Direct Access Barrister
Amanda Marquarite Robinson
Direct Access Barrister
Amanda Marquarite Robinson
Employment law- all areas of employment law/UK are covered. I advise, draft pleadings /documents and represents clients in the county and high courts, as well as employment tribunals (including the EAT). I was previously an Employment Rights Officer for a leading charity before training as a barrister. I have over 25 years experience in advising and representing clients in employment and discrimination cases.
Upon commencing practice at the Bar, I delivered insurance law advice on a regular basis (to insurers) and over the years have advised clients on insurance contracts. Alongside that practice, I represent clients in civil and commercial proceedings, in the county and high courts. I cover most civil and commercial matters - just ask. I tend to be instructed on contractual disputes, interim applications, and for advice. I am often instructed to draft documents.
As a result of outside business interests I have been involved in film and publishing, therefore became accustomed to working on media contracts. I had already advised on the employment side and - from time to time - advised on intellectual property and defamation, but my practice has expanded to include more media law work and continues to expand in this area.
Area of Law
Employment and Pensions
Over 25 years experience including EAT. I started around 28-29 years ago when I worked for the CAB, and represented a client in my first EAT. Work ranges from advising, negotiating, drafting documents, representing at hearings and appeals, and mediation work. My experience includes discrimination, whistleblowing, breach of contract, redundancy and maternity cases. Fees start at £200 per hour for simple matters. Hearings start at £1k upwards, depending on the amount of work required.
Insurance and Reinsurance
I have around 24 years experience in insurance law. I do not practice reinsurance. I studied insurance law and then in practice I advised insurance companies on their policies, and avoidance of them. I now advise on the application of insurance law contracts. challenges, and insurance company decisions. Fees start at £300 per hour for this type of work and hearings from £1k.
Media and Entertainment
Over 5 years experience generally in media law, but I have undertaken work in defamation, injunctions and contracts for over a decade. Because I have business interests in publishing and film, I studied media law to enable me to deal with my own legal matters, and started to expand this as and when I considered it appropriate. I am used to dealing with actors, directors, writers, and media personalities. My fees per hour start at £500 and for hearings start at £2k, the fees depend on the complexity of the case and work that is required.
Professional Discipline
I have advised in this area of law for over a decade. I advise doctors, consultants, nurses, police officers and lawyers on professional discipline. My fees in this area are £300+ per hour and hearings start at £1k upwards. The fees depend on the type of work required and complexity of that work.
What sort of work do I do?
Employment, media, insurance and contract law.
Assist people at any stage of their case, from advice stage before the start of proceedings, drafting pleadings / documents, or on settlement (particularly NDAs) to representation at full hearing, at any level.
I am content to assist as and when required (the dip in and out approach); whether all you need is telecon advice, in-person conferences, or whether you require attendance at preliminary hearings, drafting (writing) pleadings/or any documents for court, negotiating, advising you at any stage and - of course - attendance at hearings including appeal level.
I am also an accredited mediator and represent clients at mediation/ADR. I try to make the whole process as straight forward as possible, and - where I am able - reduce the stress for clients.
I have always split my time between the 'north and south' and therefore I accept instructions within England and Wales (and Scottish employment tribunals).
I am experienced in direct access work and will inform you should you require a different service.
Who do I work for?
Clients range from workers (including NHS staff, consultants, police officers, board members/ executives) to employers in the employment tribunal, and individuals and SMEs facing county/high court issues. Clients have included media people and people who require a high degree of privacy.
Having worked for a charity providing legal service, I am used to working with different people, from different backgrounds at different educational levels, including vulnerable people.
Please note that clients are expected to be respectful at all times, just as counsel provides to her clients. Abusive conduct will not be tolerated.