People Our people are at the heart of Parity Chambers. We are a specialist employment law set, bringing together barristers and an experienced clerking team who work closely together to support our clients. Members act for both Claimants and Respondents across the full spectrum of employment law, delivering high-quality advocacy, practical advice and an efficient, responsive service focused on meeting clients' needs.
Paras is Joint Head of Parity Chambers. He specialises in Employment, Investigations and Privacy Law and has been recognised as a leader in the field of Employment Law since 2012 featuring consistently since that date and was shortlisted for Employment Junior of the Year in the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2024.
Paras has also been recognised by Chambers and Partners for his work undertaking Independent Investigations. Paras has over 20 years’ experience advising and representing both Claimants and Respondents before the Employment Tribunal, Civil Courts and Appellate Courts.
Paras is regularly instructed on strategically important, high value, complex and reputationally sensitive disputes involving leading corporates, NGO’s, senior executives and other high net worth individuals.
He is particularly known for his ability as a cross-examiner, technical ability, commercial nous, responsiveness and client care. He has also built up particular expertise in group litigation before the employment tribunals concerning TUPE transfers, mass redundancy situations, equal pay and other associated issues affecting heavily unionised workforces.
He is a contributing editor of Tolley’s Employment Law Service and acts as an Employment Panel Reviewer for Advocate (formerly Bar Pro Bono Unit).
In recent years he has been instructed to advise on and/or bring claims against Respondents such as Apple, Google, Esso, West Ham United FC, Yorkshire County Cricket Club, Marks & Spencer, News UK, CNN, BBC, London School of Economics, Oxford University, Telefonica, HSBC, AA, Health Education England, Home Office and Capita.
A sample of his respondent clients have included:
A member of the UAE Royal Family, Amnesty International, European Space Agency, ActionAid, BASF, RAC, RSA, Cambridge University Press, Oxford Brookes University, Direct Line Insurance, Deloitte, AC Nielsen, AMEC Foster Wheeler, Parker Hannifin, Saipem, Infosys, Michelin Tyres, Adidas, JD Sports, Jaeger, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, CBRE, Manchester City FC, Manchester United FC, Liverpool FC, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, Leicester Football Club, World Sailing, Virgin Active, AstraZeneca, Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, Reckitt Benckiser, Snap Group, Smith and Nephew, UK Biocentre, Superdrug Stores, Randstad, Air France, British Airways, Manchester Airport, Balfour Beatty, Network Rail, Weetabix, UK Coal, DHL, BT, British Gas, BOC Limited, TalkTalk, BSkyB, Brewdog, Molsen Coors, Asahi UK, Marriott Hotels, McDonalds, Fortnum and Mason, Pret a Manger, Domino’s Pizza, McCain Foods, HelloFresh, Casual Dining Group, Big Table Group, Tesco, Costco, Sainsbury’s, DSG Retail, John Lewis, Barclays Bank, HBOS, Santander, Royal Bank of Scotland, NatWest, Lloyds Bank, Monzo Bank, Standard Life, Interactive Investor, Co-operative Bank, General Medical Council, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Defence and Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Throughout his career at the Bar, Paras has been involved in a multitude of lengthy and complex multiday discrimination cases acting and advising both Claimants and Respondents nationally. He has built up particular expertise in high value, complex and reputationally sensitive disputes and has acted for some of the largest and most prominent employers in the country across the entire spectrum of claims arising out of these areas, as well as associated claims in the Civil Courts. Paras is also very experienced in bringing claims on behalf of high net worth Claimants and has a very successful record in concluding such matters against high profile organisations including a number of FTSE 100 corporates as well as financial institutions.
Instructed on behalf of a large infrastructure Respondent to defend claims for equal pay, race discrimination and victimisation brought by a senior male manager in a claim listed for 10 days.
Instructed on behalf of a Respondent to defend an equal pay claim advanced on the basis of equal value brought by a senior female manager in the infrastructure, energy and aviation sector.
Instructed on behalf of a Fortune 50 Respondent (with Ben Collins KC) in a complex race/disability discrimination, harassment, victimisation and unfair dismissal claim, Claimant asserting a pleaded value of the claim at circa £50 million+.
