Christopher Howells

Christopher Howells

Chris is ranked as a Chambers UK Guide ‘Leader in their field’ and a leading barrister for Employment Law. Resident in the United Kingdom (UK), he is a specialist in Personal Injuries and Clinical Negligence, where he is often asked to conduct employer liability and stress at work claims in conjunction with his employment law practice. He also practices general commercial litigation.

Chris’ employment practice ranges from routine unfair dismissal claims to discrimination claims on all of the prohibited grounds. He is also regularly instructed to deal with sometimes complex Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE) cases, particularly involving insolvent employers.

Chris has appeared on behalf of a number of well-known companies before employment tribunals across the UK. This is supplemented by a strong following of smaller businesses and organisations. Chris also has a strong Claimant-based following. This balance between Claimant/Respondent workload has provided Chris with an invaluable insight as to how to most effectively present the cases that he is instructed to deal with.

Chris also has a wide range of experience in personal injury work with a mixed practice of Claimant and Respondent work. He is happy to undertake appropriate cases on a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) basis.

Recent notable cases

  • Arriva Trains Wales v Conant, EAT November 2011. Appeal against the ET’s finding that the Claimant’s dismissal had been unfair. It was argued on appeal that the ET had fallen into error by substituting its own opinion as to the fairness of the dismissal for that of the employer. The decision of the EAT is pending
  • Cox v Northern Devon NHS, EAT 2011. Successful appeal against the decision to restrict the Claimant’s damages to a nominal period of time. The EAT upheld the submission that the ET had failed to correctly apply the relevant legal principles to this case
  • Proctor v Caerau Lane Surgery, ET 2010. Instructions received on behalf of the Claimant. Substantial damages were awarded to the Claimant nurse after the ET upheld her claim of constructive dismissal following a 5 day hearing
  • Merrigan v University of Gloucestershire, ET 2010. Instructions received on behalf of the Respondent. The Claimant had raised a number of serious allegations against the University, none which were upheld by the tribunal. The claim succeeded on a limited basis, for which a modest sum in damages was awarded, and substantially less than the Claimant had invited the ET to award
  • Phillips v Bradshaw, Birmingham County Court, 2009. High value, multi-track claim following a serious motorcycling accident that nearly resulted in the Claimant’s leg being amputated below the knee.

Practice Areas

  • Clinical Negligence
  • Labour and Employment
  • Litigation
  • Personal Injury

Education

  • Cambridge University, MPhil., MA, 2000
  • Inns of Court School of Law, B.V.C., 1999
  • University College London, LL.B., 1998
  • Atlantic College, St Donat’s, International Baccalaureate, 1995

Bar Admissions

  • England and Wales, 1999

Affiliations and Engagements

  • Employment Lawyers’ Association, Wales and Chester Circuit, PIBA
  • Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn

Chris regularly delivers continuing professional development accredited training in his specialist fields and contributes to national and specialist publications.

    E-mail: info@londonhousechambers.com
    Skype: londonhousechambers
    Phone(Guyana): +(592) 231 1882
    Phone (US): +(516) 323 5309
    Fax: +1(610) 423-3829

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