Isabel Baylis

PROFILE

Isabel accepts instructions in civil matters, having appeared in the County Court, High Court and Employment Tribunals. She has a specialism in employment.

EMPLOYMENT

Recent experience includes: 

• Representing 31 Claimants in a TULCRA protective award claim
• Representing the Respondent in a claim related to the Sunday Working Regulations
• Representing Respondents and Claimants in various health and safety related cases including considerations of s44 and s100 of the Employment Rights Act and Covid 19 related whistleblowing
• Representing the Claimant in a seven-day whistleblowing and disability discrimination claim
• Representing Claimants and Respondents in worker status claims
• Representing three Respondents in multi-party whistleblowing claim (Company and two Directors) and unlawful deduction of wages. This case included a complicated issue around the capacity of one of the witnesses
• Representing the Claimant for claims in Constructive (automatic) unfair dismissal Sex discrimination, Maternity discrimination, Flexible Working.
• Representing the Claimant in an associative discrimination claim
• Representing a Respondent care home in a combined ‘no jab no job’ claim with 80 claimants.

Isabel thoroughly enjoys cases with novel and discrete points of law and regularly represents Claimants and Respondents in preliminary hearings including on issues relating to TUPE, jurisdiction, time limits, contractual points and disability status. Recent preliminary/advisory points include whether a claimant can bring a wrongful dismissal claim if no damages are owed, whether a claimant can have multiple employers for the same position and issues of jurisdiction arising from the proliferation of remote working practices. 

Isabel regularly receives positive reviews from both solicitors and lay clients, particularly her quick and thorough grasp of the law and evidence, her cross examination and her empathy for clients going through a stressful process e.g.

“She immediately grasped the very complex case within a few days of reading the evidence and the statements. Her assessment of strengths and any potential weaknesses of the case showed her deeper understanding of employment law. She was a joy to watch in action! Isabel was professional and was empathetic with us. The way in which she navigated this ET was exemplary and we cannot thank her enough.” [GP Partner Respondents, who Isabel represented at lengthy disability discrimination hearing, all claims dismissed]

Public/Regulatory

Isabel is on the Government Legal Department junior junior scheme and accepts instructions on a range of government related work. She is currently acting as a junior to Joanna Vicary on a multi-million pound tax fraud case for HMRC. She has also advised employers of tax implications on employment claims.

Isabel undertakes regulatory work, particularly on behalf of Social Work England, including High Court applications and Fitness to Practice proceedings.

Commercial/chancery

Isabel undertakes contractual disputes in the county court, including strike out applications. Isabel is particularly instructed where there is a cross over with employment law. She has recent experience advising/drafting a HR team on a direct access basis for claims of breach of contract in the county court from a former agency worker. She has experience drafting pleadings for restrictive covenant cases.

Civil, including Court of Protection

Isabel accepts instructions in personal injury, road traffic accident and MOJ stage 3 claims. She also has experience of Court of Protection.

Public Access

Isabel is public access qualified and regularly undertakes work on a direct access basis, particularly as instructed by HR professionals in employment tribunals or employment related county court cases.

Professional positions

Isabel sits on the Bar Council Disability Panel and is a Chambers Equality and Diversity Officer.

Professional memberships and organisations: ELA and ELBA.

CAREER HISTORY

Isabel enjoys pro bono work and does work both for Advocate and the Disability Law Service. Before coming to the Bar, Isabel had a successful and varied career including in local government and the charitable sector. She developed an innovative legal rights project for a charity, which was featured on Radio 4. Later, she worked at a large commercial barrister’s chambers in London running equality, diversity and outreach projects. As part of this, she sat on Bar Council committees and drafted guidance on employment related matters that is used across the Bar.