Instructed by a large multinational manufacturer to defend an equal pay claim advanced on the basis of equal value brought by a female manager; Claimant asserting a six figure sum in respect of her alleged underpayment.
Instructed on behalf of a prominent male strip show business to resist claims advanced by an ex-operations manager for automatic unfair dismissal and pregnancy/maternity discrimination, all claims being successfully resisted.
Instructed (with Caragh Nimmo) to pursue a claim against an NHS Trust for racial harassment and victimisation in respect of the provision of services to a patient who was the subject of racist abuse under Part 3 of the Equality Act 2010.
Instructed on behalf of a Respondent in a disability discrimination claim pleaded at £1.6million at remedy stage (having not been instructed at the liability hearing), successfully reduced liability to circa £30.5k (inclusive of interest).
Instructed on behalf of a Chief Coroner and District Council to resist a claim for a judicial pension pursuant to the Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000, brought by a fee-paid coroner.
Instructed on behalf of a female associate solicitor to pursue an equal pay claim against her previous law firm on account of a systemic history of underpayment vis-à-vis a male colleague.
Instructed on behalf of a female University Professor to pursue a high value and complex claim of race/sex discrimination, harassment, victimisation and unfair dismissal against her former employer. The claim was listed for 20 days and involved highly damaging allegations of discrimination against the Respondent.
Instructed on behalf of multiple Respondents in a highly sensitive case listed for 10 days to defend claims of sex discrimination, harassment, victimisation, wrongful and unfair dismissal.
Instructed on behalf of a government department to defend claims of sex discrimination with the Claimant asserting the pleaded value of his claim at £1.2 million.
Instructed on behalf of a top 35 law firm in a case listed for 9 days to defend multiple allegations of direct disability discrimination, indirect disability discrimination, discrimination arising out of a disability and failures to make reasonable adjustments.
Instructed on behalf of multiple Respondents in a 5 day case involving highly sensitive allegations of sex and race discrimination, including an allegation of racially aggravated assault. The Tribunal agreed with Paras’ submissions that the Claimant’s claims were “baseless, misconceived, vexatious and unreasonable” and that the Claimant was “illegitimately attempting to use this tribunal to achieve a pay off and that her claim was an abuse of process”. The Tribunal made two adverse costs Orders against the Claimant totalling £18,100.
Whistleblowing claims feature heavily in Paras’ caseload and he has acted in numerous claims involving both detriment and dismissal acting on behalf of both Claimants and Respondents. Paras is regularly instructed in multiday claims and is frequently sought out for his expertise in this area by senior executives and large corporate employers across the spectrum of economic activity on a national basis.
Paras has been involved in litigation involving disclosures of the utmost severity involving inter alia serious financial misfeasance, tax fraud, avoidable deaths and serious health and safety breaches. Such disclosures having been raised internally as well as to relevant external bodies such as regulators, prescribed persons and other responsible persons.
He has been frequently instructed in litigation where the nature of the disclosures would cause significant reputational and financial damage and is well versed in dealing with the unique issues that cases of this type raise.
Instructed by a former Oxford Professor in respect of high value victimisation, public interest disclosure detriment and unfair dismissal claims against a prominent American biopharmaceutical company.
Instructed by the former Chairman of a prominent Islamic charity to pursue claims of public interest disclosure detriment and unfair/wrongful dismissal arising out of internal and external disclosures concerning misuse of charity funds (including funding provided to proscribed organisations) in respect of overseas projects in Tanzania and Pakistan.
Instructed on behalf of a Surgeon (backed by the British Medical Association) in a hearing listed for 10 days involving claims of whistleblowing and multiple allegations of substandard clinical care including a disclosure to the CQC in respect of an avoidable death.
Instructed on behalf of a Claimant in respect of the quantification of remedy against an investment house based in the Isle of Man as a result of a successful claim for automatic unfair dismissal due to a protected disclosure, recovered £590,000 + which was at the time the highest award made by the Isle of Man ET.
