Nine Chambers Employment Team Ranked Tier 1 in The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026

Nine Chambers’ Employment Team has been ranked Tier 1 in The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026, reflecting its outstanding reputation and depth of expertise across the region.

Recognised once again in The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026, the team has been praised for its depth of expertise and reputation across the region.
The directory notes:

“Nine Chambers is widely praised as ‘the premier set in the North’ for employment work and offers a comprehensive service to a broad range of public and private sector clients, including employees, trade unions, employers, government departments, NHS trusts, and local authorities. Paul Gilroy KC’s extensive experience covers the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious work. He has been notably active of late in whistleblowing cases, for example defending The Christie NHS Foundation Trust against unfair dismissal and whistleblowing detriment claims by a nurse after she made allegations about a colleague’s fitness to practise.”

With one Leading Silk and eleven ranked juniors, the Employment Team reflects the strength, depth and quality recognised year after year by The Legal 500.

Band 1 Leading Silk – Paul Gilroy KC

Paul Gilroy KC is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 1 Leading Silk in Employment Law. The directory notes:

“Paul is great on his feet – a real street fighter with tactical nous. He is excellent in cross-examination and great with clients.”

Widely regarded as one of the foremost employment barristers in practice today, Paul combines exceptional legal ability with commercial insight and client focus. His extensive caseload, longstanding directory recognition, and contributions to leading employment law publications, including Current Law Statutes and the Encyclopaedia on Employment Law, underline his reputation at the very top of the field.

Band 1 Leading Junior – David Campion

David Campion is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 1 Leading Junior on the Northern Circuit. The directory notes:

“David is excellent at managing claims with many witnesses and voluminous bundles to the satisfaction of the employment tribunal. Keeping tribunals onside is key to getting the best possible outcomes, and David’s outcomes are excellent. He is able to limit cross-examination to the key issues in the claim. He is not flashy or aggressive which works very well with claimants with disabilities in particular. He is a very effective advocate.”

With two decades of experience, David is widely instructed across employment and personal injury law, regularly handling complex and high-value disputes. He represents a broad spectrum of clients, including private businesses, local authorities, NHS bodies, universities, charities, police forces, and trade unions, and is noted for his ability to bring clarity to the most complex cases.

Band 1 Leading Junior – Nigel Grundy

Nigel Grundy is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Leading Junior. The directory notes:

“Nigel is excellent in his area of expertise. He is extremely knowledgeable, personable and professional. Nigel is able to review copious amounts of information quickly to get up to speed on any case referred to him. He has no weaknesses at all.”

A first-class advocate of 40 years’ standing, Nigel is a true all-rounder with a multifaceted practice. He is known for his incisive cross-examination, calm presence, and strategic approach, as well as his ability to master and assimilate complex material with speed and precision. Recognised by both Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500, Nigel was shortlisted as Employment Junior of the Year in 2024 and also sits as a Recorder in the Crown and County Courts.

Band 1 Leading Junior – Louise Quigley

Louise Quigley is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 1 Leading Junior in Employment Law. The directory notes:

“Louise has exceptional client rapport. She possesses a commanding understanding of complex cases and legal issues, and demonstrates formidable advocacy skills time and time again. Louise is also approachable and easy to work with.”

Practising exclusively in employment law, Louise is consistently ranked as a Band 1 barrister in both Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500. She is sought after for her expertise in disability discrimination, whistleblowing, menopause, and pregnancy and maternity cases, with instructions ranging from FTSE 100 companies and large public bodies to individual claimants. She is regularly instructed in complex, high-value disputes, including recent work securing significant savings for NHS Trusts, and also maintains a strong claimant practice, working closely with the charity Pregnant Then Screwed.

Band 1 Leading Junior – Amy Smith

Amy Smith is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 1 Leading Junior in Employment Law. The directory notes:

“Amy is an excellent advocate. She is always well-prepared and highly knowledgeable, and is also great with clients. She is strongly recommended.”

With over a decade of experience, Amy is known for her calm manner, clear tactical intelligence, and strong commercial understanding, which give clients confidence and deliver excellent results. Before pupillage she worked with the Law Commission on consumer and insurance law and established a pro bono employment advisory service, experience which has shaped her practical, client-focused approach. Alongside a busy practice, Amy remains committed to service and volunteers with her local ambulance trust.

Band 2 Leading Junior – Lena Amartey

Lena Amartey is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 2 Leading Junior in Employment Law. The directory notes:

“Lena is fantastic with clients who all respond very well to her. She is a tenacious and thorough advocate. One of her real strengths is the ability to adapt her advocacy style depending on the kind of claimant. She is also always thoroughly prepared and inspires confidence in clients.”

Practising exclusively in employment law, Lena is known for her meticulous preparation, strategic thinking, and adaptable advocacy style. She has significant experience with complex discrimination issues, reflecting her appointment to the Equality & Human Rights Commission’s approved list of Counsel and her secondment to its Legal Enforcement Team. With a background in Human Rights law, Lena brings both expertise and a client-focused approach to her employment practice.

