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Lord (John) Hendy KC

Silk: 1987 | Call: 1972

"He is one of the outstanding employment lawyers of this, or any other, generation."

Chambers & Partners 2024

"A giant in the field of industrial relations law."

The Legal 500 2024

"John is one of the country’s leading employment silks. Very strong on all collective labour issues, particularly the relationship between UK law and human rights jurisprudence. A gifted advocate who speaks with authority in court."

The Legal 500 2023

"Lord Hendy is a true dean of the Employment Bar."

Chambers & Partners 2023

Overview

Overview

Lord Hendy KC was called to the Bar in 1972 and after establishing and running a law centre for three years and lecturing for a year, he started practice in 1977 and took silk in 1987. He is, without a doubt, best known for his work in industrial relations and employment law, having appeared in most of the UK’s leading collective labour law cases in the last 45 years.

Recent comments in the Directories say:

Chambers & Partners 2021: “He has an unrivalled knowledge of trade union laws and rights, and he has repeatedly put that knowledge to good use when defending workers and their unions.” “He has the complete respect of the judiciary and it is no exaggeration to say that he is a giant at the Bar. He is the man for the hardest and most controversial cases which require tremendous courage and intellectual stamina.”
Legal 500 2019: “He is a Rolls-Royce amongst the senior echelons of the Bar.”
Chambers & Partners 2019: “He is just phenomenal: his cross-examinations are a joy to behold.” “A go-to barrister for trade unions and one of the foremost experts in the area of industrial relations.”
Legal 500 2018: he “combines exceptional powers of reasoning with compassion and humanity” and “his manner with both clients and the court is exemplary.”
Who’s Who Legal 2018: he is “unparalleled in all matters of collective labour law” and “a sonorous courtroom presence, which commands respect”.

Career

1969 LLB (London University external degree; studied at Ealing Technical College, now part of the University of West London)
1970 Post-graduate Diploma in Law (Queen’s, Belfast)
1971 LLM (Queen’s, Belfast)
1972 Call to Bar (Gray’s Inn)
1972-3 Pupillage
1973-6 Director (full-time), Newham Rights Centre, East London
1976-7 Lecturer (welfare law), Middlesex Polytechnic (now University)
1977 Began practice at the Bar of England and Wales
1987 Appointed Queen’s Counsel
1995 Appointed Bencher of Gray’s Inn
1998 Admitted to Bar of New South Wales
1999-2008 Head of Old Square Chambers
1999-2005 Visiting Professor, School of Law, Kings College, London
2019 Life peerage, the Lord Hendy KC, of Hayes and Harlington

Positions currently held

Since 2014, John has been an Honorary Professor in the Faculty of Law, University College, London and a member of its Labour Rights Institute. He is also:

A Bencher (retired) of Gray’s Inn
Chair of the Institute of Employment Rights
President of the International Centre for Trade Union Rights
A Vice-President of the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom
A Vice-President of the Industrial Law Society
A Vice-President of the Haldane Society
A Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine
A Fellow of the Society of Advanced Legal Studies
A former senior advocacy trainer, Gray’s Inn
A consultant to the International Trade Union Confederation in Brussels

Other relevant memberships

Employment Lawyers Association
Employment Law Bar Association (Chair, 2003-5)
Human Rights Lawyers’ Association
Industrial Law Society
New South Wales Bar Association
South Eastern Circuit

He was an advisor to the Shadow Secretary of State for Employment Rights, Laura Pidcock MP, 2018-2019; Rachael Maskell MP, 2019-2020; Andy MacDonald MP, 2020-2021.
A writer and frequent speaker on trade union rights issues, in July 2012, John was honoured to address the Durham Miners’ Gala to an audience of 80,000. He has twice addressed the Annual Conference of the Industrial Law Society and frequently spoken at their evening meetings and at meetings of the Employment Law Bar Association.

To download a full CV, please click here.

Professional Recommendations

 

“You couldn’t find better representation. I hold him in the highest esteem.”

Chambers & Partners 2024

“He is one of the outstanding employment lawyers of this, or any other, generation.”