Instructed on behalf of a Premiership Football Club to defend claims of whistleblowing, race discrimination and constructive unfair dismissal arising out of protected disclosures alleging various breaches of transfer regulations.
Instructed on behalf of a Microbiological company to defend complex and voluminous claims of whistleblowing, disability discrimination, harassment, and constructive unfair dismissal by a Claimant, listed for 7 days and successfully resolved after day 5 following substantial legal argument.
Instructed on behalf of a former Managing Director of a prominent transport company for claims of detriments and dismissal due to protected disclosures involving health and safety issues in a claim worth in excess of £250,000.
Instructed on behalf of multiple Claimants in a 25 day case involving claims of whistleblowing and multiple allegations of serious financial impropriety against a prominent public body with the pleaded quantum of the claims exceeding £200,000.
Instructed on behalf a Surgeon (backed by the British Medical Association) to pursue a claim of unfair dismissal and protected disclosure detriment against an NHS Trust, successful in recovering over £112,000 in compensation.
Paras’ rapidly developing practice in this area stems from his extensive experience in conducting employment law disputes and his focus on high-value, complex whistleblowing and discrimination disputes for both leading corporates and high-net value individuals.
Due to the nature of his practice and the issues arising therefrom, he has advised Respondents and Claimants on confidential information and privacy issues arising out their employment disputes, much of his work has the potential for significant reputational damage and his practice in this area stems from adjacent issues stemming from his work as an employment practitioner.
His developing practice encompasses a range of confidential information and privacy issues, including privacy, misuse of confidential information, database right claims and social media issues.
Instructed on behalf of a third party to resist/vary a disclosure order on the basis of confidentiality/privacy before the ET pursuant to Rule 35 ET Rules of Procedure.
Instructed on behalf of two junior female employees to advise on the enforceability of confidentiality/NDA clauses contained within their settlement agreements compromising egregious allegations of sexual assault/harassment (including grooming) and their ability to disclose aforesaid allegations to a major daily newspaper.
Instructed on behalf of a major bank to advise upon restricted reporting orders in respect of an extant claim before the Tribunal involving an ongoing police investigation into fraudulent behaviour and the protection of commercially sensitive information.
Instructed on behalf of a Managing Director and majority shareholder of an estate agent on obtaining a privacy Order in respect of an extant employment dispute involving allegations of sexual misconduct by a former employee where a romantic relationship had broken down.
Instructed on behalf of a Claimant pursuing whistleblowing allegations against his former employer for advice on potential defamatory statements made during the course of employment tribunal proceedings to external parties.
Instructed to advise a recruitment consultancy on potential claims for misuse of confidential information and infringement of database rights against departing employees involved in a team move to a rival employer.
Paras is frequently sought out by a wide range of clients (including law firms) to conduct complex internal investigations, as well as being instructed in an advisory capacity for wide scale HR issues which raise potential high value liabilities for a range of corporate and non-profit making organisations. He has extensive experience in conducting disciplinary and grievance investigations involving the entire spectrum of employment related issues and in particular is frequently involved in matters pertaining to allegations of public interest disclosures and detriment, breakdown in working relationships, serious misconduct, discrimination and potential criminal acts both in and outside the workplace. He is frequently instructed where allegations of misfeasance or misconduct have been made at senior management/HR level and is able to work to tight timescales at short notice to complete such work.
Instructed as a legal advisor to the Board of a Football Association in respect of an internal investigation into potential breaches of confidentiality and fiduciary duties by a Director.
Instructed to conduct an appeal hearing on behalf of a Trade Union in respect of the dismissal of one its senior employees for gross misconduct.
Instructed (with Margherita Cornaglia) to conduct an investigation into allegations of potential criminal behaviour amongst very senior individuals within a high profile organisation.
Instructed to consider a wide ranging grievance raised by a Director of a health care company against the Managing Director and Senior Management team. The allegations raised were of an extremely serious nature involving sex discrimination, bullying and harassment as well as public interest disclosures and allegations of detriment.
