How to Handle an Urgent High Court Employment Dispute Webinar Series

Do you want to use lockdown to gain an in-depth understanding of how to handle all aspects of an urgent High Court Employment Dispute?

This intensive training programme will be delivered over six 1 hour weekly online sessions. In an updated and enhanced repeat of a popular series of presentations given in 2015, Chris Quinn and a team of expert barristers from Littleton will walk you through the handling of an urgent High Court employment dispute. The programme is designed to ensure that, by the end, you feel as if you have run an employment case in the High Court from start to finish. Each session will introduce you to at least 2 juniors/ silks from Littleton.

The programme is offered free of charge to associates and comprises six 1 hour online webinars. Helpful written materials will be produced to accompany each session.

THE PROGRAMME- SESSION BY SESSION

Principles, Rules and Cases: the essentials

In the first session you will be introduced to the dispute which will underpin the entire programme and taken through the essential legal principles, rules and cases so as to ensure that you are fully up-to-date with the fast-moving law in this area, including blue-pencilling.

Tactics, Evidence Gathering, Suspension and letters before action

Having received this refresher as to all the relevant principles, the dispute kicks into gear with the discovery of suspicious conduct and a dodgy email. Accordingly, in the second session you will receive advice from Counsel as to all aspects of initial evidence-gathering including various “do’s and don’ts”. Just as with any real dispute, your client also wants to know whether or not it should suspend the alleged wrongdoer(s). In addition there is the matter of a letter before action to be prepared.

Everything you need to know about ex parte applications/ acting for employees

The third session is in two parts: (a) all the possible applications that can be made on an ex parte application and the rules specific to these; material non-disclosure and (b) acting for defendants/ issues as to legal representation.

Interim applications in practice

In light of a dramatic development in the team move case under consideration, we prepare for a first contested interim application, including a draft Order and consider the range of costs orders that may be made at the interim stage.

We then consider a possible interim application which explores the limits of what a Court will order prior to trial and, finally, discuss computer imaging orders.

Preparing for a speedy trial

In light of the outcome of the interim skirmishing, we move on to consider typical directions to take this sort of dispute to speedy trial including consideration of split trials. This fifth session also provides guidance as to Part 36 protection and the pros and cons of costs budgeting.

All other aspects of preparation such as dealing with disclosure, instruction of experts and preparation of witness statements will also be explored as well as the special measures which are in place to ensure that both interim hearings and speedy trials can take place in present circumstances

Trial, Remedies and costs

The sixth and final session sees an unexpected development which needs to be addressed by the legal team just before the speedy trial begins and then moves on, after judgment has been given to address the vital considerations arising at the end of any trial, speedy or otherwise, specifically the range of remedies which comes into play in employee competition cases and all issues arising as to costs.

PROGRAMME LEADER

Chris Quinn is a highly sought-after litigator in any breakdown of an employment or senior corporate relationship which is likely to end up in Court. His litigation skills are second-to-none and, as a result he is very frequently instructed in the High Court as well as in high-value Employment Tribunal claims.

According to the directories Chris “is often the first port of call in high-value City disputes and is particularly recommended for injunctive relief cases.”

Many but by no means all of Chris’ cases result in speedy trials. In respect of trial advocacy, Chambers and Partners describes him as being “a tremendous cross-examiner and effective fighter” who “produces clear, crisp and persuasive arguments”.

All webinars will be at 5pm, on the following dates: