Call 1995
"tenacious in all aspects of preparation, presentation and cross-examination" Legal 500
Jane practises predominantly in employment and discrimination law. Jane is instructed to represent claimants (including Trade Union backed claimants) and counts local authorities, health authorities and “blue chip” companies amongst her respondent clients. She has been instructed in a number of high profile discrimination cases (see below). She is the head of the employment group at Trinity Chambers.
Jane appeared for the North East Group of solicitors, intervenors in the high profile case of The Law Society v Legal Services Commission [2010] EWHC 2550 (Admin), an application for judicial review of the 2010 competitive tendering process for the provision of publicly funded family law services conducted by the LSC. The Administrative Court held that the tendering process was irrational, unfair and arbitrary due to the failure to indicate clearly, in advance, the criteria to be met to win contracts.
Jane has also advised in cases involving closure of local authority residential homes.
Jane has also advised in cases involving schools admissions and exclusions. Her expertise in discrimination law places her at a particular advantage in dealing with disability discrimination in the context of education, as does her knowledge and experience of public and education law. She has appeared for both the local authority and parents in such cases.
Jane regularly lectures to solicitors on various employment law topics including redundancy, discrimination, equal pay and the Equality Act. Jane has also delivered seminars in relation to education law with a particular focus on discrimination.
Worked for a national employers organisation advising on employment law, particularly equalities issues and transfers of undertakings.
Ms Katherine O’Donnell v Times Newspapers Ltd, Edinburgh Employment Tribunal 4107419/2018 - successfully acting for The Times following high profile claim by transgender former journalist that she was the victim of discrimination and unfair dismissal.
XC Trains Ltd v D and others [2016] IRLR 748, UKEAT - represented the Trade Union and named respondents in an appeal where the issue was whether a PCP was a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim in a case involving indirect sex discrimination arising from duty rosters.
Northumberland CC v Trebillcock UKEAT/0527/12 - appeared for the appellant local authority in a case involving withdrawal, for the purposes of Employment Tribunal Rule 25, a claim of maternity discrimination
Sandford v Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UKEAT/0324/12 - appeal against a finding of a fair dismissal in the context of a reorganisation leading to changes in employment contracts.
Doyle v Chief Constable of Northumbria, UKEAT/0576/11 - appeal against non-payment of sick pay under the Police Force's attendance management policy in the context of disability discrimination.
South Tyneside Council v Ward [2011] UKEAT/358/10, LTL 17/08/11 - a case involving the correct test to apply to evaluating a dismissal by notice where it was held by the EAT that events between the giving of notice and its expiry may affect the overall question of fairness, such that that issue should not be decided solely on the facts as at the date notice was given.
Newcastle City Council v Marsden [2010] ICR 743, UKEAT - appeared for the claimant. Key issue was the scope of paragraph 34(3)(e) of the Employment Tribunals' rules. The case was heard by Underhill J, President of the EAT.
Hartlepool Borough Council and others v Llewellyn and others [2009] IRLR 796, UKEAT (combined case) – appeared for Middlesbrough BC. Case involved the ability of males to bring contingent “piggyback” equal pay claims using successful females as comparators.
Surtees v Middlesbrough Borough Council [2008] UKEAT/0282/08 - appeared for Middlesbrough BC in a case concerning disclosure of privileged material.
Redcar and Cleveland Council and others v Bainbridge and others, [2008] IRLR 776 EWCA – (combined case) appeared for Middlesbrough BC. Issues included protection and separate collective bargaining genuine material factor defences in long-running equal pay litigation affecting local government.
Middlesbrough Borough Council v Surtees (No. 2) [2007] IRLR 981, UKEAT – appeared for Middlesbrough BC. Issue was the ability of an Employment Tribunal to allow a party to adduce an expert’s report in equal value proceedings.
