Cloisters

With the publication of Rice v Wicked Vision Ltd; Barton Turns Developments Ltd v Treadwell (Protect Intervening) [2026] IRLR 120, Chris Milsom marks a milestone of 50 appearances in the Industrial Relations Law Reports (IRLR). Only 30 individuals have featured on as many occasions since the first publication of the IRLR over fifty years ago in 1972. They include four current or former members of Chambers: Sir Stephen Sedley, Sir Brian Langstaff, Brian Napier KC and Robin Allen KC.

Cloisters Chambers is proud to confirm that we are signatories to the Women in Law Pledge created by the Bar Council of England and Wales, The Law Society, and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx). The Women in Law Pledge was created to support progress on gender equality across the legal profession, with a focus on eliminating sex discrimination and driving meaningful, practical change.

In Micro Focus Ltd v Mildenhall [2025] EAT 188 the EAT has given important guidance on what is meant by a “proposal to dismiss as redundant” 20 or more employees for the purposes of s188 TULRCA 1992.

Cloisters is pleased to launch its Employment Rights Act Toolkit Series, a new programme of expert-led lunchtime webinars designed to provide practical guidance on the most significant employment law reforms in a generation.

Cloisters Chambers is delighted to announce that Caspar Glyn KC and Rachel Crasnow KC have been elected as Joint Heads of Chambers, with their term commencing on 15 December 2025. They succeed Martyn McLeish, who has led Chambers so very well for the past seven years. Caspar and Rachel bring more than 60 years of combined experience at Cloisters and a long history of collaboration as colleagues and friends.

In Mrs A Perkins v Marston (Holdings) Ltd [2025] EAT 170, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (“EAT”) has clarified the correct approach to a material factor defence under s.69 Equality Act 2010 (“EqA”). Emma Darlow Stearn successfully represented the Claimant/Appellant, as sole counsel against a led team, instructed through the Free Representation Unit. At first instance The Claimant brought an equal pay claim in November 2023 as an individual Claimant.

Cloisters is delighted to announce that the Bar Council has confirmed the reappointment of Rachel Crasnow KC as Chair of the Equality, Diversity and Social Mobility Committee and Martyn McLeish as Vice Chair of the Remuneration Committee, effective from 9 December 2025. These appointments reflect the Bar Council’s continued confidence in Rachel’s and Martyn’s leadership and long-standing contributions to policy development, fair practice, and strategic governance across the Bar.

The Employment Appeal Tribunal has today handed down its decision in Chaudhry v. Paperchase Products Limited [2025] EAT 181, addressing a significant question for employees whose employers become insolvent during live unfair dismissal proceedings. Matt Jackson and Imogen Brown represented the Appellant on appeal, instructed by Gowling WLG on behalf of the Free Representation Unit.

Image of Martyn McLeish‍ and ‍Cherno Jagne Cloisters is pleased to announce that both our Head of Chambers, Martyn McLeish, and our Chief Operating Officer, Cherno Jagne, are featured in the December issue of Counsel magazine. In their respective articles, Martyn and Cherno provide insight into the vision, planning and delivery of Cloisters’ recent office refurbishment project.

Cloisters’ Charlotte Tosti has successfully secured worker status under s230(3)(b) ERA 1996 for a dancer performing in a Britney Spears tribute show. The claimant was engaged to dance in the respondent’s production under contracts described as “contracts for services”. While she also performed in unrelated shows, the respondent refused to pay accrued wages following her resignation, arguing she was an independent contractor and therefore unable to bring an unauthorised deduction from wages claim.