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Profile
Paul Gilroy’s reputation is principally based on his employment practice. He has for some years been recognised by Chambers & Partners, The Legal 500, and Legal Experts as a leader in this field.
Paul Gilroy has a particular interest in sports-related litigation. He recently successfully acted for Martin O’Neill in his wrongful dismissal claim against Aston Villa before the FA Premier League Tribunal, and Jim Magilton in his claim against Ipswich Town. Also in the 2010/2011 football season he acted for or advised Mark Hughes, Roy Hodgson, Gerard Houllier, Phil Brown, Darren Ferguson, George Burley, Ray Wilkins, Steve Clarke, Sir Alex Ferguson, Owen Coyle, Roberto Martinez, Alex McLeish, Neil Warnock, Chris Hughton, David Moyes, Harry Redknapp and Roberto Di Matteo, amongst others.
Paul Gilroy is a specialist member of the FA's Judicial Panel, and a member of the FA Judicial Appeal Board. He is also a Legal Member of the National Anti-Doping Panel.
He has been instructed in high profile public inquiries, and has wide-ranging experience in the field of professional discipline, both acting in and conducting disciplinary hearings for Universities and sports bodies and in the NHS.
Later in 2011 he is instructed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission in the Court of Appeal in the leading age discrimination case of Woodcock v Cumbria PCT.
He contributes to professional publications, has annotated employment legislation for Current Law Statutes, has been engaged by Sweet & Maxwell to assist in editing the Encyclopaedia on Employment Law, and is a frequent speaker on employment law topics to professional and other audiences, for example, leading the opening debate at the 2011 Employment Lawyers Association Conference on the subject of the Equality Act 2010.
Memberships
Employment Lawyers Association, Employment Law Bar Association.
Appointments
- Legal Member of National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) - Sport Resolutions (appointed 2010)
- Member of the Judicial Appeal Board of the Football Association (appointed 2008)
- Specialist Member of the Judicial Panel of the Football Association (appointed 2007)
- Member of the Chairperson's List, Sports Dispute Resolution Panel- Panel of Arbitrators (appointed 2007)
- Former member of the Treasury Panel for Junior Counsel (appointed 2000)
- Part-time Judge of Employment Tribunals (appointed 2000)
NOTABLE CASES
• Provident v Hayward [1989] 3 All ER 298 (CA) (Garden Leave)
• YKK v Ely [1993] IRLR 500 (CA) (Equivocal resignation/ SOSR)
• Cantona v Doyle [1996] (CC) (Civil Assault)
• Bell v Manchester City FC [1997] (ET) (Unfair Dismissal)
• Tyrer v Rugby Football League [1998] (HC) (Bye-laws of professional sports body - Restraint of Trade)
• Abbey National v Formoso [1999] IRLR 22 (EAT) (Pregnancy Discrimination)
• Hoyland v Asda Stores Limited [2005] IRLR 438 (EAT) (Equal Pay)
• Khudados v Hayden and others [2007] EWCA Civ 1316 (Court of Appeal) (Conduct of Litigation)
• Michalak v Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust [2007] (QBD) (NHS Consultant - Injunctive Relief)
• Oyarce v Cheshire County Council [2008] IRLR 653 (Court of Appeal) (Reversal of Burden of Proof in claims of Victimisation under the Race Relations Act)
• Lucy and others v British Airways plc [2009] (EAT) (Unlawful Deductions)
• Curbishley v West Ham United [2009] (FA Premier League) (Wrongful Constructive Dismissal)
• Bampouras and others v Edge Hill University [2010] EAT (Unfair Dismissal)
• Goode v Marks and Spencer plc [2010] (EAT) (Whistleblowing)
• Magilton v Ipswich Town [2011] (QBD) (Wrongful Dismissal)
• O’Neill v Aston Villa [2011] (FA Premier League) (Wrongful Constructive Dismissal)
Quotes
A lawyer who "has the gravitas and standing that comes from years of battling away in the employment trenches," he is "a peerless performer before the tribunal." Chambers & Partners 2011
Paul Gilroy QC “performed brilliantly” in a recent high-value case. Legal 500 Directory 2011
Paul Gilroy QC is, according to feedback, an excellent performer who is a cut above other silks... His "sharp, quick-witted style is entertaining to watch, even from the other side". Chambers & Partners 2010
Solicitors and clients admire the "robust, user-friendly and extremely commercial" Paul Gilroy QC, who remains "top of the list" for many interviewees. They admire "his willingness to really roll up his sleeves" and his capacity for bridging the gap between solicitors and barristers. Chambers & Partners 2009
"...the strongest silk on (the Northern) circuit for employment." Legal 500 Directory 2009
Class act Paul Gilroy QC wins high praise for his "speed, robustness and excellent grasp of detail." Appointed silk in 2006, he is deemed to have "enormous experience" and an "appropriate tenacity in court." Chambers & Partners 2008
The "excellent and evergreen" Paul Gilroy QC thrives in the market and remains the principal player here due to his comprehensive employment and tribunal experience. Chambers & Partners 2007
Paul Gilroy was applauded for his "depth of expertise across a wide range of traditional employment law issues." Apart from his obvious intellectual ability, the market commended his client-friendly, commercially astute approach. Chambers & Partners (*Starred - ie. higher than Grade 1 - rating) 2006
Paul Gilroy "stands head and shoulders above the rest" say solicitors. Researchers heard that his ability to pick up a case and knock it into shape is "phenomenal." Interviewees commented: "He is great at taking something shapeless and giving it the 'Armani' touch." A combination of high intellect, a down-to-earth manner and impressive client skills make sources "sing his praises from the rooftops." The bulk of his work is on behalf of respondents, although he also undertakes instructions from applicants as well. TUPE, discrimination, including sexual orientation cases, class actions. Paul Gilroy is renowned for his disciplinary work, and acted on two class actions over the past year. Solicitors praised him as outstanding, with a brilliant commercial slant. Chambers & Partners 2005
"Performs cross-examination by scalpel." Legal 500 Directory, 2005
