Isabel Baylis

Isabel accepts instructions in civil matters, with a specialism in employment. She covers all areas of employment law.

Employment

Recent experience includes:

• Representing 31 Claimants in a TULCRA protective award claim
• Representing Respondent in automatic unfair dismissal for whistleblowing around Covid 19 health and safety
• Representing the Claimant in a seven-day whistleblowing and disability discrimination claim
• Representing Claimants and Respondents in worker status claims, including a Respondent hairdressing salon contending the Claimant was ‘self employed’, which followed a string of case law on whether salon chair renters are self employed, employees or workers
• 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 Respondent in disability discrimination (reasonable adjustments, discrimination arising, direct discrimination) and unlawful deduction of wages
• Representing Claimant for claims in Constructive (automatic) unfair dismissal Sex discrimination, Maternity discrimination, Flexible Working.
• Representing Claimant in an associative discrimination claim

She regularly represents Claimants and Respondents in preliminary hearings including on issues relating to TUPE, jurisdiction, time limits, contractual points and disability status.

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 eg

“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]

Civil, including Court of Protection 

Isabel accepts instructions in personal injury, road traffic accident and MOJ stage 3 claims. She has recently started taking instructions in Court of Protection cases and is keen to expand in this area. Her latest instructions involved representing a Hospital Trust, which was caring for a patient with a Deprivation of Liberty in place.

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.

Public

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.

Public Access

Isabel is public access qualified.

Career history

Isabel volunteers for the Disability Law Service, providing pro bono representation with employment cases. She previously volunteered with the Free Representation Unit. 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. 

She currently sits on the Bar Council Disability Panel.

Professional memberships and organisations: ELA and ELBA.

Prescribed Information

Isabel Baylis is a practising barrister, regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB). The information held by the BSB about her can be found here.

Isabel's clerks will provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that she provides. It is most common for Isabel to undertake Court and Tribunal work for a brief fee plus refresher days, although fixed fees are available. For paperwork, Isabel most commonly charges at an hourly rate, although fixed fees are available. Isabel will typically return paperwork within 10-14 days, however professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation can affect these approximate timescales.