James has been recognised as a Band 1 Leading Junior in Employment Law on the Western Circuit by the Legal 500 for the past 5 years. He has been described as “highly experienced in dismissal and discrimination matters” (Legal 500 2019) and “very thorough and an excellent advocate”(Legal 500 2020). He has also been recognised in Chambers and Partners, in 2020 he was praised as “incredibly thorough and really easy to work with. He does a great job for clients and explains issues in an easily digestible and clear way”.
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Barristers in England and Wales are regulated by the Bar Standards Board
James has a successful nationwide employment practice, and has instructed on behalf of both Claimants and Respondents across England and Wales and routinely in multi-week hearings. He is often involved in cases concerning large public or professional bodies, such as the NHS, Police Forces, Solicitors Firms or Charities.
Solicitors are delighted with his down-to-earth yet no-nonsense approach to litigation, and his ability to give realistic and pragmatic advice to his clients with regards to prospects of success and settlement. James works alongside solicitors, from giving initial advice on merits through to drafting the ET1 or ET3, representation at CMDs and PHRs, and ultimately at Tribunal and EAT. He also has significant experience of reaching successful outcomes at Judicial Mediation.
Whilst accepting instructions in all areas of employment law, due to his prior experience in the Crown Court, James is frequently called upon to deal with cases of whistleblowing or discrimination, or where there is an issue of dishonestly, owing to his thorough, thoughtful and robust advocacy style.
He has a particular interest in the enforceability of restrictive covenants in employment contracts, and is regularly instructed to appear in County and High Court to seek injunctive relief on behalf of employers.
James often lectures on updates in employment law. He has previously delivered well-received seminars on restrictive covenants and an update on whistleblowing dismissal and detriments in light of Jhuti v Royal Mail. He is currently providing training on quantifying complex pension loss and how to best achieve settlement at judicial mediation.
As a result of his judicial appointment, James is unable to accept any instructions for any cases which may be heard in the Wales ET Region.
Dodd v UK Business Solutions Ltd (1) and Moselmi (2) [2022] EAT 44 – EAT gave guidance on extent of disclosure obligations in public interest detriment claims when Claimant claims direct knowledge of the subject matter of disclosures.
Fox v South Essex Academy Trust UKEAT/0093/19/RN – ET erred in law by failing to appreciate the Claimant’s case, despite following the contents of the agreed list of issues in reaching its judgment
Harrison v Aryma Limited UKEAT/0085/19/2708 – approach that the ET should adopt when issues concerning section 111A(3) and (4) ERA 1996 are raised.
Twenty Four Seven Recruitment Services Ltd and Others v Afonso and 190 Others [2019] IRLR4 – definitions of Regulation 10(1)(a)(i) and (iii) of the Agency Worker Regulations 2010
Pulman v Merthyr Tydfil College Ltd UKEAT/0309/16/JOJ – application of section 19 Equality Act 2010, relationship between sections 15 and 20 Equality Act and Burns/Barke principal.
2005-2008 BA (Hons) – Royal Holloway, University of London
2008-2009 GDL/CPE – London South Bank University
2009-2010 BVC – City Law School
1. This is a privacy notice that describes how, why and for how long I will process or keep your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (‘GDPR’).
2. The GDPR governs how an individual’s personal data is used, and your rights in relation to that data.
3. I, Alex Lawson, have been instructed by you or your litigation friend (usually a parent), through your solicitor or agent, or via the Bar Pro Bono Unit.
4. It is necessary for me to process your personal data in order for me to provide you with legal services, for example:
5. Processing means anything done to data such as: recording, organising, adapting, altering, copying, consulting, transmitting, combining, erasing or storing it.
6.The processing for the purposes listed above will take place in accordance with either Article 6(1)(a) GDPR or Article 6(1)(b) GDPR, depending on how you instructed me.
7. If you have instructed me on a direct access basis, or engaged a solicitor (or legal agent), to assist you in bringing or defending a claim then the processing is necessary to perform a contract to which you are a party (Article 6(1)(b) GDPR). To give effect to that contract (i.e. to bring a claim) it is necessary for me to process your personal data for litigation purposes.
8. If I am assisting you on a pro bono basis, it will be necessary for me to seek your consent to be able to represent you (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR). In this scenario, you will be sent a consent form.