Instructed to consider a grievance appeal for a FTSE 250 financial services organisation brought by an experienced member of staff involving allegations of disability discrimination and alleged detriment occasioned out of public interest disclosures.
Instructed by a FTSE 250 company to advise HR on widescale changes to terms and conditions within the organisation and consider whether a repudiatory breach of the implied term of trust and confidence between a group of employees and management may have occurred.
Instructed to consider numerous allegations of sex discrimination and harassment by an Operations Director against the senior management team of a restaurant group.
Instructed as a legal advisor to an internal disciplinary panel within a NHS Trust to consider and advise the constituted panel on disciplinary allegations to be levelled at a senior medical professional.
Instructed by a law firm to advise on an investigation involving a breakdown of working relationship between the senior management team and an experienced fee earner.
Instructed to advise on a highly sensitive allegation of sexual assault/rape by a senior executive against a subordinate in respect of an offsite work event.
A significant proportion of Paras’ practice involves disputes involving other jurisdictions across the entire breadth of his employment practice. Paras’ interest in international employment disputes stemmed from his time in Hong Kong as a Pegasus Scholar where he spent some time in the Employment Department of Mayer Brown JSM.
He has recently been involved in a number of disputes involving the jurisdiction of the Tribunal over peripatetic workers as well as advising on employment disputes involving the Isle of Man, Jersey, Palestine and Cayman Islands as well as advising on disputes involving issues of state and diplomatic immunity.
Instructed on behalf of a high-profile international correspondent’s claims for discrimination and unfair dismissal against CNN, successful in establishing territorial and international jurisdiction by the ET at a PH and successfully upheld by the EAT (with Finnian Clarke) (against Paul Nicholls KC).
Instructed on behalf of World Sailing to resist an appeal before the EAT concerning territorial jurisdiction brought by a former employee based in South Africa.
Instructed by a former UNICEF employee (EU national based in New York) to advise on claims of sexual harassment/discrimination and wrongful/unfair dismissal claims as well as territorial jurisdiction and immunity issues.
Instructed (with Rabah Kherbane) by a journalist based in Palestine, formerly employed by a high-profile media organisation based in the UK to advise on claims of unfair/wrongful dismissal arising out of historical social media posts before the ET, including territorial jurisdiction of the ET to consider the claim.
Instructed by a British Consultant Neonatologist in respect of claims for sex discrimination against a Cayman Island based medical clinic, involving a novel legal argument in support of the ET accepting territorial jurisdiction over the claim.
Instructed on behalf of a Claimant in respect of the quantification of remedy against an investment house based in the Isle of Man as a result of a successful claim for automatic unfair dismissal due to a protected disclosure. Claimant awarded £590,000+ which was at the time the highest award made by the Isle of Man ET.
Instructed (with Margherita Cornaglia) on behalf of an intergovernmental agency constituted of 20+ sovereign states to dispute jurisdiction in respect of claims of age discrimination and public interest disclosure detriment on the grounds of immunity from suit under the International Organisations Act 1968 as well as territorial jurisdiction.
Instructed on behalf of a European national working in Dubai as a CFO for a multinational technology company to advise on proceedings for breach of contract, public interest disclosures and various dismissal related claims arising out of the withdrawal of a UK based post, including the jurisdiction of the UK courts over this matter.
Instructed on behalf of two Iranian nationals (husband and wife) to pursue claims of whistleblowing detriment and dismissal who allege that their employer has been exporting prohibited chemicals to Iran in breach of UK Export regulations as well as the multilateral sanctions regime imposed on Iran. The claim involves extremely serious allegations of impropriety by the Respondent including deprivation of liberty, confiscation of passports and direct threats of physical violence.
Pro Bono advice in respect of a sex and race discrimination claim advanced by a British Algerian dual national employed by a Middle Eastern Embassy involving consideration of the Supreme Court decision in Benkharbouche and jurisdictional issues of State and Diplomatic Immunity.
Instructed on behalf of an Airline in respect of a claim for disability discrimination brought in the Civil Courts for a purported act of discrimination occurring overseas. The Claim involves jurisdictional issues concerning domestic and European equalities legislation and the exclusivity of jurisdiction conferred by the Montreal Convention 1999.
