Karen MOSS 560x670

Karen Moss

Year of Call: 2002
Email Address: [email protected]
Telephone: 020 7583 8055

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Clerk Details

  • Clerk Name: Russell Porter
  • Clerk Telephone: 01865 793 736
  • Clerk Email: [email protected]

Employment and discrimination

Karen is an employment law specialist with 18 years of experience. She has been most recently ranked as a Tier 1 Leading Junior in the South Eastern Circuit Employment ‘She is a superstar: a lawyer of the strongest calibre and an excellent advocate with strong cross-examination and client care skills’ and praised for being ‘personable with all clients’ and being able to ‘put witnesses at ease while keeping them focussed on their evidence‘. As a Leading Junior at the London Employment Bar, she is recognised as ‘Superb at processing complex matters and cutting through to the core legal and commercial issues in play, her technical knowledge is extensive and impressive’ (Legal 500 2021).

She has been recognised in this year’s Chambers and Partners UK 2021 as a “Widely acclaimed barrister with a tremendous depth of experience handling an array of employment matters including discrimination and whistle-blowing claims… "She's absolutely fantastic with clients and also just gets the legal issues instantly. She is my go-to barrister for everything because she can turn her hand to anything – she's absolutely incredible." "She routinely impresses me with opinions and her advocacy. She is very quick at cutting through the complex factual background to get to a clear legal view.”

Employment tribunal work has included both Claimant and Respondent work relating to unfair dismissal (substantive and procedural, constructive or actual), wrongful dismissal, discrimination (sex, sexual orientation, race, age, disability, religion and belief; direct and indirect), harassment, victimisation, stress at work claims, unlawful detriment claims, equal pay claims, TUPE, breach of contract, PIDA/whistleblowing claims, working time and unlawful deductions from wages. She has a particular interest in disability discrimination claims, including failure to make reasonable adjustments, and race and sex discrimination claims.

She is also regularly instructed to appear or to advise in matters of employment-related insolvency and judicial or other employment mediations. She has been instructed to draft a wide variety of employment pleadings and frequently advises parties pre- and post-action in industrial relations matters generally and tribunal and/or county court and/or High Court litigation, including post-termination restrictions and injunctive proceedings. She regularly appears in the Employment Appeal Tribunal and has appeared in the Court of Appeal on employment matters.

Karen undertakes work via Direct Access for lay clients, on Conditional Fee and Damages Based Agreements and on a pro bono basis in appropriate cases. Additionally she has represented parties in judicial and other mediations regarding employment and wider commercial disputes.

She gives lectures, seminars and produces training material on the development of employment law to solicitors, human resources and other professionals.

Reported and interesting appellate cases:

Ahmed v Cardinal Hume Academies UKEAT/0096/18 29th March 2019

Successfully defended an appeal regarding disability harassment and direct discrimination because of disability. Mr Justice Choudhury (P) found that the tribunal had been correct to find that if it was not reasonable for the conduct to be regarded as violating the Claimant’s dignity or creating an adverse environment for him, then it should not be found to have done so. Additionally, the tribunal had concluded that the Appellant had been suspended because of his difficulties with handwriting. That was a finding that treatment was because of the adverse effect of an impairment or of something arising from disability; it was not a finding that the treatment was because of the disability – whether dyspraxia or some other unspecified physical or mental impairment - itself.

Baldeh v Churches Housing Association of Dudley & District Ltd UKEAT/0290/18/JOJ 11th March 2019

HHJ Shanks determined that where the original decision to dismiss was for disability-related reasons, without knowledge of the disability, but the appeal decision, upholding the dismissal was for the same reasons, with the requisite knowledge of a disability, that was actionable by an employee claiming to have been dismissed because of something arising in consequence of her disability. The ET had failed to apply the correct thresholds for liability under s.15 Equality Act 2010 and so the matter was remitted to a fresh tribunal

Philcox v CGDM Ltd TA Andrew Wilson & Co A2/2016/2804

May 2017 Representing the successful Respondent in the Court of Appeal, Lord Justice Underhill set aside the permission to appeal granted last year by Lord Justice Elias in this factually complex case involving multiple allegations of sex discrimination and unfair dismissal (EAT in February 2017 EAT/0819/16/DA).