Band 2 Leading Junior – Stefan Brochwicz-Lewinski

Stefan Brochwicz-Lewinski is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 2 Leading Junior in Employment Law. The directory notes:

“Stefan is an exceptionally talented advocate. He is incredible to watch in court: quick thinking, articulate and persuasive. He always performs brilliantly in court and puts clients in the best possible position they can be in.”

Head of the Employment Group, Stefan has specialised in employment law and related High Court litigation throughout his career, and is ranked by Chambers & Partners among the top employment juniors in the Northern region. He is known for his rigorous preparation, clarity of advice, and persuasive courtroom skills, with experience spanning tribunals, the Employment Appeal Tribunal, the Court of Appeal, and high-value High Court disputes. Highly regarded by clients for his commercial insight and advocacy, Stefan also contributes through seminars, lectures, and training in trial advocacy.

Band 2 Leading Junior – Katie Nowell

Katie Nowell is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 2 Leading Junior in Employment Law. The directory notes:

“Katie is highly intelligent and cuts through to the substantive issues very quickly. She is very thorough in her preparation, is accessible for instructing solicitors and easily puts clients at ease. She is an excellent advocate, persistent and effective in cross-examination and clear in submissions.”

Katie has strong practices in employment, personal injury, and regulatory work, particularly in relation to the GMC. She is known for her meticulous preparation, attention to detail, and approachable manner with clients and witnesses. In employment law she is instructed across the full range of issues including unfair dismissal, redundancy, breach of contract, TUPE, and discrimination, while in personal injury she acts for both claimants and defendants in cases involving workplace accidents, road traffic accidents, stress claims, and public liability disputes.

Band 3 Leading Junior – Carlo Breen

Carlo Breen is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 3 Leading Junior in Employment Law. He is widely regarded as one of the premier employment barristers in the North West, praised for his intellectual and technical abilities and described by clients as offering “excellent advocacy” and a “meticulous grasp of complex cases.” Known for his ability to assimilate large volumes of information and devise tactical strategies, Carlo is consistently commended for his thorough preparation and tenacious advocacy, which together underpin his strong reputation in complex employment disputes.

Band 3 Leading Junior – Laura Kaye

Laura Kaye is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 3 Leading Junior in Employment Law. The directory notes:

“Laura is an exceptional barrister. She is polite and courteous and knows how to challenge either the tribunal or claimant in the correct and most impactful way. She is robust when required (but only where the situation requires it). Her legal knowledge and advocacy are excellent.”

Laura has developed a successful specialist practice in employment law, with a particular reputation for trial advocacy in lengthy and complex discrimination and whistleblowing cases. She is sought after for her meticulous drafting and advisory work, her pragmatic approach to negotiation, and her ability to build strong relationships with leading law firms and public sector clients. In addition to her employment practice, Laura acts in appeals before the Special Educational Needs Tribunal and has been recognised as both a Rising Star and Recommended Junior by legal directories, reflecting her growing profile as a leading advocate.

Band 3 Leading Junior – Robert Lassey

Robert Lassey is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 3 Leading Junior in Employment Law. The directory notes:

“Rob is brilliant at getting into the details of cases and dealing with the twists and turns of litigation. He also makes powerful submissions and his client care is outstanding.”

Specialising in employment and sports law, Robert is frequently instructed in complex, high-value disputes involving discrimination, unfair dismissal, and whistleblowing, often on behalf of high-net-worth individuals, multinational companies, and major public sector bodies. Praised for his detailed case preparation, advocacy, and client care, he has been consistently recognised by both Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500, reflecting his growing reputation in the field. Alongside practice, Robert lectures at BPP Law School and serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for a local youth theatre charity.

Band 3 Leading Junior – Rachael Levene

Rachael Levene is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 3 Leading Junior in Employment Law. The directory notes:

“Rachael has superb understanding of the law and can apply it to the facts in a case with great skill combined with her standout advocacy skills. Tactically astute, Rachael knows when to play the best cards to achieve the best outcome for the client. She is thorough and engages with instructing solicitors proactively to ensure all are on the same page. She is a go-to barrister for tricky and complex tribunal claims.”

With over fifteen years’ experience, Rachael is known for her meticulous preparation, tactical approach, and ability to simplify complex issues. She is highly regarded by clients and instructing solicitors alike, combining strong advocacy with the ability to put witnesses at ease and build their confidence in challenging cases.

Band 3 Leading Junior – Martin Mensah

Martin Mensah is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 3 Leading Junior in Employment Law. The directory notes:

“Martin is an extremely diligent and experienced advocate. He has patience with his instructing solicitors and their clients. He is very knowledgeable and makes you feel very much at ease in his position. Martin is honest and practical as well as helpful and solution-focused. He will always go the extra mile to help instructing solicitors and their clients.”

An accomplished advocate of over 15 years’ call, Martin joined Nine Chambers in 2022 having previously led the Employment Group at his former set. He is known for his ability to cut through complex issues quickly, provide clear and practical solutions, and guide clients with straightforward advice, ensuring a confident and strategic approach to every case.