Direct Access Barrister

Richard James Wayman

I am a specialist employment barrister who has spent nearly a decade practising in this fast-moving area of law. Prior to this I developed extensive hands-on commercial experience of employment law as Managing Director of a long-established family printing business with 80 employees, before reading law at Cambridge University.

“I am so absolutely relieved I instructed Richard Wayman to represent me at my Tribunal hearing. After a 40 year unblemished professional career, I was facing discriminatory acts and victimisation by supposedly professional members of management. I instituted action at the employment tribunal but was soon out of my depth. I looked at reviews and quickly chose Richard Wayman. I am so grateful to Richard who immediately took all the stress oﬀ my shoulders. Richard is well versed in employment law, replies immediately, answers my numerous questions and drafts all my documents. He is calm, reassuring and I have absolute confidence in him to hold my hand and represent me at both the Preliminary and Final Hearing. Thank you Richard – I could not manage this without you.” – Direct Access client

“Mr Richard Wayman has gone above and beyond during the preparation for my Preliminary Hearing. He has been very honest, professional, knowledgable and composed throughout this process. I have been represented by a very strong barrister with a warm kind nature, and this has significantly eased a lot of my stresses when preparing for my case.” – Direct Access client

Area of Law

Employment and Pensions

I have extensive experience of cases involving unfair and constructive unfair dismissal; redundancy; discrimination, harassment and victimisation; whistle-blowing; restrictive covenants, and TUPE. I have particular expertise in complex discrimination claims, often involving multiple protected characteristics, including disability, age, race, religion, pregnancy and maternity and gender reassignment.

I thrive on document-heavy multi-day Final Hearings in which my attention to detail and focused cross-examination come to the fore. A tenacious advocate in Tribunal, outside court I am noted for my approachable manner and ability to put clients at their ease, particularly those with mental health or neurodiversity issues. I give clear, practical, commercial advice, whether dealing with individual litigants or senior management.

What sort of work do I do?

I am regularly instructed to appear in Preliminary Hearings dealing with issues such as time limits, employment status and territorial jurisdiction, disclosure issues, strike out and deposit orders, as well as Final Hearings on both liability and remedy, and Judicial Mediations.

When not in Tribunal, I assist by drafting key documents on behalf of clients, including Grounds of Claim and Response, Schedules of Loss and Lists of Issues; advising on the merits of a case, points of law and settlement negotiations, and of course strategy and tactics at all stages of a case. Clients often find that early advice enables them to avoid costly and drawn out litigation.

I work with individual claimants, HR departments and company directors on how to avoid litigation where possible and, where it cannot be avoided, how to obtain the best and most cost effective outcome once a Tribunal case has been issued.

Who do I work for?

I represent both Claimants and Respondents in the Employment Tribunals and beyond, acting for individuals, SMEs and large employers, including the automotive and airline sectors, universities, police forces and other public bodies.

I have over 6 years' experience of representing clients on a Direct Access basis, and aim to respond to all queries within 24 hours. I have a busy practice and so cannot offer a free initial consultation in all cases; instead I ask clients to send me the key documents so that can assess whether the case is suitable for Direct Access and provide an accurate fee quote.

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