Paul Epstein QC
Profile
Paul is a leading employment and discrimination law specialist and has appeared in many reported and high profile newsworthy cases. He has a wide range of clients. He acts for Claimants and Respondents.
Paul has been involved in some of Europe's largest ever equal pay cases: Barker v Birmingham City Council, Joss v Cumbria County Council and Wilson v N Cumbria NHS Trust (the last of these resulting in a well-publicised settlement said to be worth around £300m).
He regularly advises on and acts in high value cases for employers and employees in City cases concerning bonus and remuneration negotiations, disputes, whistleblowing, discrimination, dismissal and on restrictive covenants. He successfully appeared for the claimant in Adebayo v Dresdner Bank, a derivatives trader who won a substantial claim for race discrimination and wrongful and unfair dismissal.
In his media work, Paul has advised globally known stars, including rock and rap legends, on various employment disputes and negotiations, including privacy agreements.
One of Paul's specialisms in recent years has been for local authorities in successfully concluding long running discrimination claims against them. Paul's public authority work also involves acting against local authorities, and against central government, and he is instructed by the equality commissions and by many educational establisments. Another recent success was the long running claim by Dr Saggar against the MOD for race discrimination, which resulted in the leading case on jurisdiction in the area of discrimination.
His international practice includes work in the ECHR. Paul was involved in drafting observations for the unions in the leading Trade Union case of Wilson and Palmer and is currently instructed in a case concerning the lawfulness of covert surveillance.
In his commercial work he has acted in claims for breach of contract, injunction applications, professional negligence matters, partnership disputes, and recently acted for Puff Daddy (rapper Sean Combs) in passing off proceedings.
In his regulatory work, he has acted for many years in British Psychological Society proceedings, including in the complaint brought by Colin Stagg arising out of the unsuccessful prosecution against him for the murder of Rachel Nickell; and acted in relation to the Nursing and Midwifery Council; and in relation to other professional disciplinary matters; and has previously been a legal assessor at the General Teaching Council. Please see below for Paul's recent cases and his Full Profile for a more detailed list.
Directories/press
"Paul Epstein QC is an "astute, authoritative advocate and an excellent client handler who communicates complex problems in a format that is easy to understand"". Chambers and Partners 2009
Chambers UK 2008 say "Paul Epstein QC has a "smooth, relaxed manner before the employment tribunal; he is good on his feet and is a shrewd cross-examiner who explains issues well to clients." "Commercially savvy", he is particularly well versed in equal pay matters and has been acting for claimants in Joss v. Cumbria County Council."
"Paul Epstein QC is 'good on his feet and a tough but shrewd cross-examiner.' He recently settled, with Robin Allen QC, Wilson v North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. 'In-house clients love him' as he 'goes into detail without ever losing the commercial touch." Chambers and Partners 2007
"Paul Epstein simply has no weak points as a barrister" Chambers and Partners 2006
"described by clients as an 'excellent client handler' and 'calm in a crisis'." Legal 500 2006
Qualifications
BA
Cases
Joseph and Others v. Spiller
Ref: [2010] ICR 642, [2009] EWCA Civ 1075 Date: October 2009
Amnesty International v. Ahmed
Ref: [2009] IRLR 884 Date: August 2009
Arnold v.Sandwell MBC
Ref: [2009] IRLR 12, EAT; [2009] EWCA Civ 309, CA Date: February 2009
Spencer v. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Ref: [2008] IRLR 911 Date: November 2008
Dow (Nos. 1 & 2) v. Cumbria
Ref: [2008] IRLR 91, 109 Date: November 2007