Middlesbrough Borough Council v Surtees [2007] IRLR 869, UKEAT – appeared for Middlesbrough BC. Issues as above in combined case of Bainbridge
Middlesbrough Borough Council v Morgan [2005] EWCA Civ 1432 – appeared for Middlesbrough BC in equal pay case involving school based staff. Key issue was whether the EAT had erred in finding that an employment tribunal had insufficient material upon which to reach a conclusion that a claimant had failed to establish that a male was a comparable employee for the purposes of the evaluating like work under the Equal Pay Act 1970.
Vento v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire [2003] IRLR 102 . EWCA – appeared for claimant. Case established the Vento guidelines in assessing injury to feelings in discrimination cases.
Chief Constable of West Yorkshire v Vento [2001] IRLR 124, UKEAT – appeared for claimant. Issue was the evidential material which could be used to construct a valid hypothetical comparator in a sex discrimination case.
Josh joined Trinity in 2020 as a Clerk on the Civil team after working for 5 years in business management. The transferable skills gained have enabled him to make this change in career and given him the chance to revert back to his university degree in Philosophy and Theology.
Within the Civil clerking, Josh heads up the clerking of the Employment Law team.
Outside of Chambers Josh enjoys playing football and following his beloved Newcastle United where he has had a season ticket since he was a young boy. He also enjoys playing music as part of a band, predominantly playing drums but plays piano and sax as well.
Chambers & Partners 2024
'The service from the clerks is first rate. There is never any delay in replying to correspondence and they are always very helpful. Josh Stewart-Tilling is the lead employment clerk.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Paul McNab, Aimee Bloxham and Josh Stewart-Tilling are always on the end of the phone or email to help us find barristers with availability, even at short notice.’
Legal 500 2023
‘Clerking is first class. Steve Walker and Josh Stewart-Tilling provide a quick and helpful service.’
Steve joined Trinity Chambers in 2018 as Civil Clerk. He has worked in the legal industry for over 20 years, initially as a Litigation Executive at a number of firms in Manchester and then, from 2004, as a Clerk at leading sets in Manchester, London and Newcastle. Having worked as a litigator for many years prior to becoming a clerk, Steve is acutely aware of the pressures Chambers’ clients work under and goes out of his way to ensure the service they get from Chambers goes beyond that of our competitors.
As well as day to day management of the civil diary Steve is heavily involved in business development and client relationship management for the Civil Team. He is always more than happy to discuss with clients how Chambers, Members of Chambers and the Clerks might tailor the service we offer to best suit your needs.
Chambers & Partners 2024
'Trinity has a really good clerking team. I deal mostly with Steve Walker, lead civil clerk, who is a pleasure to deal with. He and the rest of his team are very approachable and responsive.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Steven Walker is excellent.’
‘Steve Walker and Paul McNab are always friendly, approachable and make excellent suggestions as to which counsel may be best suited for a particular matter.’
Chambers & Partners 2023
'Steve Walker has a very good knowledge of the market. He is a very helpful clerk.' 'Steve Walker is very responsive and helpful.'
Legal 500 2023
‘Steve Walker has always been efficient and helpful.’ ‘All of the clerks are responsive and helpful. Steven Walker is superb.’ ‘Steven Walker will go above and beyond for his clients ensuring that instructing solicitors are matched with the right barrister matching their skill set for the matter.’ ‘Clerking is first class. Steve Walker and Josh Stewart-Tilling provide a quick and helpful service.’
Chambers & Partners 2022
'Steve Walker is responsive and very helpful.' 'Steve Walker is very hard-working and does a good job looking after the barristers.' 'Steve Walker is very proactive, easy to talk to and will sort things out if we need any help.'
Legal 500 2022
'Steve Walker is excellent. He takes the time to understand the problem and works around the clock to ensure expectations are met.'
Chris had over 9 years experience as a Senior Clerk in a barristers chambers in Middlesbrough before joining Trinity Chambers. Prior to that Chris worked in the Lord Chancellors Department, now HM Courts and Tribunals Service, at Teesside Combined Court Centre for over 10 years. During that time Chris covered most areas but the majority of his experience was gained in dealing with Criminal and Family Law matters. Chris’ latter years in the LCD were spent in the Listing Office at Teesside Crown Court where he developed his skills which ultimately saw him transferring to his role in a barristers chambers.
