Simon Gorton KC

Call 1988
Silk 2011

Gortonkc@exchangechambers.co.uk

"Simon is razor-sharp, he knows employment law inside out, and his attention to detail is incredible. That makes him an extremely impressive cross-examiner, and his client handling skills are fantastic."

The Legal 500 2025
Photo of Simon Gorton KC

  • Recommendations

    “A seasoned performer in all areas of employment law, acting on behalf of clients ranging from trade unions and public bodies to high-profile companies and individuals. He has experience in both employment and personal injury law and is especially capable of handling matters relating to the Protection from Harassment Act.”

    Strengths:

    “Simon is very persuasive in an understated way as an advocate; he is calm, collected and measured.”
    Chambers and Partners 2025

    “Simon is razor-sharp, he knows employment law inside out, and his attention to detail is incredible. That makes him an extremely impressive cross-examiner, and his client handling skills are fantastic.”
    The Legal 500 2025

    “Very reliable and tenacious.”

    “He takes on the biggest cases around.”
    Chambers and Partners 2024

    “Simon is a super advocate; persuasive and tenacious.”
    The Legal 500 2024

    “Simon Gorton KC is a very good barrister; he knows his stuff and is a very confident advocate.”
    Chambers and Partners 2023

    ‘Simon is extremely good with clients. He is able to mix giving technical advice with being practical. He is extremely technically able and a ferocious cross-examiner. He is incredibly astute and tactically and is second to none.’
    The Legal 500 2023

    Previous Directory commentary includes:

    “Robust, experienced and a skilled cross-examiner.” “Committed, hard-working and client-focused. He is a good advocate.”

    Chambers & Partners 2021 – Employment – Northern Circuit (Band 1)

    “He gets straight to the heart of key issues.”
    Chambers & Partners

    Simon Gorton, who divides his time between Liverpool and London, is “outstanding at building a case and excellent at cross-examination.”
    Chambers & Partners

    “The impressive Simon Gorton QC is another vastly experienced employment specialist at the set and a real force to be reckoned with.”
    Chambers & Partners

    His “tactical approach to proceedings” and “formidable” advocacy style give him an edge. one commentator noted: “His polite cross-examination technique is deadly.”
    Chambers & Partners

    “His subject knowledge is a given but where he makes the biggest difference is with his tactical awareness and cross examination skills. His focus on the claims and issues is relentless and he makes the most complex issues seem straight forward.”
    The Legal 500

  • Education

    London University – Queen Mary College LL.B (2:1)

  • Memberships

    • Employment Law Bar Association
    • Personal Injury Bar Association
    • Professional Negligence Bar Association

  • News

Personal Injury

As a junior Simon specialised in high value personal injury claims and was able to secure a £10m plus settlement in a tetraplegic case that was on liability and quantum.

As a silk Simon has built up a claimant only ABI practice, represented claimants in historical sexual abuse claims and is currently representing British Airways pilots instructed by Thompsons and BALPA for spinal injuries caused by the configuration of security measures on flight decks.

Simon’s employment work also overlaps with his personal injury work in cases particularly relating to the Protection from Harassment Act and stress claims.