Hampshire County Council v Wyatt UKEAT/0013/16/DA

October 2016 Represented the successful Respondent before the President of the Employment Appeal Tribunal Mrs Justice Simler DBE who gave invaluable guidance in relation to the divisibility of injuries and proportionate reduction of ITF and personal injury awards and on the use of medical evidence in employment tribunals for personal injury claims.

Pnaiser v NHS England and Coventry City Council  [2016] IRLR 170

November 2015 Represented the successful Appellant in showing that a prospective employer could be liable for discrimination arising in consequence of a disability, by relying on a reference which itself was discriminatory, even if the prospective employer did not know of the link between negative reference and the disability. The decision of the Tribunal overturned and a decision upholding her claims for disability discrimination was substituted.

Scotthorne v Four Seasons Conservatories (UK) Limited  UKEAT/0178/10/ZT

Whether the Tribunal was correct not to order disclosure of documented advice from “Employment Consultants” or HR professionals who were not legally qualified on the grounds of either legal advice privilege or litigation privilege and the application of New Victoria Hospital v Ryan [1993] IRLR 202 and Three Rivers DC v Bank of England (No.6) [2005] 1 AC 610.

Snows Motor Group Ltd v Palmerino UKEAT/1512/08DM

Whether the Tribunal had “slipped into the substitution mindset” following the Court of Appeal decision in London Ambulance v Small and the applicability of the statutory disciplinary procedures where detailed evidence had not been provided until the Step 2 hearing.

Lloyd-Briden v Worthing College [2007] 3 CMLR 27, EAT

The applicability and effect of the ECJ decision in Mangold on the age discrimination provisions before the implementation date in the UK.

London Borough of Camden v Price-Job UKEAT/0507/06/DM [2007] All ER (D) 259 (Dec)

Question of whether the Tribunal correctly considered all relevant circumstances of Respondent to a DDA claim, and whether they considered the effect of s.3A(6) appropriately. Additionally the application of the law in relation to whether an appropriate assessment of an employee is a necessary pre-condition to reasonable adjustments.

Roberts v Valleyrose Ltd T/A Fernbank Nursing Home UKEAT/03944/06/D [2007] All ER (D) 163 (Aug)

Question of whether the Tribunal was biased against the Appellant and whether the Appellant had had a fair opportunity to refute an allegation of bad faith in a PIDA claim.

Investigations

Karen Moss has extensive experience of advising investigators in a number of different sectors, including healthcare, the legal profession, including partnership disputes, communications, manufacturing and education.

The investigations with which she has been involved have ranged from straight-forward disciplinaries and grievances, to factually and legally complex, wide-ranging high-stakes cases involving C-suite executives, whistleblowing and discrimination allegations. She has particular expertise in cases involving disabilities or suspected disabilities, especially those involving mental health.

Her skills are in distilling voluminous information into the salient points, being efficient, incisive and comprehensive. Her down-to-earth, practical nature makes her easy to work with.

Injunctions

Karen Moss is frequently instructed on High Court applications for interim injunctions concerning an employee’s breach of express and implied terms during and after their employment, including breach of fiduciary duty and directors’ duties, breach of confidentiality, protection of Databases and Trade Secrets, enforcement of restrictive covenants and third party liability. Successful applications have included interim and final injunctions, springboard relief, orders for delivery up and destruction, and substantial damages.

She has advised claimants and defendants, including C-suite executives, on negotiating appropriate undertakings, enforceability and severability of covenants, team moves and the use of garden leave, in addition to providing practical tactical guidance both before and after a claim is issued.

  • Articles

    • When does time start to run in a failure to make reasonable adjustments or other omissions claim?

      25th Sep 2023

      Karen Moss reviews Fernandes v Department of Work and Pensions [2023] EAT 114, a case which gives practical guidance on what questions it is relevant for the ET to ask itself to determine when time starts to run in an omissions case.

      View Article

    • Is that letter you wrote covered by WP protection?

