Direct Access Employment Barrister

Unfair Dismissal
Barrister

Christopher Mallon BL is a direct access employment barrister accepting instructions from employees and employers in unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal, and constructive dismissal claims before the Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal.

Time limit: You must contact ACAS within 3 months less one day of dismissal. Missing this deadline bars your claim.

Areas of Practice

Types of Dismissal Claim

Christopher accepts direct access instructions across the full range of employment dismissal claims. Each type of claim has different qualifying requirements, time limits, and remedies.

Unfair Dismissal

Challenging a dismissal where your employer lacked a fair reason or failed to follow a fair procedure — including the ACAS Code of Practice.

2 yearsqualifying service required

Wrongful Dismissal

Claiming damages for breach of your employment contract — typically where you were dismissed without proper notice or payment in lieu of notice.

No minimumservice required

Constructive Dismissal

Where your employer's conduct — such as a fundamental breach of contract — forced you to resign. Treated as a dismissal in law.

2 yearsqualifying service required

Automatically Unfair Dismissal

Dismissals connected to whistleblowing, pregnancy, trade union activities, or asserting a statutory right — no qualifying period applies.

Day oneright from first day

Redundancy Disputes

Challenging unfair selection criteria, failure to consult, or a sham redundancy used to disguise an unfair dismissal.

2 yearsfor statutory redundancy pay

TUPE Dismissals

Dismissals connected to a business transfer or service provision change are automatically unfair under Regulation 7 of TUPE 2006.

Day oneright from first day

How It Works

From Enquiry to Tribunal

A clear, four-stage process — from your initial enquiry through to representation at the Employment Tribunal.

01

Initial Enquiry

Contact Christopher by email or telephone. He will respond promptly — usually within one business day — to discuss your matter in confidence.

02

Case Assessment

Christopher reviews the key facts, documents, and timeline of your case and provides a clear written assessment of your prospects and options.

03

Pleadings & Preparation

He drafts your ET1 claim form, prepares witness statements, and advises on the evidence bundle — ensuring your case is presented to the highest standard.

04

Tribunal Representation

Christopher represents you at all Employment Tribunal hearings — from preliminary hearings through to the final merits hearing — and at the Employment Appeal Tribunal if needed.

Direct Access

Why Instruct a Direct Access Barrister?

The Bar Standards Board's Direct Access scheme allows individuals and businesses to instruct a barrister directly, without first engaging a solicitor. For employment tribunal claims, this means you receive specialist advocacy and drafting expertise from the outset of your case.

Specialist expertise from day one

Barristers are specialist advocates trained in evidence, procedure, and oral argument — skills that are particularly valuable in Employment Tribunal proceedings.

Cost-effective representation

Instructing a barrister directly removes one layer of professional fees. Christopher provides fixed fees for defined pieces of work wherever possible.

Direct relationship with your advocate

You deal directly with Christopher throughout your case — not with a paralegal or junior fee earner. He personally handles your matter from enquiry to hearing.

Available for all stages

Christopher can be instructed for a single piece of work — such as drafting your ET1 — or for full representation from initial advice through to the final hearing.

Remedies Available

Reinstatement: An order that you be returned to your previous job as if you had never been dismissed.
Re-engagement: An order that you be re-employed in a comparable role with the same or an associated employer.
Basic Award: Calculated by reference to age, length of service, and weekly pay — capped at £115,115 (2024/25).
Compensatory Award: Compensation for financial loss attributable to the dismissal — capped at the lower of £115,115 or 52 weeks' gross pay.
Uncapped Compensation: In whistleblowing and certain discrimination cases, the compensatory award is not subject to the statutory cap.

Common Questions

Unfair Dismissal FAQs

Answers to the questions Christopher is most frequently asked about unfair dismissal claims.

Get in Touch

Discuss Your Dismissal Claim

If you have been dismissed and believe your dismissal was unfair, wrongful, or constructive, contact Christopher to discuss your matter. All enquiries are treated in strict confidence and responded to promptly.

Time is critical

The three-month time limit runs from the date of dismissal. Contact Christopher as soon as possible.

Bring your documents

If you have your dismissal letter, contract of employment, or any correspondence, please include these with your enquiry.

Telephone enquiries

Christopher can also be reached by telephone at 07736 342 984 during normal business hours.

Send an Enquiry

All enquiries are treated in strict confidence

All enquiries are treated in strict confidence.