Our Expertise

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Richard Ryan

Richard is a barrister with experience on both sides of the profession spanning over 20 years, having trained and qualified as a solicitor at a leading City law firm and then transferring to the bar in 2014; this gives him an unique insight into the litigation process, enabling him to support lay and professional clients at every stage. He is described in the leading legal directories as an "accomplished advocate" (Legal500) who provides "pragmatic and commercial advice" (Chambers &amp; Partners).Richard has progressed his career at the bar by developing a busy and broad <strong>civil and commercial practice</strong>, within Chambers' areas of expertise but with a particular emphasis on: <ul> <li><strong>Employment</strong> (across the whole spectrum of claims, whether in the tribunal or civil courts, commensurate with his previous experience as an employment solicitor and including any day-to-day HR support or more generally strategic or policy advice on complex/sensitive/high value matters, particularly with a discrimination element);</li> <li><strong>Internal investigations/Regulatory proceedings </strong>(including as an adviser to internal disciplinary panels, DBS appeals, or representing individuals before their professional body, including in the sports, medicine or accountancy sectors);</li> <li><strong>Education </strong>(including special education provision, disability-related access/needs, attending SEND tribunals, etc);</li> <li><strong>Personal Injury/Human Rights/negligence</strong> (including employer and public liability claims in the employment context, such as work-place related stress and harassment claims; he also acts on behalf of government departments and agencies, dealing with all types of private law claims based on the the state's duty of care, ranging from prisoner assault/negligence claims, to privacy and confidentiality); and</li> <li><strong>Inquests</strong> (notably with a professional discipline element, but also inquests involving deaths in state detention / the community  - and the regulatory, civil or public law proceedings that can sometimes follow).</li> </ul> &nbsp;He has a nationwide practice and is happy to travel beyond Circuit particularly for multi-day cases or to accommodate client needs.Richard has a down-to-earth approach and can give robust and realistic advice, whilst not losing sight of points of principle.He is also qualified to accept instructions on a direct access basis, allowing him to act for individuals who are offered settlement agreements.Richard is a member<span style="font-size: 1rem;"> of the Attorney General's regional panel of junior Counsel to the Crown and regularly acts for a variety of government departments and agencies including the Ministry of Justice, HMPPS (the Prison and Probation Service), the DWP and HMRC. </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">His sports practice is focused on contractual and regulatory disputes, as well as employment-related advice and litigation.</span>

Catherine Souter

Catherine joined Parklane Plowden Chambers in 2002. Since then her expertise in each of her specialist areas of work has flourished.Catherine acts for clients from a wide range of sectors including Local Authorities, Insurers, Multi-National retailers, Engineering and Manufacturing companies as well as smaller, local corporate bodies.She also acts for members of most major Trade Unions including Unison, the Police Federation, the NASUWT, the GMB, the FBU, the RMT and the National Cyclist's Union.She has a dedicated client following and an extremely busy court practice. She drafts pleadings, including schedules and counter schedules and advises on liability, tactics and quantum in cases of all severity.She is regularly instructed in cases worth in excess of £250k and those arising out of fatal accidents. She has conferences with clients and experts in cases involving life changing injuries, chronic pain conditions and significant psychiatric injury.Catherine is part of the Education team and is keen to develop her practice in this area.Catherine is happy to accept instructions on behalf of local authorities, governing bodies of all schools, colleges, universities, and individuals.Catherine is endorsed by all of the major legal directories, most recently in Chambers and Partners 2017. The Legal 500 observes that she has the expertise of someone who is many years above her call.Catherine has featured in Legal 500 and Chambers &amp; Partners since 2004 when it was observed she had ‘<em>the expertise of someone who is many years above her call’. </em>She is recommended as a leading junior in this field. She is said to be <em>'one of the stars of the North Eastern Circuit, superb with clients, excellent tactially [and] an excellent advocate</em>’ (Legal 500, 2021)She is <em>‘personable’ </em>and has a ‘<em>very good manner with clients’.  </em>Her <em>‘attention to detail and clear advice is second to none’ (</em>Chambers and Partners, 2024).

