Introduction
Ranked as a leading junior by Legal 500 2023, Patrick Keith specialises in Employment, with a distinguished track record in Discrimination Law. As a barrister who regularly appears before the employment tribunals and the EAT, Patrick is regularly commended for his style and effective handling of witnesses in cross-examination, particularly when that involves vulnerable parties.
Patrick’s understanding of people, their motivations and decisions sets him apart. His down-to-earth style and personal approach mean that he is trusted by vulnerable witnesses and senior corporate leaders alike, taking time to build a rapport so he can challenge their evidence as appropriate while supporting them through the process. In the same way, Patrick adopts a bespoke approach to each cross-examination, eliciting evidence through careful exploration of the facts but robustly pushing back and challenging troublesome witnesses when necessary.
Across a broad of range of sectors, including the financial services, recruitment and public sectors, his clients value his proactive approach to reputation management and his holistic coverage of the issues. When instructed early on, Patrick ensures risks are mitigated prior to and during litigation and hearings, not just after the result.
Patrick is accredited to accept public access instructions and also represents clients at professional regulatory and disciplinary hearings.
Employment
A leading employment junior with a predominantly respondent-leaning practice, Patrick represents a wide variety of clients across multiple industries including large employers, local authorities, international financial institutions, national public bodies and the NHS.
Comfortable with the most technical employment law issues, Patrick thrives in cases which require a detailed analysis of human decisions. For example, Patrick is routinely instructed in complex discrimination cases and is able to provide a cradle-to-grave service, from initial merits assessment to final hearing and appeals. Notably, he was sole Respondent Counsel in the high profile “ethical vegan” case of Jordie Casamitjana v League Against Cruel Sports in 2020, which was widely reported in the international media.
A snapshot of Patrick’s significant employment experience includes:
- Successfully representing a government crime agency in a four-week trial in 2023 with a 15-page list of issues including whistleblowing, disability discrimination and constructive unfair dismissal.
- Representing an NHS Trust in a historic race discrimination claim which was heard over 17 days between 2021 and 2023.
- Successfully representing a government crime agency in a complex disability discrimination trial in 2022.
- Successfully representing a national fast-food franchise in 2022 amid claims of serious physical and verbal racist abuse from the claimant’s manager and allegations that documents had been fabricated.
- Representing a construction industry client in a high-value Covid dismissal trial in 2022, concerning whether the claimant’s work had in fact temporarily ceased and its potential effect on a multi-million-pound bonus.
- Representing a large government agency in a 2022 disability discrimination trial concerning a post-Covid requirement that employees return to the office.
- Successfully representing a large government agency in 2021 against claims of race/religion and disability discrimination, harassment and victimisation, in which the claimant unilaterally withdrew all of his claims after cross-examination.
- Representing the uninsured named respondents of a technology company in liquidation in a 7-day race and disability discrimination and whistleblowing trial in 2021.
- Representing an international recruitment agency in a whistleblowing case with 79 protected disclosures, 12 protected acts and 57 detriments in a 17-day trial in 2020.
- Successfully representing a national bank in a 2020 race discrimination claim arguing that the overturning of a Claimant’s successful job application was racially motivated.
- Representing a well-known FE college in a 7-day disability discrimination trial.
- Successfully representing an international supermarket in a 2019 trial in Glasgow, against an employee who was dismissed after crashing an HGV amid allegations that he had been using his mobile phone at the time.
- Successfully representing a foster care agency in a 2019 trial over employee status.
- Successfully representing a GP Practice in 2019 following the dismissal of its practice manager over allegations that she had fraudulently tampered with her timesheet.
- Successfully representing various recruitment agencies and giving one of two lead submissions in 2019 against a claimant who had brought over 100 claims against a large number of agencies, 45 of whom attended and ensuring strike out on the grounds that the claims were vexatious, scandalous, and had no reasonable prospect of success.
- Successfully representing a direct access client to re-draft her list of issues for a complex 2019 disability discrimination claim against a national clothing retailer. Patrick went on to secure a favourable settlement and avoid trial for a vulnerable claimant.
- Successfully representing a national hardware retailer in a 2019 claim concerning Sunday working over the Christmas period.
- Representing a London tech company in a ten-day 2018 disability discrimination trial, including three days’ cross-examination of a claimant suffering from DDNOS, and who tended to dissociate when he felt criticised.
- Successfully representing a national bank in 2018 against a senior director who claimed direct and indirect race, sex and disability discrimination, as well as breach of the Part-Time Workers Regulations 2000.
- Successfully securing a Vento award at the top of the middle band against a national clothing and food retailer in 2017 after it dismissed the claimant because of his alcohol misuse and self-harm, which arose in consequence of his depression and anxiety.
Working with Patrick
Patrick’s disarming and down-to-earth style sets clients, witnesses and other interested parties at ease. Professional clients, notably in the financial and public sectors, appreciate Patrick’s tactful approach. Many of Patrick’s clients are acutely aware of the reputational impact of their cases, and Patrick ensures these are dealt with proactively, considerately and with ease.
Many of Patrick’s professional clients have trusted him with their work for several years. They value Patrick’s feedback-driven approach to developing and maintaining relationships. With a keen eye for detail, honed in part as a proofreader for Oxford University Press, Patrick is regularly asked to proof defendant witnesses before trial and advise on credibility, as well as advising on prospects and tactics from receipt of the claim through to the final hearing.
Education
University of Newcastle upon Tyne – BA Hons
Nottingham Law School – GDL and BVC
Public Access Accredited
Appointment and Memberships
Attorney General’s Regional B Panel of Counsel
Former member of the Birmingham Law Society Employment Law Committee
Employment Law Association & Employment Law Bar Association
Testimonials
“Patrick is very approachable, efficient, knowledgeable, and good with witnesses. He is very personable and collaborative to ensure that the correct strategy is adopted for a particular client and case.” Legal 500 2023
“Very adept at getting to grips with the issues and getting to the heart of a complex and complicated matter very quickly. Very astute and methodical with his cross-examination.” Chambers UK 2022
Patrick is ranked as a Leading Junior by Legal 500, which states:
“Tenacious in cross-examination, he offers upfront and practical advice.” Legal 500 2021
“An excellent and well-prepared advocate.” Legal 500 2020
