Chris Royle
Chris was called in 2009 and joined chambers in 2011 having previously been a tenant at a large midlands-based set. His employment practice covers the following areas:
• Unfair dismissal & Constructive unfair dismissal
• Wrongful dismissal
• Discrimination
As a former computer security professional Chris is able to use his previous expertise to good effect, for example in disputes involving network and/or internet misuse in the workplace.
Recent Cases
• S v P Ltd (2012): Successful defence of constructive dismissal claim in which the claimant had in fact left to set up in competition with his former employer.
• H v E Ltd (2011): Successful defence of an unfair dismissal claim in which the employer had dismissed a long-standing employee with a clean disciplinary record for taking a 30 minute unauthorised rest break.
• M v S Plc (2011): Successfully represented the claimant in a ‘sham redundancy’ case in which the respondent sought to dissipate the claimant’s role whilst he was on sick leave owing to work-based stress. The claimant was awarded the statutory maximum for unfair dismissal. Before applying the cap, the award included the maximum 25% uplift for failure to follow the ACAS guidelines, and 2.5 years’ future losses.
Chris is a full member of the Employment Lawyers Association.
