Robert Lassey

PROFILE

Since completion of his Pupillage in 2017, Robert has specialised in litigation across the gamut of Employment law. Despite his relatively junior level of call, he has quickly developed a formidable track record of successfully appearing on behalf of multiple parties in technically complex heavyweight cases which would ordinarily be reserved for significantly more senior Counsel. Constantly in demand with Partners and Senior Solicitors from some of the UK's most distinguished law firms, Robert predominantly acts for high-net-worth individuals and large multi-national Respondent companies, as well as various local authorities and NHS trusts.

AREAS OF PRACTICE

EMPLOYMENT

Robert undertakes work in all areas of Employment law. He has considerable experience in the conduct of multi-day and multi-week hearings (both preliminary and final) in a wide range of demanding cases. His formidable practice also extends to dealing with other complex hearing types including: applications for interim relief, judicial mediations, remedy hearings, and appeals to the EAT / CoA.

With a particular expertise in discrimination, victimisation, and whistleblowing cases, Robert has already attracted recognition from both legal directories, with The Legal 500 describing him as a 'rising star' (2023 & 2024 eds) and Chambers and Partners ranking him as the only 'up and coming' Employment law junior on the Northern Circuit (2023 & 2024 eds).

Recent examples of his work include:

EAT

• A successful appeal against a lay-majority finding of direct race discrimination concerning a Council’s investigation into claims of misconduct by a care worker (Bonsu v Stockport MBC [2023] UKEAT 74);
• A successful and well-publicised appeal on procedural irregularity concerning the dismissal of a labourer following an assertion of a statutory right. Robert’s argument has been cited as a precedent in Harvey (Stone v Burflex (Scaffolding) Ltd [2021] UKEAT 0246/20, [2021] LELR 750); and
• A successful defence of an appeal pertaining to an ET’s decision to grant a 'de minimis' award at a remedy hearing following an initial Rule 21 Judgment (Bertrand v Steinhoff UK Retail Ltd [2018] UKET 1400960/2017).

ET

• Appearing alone for five Respondents against two Claimants in a complex 17-day claim involving over 200 allegations of discrimination across five protected characteristics (judgment not available for reasons of confidentiality);
• Appearing alone for two Claimants in a 15-day whistleblowing / unfair dismissal complaint concerning the dismissal of three car plant operatives accused of bullying (Mr K Flanagan (1) Mr A Rothery (2) & Mr S Flanagan (3) v Vauxhall Motors Ltd [2023] UKET 2405923/2019); and
• Representing the Respondent in a 6-day claim for sexual harassment involving multiple allegations of sexual assault, abuse of managerial power, and the exchange of intimate bodily photographs over social media. Following the dismissal of her claims, the Claimant was ordered to pay the Respondent £11,300 in costs. (Liability judgment not available for reasons of confidentiality. Costs judgment available at: A v B and C [2023] UKET 1805728/2021).

Robert also enjoys a considerable drafting practice. He is frequently instructed to settle pleadings and provide advice in high value claims on complex points of law and strategy. He is similarly adept at handling Discrimination and/or Employment-orientated contractual disputes in the County and/or High Courts, and welcomes instructions in this regard.

Recent instructions have included:

• Drafting grounds of complaint in a complicated 25-day whistleblowing claim against a well-known global media corporation;
• Drafting grounds of resistance for a national distribution business accused of wrongful dismissal and breach of contract by an ex-manager; and
• Drafting grounds of complaint for a Senior Solicitor accused of gross misconduct and breach of contract by a national law firm.

Whilst at university, Robert was previously involved with a number of community-based fundraising and volunteering endeavours, successful in amassing over £100,000 for local causes; a charitable spirit which he maintains in practice by volunteering with several Employment law pro-bono initiatives including; ELAAS, Advocate, and FRU.

MEDIATION

Robert is a qualified Civil, Commercial, and Workplace Mediator. He provides mediation services in a wide array of cases, with a particular focus on workplace relations.

CRIMINAL

Complimenting his Employment law work, Robert has also developed a thriving Criminal practice, undertaking all aspects of Criminal work. He is consistently instructed by both the Prosecution and Defence and is currently a Category 2 Prosecutor. He has a particular interest in cases involving a crossover with his Employment law practice.

OTHER

Alongside his busy practice, Robert also holds a position as a Guest Lecturer at BPP Law School in Manchester.

Away from work, Robert is a keen actor. Having been a committed member of a local Youth Theatre charity for almost twenty years, he currently serves as Chairman of the organisation's Board of Trustees. When time permits, he also enjoys playing tennis, and listening to classical music.

ARTICLES

• ‘The Last Rights?’ Accessing Rights to Information and Consultation in the Time of Covid-19
• ‘When Hard Work Doesn’t Pay’ A Review of the Working Time and the National Minimum Wage Frameworks
• ‘Barely Recognisable’ The Case for Reform of Schedule A1 of TULR(C)A 1992
• ‘In Defence of the Status Quo’ Employment Status & The Taylor Review: A Gig Perspective
• ‘Service Contracts: Just Another Hair Brained Scheme?’