicised discrimination case brought by two former editors. The case was broadly reported in the national newspapers. In early 2012, Dale acted for a gallery owner, defending allegations of serious sexual harassment;

Dale is currently involved in employment training levy litigation with a value of many millions of pounds. In December 2011, Dale appeared in a six day Employment Tribunal appeal in relation to employment training levies in excess of £350,000. Following the cross-examination of 13 witnesses, judgment was given in favour of his client. Dale also advised the Board in relation to amendments to be made to legislation relating to its constitution and governing its revenue raising powers and duties. Dale continues to act on other matters for the Board running to many millions of pounds in terms of total liability;
Dale continues to be involved in multi-claimant equal pay litigation in local authorities across the UK. His most recent appearance in the EAT on such matters was in Brett v. Hampshire County Council
Dale continues to advise and act on various TUPE matters.

commercial & professional negligence

Dale practices in a broad range commercial and professional negligence disputes, particularly in the employment-related context and in relation to the fiduciary duties of directors.

Recent cases include:

Mainline Private Hire Ltd v. Nolan [2011] EWCA Civ 189. Breach of contract and conversion claim against a former employee arising out of a directors’ and shareholders’ dispute, an unfair prejudice petition having been filed.
In November 2011, Dale acted on behalf of a solicitor suing for fees and defending a professional negligence claim in the employment context. The case settled the day before trial on the basis of a six figure payment to the solicitor. Dale has acted on numerous similar professional negligence matters.
Obtained a search and seizure order in an asset freezing and recovery case.
Acted for a minority. shareholder and employee in a bus company.

lectures and seminars

Dale lectures across a wide range of issues and enjoys presentations to both solicitors and clients alike. Examples of recent lecture topics are:

Database rights;
Injunctions;
TUPE;
Issues arising with actual or potential concurrent claims in the courts and in the employment tribunal.

education

1993-1996: University of Nottingham LLB (Hons) 1st Class (placed second in year)
1996-1997: Inns of Court School of Law (Very Competent)
1996 Winner, University of Nottingham Law Graduates' Association Moot Prize

memberships

Commercial Bar Association
Employment Lawyers' Association
Employment Law Bar Association

Call: 1997
Email Dale Martin
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