Paras has extensive experience dealing with TUPE on behalf of both Claimants and Respondents on a national basis. He has particular experience in advising upon the extraterritorial application of the TUPE regulations and is often instructed to deal with crossover issues across the entire spectrum of employment disputes and TUPE transfers. He is also frequently instructed in protective award claims, collective contractual claims, collective bargaining disputes and union recognition claims.
Instructed on behalf of a Respondent operating in the facilities management sector in respect of a high value claim brought by a corporate Claimant concerning an alleged breach of Regulation 11 TUPE 2006.
Instructed on behalf of a local authority to advise on the transfer of collective bargaining liabilities under TUPE and Equal Pay risks arising out of an in-sourcing situation from the private sector.
Instructed on behalf of a group of Claimants pursuing claims for a protective award and failure to consult in respect of outsourced TUPE transfer from a client to a 3rd party telecommunications provider.
Instructed on behalf of a group of Claimants pursuing claims for a protective award, unfair dismissal and failure to consult under regulation 13 TUPE in respect of the insolvency of a law firm specialising in personal injury against another prominent law firm.
Instructed on behalf of a nightclub operator to advise on TUPE liabilities arising out of an administration process pertaining to a discretionary bonus scheme operated by the transferor, the cumulative value of the potential liability being in excess of £400,000.
Instructed on behalf of multiple Claimants in a 3 day case against multiple Respondents to determine whether a TUPE transfer occurred, along with associated claims of unfair dismissal, breach of contract, unlawful deduction of wages, and failure to consult under TUPE or TULR(C)A.
Instructed by a Local Authority to advise them upon the applicability of the TUPE regulations in relation to a proposed change of contractor involving a potential liability of circa £100,000.
Instructed on behalf of a prominent Coal Operating Company in administration to defend claims for a protective award and failure to consult under regulation 13 TUPE involving a potential liability of over £4 million.
As a result of his focus on high value and complex claims, Paras has been frequently instructed on group claims for both Respondents and Claimants and is usually instructed in an early stage of proceedings to provide his view on liability, quantum and litigation strategy (including appropriate settlement parameters). He has particular experience in litigating collective claims involving protective awards, trade union detriment, un/official industrial action, claims dependent upon worker/employee status as well as claims involving a breach of Regulation 13 TUPE and is used to dealing with claims cumulatively valued in the £millions.
Paras was heavily involved in litigation arising out of the closure of the Deep Mining Industry in the UK, including the closure of Daw Mill, Thoresby Colliery and Kellingley Colliery and associated claims for protective awards by affected workers. Paras is open to considering instructions on a DBA basis in appropriate cases.
Instructed on behalf of a Respondent manufacturer to defend group claims by 58 Claimants for unlawful deduction from wages and breach of the Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000 concerning holiday pay entitlement.
Instructed on behalf of 20 Claimants to pursue group claims for unfair dismissal, redundancy payments, unlawful deduction for wages, wrongful dismissal and holiday pay, listed for a 4 day PH in Bristol ET in Feb 2021 with the pleaded cumulative value of the claim exceeding £800k, claim settled on highly confidential terms.
National Union of Mineworkers v UK Coal Kellingley Ltd & Anor ET 1800370/2016 – Instructed on behalf of UK Coal Kellingley to defend claims for a protective award pursuant to s188 TURL(C)A 1992 arising out of the closure of the last deep mine in the UK, the total cumulative value of the claim being in excess of £1million (against John Hendy QC).
Union of Democratic Mineworkers v UK Coal Thoresby Ltd ET 2600271/2015 – Instructed on behalf of the UDM to pursue claims on behalf of over 100 Claimants for a protective award pursuant to s188 TURL(C)A 1992 arising our of the closure of Thoresby Colliery, the cumulative value of this successful claim being worth in excess of £1.25 million.
(1) Union of Democratic Mineworkers; (2) National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers v (1) Ocanti Opco Ltd (in liquidation); (2) SoS BIS ET 1323059&60/2013 – Instructed on behalf of the First Respondent to defend claims for a protective award and failure to consult under regulation 13 TUPE involving a potential liability of over £4 million arising out of the fire at Daw Mill.
