Tim is regularly instructed to appear in the Upper Tribunal on behalf of the Disclosure and Debarring Service.

Tim has built an extensive practice representing clients on all aspects of employment law, in the ET and the EAT. He is instructed by claimants and respondents, and he routinely generally appears in tribunal on multi-day and multi-week cases.

Tim’s regular clients are in both the public sector (NHS bodies and through his work on the Treasury Panel) and the private sector (insurance firms and SMEs). He also accepts instructions on a direct-access basis.

Tim has experience in a wide variety of discrimination claims.  Recent experience includes two lengthy hearings in which he represented NHS clients in claims of disability discrimination by medical practitioners, the latter of which contained tricky aspects of knowledge of disability and ‘protected acts’ for the purposes of the victimisation elements of the claim.

Tim also regularly appears in whistleblowing cases.  Of particular note is his recent experience acting for a claimant in a multi-detriment claim.  The hearing lasted several weeks and led to a successful judgment, aggravated damages and costs.

Tim is often instructed to advise and draft pleadings, and is happy to discuss potential cases pre-litigation.

EAT cases:

Kilburn v DVLA [EA-2021-000074DA]: Acted for the Respondent in its objection to the Claimant’s appeal against a registrar’s decision not to permit an extension of time to appeal the ET judgment.

Dimitriu v Testerworld [UKEAT/0088/19/00]: Successfully represented the Respondent in the Claimant’s appeal against the dismissal of her claim following non-attendance at the final hearing.

Chambers v Cerebra [UKEATPA/0231/17/LA]: Represented the Respondent in the Claimant’s appeal against the tribunal’s findings in relation to disability.  The Claimant’s claims had all been dismissed at tribunal.  The Claimant sought a finding of disability from an earlier date and a consequential overturning of the dismissal of her reasonable adjustments claim.

Malek v North Yorkshire County Council [UKEAT/0216/17/DA]: Successfully represented the Respondent in the Claimant’s appeal against the dismissal of his claim for failure to attend a resumed hearing.  The Claimant sought to overturn the tribunal’s case management decision.  Much turned on the interpretation of Rule 47 and whether the Claimant had been ‘represented at the hearing’ (his representative having telephoned into tribunal and sought an adjournment).

Walker-Smith v Perrys Motor Sales Limited [UKEATPA/0434 and 0442/17]: Represented the Respondent in this response and cross-appeal.  The Claimant’s appeal against the level of contributory fault was upheld but the Respondent successfully cross-appealed to limit losses to the notice period (the Claimant having handed in his resignation prior to his dismissal).

Appleby v (1) The Governing Body of Colborn Community Primary School (2) North Yorkshire County Council [UKEAT/0334/15/JOJ]: Successfully represented the Respondents in the Claimant’s appeal against the tribunal’s findings regarding the onset of disability, and the consequences thereof. The case involved complex issues including the nature and extent of mental impairments, constructive knowledge and reasonable adjustments.

“He will always ensure he is well prepared and can apply a strong knowledge of employment law to help advise on cases and during any advocacy needed. We would not hesitate to use Tim on any of our cases.” Chambers and Partners 2023

Chambers and Partners (2026) - Employment (Band 3) - "Tim gives succinct and practical responses which are easy to understand." "Tim is both professional and personable; he was able to explain matters in a digestible way." "Tim is unflappable and just what a client needs on a difficult case."

Chambers and Partners (2025) - Employment (Band 3) - "Tim is a first-rate advocate and great with clients." "Tim's advocacy skills are excellent - he knows when to press and when the point has been made. He is also very receptive to solicitors and communicates well with clients." "Tim provides sound advice and expert representation when instructed. He provides direct and reliable advice." "Always reliable and extremely helpful, Tim gets on with the job and will always steer calmly around obstacles. I always enjoy working with him."

The Legal 500 (2025) - Employment (Tier 3) - "Tim can be completely trusted to have diligently prepared for any Tribunal hearing which he is instructed upon. He is able to read the Tribunal room and keeps a cool head."

