Employment

“Maintains a formidable reputation for its work in all areas of employmnet law...the client-friendly approach of the barristers and solicitor-friendly approach of the helpful and responsive clerks make this a set of choice for many.”

- Chambers & Partners 2013

Littleton is a leading set in employment law. Ranked consistently in the top tier of the legal directories, we excel at providing the “full package” of employment specialists; renowned silks, expert and committed senior-juniors and up and coming junior-juniors. Chambers & Partners observes that "for many commentators, Littleton is the first port of call for employment advice".

We appear in the High Court, County Courts, Employment Tribunals, the Emplyment Appeal Tribunal, the higher appellate courts and the European Courts of Justice. In respect of the ET and EAT, we appear not only in England and Wales, but also in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man.

Littleton is renowned for its expertise in the ‘crossover’ area of work between employment and commercial law, and this is what sets us apart from other chambers. We often undertake litigation (frequently injunctive proceedings) in the civil courts and we appear in the majority of landmark cases.

Key cases include:

• Malik v BCCI [1998] A.C. 20: implied term of mutual trust and confidence
• R (G) v Governors of X School [2011] UKSC 30 [2011] 3 WLR 237: groundbreaking cases on ECHR and employment rights
• Johnson v Unisys [2003] 1 AC 518 and Dunnachie v Hull CC [2005] 1 AC 226: compensation available in unfair dismissal cases and delineating the “Johnson exclusion area”
• Madarassy v Nomura [2007] IRLR 246 (CA) and Barton v Investec [2003] IRLR 332: burden of proof in discrimination
• Foley v Post Office [2000] IRLR 827 (CA): range of reasonable responses test
• TFI Derivatives Ltd v Morgan [2005] IRLR 246: modern approach for restrictive covenant injunctions
• SG & R Valuation Service v Boudrais [2008] IRLR 770: garden leave injunctions
• Tullett Prebon v BGC Brokers [2010] EWHC 484: detailed treatment of team moves
• Kulkarni v Milton Keynes NHS Trust [2010] ICR 101
• Celtec v Astley [2005] IRLR 647 (ECJ) [2006] IRLR 635 (HL): TUPE

We are active members of the Employment Law Bar Association, Employment Lawyers Association and Industrial Law Society.

We publish widely in this field. See publications for details. Several part-time Employment Tribunal Judges are also members at Littleton.