Paul Kirtley

Call 1982

kirtley@exchangechambers.co.uk

"He is an excellent negotiator with an eye to the practicalities and the human aspect of situations. A calm advocate."

The Legal 500 2025
Photo of Paul Kirtley

Employment

Paul is considered one of the leading civil practitioners on the North Eastern circuit.

He is particularly well regarded for his employment law practice and has appeared in a number of high profile cases. Renowned for his personable manner, Paul delivers practical, solutions-based advice on the full range of employment matters and provides clients with expert legal and strategic advice.

As an experienced advocate, Paul regularly appears on behalf of clients in the Employment Tribunal, the Employment Appeal Tribunal and the Civil Courts.

He advises in Trade Union, Police Federation and similar matters, both on internal union arrangements, internal membership disputes and wider Union/ Employer issues relating to terms and conditions and the interrelation with regulatory obligations.

He has substantial experience in the public sector dealing with the police, local authority, NHS and PC trusts with reference particularly to discrimination, public interest disclosure, data protection, freedom of information and disciplinary issues.

Paul can provide bespoke in house training on all aspects of employment law and has lectured at seminars and training events arranged by the Employment Lawyers Association and Industrial Law Society.

As an accredited mediator with over fifteen years’ experience, Paul has successfully developed the use of mediation and ADR in appropriate employment cases. Renowned for his personable and down to earth manner, he has the ability to communicate effectively with both the legal and lay parties. He has specific experience of workplace mediation – seeking to resolve the dispute before the onset of legal proceedings.

Employment Cases

Paul’s expertise covers all areas of employment law, including:

Breach of contract

Whistleblowing

Business reorganisation

Bonus/Share option disputes

Contracts of employment

Data protection

Discrimination

Equal pay

Executive terminations

Redundancy

Restrictive covenants

Statutory employment rights

Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE)

Trade union law

Unfair and wrongful dismissal

Working time regulations