Andrew Sugarman

Andrew is a leading employment barrister who is consistently recommended by both Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500, described as<em> "fiercely bright", <em>"<em>approachable",</em> "<em>measured</em></em>" and "technical and tactically astute with an engaging personal style." </em> "<em>Andrew is quite simply brilliant</em>".Andrew is regularly instructed by firms around the country to act for respondents (including FTSE 100 companies) and claimants, often against silks, in complex and high value cases across the employment law spectrum. He has a particular interest and specialism in the fields of discrimination and whistleblowing, frequently dealing with sensitive cases and those with far reaching implications, and has a reputation for being thorough, client-focused and easy to work with.Examples of recent cases include: <ul> <li> continuing to act for one of the four leading supermarkets defending high value class action equal pay claims;</li> <li> successfully representing a group of judges in their claims of part-time worker discrimination against the Ministry of Justice;</li> <li> successfully acting for various academics at the University of Oxford in a number of ground-breaking age discrimination claims relating to their force retirement in the ET and at the EAT;</li> <li> advising both the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire and Sheffield City Council in relation to large scale organisational change.</li> </ul> &nbsp;In addition to maintaining a busy practice, Andrew sits as an Employment Judge, is the Joint Head of the Employment Team, Head of PLP's Recruitment Committee and sits on the Advisory Panel for Leeds Free Legal Representation.Earlier in his career Andrew practiced at Cloisters in London and spent time working as a judicial assistant in the Court of Appeal with Lady Justice Arden (as she was then) and Lord Justice Mummery.Outside of work, with three young children, Andrew says the chance of a meaningful hobby would be a fine thing, though he tries to squeeze in a bit of 5-a-side football, skiing, mountain biking, photography and scuba diving when he can. He is, some say surprisingly, a former table tennis international and, for a period, was the practice partner of the women's Olympic champion.

Claire Millns

Claire Millns is a specialist employment and discrimination practitioner with over 24 years’ experience."<span style="font-size: 1rem;">She is fantastic with clients and hugely supportive of us as instructing solicitors." "</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">She is always fully prepared and on top of her brief, a sharp advocate who gets results." <strong>Chambers and Partners (2026) - Employment</strong></span>"Claire has a superb eye for detail and is a brilliant advocate. She has excellent communication skills and is great at keeping a dialogue with clients and providing reassurance throughout the case." <strong>The Legal 500 (2026) - Employment</strong>"An excellent barrister who is well liked by clients. Claire always delivers an excellent service. Clients find her very approachable, and her advocacy is faultless." "I would have no hesitation in instructing Claire in relation to complex matters. She is an excellent advocate and a pleasure to work with." "Claire is absolutely superb counsel with a great manner with clients. <strong>Chambers and Partners (2025) - Employment </strong>"Claire is a succinct advocate. She has in-depth knowledge of employment law, and her client care is exceptional. She has the respect of the judiciary." <strong>Legal 500 (2025) - Employment</strong>"Claire Millns is a well-regarded barrister who has a strong reputation in employment litigation, with particular expertise in complex discrimination and whistle-blowing claims. She is highly rated for her knowledge of difficult and technical areas of employment law." <strong>Chambers and Partners (2023) - Employment </strong><span style="font-size: 1rem;">"Claire is incredibly thorough and forensic in her preparation for a case, and her cross examination is professional and robust where it needs to be. Clients her seek out for her personable approach and ability to put witnesses at ease." <strong>Legal 500 (2023) - Employment </strong></span>"Very client-friendly and a very good advocate who grasps the facts quickly." "A fantastic knowledge of law and procedure, and she's very reassuring to clients in stressful situations." <strong>Chambers &amp; Partners Band (2022) Employment 2022</strong>"Claire is excellent to work with. She is unflappable in all situations and offers great reassurance to clients. It is very obvious that Claire is respected and liked by the local employment judges." <strong>Legal 500 (2022) Employment</strong>"A first-rate counsel"<strong> (2021) The Legal 500 Leading Individual</strong>“Claire Millns gets to grips with cases very quickly." <strong>(2020) The Legal 500</strong>"Claire Millns is a very solid advocate and is robust in cross examination.” <strong>The Legal 500</strong>“Claire Millns was extremely helpful, approachable and responsive throughout the case... the client was delighted with her advocacy style and the successful outcome.” (Instructing solicitor)“Claire’s calm logic and advice kept us both sane during what were some fairly stressful times and I am very grateful for her input and her skilled performance. We will certainly continue to recommend her to all who need employment counsel.” (Lay client)“She has a wonderfully balanced manner when representing our clients in Tribunal, convivial and engaging and not over-bearing or domineering but can quickly become equally robust and incisive with witnesses when required…she is a top-class communicator both with clients in conference and with all parties in Tribunal and we are always happy when we can instruct her knowing our clients are in safe hands.” (HR professional)Claire is qualified to accept instructions on a Direct Access basis. Claire happy to provide talks and mock tribunal training in person or via Teams.Claire sits as a Fee-Paid Employment Judge in the Midlands East Region.