Chambers and Partners (2024) - Employment (Band 3) - "Tim carefully considers the points made as part of any case discussion. In Tribunal, Tim can be trusted to comprehensively deal with any employment claim on behalf of the client with sound advocacy skills and good levels of preparation." "I worked with him on a range of matters, including discrimination, unfair dismissal, and constructive dismissal. He is a very technically able advocate." "Tim is utterly reliable, unflappable and technically excellent."

Chambers and Partners (2023) - Employment (Band 3) - "Tim Wilkinson's work in the employment law field includes complex and sensitive claims of discrimination and whistle-blowing detriment. He draws praise as an incisive and approachable barrister."

Chambers and Partners (2022) - Employment (Band 2) - "He is very knowledgeable about employment matters and is an excellent, nicely understated communicator." "He has a real knack for putting clients at ease, and he cuts through all of the nonsense."

Employment EAT:

Kilburn v DVLA [EA-2021-000074DA]: Acted for the Respondent in its objection to the Claimant's appeal against a registrar's decision not to permit an extension of time to appeal the ET judgment. 

Dimitriu v Testerworld [UKEAT/0088/19/00]: Successfully represented the Respondent in the Claimant's appeal against the dismissal of her claim following non-attendance at the final hearing.

Chambers v Cerebra [UKEATPA/0231/17/LA]: Represented the Respondent in the Claimant’s appeal against the tribunal’s findings in relation to disability.  The Claimant’s claims had all been dismissed at tribunal.  The Claimant sought a finding of disability from an earlier date and a consequential overturning of the dismissal of her reasonable adjustments claim.

Malek v North Yorkshire County Council [UKEAT/0216/17/DA]: Successfully represented the Respondent in the Claimant’s appeal against the dismissal of his claim for failure to attend a resumed hearing.  The Claimant sought to overturn the tribunal’s case management decision.  Much turned on the interpretation of Rule 47 and whether the Claimant had been ‘represented at the hearing’ (his representative having telephoned into tribunal and sought an adjournment).

Walker-Smith v Perrys Motor Sales Limited [UKEATPA/0434 and 0442/17]: Represented the Respondent in this response and cross-appeal.  The Claimant’s appeal against the level of contributory fault was upheld but the Respondent successfully cross-appealed to limit losses to the notice period (the Claimant having handed in his resignation prior to his dismissal).

Appleby v (1) The Governing Body of Colborn Community Primary School (2) North Yorkshire County Council [UKEAT/0334/15/JOJ]: Successfully represented the Respondents in the Claimant’s appeal against the tribunal’s findings regarding the onset of disability, and the consequences thereof. The case involved complex issues including the nature and extent of mental impairments, constructive knowledge and reasonable adjustments.

ET cases of interest

Successfully represented a claimant in a two-week claim involving public interest disclosures and a lengthy course of detrimental treatment.  

Represented the respondent in a multi-day claim concerning alleged unfair dismissal and disability discrimination.  The claim involved whole-scale criticism of the Respondent's security systems and working practices which, allegedly, compromised the claimant's safety and led to her resignation.  

Acted for the respondent in a claim that ran for several years, involving over fifty allegations of disability discrimination and a Schedule of Loss exceeding £1m.  The claim involved complex issues as to disability and, in particular, the 'somethings' that were alleged to arise from the disability.  

Tribunal: Discrimination

JK v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: represented the Claimant in this multi-day claim of disability discrimination and unfair dismissal, following her dismissal for capability reasons. Represented the Claimant at the separate liability and remedies hearings. Claim for unfair and wrongful dismissal and perceived disability discrimination after the Claimant was dismissed for allegedly attending work under the influence of alcohol. Case of alleged sex discrimination and/or discrimination on the grounds of pregnancy and maternity.

Tribunal Unfair Dismissal:

Redundancy: represented a large insurance firm in a multi-day claim of unfair dismissal following redundancy. The two claimants alleged, amongst other things, that the process was pre-determined and biased. Claim of constructive unfair dismissal following a TUPE transfer and an alleged demotion/removal of duties. Case concerning allegations of unfair and wrongful dismissal following dismissal for attendance at work under the influence of drugs.  

LLB (Hons) Manchester University (2002-2005), BVC Manchester Metropolitan (2005-2006)