Practice Overview
Ashley is a personable, approachable client-focused Barrister with over 25 years of experience, specialising in the provision of expert legal advice to businesses of all sizes, Government Departments and individuals. A leading employment junior, Ashley’s practice also encompasses professional discipline, commercial and contract disputes, restrictive covenant cases and discrimination in goods and services.
He routinely appears in the appeal courts on behalf of central government departments, local authorities SME’s and FTSE 250 firms.
Endorsed by all the major legal directories he is always realistic on fees and can accept instructions on a direct access basis where appropriate.
Ashley is consistently recommended as a leading junior in his field by Chambers and Partners and Legal 500. He is on the Attorney General’s A Panel of Counsel, and sits as a recorder and fee paid judge of the employment tribunal.
Appointments:
- Junior Counsel to the Crown ( Panel A)
- Recorder (2020)
- Employment Tribunal Judge (2020)
Cases
Darrell Miles v Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency [2023] EAT 62
Pandemic case involving a driving examiner with CKD who did not wish to return to work. Examines in detail the H&S provisions of s.44 and s.100 Employment Rights Act
HMRC v Ant Marketing [2020] I.R.L.R. 744
Leading decision under the national minimum wage legislation on meaning of expenditure in connection with employment under Reg 13 and the accommodation offset under Reg 14.
R (oao) Liral Veget Training v SSHD [2018] EWHC 2941
Refusal of JR challenge to revocation of a Tier 2 Sponsorship license. Confirms that there is no requirement for SoS to specify the exact documents required from a sponsor following suspension of a license.
Raj and Knoll v Secretary of State for the Home Office (2015) EWHC 1329 Admin
First case to come before the courts on approach to take when challenging decision to revoke a Tier 2 sponsorship license.
Country Court Care v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2015] EWHC 2054 (Admin)
Considered what applicability the HRA had when revocation of a Tier 2 licence of a care home may impact on the welfare of the residents.
HMRC v Jones and Others (2014) ICR D43
EAT provides for the first time a comprehensive guide to the principles in identifying a contract of apprenticeship at common law. Ashley successfully represented HMRC.
Ministry of Justice v Parry (2013) ICR 311
Leading case on legal representation at internal disciplinary hearings in the context of unfair dismissal.
Secretary of State for Justice v Hibbert (2013) All ER (D) 295 (Nov)
Establishes when an ‘ambiguous’ resignation takes effect for the purposes of EDT in a constructive dismissal.
The Department for Works and Pensions v Conyers UKEAT/0375/13/KN
EAT summarises the legal and medical requirements for the recurring effects provisions of the Equality Act in relation in particular to depression.
R (oao Golding) v General Commissioners of Income Tax (2011) EWCH 2435 Admin
A decision by the General Commissioners of Income Tax not to issue a closure notice in relation to an inquiry into a taxpayers return was lawful as there was no bias or procedural unfairness. Ashley successfully acted for HMRC.
Key2Law v D’Antiquis (2011) EWCA Civ 1567
Court of Appeal upholds decision of EAT that administration can never fall within Regulation 8 (7) TUPE in that it is not an insolvency proceeding instituted with a view to the liquidation of the assets of the transferor. Ashley again acted for the Secretary of State as intervenor. Appeal to the Supreme Court was dismissed in 2013.
OTG Ltd v Barke & Others (2011) IRLR 272
Interpretation of TUPE Regulation 8. EAT determines that administration can never fall within Regulation 8 (7) TUPE in that it is not an insolvency proceeding instituted with a view to the liquidation of the assets of the transferor. Ashley successfully acted on behalf of the Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills.
Molaudi v Ministry of Defence (2011) ICR D19
The EAT held that an ET has no jurisdiction to consider a discrimination claim where the MOD has ruled the internal grievance invalid. Ashley successfully acted for the MOD.
EAGA v Tideswell UK EAT/007/11/SM
EAT address issue of substitution in an unfair dismissal case.
Ministry of Defence v Fletcher (2010) IRLR 25
Leading case on the appropriate approach to aggravated and exemplary damages in the Employment Tribunal.
Guellard v Ministry of Defence (2009) All ER (D) 50 (Dec)
Proper approach to the issue of contributory fault in the Employment Tribunal.
R (oao) Spicer v Secretary of State for Justice (2009) EWHC 2142 (Admin)
Judicial review in respect of a challenge to a decision of the parole board not to release a prisoner on an IPP. Considered rationality of decision and delay.
Jatto v Godloves Solicitors (2008) All ER (D) 169 (Jan)
Guidance for striking out discrimination at PHR stage.
Thomas v The Home Office (2006) EWCA Civ 1355
Leading case on what can and cannot be agreed between the parties without a court order under the CPR and what constitutes a valid agreement for the purposes of rule 2.11.
Connor and Hine v DTI (2006) All ER (D) 61 (Feb)
Burton P in the EAT rules Part XII ERA is compatible with EC insolvency directive and refuses to refer the matter to the CJEU.
Home Office v Lowles (2004) EWCA (Civ) 985
Correct approach to Regulation 12 (3) workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations 1992).
Logan v Commissioners for Customs and Excise (2004) IRLR 63
Leading Court of Appeal decision on striking out at half time in the ET. Ashley successfully acted for the Claimant Mrs Logan.
Bewley v Prison Service (2004) ICR 422
Leading case on meaning of collective agreement and contracting out for the purposes of the Working Time Regulations.
Miller v Secretary of State for the Home Department (2004) All ER (D) 109 (Jun)
Employment status of a prison chaplain.
Wainwright and another v Home Office (2003) UKHL 53
Landmark decision of the House of Lords on whether a free standing tort of invasion of privacy exists. Ashley acted for the Claimants throughout from the High Court. The case eventually reached the ECHR where the Claimants were successful.
Stott and Others v Prison Service (2003) All ER 25 (Jun) Date of assessment for ‘prejudice’ when extending time limits.
Hill v Prison Service (2003) All ER (D) 267 (Dec) – Identifying correct EDT.
De Keyser v Wilson (2001) IRLR 324 – Leading case on use of experts in the ET including appropriate manner of instruction.