Jonathan French
PROFILE
Over the past 12 years I have developed a substantial practice at the employment Bar right across the north of England, encompassing Tribunal, EAT and High Court claims.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Chambers & Partners (2012): “Jonathan French of Exchange Chambers enters the rankings this year following widespread praise for his excellent accessibility and his pragmatism when handling cases. Sources say: "He offers full and frank advice and is very sharp on his feet."
Legal 500 (2010): “Jonathan French is an experienced junior in difficult cases and boasts a high success rate ‘in and out of court’.”
Legal 500 (2009): “Jonathan French has wide experience and is ‘an excellent negotiator who never drops a point’.”
Legal 500 (2008): “an effective negotiator and there’s always a strong likelihood he’ll win.”
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Employment: I have extensive experience of employment litigation regularly acting for both employers and employees in Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal proceedings for unfair and wrongful dismissal, equality and TUPE-related matters. I regularly act on behalf of leading UK companies and trade unions.
Commercial: My High Court employment litigation practice covers restrictive covenants, confidentiality and fiduciary duties including injunctive relief, as well as involving share bonus claims.
Mediation: Accredited panel member with Association of Northern Mediators and with Talk Mediation. I am regularly involved in substantial mediations, mainly in the commercial sector.
RECENT REPORTED CASES
Girvan v. Humberside Probation Trust [2009] UKEAT 0197/09/DA LTL 30/11/09. Successfully appealing on the correct approach to striking out a claim on the grounds of a party’s failure to comply with directions.
Butterfield v. Edmund Nuttall Ltd [2006] ICR 77. Leading case on causation under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and Disability Discrimination (Meaning of Disability) Regulations 1996.
RECENT NOTABLE CASES
Acting against the Chief Constable of Durham Constabulary on a disability discrimination claim
£1 million disability discrimination claim on behalf of former partner in national solicitors firm.
Acting on behalf of leading UK companies, including national hotel chains, high-street department and mobile phone stores.
Multi-day TUPE claims, including recently acting for an environmental charity and appearing against the Dean & Chapter of a cathedral.
Breach of confidentiality and infringement of copyright claims against an architect.
Instructed by leading unions, including teaching and coal mining.
Recovery of £250,000 contractual bonus payment for property developer.
Fraudulent accounting whistle-blowing and constructive dismissal claim on behalf of Financial Director.
Multi-day employee status claim on behalf of railway welding operative.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
SPC Accredited Mediator 2005
Associate Lecturer in Law, Open University 1999-2008.
Called to the Bar 1997 (Lincoln’s Inn).
The University of Manchester, 1993-96
Harrogate Grammar School, 1986-93
PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS
Employment Law Bar Association, Employment Lawyers Association, Industrial Law Society, Lawyers for Liberty, Environmental Law Foundation, UK Environmental Law Association, Amnesty International, Association of Northern Mediators, North Eastern Circuit, R3..
PERSONAL INTERESTS
Theatre, live music and art. Also cricket and sailing as well as walking in the Yorkshire Dales and Scottish Highlands.
