"Stephen Roberts is ‘always well prepared, extremely knowledgeable and is a favourite with clients’." - UK Legal 500 2011
“Stephen Roberts has a broad employment practice encompassing unfair dismissals, contractual disputes, TUPE and discrimination cases. Clients like his "direct and straightforward approach." - Chambers & Partners, 2010
Stephen transferred to the Bar in 2002 having practised as a solicitor from 1980 until 2002. Having spent many years practising as a Solicitor, Stephen emphasises the importance of gathering and collating evidence. He firmly believes that the better the preparation the better the Clients prospects of success. That often includes working closely with his Instructing Solicitor in the pre-hearing stages including preparing advice on evidence.
As a solicitor Stephen developed an extensive employment law practice particularly in the education and farming sectors, and was recognised as a leading practitioner by Chambers Directory.
In employment law, Stephen appears regularly in Employment Tribunals, the Employment Appeal Tribunal and the High Court. He has also conducted Employment cases in the Court of appeal.
Stephen is frequently instructed in cases involving:
- Unfair dismissal
- Public interest disclosure cases including local government and education
- Discrimination – race, sex, age, disability
- Equal pay claims
- Wrongful dismissal
- Breach of contract claims including bonus and share option claims
- TUPE.
- Pensions claims
Stephen’s High Court and County Court practice includes restrictive covenant work, professional negligence claims and judicial review. He is also instructed in regulatory and disciplinary panel work, appearing before sports panels and arbitration committees.
Stephen is a regular lecturer and has a Masters Degree in Employment and European law.
Stephen also has a particular interest in the application of law to sporting and educational contexts and is a lecturer at the University of Bath in these subjects.
Practice Overview:
By way of example, Stephen has recently been involved in substantial cases dealing with:
- Discrimination and constructive dismissal claims on behalf of a young female prison officer
- An unfair dismissal and marital discrimination claim on behalf of a woman dismissed for reasons related to the conviction of her husband for offences against children
- The dismissal of an employee following a protracted capability procedure
- The failure of collective consultation of a union in a TUPE transfer in the education sector
- A harassment and bullying claim in a high profile diplomatic setting.
Reported cases:
- Enfield Technical Services Ltd V Payne [2008] EWCA Civ 393
Court of Appeal – significant reported case on illegality of contract - De Clare Johnson v MYA Consulting Ltd (2007) EAT 31/8/2007
vicarious liability of a company for the acts of the Managing Director's husband and so for breach of the fundamental term of trust and confidence caused by his acts. - P&O Ferries (Bermuda) Ltd V Spencer (2005) EAT 28/2/2005
Qualification:
Undergraduate Degree
BA Hons Law (2:1), University of Kent
Post-graduation Qualifications
Bristol Polytechnic, Law Society Part II Course
University of Bristol LLM (2000), Employment Law, Evidence, European Law & European Social Policy.
Professional Memberships:
- Employment Lawyers Association
- Employment Law Bar Association
- Industrial Law Society
- Justice
Directory Comments:
"Stephen Roberts is ‘always well prepared, extremely knowledgeable and is a favourite with clients’." - UK Legal 500 2011
Stephen Roberts has a broad employment practice encompassing unfair dismissals, contractual disputes, TUPE and discrimination cases. Clients like his "direct and straightforward approach." - Chambers 2010
Stephen Roberts impresses with his "cool-headed approach and will to win." - Chambers and Partners 2009
"staightforward and intellectual" Stephen Roberts enjoys postive market feedback.' - Chambers and Partners 2008
Stephen Roberts "strikes a chord" with clients. He is lauded for his "experienced, mature outlook" and for being "good value." - Chambers and Partners 2007
