Ben Jones

Ben advises and represents claimants and respondents in matters spanning the range of statutory employment disputes. He is regularly instructed in multi-day and multi-week trials in Employment Tribunals across the country.

Ben is in demand for his meticulous preparation and incisive cross-examination. He has been instructed in various high-value, high-profile and complex trials, and is in demand not only for his ability to secure positive outcomes in difficult cases, but also for his user-friendly manner with clients.

As well as appearing before the Tribunal at all stages of disputes (from case management and preliminary applications; through to remedy hearings; costs applications; and reconsideration hearings; and appeals) Ben is also experienced at negotiating advantageous terms of settlement both in judicial mediations and outside of Tribunal.

On appeal Ben appears increasingly regularly at appellate level. Before the EAT he has appeared unled for Claimants and Respondents both in advancing and resisting appeals. He has also recently appeared, led by Betsan Criddle, before the Court of Appeal in Bath Hill Court v Coletta [2019] EWCA Civ 1707.

Before coming to the Bar Ben worked on labour law issues during his prior academic career. He has attended various international conferences to present papers on UK employment law and continues to contribute to publications in the field.

Ben regularly accepts instructions to conduct all forms of internal processes.

His recent experience includes:

• Investigating various grievances brought by senior/director-level employees (both as sole-instructed investigator, and also as a junior investigator within a multi-investigator team);
• Investigating allegations of misconduct (including various forms of discrimination) by staff in public, private and third sector organisations;
• Investigating allegations of discrimination by members of the public against an employee (including making recommendations for further action in respect of involved staff and also identifying institutional issues);
• Investigating complaints by member of trade unions against senior union officials;
• Acting on behalf of an NHS Trust in internal disciplinary proceedings (at consultant level); and
• Acting in an NHS internal appeal against dismissal (also at consultant level).

Ben welcomes all instructions in professional regulatory proceedings. He has experience of various regulators (including, in particular, the GPhC) and has, through a secondment with a national firm specialising in the field, gained exposure to all stages of various regulatory proceedings from investigation through final hearing.

As noted under “internal processes”, above, as well as having acted on behalf of senior medical practitioners and NHS Trusts in employment proceedings Ben has also been instructed in internal disciplinary proceedings by Trust management. Ben has experience of cases involving overlapping processes (including counter-fraud and criminal investigations alongside internal disciplinary and employment matters).

Ben also has a history of engagement with medical practitioners stretching back long before his call to the Bar (through his academic research on, and volunteering work in relation to, the regulation of stem-cell research).

Ben has a robust grounding in civil employment matters. He has advised variously on the enforceability of restrictive covenants, responding to theft of confidential information, and litigating database rights.

He has been instructed in high-value wrongful dismissal claims before the High Court and is experienced in advising on civil litigation procedure (including costs budgeting) and issues arising around multi-forum disputes.

Ben is also pleased to advise upon urgent matters and to prepare/respond to applications for injunctive relief/speedy trial.

Ben regularly acts for claimants, defendants and insurers in personal injury proceedings on the fast and multi-tracks.

Ben attends hearings from CCMCs and application hearings through to trial and costs matters. He regularly appears in, advises on, and drafts documents for EL, PL and RTA matters, including multiple defendant proceedings. He has been instructed in claims up to multimillion values.

Ben accepts instructions through the GLD junior junior scheme and is on the Welsh Government National Procurement Service panel of approved counsel.

Ben has assisted in the preparation and conduct of various judicial reviews and related appeals (up to Supreme Court level).

Prior to coming to the Bar, Ben researched and taught public law and human rights law. He has contributed work to international research projects funded by the European Parliament, European Commission, and the Qatar Foundation.

Ben also welcomes instructions in sport-related investigations, employment disputes, contract disputes, and also proceedings under bespoke governing body rules.

• Wm Morrison Supermarkets Plc v Various Claimants & Barclays Bank Plc v Various Claimants
• Ben Jones contributes to study on atypical working relationships in EU
• Bath Hill Court v Coletta [2019] EWCA Civ 1707
• Betsan Criddle and Ben Jones in Court of Appeal today in Bath Hill Court Management Ltd v Coletta
• Ben Jones obtains six figure compensation in maternity discrimination claim