Chris is a member of the Institute of Barristers Clerks.
Outside of work Chris enjoys playing cricket for Marske Cricket Club in the North Yorkshire and South Durham League, watching football and rugby and socialising.
Legal 500 2024
‘Liam Gorman and Chris Gibbin are always on hand to deal with last minute issues, and have an excellent working relationship with local courts.’
Legal 500 2022
'Chris Gibbin is an extremely helpful and experienced clerk.'
'The Teesside branch is spearheaded by Chris Gibbin who is extremely helpful and efficient.'
Chambers & Partners 2022
'I cannot fault the clerking services – Chris Gibbin in Middlesbrough is very helpful, offers prompt responses and is always willing to assist.'
Paul joined Trinity Chambers in March 2020 following the closure of Zenith Chambers.
Paul has a wealth of experience in the legal profession having commenced his career in the late 80's and qualified as a legal executive in the early 90's whilst working for one of the countries largest criminal law firms dealing with serious criminal cases before moving to Number One Fountain Court in Birmingham as the Senior Clerk. Following the merger of Number One with St Philips Chambers in 2002 Paul became the Senior Criminal Clerk looking after what was then the largest criminal team in the country at the time.
Paul took almost a decade away from clerking during which he was the Chief Executive of an International Law firm specialising in domestic and international public law and human rights law adding a range of business and management skills to his CV before returning to the Bar in 2017 as the Senior Civil Clerk at Zenith Chambers in Leeds.
Away from chambers Paul can be found packing down in the second row although he has been on the verge of "retirement" from club rugby for the last three seasons but as a former club captain it's difficult to let go. When Paul does hang his boots up he plans to start learning to play the guitar again. When not playing rugby Paul is a season ticket holder at Wasps RFC and religiously follows Ireland Rugby home and away where possible where he enjoys the occasional "sociable pint"!
Chambers & Partners 2024
'Paul McNab is always available, commercial and pragmatic.'
'Paul McNab, clerk, is the go-to person. If Paul can't do it no one can. He is the finest clerk I have worked with. He's an asset to the chambers.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Paul McNab, Aimee Bloxham and Josh Stewart-Tilling are always on the end of the phone or email to help us find barristers with availability, even at short notice.’
‘Steve Walker and Paul McNab are always friendly, approachable and make excellent suggestions as to which counsel may be best suited for a particular matter.’
‘Paul McNab is always available and always willing to assist where he can.’
Chambers & Partners 2023
'Paul McNab, clerk, is excellent and has never let me down.'
Legal 500 2023
‘Clerks are approachable and accommodating.’‘Paul McNab – contactable, adaptable, and provides a good service.’‘Paul McNab is responsive, professional and knowledgeable.’
Chambers & Partners 2022
'Paul McNab is an excellent clerk. He's responsive, reliable and personable.'
Aimee joined Trinity in 2021 as a Junior Clerk within the Civil team, after 1 year of working as a litigation paralegal in a well-regarded, Newcastle based law firm. Here she developed an eye for detail and great organisational skills, moreover she gained a sound understanding of court procedures and litigation paperwork.
Aimee achieved a first-class BA (Honours) degree in Children and Young People from Newcastle College University Centre in 2019. She completed a dissertation on the advantages and challenges of standardised testing in primary schools and comparatively researched the difference between testing in both Year 2 and Year 6. While studying for her BA degree, Aimee worked in a nursery for 2 years where she was able to enhance her communication skills and teamworking abilities.
Outside of chambers Aimee enjoys walking her dog along the beach, socialising with friends, and travelling.
Legal 500 2024
‘Paul McNab, Aimee Bloxham and Josh Stewart-Tilling are always on the end of the phone or email to help us find barristers with availability, even at short notice.’
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