Nicola Twine

Nicola is an Employment specialist whose practise takes on all facets of employment litigation.She prides herself on delivering excellent service standards, working collaboratively with solicitors and clients throughout the life of a claim, to achieve the best results. She is astute and meticulous in preparation, extremely personable and pragmatic, which is reflected in the consistent recommendations in both Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500. The recent guides have described her as ’<strong>very down to earth and gives clear, concise advice, which is greatly appreciated by clients. She is good on her feet</strong>’ , possessing ‘<strong>excellent advocacy skills</strong>’, and being ‘<strong>clearly well prepared and having a very good manner with clients’ </strong>(2022-2025).Nicola is routinely instructed in complex and high value cases. She regularly represents public bodies (NHS Trusts, local authorities, schools, the police and ambulance services) as well as private sector employers but also acts for claimant clients.Nicola welcomes work on a Direct Access basis. She conducts hearings, mediations, and conferences, in person and remotely.In addition, Nicola has developed a practice in the Special Education Needs tribunal and regularly represents, and advises, local authorities on appeals.In 2024 Nicola was appointed as a Fee Paid Judge of the First Tier Tribunal (Mental Health).Within Chambers she is an Equality &amp; Diversity Officer and chairs the Equality and Diversity Committee.Nicola is a keen (ultra) runner and cyclist. When not working, or with her family, she loves nothing more than being out on the Yorkshire moors.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Dominic Bayne

Dominic is recognised as one of the leading employment law barristers in the North East; which he combines with an eclectic mix of other (predominantly commercial and property related) practice areas.  He is joint head of chambers' Employment Team.For a number of years Dominic has been recommended by both Chambers and Partners (Band 1), and the Legal 500 (Tier 1). They have described him variously as <em>‘</em><strong>incredibly intelligent, articulate, and good at winning client confidence</strong>’; as being ‘<strong>a strong and formidable opponent</strong>’; and as ‘<strong>having a wonderful manner in Court</strong>’.  Judicial comments have included praise for ‘<strong>his thorough and well-presented written and oral submissions’</strong> and for his ‘<strong>astute and effective</strong>’ cross examination.Dominic has over 20 years of experience appearing in the High Court, County Court, and Employment Tribunals, and has appeared in appellate Courts up to and including the Supreme Court.  He predominantly represents public authorities, NHS Trusts, and private sector employers of all sizes; but has a significant minority of Claimant clients.  He brings to his work experience across a broad range of practice areas, but has a particular specialism in discrimination in the workplace. He prides himself on being approachable and pragmatic, and in providing easily accessible client-focused advice.In 2012 he was appointed to the Attorney General’s regional panel of Counsel to the Crown (Panel A), and in 2019 he was appointed as a Recorder.  He is a contributing editor of Tolley's Employment Law Service; and a volunteer with the Employment Tribunal Litigant in Person Support Scheme.