Bruce Henry

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Ranked in Legal 500 2020 & 2021:
Bruce Henry is recommended in the Legal 500 for his Employment practice, ‘‘Strengths include ready and speedy accessibility for instructing solicitor and a very practical and realistic approach to finding the best solution for clients. Exceptionally good with clients and provides clear and incisive advice. Also, always very well prepared and advocacy style is very well tailored to the ET - tough but always appropriate in advocacy style.'

Bruce joined chambers in 2017, on returning to self-employed practise following 12 years working as In-House Counsel for two leading trade union solicitors' firms. He is one of the most experienced Claimant employment lawyers in the North West having represented trade union members in a wide spectrum of employment matters in both employment tribunals and the EAT. He has also himself been a trade union rep.

In addition, Bruce has represented trade union members before professional disciplinary panels, such as HCPC and NMC, as well as inquests.

Prior to specialising in-house as an employment lawyer, Bruce developed a general civil practice as a self-employed barrister in Chambers on the Northern Circuit.

Ranked in Legal 500 2020:
Bruce Henry is recommended in the Legal 500 for his Employment practice, ‘Responsive and approachable'.

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Reported Cases

• Birtenshaw v Oldfield (2019) succeeded in a claim for disability discrimination pursuant to s.15 of the Equality Act 2010 in Manchester Employment Tribunal when a prospective employer withdrew a job offer to a disabled applicant as a consequence of her disability. Case Report.
• Kaley Sweetman v Fordent Properties Limited (2017) - Successful whistleblowing claim for care worker sacked for reporting the home to Care Quality Commission. Press Coverage.
• Akinola v Kids Company (2016) - Information and consultation claim arising out of the liquidation of Kids Co - the charity which was in the news in 2015 when the government cancelled a grant for £3M.
• Chadderton v GMW & Arch Initiatives (2015) - Represented 7 Claimants at an ET hearing application of TUPE to a service provision change when an NHS Trust transferred activities to a charity. Case resulted in an appeal to EAT reported as Arch Initiatives v Greater Manchester West Mental Health Foundation Trust & others at (2016) ICR 607. Case Report
• Lindop and Houldin (2015) - Disability discrimination ET claim and a five figure sum awarded for Trade union discrimination and victimisation
• Walker v West Cumbria Care and Support [2015} ET 2406340/2015 reported by the MOJ. Case Report
• Legge v Prestige Homecare Ltd. [2015] ET/2401324/14 reported in Practical Law - successfully secured reimbursement of issue fee paid by a trade union. Case Report
• Network Rail v Mockler [2012] All ER (D) 203 - successfully represented Respondent to appeal against unfair dismissal dealing with range of reasonable responses test and contributory fault. Case Report
• Lawrence v Prison Service [2007] IRLR 468 - successfully represented Appellant in appeal to EAT on statutory grievance procedure in discrimination dismissals. Case Report

Professional Memberships & Publications

ELA (Employment Lawyers Association)