Louisa Simpson

Louisa is regularly instructed on behalf of both Claimants and Respondents in multi-day final hearings in the Employment Tribunal, including cases involving race, disability sexual orientation and sex discrimination.

Recently Louisa has successfully represented Respondents in an unfair dismissal claim relating to refusal to return to work during the pandemic, and a five-day disability discrimination claim.

Louisa is regularly instructed to provide advice on merit, quantum and tactics, and to draft grievance and appeal documents, pleadings, schedules of loss and without prejudice correspondence seeking to resolve matters without recourse to litigation.

Notable cases:

Mr James Dunbar -v- Abellio London Ltd 2307750/2020: The Claimant claimed he was automatically unfairly dismissed on the basis the reason for his dismissal was due to not returning to work due to concerns about contracting coronavirus. Louisa successfully persuaded the Tribunal that whilst there were “circumstances of danger”, he could have “reasonably averted” that danger by following government guidance at the time (socially distancing, wearing masks and washing hands). The fact the Claimant did not feel these would have been sufficient cannot be the Respondent’s responsibility. The reason for dismissal was therefore not refusing to return to work while a danger persisted, but unauthorised absence. As such Louisa was successful in having the claim dismissed.

Mr Anthony Courtney v AGTC Ltd 3312782/2021: The Claimant claimed he was subjected to numerous instances of disability discrimination, harassment and victimisation, which Louisa successfully defended.