V Brown and Others v 1) London General Transport Services Ltd 2) Blue Triangle Buses Ltd UKEAT/0136/16/RN – Instructed (with Louise Mankau) by the Claimants (circa 50 bus drivers) in an appeal concerning non-payment of allowances following a TUPE transfer.
Blatherwick & Ors v FW Farnsworth Ltd T/A Pizza Factory ET 2600957/2017 – Instructed by the Respondent to strike out claims asserted by group claimants of individual unfair dismissals on the basis of sham redundancies and inadequate consultation (collective and individual), successful in striking out all claim.
Paras enjoys an expansive practice in relation to unfair and wrongful dismissal claims and has particular experience in high value concurrent Tribunal/Civil claims. His practice is balanced in respect of Claimant and Respondent work and he is regularly instructed on advisory matters pertaining to liability and quantum in the more complex claims. Paras has substantial experience dealing with unfair/wrongful dismissal claims involving senior executives/employees and has advised and regularly represents directors and high net worth individuals in their employment disputes.
Instructed by a former senior executive in a prominent UK based law firm over high value claims of unfair/wrongful dismissal, whistleblowing detriment and breach of contract in respect of share options.
Instructed by a Respondent who had admitted to fabricating documentary evidence to support an extension of time to file an ET3. Paras was successful in persuading the employment tribunal to exercise its discretion to extend time to allow the defence of the unfair dismissal claim, despite the Respondent’s admitted dishonesty.
Instructed by a law firm to advise on disciplinary and dismissal proceedings against an associate solicitor specialising in employment law on grounds of suspected alcohol misuse and breakdown in working relationships.
Instructed on behalf a Surgeon (backed by the British Medical Association) to pursue a claim of unfair dismissal and protected disclosure detriment against an NHS Trust, successful in recovering over £112,000 in compensation.
Instructed on behalf of a Claimant who was an ex-employee of a US oil and gas company based in Nigeria to argue at a preliminary hearing that the Tribunal had jurisdiction to entertain his unfair dismissal complaint. Also instructed in substantive 4 day hearing.
Instructed on behalf of a Respondent to defend an unfair dismissal claim from their ex-Operations Director on the grounds that he had breached his fiduciary duties and sought to set up a competing business whilst in the Respondent’s employment.
Instructed on behalf of a multinational Respondent to defend a claim brought by a senior ex-employee for unfair dismissal, the case involved allegations of theft and fraudulent accountancy practices.
Instructed on behalf of an investment banker in one of the pre-eminent global financial services firms in the country to advise on issues arising out of the termination of his employment.
Paras’ experience in the sporting sector is derived from his specialist practice areas and in particular the cross-over between his employment and privacy work given the high-profile and complex nature of his work in this sphere and the reputational considerations prevalent.
His experience to date has seen him act and/or advise Premiership Football Clubs such as Manchester United FC, Manchester City FC, Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC in their employment issues as well as a Premier League Football Manager and represent Azeem Rafiq in their disputes with their ex-employers.
He has been instructed to deal with various discrimination and whistleblowing claims involving impropriety at senior levels including potential criminal conduct.
Instructed on behalf of World Sailing to resist an appeal before the EAT concerning territorial jurisdiction brought by a former employee based in South Africa.
Instructed as a legal advisor to the Board of a Football Association in respect of an internal investigation into potential breaches of confidentiality and fiduciary duties by a Director.
Instructed on behalf of a Premiership Football Club to defend claims of disability discrimination and unfair dismissal, successful in persuading the Claimant to withdraw his disability discrimination claims at a PH.
Instructed on behalf of a Premiership Rugby Club to defend claims from a senior manager for unfair dismissal and unlawful deduction from wages with a pleaded value in excess of £200,000.
Instructed on behalf of a Premiership Football Club to defend claims of whistleblowing, race discrimination and constructive unfair dismissal arising out of protected disclosures alleging various breaches of transfer regulations.
