The hearing will be based on a fictional case study, but it will replicate a real tribunal process in a shortened format. It will feature an employment judge, advocates representing both the claimant and the respondent, and witnesses who will be cross-examined by the advocates.
What to expect
Attendees will get an insight into how an employment tribunal hearing operates, including:
The vital role that documentary and witness evidence plays in the process.
The approach advocates take to cross-examining witnesses.
The method judges use when assessing the evidence before them and coming to a decision.
Why attend?
Gain real-world insight into tribunal proceedings, experiencing how an employment judge, advocates, and witnesses interact in a true-to-life hearing environment.
Improve your organisation’s readiness, learning practical steps you can take in your day-to-day work to be better prepared to defend future claims.
Learn directly from legal experts and network with peers.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions at various points throughout proceedings.
Speaker bios
Matt McDonald, Employment Partner, Shakespeare Martineau
Matt is a Partner at the law firm Shakespeare Martineau, where he heads up the West Midlands employment team. Matt has worked as an employment lawyer for over 15 years, during which time he has supported a broad client base with their HR matters, ranging from FTSE 100-listed corporates to smaller, owner-managed businesses and everything in between.
Matt’s support covers all areas of employment law. He has considerable experience of advising clients on complex employment litigation, senior hires and exits, large-scale redundancy exercises and complicated TUPE issues. Matt has a reputation for giving pragmatic and commercially focussed advice and is noted for his ability to quickly get to the heart of complex issues.
Colin Baran, Barrister, St. Philips Chambers
Colin is a nationally recognised barrister with over 20 years’ experience at the Bar, practising across employment law, personal injury, and clinical negligence. A robust and persuasive advocate, he regularly appears before the High Court, County Court, and Employment Tribunals, and is widely trusted for his practical, methodical approach to complex and emotionally charged disputes. Known for his articulate and comprehensive grasp of medical and factually dense cases, he leaves no stone unturned with his methodical approach.
With a predominantly respondent practice, Colin is frequently instructed in multi-day discrimination and whistleblowing claims, particularly those involving disability, interrelated medical or mental health issues. His clients include insurers, NHS Trusts, public authorities, trade unions, and UK-based global corporates. In addition to his work as a barrister, Colin is a fee paid employment judge.
Bruce Frew, Barrister, St. Philips Chambers
Bruce is one of the most highly ranked employment barristers in the country and an ‘out and out’ specialist in the area. Described as “fantastic” in the latest edition of Legal 500, he is sought after for complex, technically demanding and high-stakes hearings, including recent successes for global giant Amazon. Bruce is a regular advocate in the employment appeals tribunal and has built a busy practice, acting for both claimants and respondents.
A former solicitor, Bruce is known for his “hands-on” and “no nonsense” approach. He advises and represents leading global conglomerates, national ‘household name’ companies, SMEs, local authorities, universities, trade unions, and leading law firms. Frequently instructed in multi-day discrimination, whistleblowing, and dismissal cases, he also provides strategic advisory and drafting making him a trusted and versatile adviser across the full spectrum of employment law.
Steven Gittins, Barrister, St. Philips Chambers
Steven commenced pupillage in October 2019 and has since developed a growing employment practice alongside his personal injury & clinical negligence work. He accepts instructions to undertake pleadings, schedules of loss and undertake advocacy in employment tribunals, including representation in the Welsh courts and tribunals. With extensive courtroom experience drawn from over 2,000 County Court hearings whilst working for a national advocacy firm, he brings a wealth of client focused experience with him.
Prior to coming to the Bar, Steven was a veterinary surgeon in North Wales. This corporate experience means that he is adept at building relationships with both lay and professional clients. Having worked with a national business support company in the employment tribunal and the employment appeals tribunal, and with experience as both an employer and employee, Steven offers clients a balanced and considered perspective.