Joanne Connolly
Appointments:
Fee Paid Employment Judge, Midlands West region 2010
Scholarships and Prizes:
Inns of Court Studentship,
Jules Thorn Scholarship
Associations:
Employment Lawyers Association,
Standing Council of Mediation Advocates
Education:
LLB (Hons), Nottingham University
SPECIALIST AREAS OF PRACTICE
Exclusively employment law and employment related disputes whether in the Tribunal, County Court or High Court.
APPOINTMENTS
Fee Paid Employment Judge, Midlands West region 2010
PROFILE
Joanne has been named by Chambers & Partners in the top band of employment law barristers for a number of years. She is pleased to act for both employers and employees, for the public sector and the private sector and for in-house solicitors as well as those in private practice. Her work incorporates employment disputes in all areas including the NHS, education, banking, local government, the police and the legal profession as well as in business generally. She regularly handles where there is a great deal at stake whether in terms of compensation, number of employees affected or publicity. Her practice focuses on the higher-value, more complex, sensitive or multi-week discrimination, transfer of undertakings, whistle-blowing and working time claims but also includes unfair dismissal and redundancy claims. She is experienced at both first instance and appellate level. She also has substantial experience of acting as a representative in mediations.
CASES
Bessong v Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust UKEAT/0247/18 Choudhury J - a claim that an employer was liable for harassment by a third party where the issue on appeal centred on the nature and extent of the UK's obligations in this regard under EU law and the consequent interpretation of the EqA 2010.
Mediguard v Thame [1994] IRLR 504, EAT - whether compensation for unfair dismissal was pay within Article 119 of the Treaty of Rome
Regina v Azmy [1996] 7 Med LR 415 - acting on behalf of an NHS trust where the issue was the entitlement of a defendant in a criminal trial to a complainant’s medical records
Staffordshire County Council v Barber [1996] ICR 379, CA - listed together with Biggs v Somerset County Council, resjudicata and time limits in Tribunal claims brought under EC law
UNISON and others v RCO Support Services & others [2002] EWCA Civ 464 - whether the transfer of undertakings regulations applied to contracting out in the service industry
Batty v BSB [2002] EWCA Civ 648 - employment contract dispute re the right to withhold salary from a senior executive
Kirton v Tetrosyl [2003] EWCA Civ 619 - whether a condition caused by the surgical treatment for cancer could amount to a disability within the meaning of the DDA 1995
North Wales Probation Area v Edwards UKEAT/0468/07 - employment status of sessional workers
Patel v Oldham MBC & the Governors of Rushcroft Primary School [2010] IRLR 280 - whether the effects of two consecutive, connected conditions could be aggregated for the purpose of determining whether a condition was long term within the meaning of the DDA 1995
Marcroft v Heartland (Midlands) Ltd [2011] EWCA Civ 438 - the application of TUPE to an employee who was working out his notice and was unaware of the details of the transfer or his right to object.
Employment (Northern Bar): Leading Junior Band 1
"A great advocate with superb cross-examination skills, who is wonderful with clients."
Chambers and Partners 2020
Employment – ranked Tier 1
“A highly intelligent barrister with a keen forensic mind.”
Legal 500 2019
Employment – Northern (Bar): Leading Barrister (Band 1)
"An excellent, experienced advocate who is intelligent and pragmatic."
"She is always well prepared and has a great manner with clients." "Super-sharp and ultra-focused."
Chambers and Partners UK Bar 2019
"Incredibly thorough and well prepared, she always has complete grasp of the paperwork."
Chambers and Partners 2018
'Recommended for disability discrimination and unfair dismissal claims.'
Legal 500, 2017
"Has cultivated a reputation for her expertise in disability discrimination claims but is also notably experienced in unfair dismissal, whistle-blowing and equal pay claims. She is instructed by a variety of clients including those from local authorities, the education sector, corporate bodies and the NHS. 'She's an experienced advocate.' 'Always on top of the papers and someone with huge attention to detail, she never loses sight of the commercial goal.' "
Chambers and Partners 2017
"Receives instructions from both public and private clients in matters ranging from standard cases of redundancy or unfair dismissal to complex equal pay, working time, TUPE and discrimination work. 'She's readily accessible, easy to work with and puts clients' needs first.' 'Intelligence, great advocacy and great client skills - she has all three.'"
Chambers and Partners 2016
"the 'go-to' junior for disability discrimination claims"
Who’s Who Legal UK Bar 2015
"She is an excellent and experienced advocate who is clever and approachable. She also has excellent client skills."
Chambers & Partners 2015
"Experienced in disability discrimination claims."
Legal 500 2014
"She is exceptionally bright and very tenacious. She is great at getting her point across and clients like her - which helps. She is one of the strongest juniors on circuit."
Chambers & Partners 2014
"clever, personable and good to work with"
Legal 500 2013
“Joanne Connolly is another impressive junior at the set who ‘ticks all the boxes,’ and has ‘a brilliant mind.’ She has the ‘ability to put a client at ease straight away,’ and tackles a comprehensive employment practice. Disability discrimination cases are a particular forte for her.”
Chambers & Partners 2013
“Joanne Connolly attracts consistent praise for her ‘excellent attention to detail and down-to-earth advice.’ She dedicates her practice solely to employment law issues, from redundancy claims to working time and whistle-blowing matters.”
Chambers & Partners 2012
"Recommended"
Legal 500, 2011
"Joanne Connolly is prized for her shrewd, direct and extremely professional attitude. According to sources, she is able to really identify with our business and its aspirations."
Chambers & Partners 2011
"Joanne Connolly impresses clients by being "clear and pragmatic in her presentation" and for understanding the commercial realities faced by her clients"
Chambers & Partners 2010
"A lawyer with a reputation for 'efficiency and relentless thoroughness', and someone with considerable experience of equal pay claims for Local Authority."
Chambers & Partners 2009
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