Instructed (with Jennifer Robinson and Margherita Cornaglia) on behalf of Azeem Rafiq in respect of his claims for race discrimination, victimisation, harassment and detriment occasioned due to protected disclosures against Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
Instructed on behalf of a Premiership Football Club to conduct an internal investigation into allegations of wrongdoing by senior individuals.
Instructed on behalf of a Premier League Manager to advise on a £2.5 million contractual matter arising out of the termination of his employment.
Paras is regularly instructed to advise upon disputes in respect of the enforceability of restrictive covenants and the use of confidential information by ex-employees. He has particular experience in respect of applications for and against injunctive relief and is well versed in dealing with disputes concerning the fiduciary duties of directors and senior employees. He is frequently instructed in litigation in areas as diverse as bonus claims, pensions related disputes, harassment, professional regulatory hearings, employee incentive/share schemes and negligent misstatement claims.
Paras is frequently instructed in employment claims involving criminal acts both in and outside of the workplace for both Claimants and Respondents. He is also regularly sought out by a wide range of clients in advisory capacity where issues concerning concurrent (or likely) concurrent proceedings in the criminal and civil jurisdictions arise for his opinion on merits, litigation strategy and risk mitigation.
Instructed on behalf of an international casino operator to advise on a high value contractual dispute arising out of the supply of maintenance and monitoring of electronic security services.
Instructed (with Rabah Kherbane) to advise a medical practice on recovery of over £1 million allegedly fraudulently diverted by a former employee in both civil and criminal proceedings.
Instructed on behalf of a high profile and prominent senior academic on the employment implications of a highly sensitive allegation of rape/grooming by an ex-student during concurrent criminal investigations.
Instructed on behalf of a senior civil servant to advise on the employment implications of an allegation of theft by their employer of circa £62,000, successfully resolved the matter with no further action taken by the employer.
Instructed to defend an oleochemical business in a high court claim, cumulatively worth approximately £1 million from group claimants alleging entitlement to enhanced redundancy terms.
Instructed on behalf of a Premier League Manager to advise on a £2.5 million contractual matter arising out of the termination of his employment.
Instructed on behalf of a European Chemical Distributor to advise upon proposed injunctive relief proceedings against senior ex-employees for breach of fiduciary duties and misuse of confidential information.
Instructed (leading Finnian Clarke) on behalf of the Respondent to successfully resist the Appellant’s appeal against a finding of international and territorial jurisdiction by the ET in respect of claims advanced by the Respondent post-dating 1 March 2017.
Instructed (leading Adeola Fadipe) on behalf of the Appellant (having not appeared previously) to successfully argue that the ET’s award of £10,000 for injury to feelings was manifestly excessive and perverse. The EAT substituted an award of £10,000 to £2,169 and provided guidance on such awards.
Instructed (leading Finnian Clarke) on behalf of the Appellant before the EAT to successfully argue that the ET erred in its approach to a finding of harassment related to sex against the Appellant, persuaded the EAT to remit the matter to a freshly constituted tribunal for redetermination.
Instructed on behalf of the Appellant (Pro Bono) before the EAT (having not appeared previously) to argue that the ET committed an error of law in its approach in refusing the Appellant’s application to amend her claim to include whistleblowing detriment and dismissal claims.
Successful on behalf of the Respondent in resisting the Appellant’s appeal against a Registrar’s Order to refuse permission to extend time for an appeal before the EAT.
Instructed on behalf of the Appellant (Pro Bono) before the EAT (having not appeared previously) to argue that the ET committed an error of law in its approach to the admissibility of evidence at first instance.
Instructed on behalf of the Appellant to contend that the ET erred in law and/or reached perverse conclusions in its construction of a hypothetical comparator and/or drawing of inferences in respect of a claim advanced under s13 Equality Act 2010 on the grounds of race.
Instructed on behalf of the Respondent before the EAT (having not appeared previously) to argue that the ET had correctly approached the exercise of its discretion in refusing to extend time for the Appellants claim of discrimination on the just and equitable basis.
