Profile description
OVERVIEW
Simon practises in employment and commercial work. He has a particular interest in the employment field, where he has developed a reputation for delivering favourable outcomes and providing excellent client service, particularly for a barrister of his call.
He was appointed to be Junior Counsel to the Crown in 2015, on the Attorney General's regional panel, for a period of 5 years.
He frequently represents clients in complex multi-day employment tribunals. He has experience advising and representing both claimants and respondents in areas such as: unfair and wrongful dismissal, all types of discrimination, whistleblowing, unlawful deductions and holiday pay, employment status, redundancy and TUPE. A selection of his recent work is presented further below.
Simon regularly delivers seminars on a range of employment and commercial subjects.
In addition to his legal credentials, Simon brings substantial experience from his earlier career career (as both a manager and an employee) which assists his employment practice in particular. After graduating with a first class degree from Cambridge, Simon spent a year in one of the Prime Minister’s units before working at a leading management consultancy. He went on to be UK head of communications within a global professional services firm.
CASES
Final hearings
12 day tribunal: resisted direct discrimination, harassment, victimisation and unfair dismissal claims
6 day tribunal: resisted claim for race discrimination and further remedies under the Agency Worker Regulations
8 day tribunal: complex TUPE case
Acted for finance director in 8 day whistleblowing, constructive unfair dismissal and unlawful deduction claims
6 day constructive unfair dismissal hearing against the NHS
Acted for 7 claimants in 3 day TUPE tribunal
Acted for senior manager in 4 day tribunal and secured a finding of unfair dismissal against a leading retail organisation
2 day tribunal: resisted claim for discrimination by disability association
5 day tribunal: presented claim for discrimination by perceived sexual orientation and race
Achieved 100% quantum reduction on Polkey and contributory fault at remedies hearing
Secured decision of discrimination by sexuality
Secured judgment of pregnancy discrimination in the context of a redundancy situation for claimant requiring interpreter
3 day tribunal: presented whistleblowing claim relating to asbestos exposure
Secured judgment of sexual harassment and constructive dismissal for vulnerable claimant
Other recent work
Remedy hearings
Represented well-known company and secured a very favourable outcome.
Acted for claimant in race discrimination claim.
Acted for claimant in unfair dismissal claim
Preliminary hearings
Resisted claimants’ application to add a director personally to proceedings (i.e. to “pierce the corporate veil”).
Established that claimant was not disabled.
Resisted claimant's applications for disclosure in hearing regarding employment status.
Applications for strike out and for deposit orders
Costs
Secured order for costs at the maximum level allowed.
Mediation and negotiation
Secured substantial settlement offer, at judicial mediation, in case listed for 5 day hearing
Experienced in assisting negotiation before proceedings are commenced or at an early stage
Effective at brokering favourable agreements at the beginning of or during hearings
Drafting and advisory work
Regularly drafted documentation to assist progression of litigation
Frequently instructed to provide advice at various stages in lifecycle of a claim
Seminars
Regularly deliver seminars, lectures and workshops on employment law matters