Chambers & Partners 2024

“John is the best at client service and is a class act.”

Chambers & Partners 2024

“A giant in the field of industrial relations law.”

The Legal 500 2024

“Lord Hendy is a true dean of the Employment Bar.”

Chambers & partners 2023

“John is one of the country’s leading employment silks. Very strong on all collective labour issues, particularly the relationship between UK law and human rights jurisprudence. A gifted advocate who speaks with authority in court.”

The Legal 500 2023

“He has an unrivalled knowledge of trade union laws and rights, and he has repeatedly put that knowledge to good use when defending workers and their unions.” “He has the complete respect of the judiciary and it is no exaggeration to say that he is a giant at the Bar. He is the man for the hardest and most controversial cases which require tremendous courage and intellectual stamina.”

Chambers & Partners 2022

“He’s the claimant trade union lawyer without any equal.” “He is a great courtroom advocate with a wealth of experience.”

Chambers & Partners 2021

“Has the ear of the senior judges and the total respect and admiration of his peers. He is the most gifted of draftsmen, an ingenious lawyer and a compassionate and empathetic adviser. If there is a real fight to be had, you go to John.”

The Legal 500 2021

“He is just phenomenal: his cross-examinations are a joy to behold.” “A go-to barrister for trade unions and one of the foremost experts in the area of industrial relations.”

Chambers & Partners 2020

“He is a Rolls-Royce amongst the senior echelons of the Bar.”

The Legal 500 2020

Chambers & Partners 2019 credit “His knowledge of the area is second to none and he is extremely dedicated to the cause’ and call him ‘a very good and level-headed advocate’.”  The Legal 500 2018 say he “combines exceptional powers of reasoning with compassion and humanity” and that “his manner with both clients and the court is exemplary.” Chambers & Partners 2017 call him “a forceful and robust advocate, and tremendously authoritative” and place him in “The top flight of industrial action lawyers” adding that “He’s absolutely first class, one of the top advocates for complex medical and employment-related disciplinary cases. If you want someone to really go for it, he’s first-rate and hugely experienced.” The Legal 500 2015 describes him as “One of the best advocates at the Bar; supreme in the field of collective labour law”. Chambers & Partners 2015 says: “Recognised as the leading silk at the Employment Bar when it comes to handling industrial relations cases … His experience and skill in this area are lauded by clients and peers alike, who also praise him for his straightforward and effective advocacy” and Chambers & Partners 2014 said: “A major figure in cases involving industrial relations, and a go-to barrister for a number of unions. He is well known for his work on high-profile, precedent-setting cases, and is an expert on injunctive restraints to industrial relations.” “He is an incredibly calm advocate who is very creative in looking at cases and taking them to the appellate level.” Chambers & Partners 2013 spoke of “the absolutely excellent Lord Hendy KC, who is a terrific fighter and an authoritative silk respected by opposing counsel, instructing solicitors and members of the judiciary.” “A leading specialist in industrial relations cases, market sources say he superbly handles work of the utmost complexity and he continues to be a favoured choice of many notable solicitors for cutting-edge cases.” The Legal 500 2013 described “Star performer Lord Hendy KC as an extremely versatile advocate who can master any area of law.” Chambers & Partners 2012 recorded that he “has the gravitas to pull off difficult arguments” and Chambers & Partners 2011 said he is “capable of looking at cases from angles others might not, he is a very through advocate who certainly captures the attention of the court”; he is “a delight to deal with”, “has a really nice touch with clients” and “advocacy skills that simply knock opponents out.” It said that “solicitors favour him as he is always thorough and well prepared, and has total command of the documents in front of him”. The Legal 500 2011 described him as an “outstanding leader with unrivalled knowledge of trade union law”.

Expertise

Industrial Relations & Employment

Administrative & Public Law

Inquests & Public Inquiries


Recent and current work

Relevant Work

Notable cases

Key contacts

Olivia Moliterno

Team Leader
Olivia Moliterno Telephone Clerk020 7269 0477 Email Clerk

Manisha Agheda

Junior Team Leader Assistant
Manisha Agheda Telephone Clerk020 7269 0300 Email Clerk
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