Instructed on behalf of the appellant to contend that the ET had erred and/or reached a perverse conclusion in its approach to a primary finding of fact which had not been advanced by either party before it, appellant eventually succeeded in obtaining judgment for £22,000+.
Instructed on behalf of the successful claimant at first instance, which concerned the application of a service provision change as defined within regulation 3(1)(b) of TUPE 2006.
Instructed on behalf of UK Coal Kellingley to defend claims for a protective award pursuant to s188 TULR(C)A 1992 arising out of the closure of the last deep mine in the UK, the total cumulative value of the claim being in excess of £1million (against John Hendy QC).
"Paras Gorasia frequently works on high-value and complex claims involving discrimination, whistleblowing and TUPE. His clients range from large multinational corporations in the financial, retail and pharmaceutical sectors to government departments... he operates a well-respected employment law practice encompassing the full suite of tribunal claims. Among other notable instructions he has advised Azeem Rafiq in the course of the investigation into racism at Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Paras Gorasia is my go to for employment matters. He can handle complex work and is an extremely talented advocate. "
Chambers & Partners 2026 (Employment)
"He is first class. He is very good on his feet, and he knows how client want things handled. Clients have absolute trust and confidence in Paras Gorasia to fight their corner. Paras Gorasia has very good technical knowledge and is great with clients. Paras Gorasia is able to tease out a coherent legal case from muddled arguments."
Chambers & Partners 2026 (Employment)
"Paras is fantastic counsel. He is a safe pair of hands, very responsive, great with clients and technically excellent. He's good in the sense of his ability to analyse the issues. I'm impressed by his level of detail. I really rate him."
Chambers & Partners 2026 (Independent Investigations)
"Paras is exceptionally strong in his approach to assessing key battle grounds within factually dense and legally complex high-value claims. His service levels and response times exceed expectations. Paras has a talent for distilling complex facts and reams of material into a clearly focused and evidenced argument. He is insightful on a personal level and extremely knowledgeable of the law, skilled at its analysis and application."
The Legal 500 2026
"Paras Gorasia of Old Square Chambers is well qualified to conduct and advise on independent investigations. He has been instructed by several high-profile organisations to investigate alleged misconduct and criminal misfeasance."
Chambers & Partners 2025 (Independent Investigations)
"Paras is an excellent barrister and does really fantastic work for clients. He's so practical and so well prepared. He is a superstar. He is Top-class senior junior, reliable and client-friendly. He's highly effective and has great tactical awareness and can handle difficult clients. Paras is My first-choice barrister, Paras is commercial, great with clients and knows the law."
Chambers & Partners 2025 (Employment)
"Paras instils confidence in clients and witnesses, is able to cut to the issues, explain matters clearly, and remain personable throughout. Approachable and willing to go the extra mile to support instructing solicitors and achieve great results, and a true expert in discrimination. His advocacy is nuanced and thoughtful, and he is robustly analytical in his approach."
The Legal 500 2025
"Paras is very knowledgeable, helpful and supportive. He has great depth of experience and knowledge combined with an approachable manner and the ability to quickly build rapport with clients. He possesses a keen eye for detail and has a way of putting a client at ease. He has a no-nonsense approach to matters. He is very cool, calm and collected, and technically very good."
Chambers & Partners 2024 (Employment)
"Paras is reassuring, reliable and approachable. He is a very safe pair of hands who builds an excellent rapport with clients. Above all, he is a highly skilled and technical advocate...is great with clients and gets on top of particularly complex matters. He is great to work with because he is legally astute but also great with clients and very committed. He is sensible, focused and never overwhelmed by complexity. He gets to grips with difficult cases and provides fantastic support."
Chambers & Partners 2024 (Independent Investigations)
"Paras is an exceptional barrister and his willingness to provide his views at an early stage is essential to helping shape the defence of a claim and it genuinely feels like he is part of the team. His client handling skills are excellent, he has a great ability to cut through complicated scenarios and focus on the issues which really matter, and explain complex issues in simple terms. Paras is commercially astute, responsive and a clever advocate. Good with clients and judges."
The Legal 500 2024