Recipients of your data
9. I may also be required to share your data with others, depending on the nature of your case. This may include:
(i) Courts and other tribunals to whom documents are presented;
(ii) Your solicitors, or agent representing you, through whom I have been instructed;
(iii) Potential witnesses, experts and other persons involved in the case;
(iv) Solicitors, barristers, or other legal representatives;
(v) Ombudsman and regulatory authorities;
(vi) Education and examining bodies; and
(vii) Current, past or prospective employers.
Special Categories of Data
10. In some cases I will have been given your personal data that is within the ‘special categories’ of data described in GDPR Article 9(1). For example, personal data that reveals your race, ethnicity, sexual preferences, political or religious beliefs, trade union membership or health. There are also restrictions for processing information regarding criminal convictions.
11. This type of personal data will only be processed where it is necessary in order to represent you in your legal claim, or advise on the prospects of a legal claim.
Retention
12. I will retain your personal data for no longer than is necessary, and where it is possible, I will anonymise your data.
13. How long your personal data is kept will depend on a number of factors. The retention period will be reviewed when the service I am providing you with is complete. However in general, I am obliged by the Bar Code of Conduct to retain records of my cases, and by HM Revenue and Customs to retain records for 6 years.
14. Once your case has concluded and fees have been paid, I shall retain only the personal data necessary for the following purposes:
(i) The legal and professional obligation to retain information relating to my cases;
(ii) To check for any potential conflict of interests that may arise in the future when I am instructed on other cases;
(iii) For use in the defence of potential complaints, legal proceedings or fee disputes;
(iv) To refer back to in future cases which raise similar legal, factual, or procedural issues.
15. The processing for the purposes listed in paragraph 14 (ii), (iii), and (iv) above, will take place in accordance with Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. That is, for the purposes of legitimate interests that are not outweighed by your interests or fundamental rights and freedoms.
16. The processing for the purposes listed in paragraph 14(i) above, will take place in accordance with Article 6(1)(c) GDPR. That is, the processing is necessary for me to comply with a legal obligation.
Your Rights
17. Where processing of your personal data was based on your consent (see paragraphs 6 and 8) you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. This does not affect the lawfulness of the processing based on consent before its withdrawal.
18. Withdrawal of your consent to process such data will most likely mean that I am no longer able to provide you with the legal services you seek.
19. You may request confirmation that your personal data is being processed by me and details about the personal data, the source, the processing, the purposes of the processing, the recipients and the retention period.
20. You may request a copy of your personal data that is being processed by me. You may also request rectification (i.e. correction) where there are inaccuracies in the personal data.
21. You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, at any time, to processing of your personal data in paragraph 14 of this privacy notice. Should you object, the processing will only continue where there are compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override your fundamental rights, freedoms and interests.
22. Where the processing or retention of your data is necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims, it will not be possible to object.
23. You have the right to request that your personal data is erased where any of the following apply:
(i) The personal data are no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which they were collected or otherwise processed;
(ii) You withdraw your consent where the basis of processing was based on consent and where there is no other ground for the processing;
(iii) Where your fundamental rights, freedoms and interests override the legitimate interests of processing in paragraph 14;
(iv) The personal data has been unlawfully processed; or
(v) The personal data have to be erased to comply with a legal obligation.
24. You have the right to request that your personal data is restricted from processing, so that it is simply stored, for the following reasons: as an alternative to deletion; so that it can be corrected; for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims; to verify if a legitimate ground exists (paragraph 14).
25. Where it is necessary to correct your personal data, or you have requested the restriction or erasure of your personal data, I shall endeavour to contact the recipients of the personal data, unless this involves disproportionate effort.
Security
26. I take appropriate physical and technical procedures to safeguard your personal data to prevent it from being accidentally lost, used or accessed in an unauthorised way.
Complaints or Queries
27. If you have any questions regarding this privacy notice, or how I use your personal data please email me: mailto:alex.lawson@tbgbarrister.co.uk, or my clerks: clerking@thebarristergroup.co.uk telephone 01823 247 247.
28. I shall aim to respond as soon as possible, and within 30 days.
29. You have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you believe I have not handled your request in an appropriate manner. For information on contacting the ICO please go to: https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/
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