Claire Millns
She is always fully prepared and on top of her brief, a sharp advocate who gets results.
Chambers and Partners (2026) - Employment (Band 2)
About
Claire Millns is a specialist employment and discrimination practitioner with over 24 years’ experience.
“She is fantastic with clients and hugely supportive of us as instructing solicitors.” “She is always fully prepared and on top of her brief, a sharp advocate who gets results.” Chambers and Partners (2026) – Employment
“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.” The Legal 500 (2026) – Employment
“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. Chambers and Partners (2025) – Employment
“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.” Legal 500 (2025) – Employment
“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.” Chambers and Partners (2023) – Employment
“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.” Legal 500 (2023) – Employment
“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.” Chambers & Partners Band (2022) Employment 2022
“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.” Legal 500 (2022) Employment
“A first-rate counsel” (2021) The Legal 500 Leading Individual
“Claire Millns gets to grips with cases very quickly.” (2020) The Legal 500
“Claire Millns is a very solid advocate and is robust in cross examination.” The Legal 500
“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.
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Accolades
Claire Millns
She is always fully prepared and on top of her brief, a sharp advocate who gets results.
Chambers and Partners (2026) - Employment (Band 2)
About
Claire Millns is a specialist employment and discrimination practitioner with over 24 years’ experience.
“She is fantastic with clients and hugely supportive of us as instructing solicitors.” “She is always fully prepared and on top of her brief, a sharp advocate who gets results.” Chambers and Partners (2026) – Employment
“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.” The Legal 500 (2026) – Employment
“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. Chambers and Partners (2025) – Employment
“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.” Legal 500 (2025) – Employment
“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.” Chambers and Partners (2023) – Employment
“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.” Legal 500 (2023) – Employment
“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.” Chambers & Partners Band (2022) Employment 2022
“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.” Legal 500 (2022) Employment
“A first-rate counsel” (2021) The Legal 500 Leading Individual
“Claire Millns gets to grips with cases very quickly.” (2020) The Legal 500
“Claire Millns is a very solid advocate and is robust in cross examination.” The Legal 500
“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.
Claire is an experienced employment law practitioner acting for both claimants and respondents across the full range of workplace disputes. She has particular expertise in employment issues arising within the education and healthcare sectors. Her practice encompasses representation of local authorities, NHS Trusts, large commercial employers, trade unions, and individual employees.
She accepts instructions on a Direct Access basis.
Alongside her practice, Claire sits as a Fee‑Paid Employment Judge in the Midlands East Region. This judicial experience informs her approach to litigation, giving clients clear, pragmatic advice and focused advocacy.
Claire’s diverse client base includes PWC, Durham University, North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust, North Yorkshire County Council, Durham County Council, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority, Nestlé, Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle University, Northumbria University, Northumberland County Council, Bradford City Council, Derbyshire County Council, Nissan UK, City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Tees, Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, and Tyne Coast College.
Claire regularly delivers training and has extensive experience presenting mock employment tribunals. She considers these an effective and engaging means of preparing HR professionals, managers, trade union representatives, and legal teams for the reality of tribunal litigation. She is available to provide tailored in‑house or online seminars, workshops, and training sessions.
Recent and notable cases
- Mr Neeraj Handa v The Station Hotel (Newcastle) Ltd and Others [2025] EAT 62 – Successfully resisted appeal and pursued cross‑appeal following strike‑out at first instance.
- Durham University (2025) – Acted in complex 15 day whistleblowing claim by two professors; all claims dismissed. Also secured interim costs orders totalling c.£28,000 in 2024.
- Ongoing equal pay litigation (2005–present) – Advising a university in long‑running equal pay proceedings.
- Education provider (2023) – Advising in gross misconduct dismissal litigation arising from historical sexual abuse allegations.
- National Grid Plc (May 2023) – Three‑day remedy hearing in high‑value sex discrimination claim (C claiming over £700,000).
- Mr K Cook v Gentoo Group Limited [2023] EAT 12 – Responded to age discrimination appeal concerning objective justification (January 2023).
- Ambulance Trust (December 2022) – Successfully defended application for interim relief.
- Tees, Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (December 2022) – Achieved dismissal of 4‑day race discrimination complaint.
- Durham University (October 2022) – Secured strike‑out of sex discrimination and unfair dismissal claims.
- Employer (October 2022) – Disability preliminary hearing concerning Type 2 diabetes; Tribunal found C not disabled.
- National television network (May 2022) – Successful Judicial Mediation.
- Newcastle University (February 2022) – Represented in 4‑day reasonable adjustments hearing; all claims dismissed.
- Northumbria University (September 2021) – Represented in complex 11‑day race discrimination and harassment claim; all claims dismissed.
- Tees, Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (July 2021) – Seven‑day race and sex discrimination, wrongful and unfair dismissal; all claims dismissed.
- Newcastle University (April 2021) – Acted in 11‑day hearing involving 60+ race discrimination, harassment and victimisation allegations; all dismissed.
- High‑earning claimant (March 2021) – Secured maximum award following finding of unfair dismissal after gross misconduct allegations failed.
- National law firm (January 2021) – Judicial Mediation involving complex remedy issues after claimant’s death; included claims for death‑in‑service benefits.
- Berwick Academy (November 2020) – 9‑day whistleblowing and unfair dismissal hearing involving derogatory social media remarks.
- Econ Engineering Limited & Others [2020] UKEAT/285/19 – Successful appeal confirming profitability bonus excluded from Reg 13A holiday pay calculation.
- Aslam v Tees, Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust EAT 0039/2019 – Successfully appealed finding of race‑related harassment; decision overturned (November 2019).
- Iwuchukwu v City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (October 2019) – Complex remedy hearing post‑CoA remission; achieved 80% Polkey reduction and 25% basic award reduction.
- Glendinning v Tesco Stores UKEAT/0222/18/DA – Successful appeal of refusal to extend time; EAT substituted and allowed claim to proceed (March 2019).
Chambers and Partners (2026) - Employment (Band 2) - "She is fantastic with clients and hugely supportive of us as instructing solicitors." "She is always fully prepared and on top of her brief, a sharp advocate who gets results."
The Legal 500 (2026) - Employment (Tier 2) - "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."
Chambers and Partners (2025) - Employment (Band 2) - "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."
Legal 500 (2025) - Employment (Tier 2) - "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."
Chambers and Partners (2024) - Employment (Band 2) - "Claire is excellent and deals with heavy cases."
Legal 500 (2024) - Employment (Tier 2) - "Her technical knowledge is very impressive, and she is a confident communicator. A strategically sharp junior who is excellent with clients and witnesses - she instills confidence from the outset."
Chambers and Partners (2023) - Employment (Band 3) - "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."
Legal 500 (2023) - Employment (Tier 2) - "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."
Legal 500 (2022) - Employment (Tier 2) - "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."
Chambers and Partners (2022) - Employment (Band 3) - "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."
The Legal 500 (2021) - "A first-rate counsel."
The Legal 500 (2020) - Claire Millns "gets to grips with cases very quickly."
The Legal 500 (2011) - Claire Millns is a "very solid advocate and is robust in cross examination."
Employment Lawyers Association
Employment Law Bar Association
Appointed as a Fee-Paid Employment Judge (2021)
LLB (Hons), University of Northumbria