      19th Jan 2023

      Karen Moss looks at the case Sarah Garrod v Riverstone Management Ltd [2022] where an employee’s grievance which was based on bullying, harassment and maternity discrimination constituted an "existing dispute" for the purpose of the "without prejudice" (WP) rule.

      View Article

    • Can a worker claim, on termination, payment for untaken holiday carried over from previous holiday years?

      22nd Feb 2022

      Karen Moss analyses the Court of Appeal's judgment in Smith v Pimlico Plumbers Ltd 2022 EWCA Civ 70 and explores its practical ramifications for employment lawyers.

      View Article

    • The EAT provides some important guidance on the procedure required for conduct dismissals

      3rd Dec 2021

      Karen Moss analyses the EAT's decision in London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham v Keable EA-2019-000733-DA / EA-2020-000129-DA, a case in which the EAT issues useful procedural advice in relation to conduct dismissals and employee reinstatement.

      View Article

    • Consideration of acts, omissions and conduct extending over a period, for the purposes of calculating time in a reasonable adjustments case

      10th Aug 2021

      Janet Kerr v Fife Council UKEATS/0022/20/SH

      Employment law barrister Karen Moss summarises the Scottish EAT’s consideration of acts, omissions and conduct extending over a period, for the purposes of calculating time in the reasonable adjustments case of Janet Kerr v Fife Council UKEATS/0022/20/SH.

      View Article

    • An erroneous decision to extend time under s.123(1)(b) Equality Act 2010

      2nd Mar 2021

      Leeds and Yorkshire Housing Association Limited v Fothergill UKEAT/0211/20/LA

      Karen Moss represented the successful Appellant before the EAT on 28th January 2021 and judgment was read out on 5th February 2021. Read Karen's analysis of Leeds and Yorkshire Housing Association Limited v Fothergill UKEAT/0211/20/LA here.

       

      View Article

    • The justice and equitability of time extensions

      28th Jan 2021

      Adedeji v University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust [2021] EWCA Civ 23

      Experienced employment law barrister Karen Moss reviews the case of Adedeji v University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust [2021] EWCA Civ 23.

      On the 15th January 2021 Lord Justice Underhill handed down judgment in Adedeji v University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust, which confirms what employment lawyers had long suspected: it can be tricky to challenge an employment tribunal’s determination as to whether it is just and equitable to extend time or not, under s.123(1) Equality Act 2010.

      View Article

    • A lesson in restrictive covenants   

      11th Jan 2021

      Karen Moss examines Quilter Private Client Advisers v Falconer and Continuum (Financial Services) LLP [2020] EWHC 3294 (QB), a case regarding the enforceability of restrictive covenants, including the public interest element and interesting findings about affirmation in a constructive wrongful dismissal claim.

      View Article

    • When is an employer deemed to have knowledge of a disability for the purpose of s.15 EqA 2010?

      1st Aug 2019

      3PB's Karen Moss authors 'When is an employer deemed to have knowledge of a disability for the purpose of s.15 EqA 2010?'

      View Article

    • Hampshire County Council v Wyatt - Karen Moss, 3PB Barristers

      11th Jul 2017

      In a recent judgment in the Employment Appeal Tribunal – Hampshire County Council v Wyatt UKEAT/0013/16 (13 October 2016) – Mrs Justice Simler DBE gave important presidential guidance on the questions which frequently arise in discrimination remedy hearings when tribunals consider claims for non-pecuniary damages and/or where there might be competing causes of injury. Karen Moss

      View Article

    • Recent developments regarding non-pecuniary awards in the Employment Tribunal

      12th Jul 2017

      Karen Moss has an article published on the impact of Wyatt v Hampshire County Council UKEAT/0013/16 on litigants claiming personal injury damages in the employment tribunal.

      See www.pibriefupdate.com and the Personal Injury Brief Update Law Journal newsletter this month.

      View Article
  • Recommendations

    Karen Moss is a widely acclaimed barrister with a tremendous depth of experience handling an array of employment matters including discrimination and whistle-blowing claims. She also expertly represents her clients in breach of contract and confidentiality disputes, and litigation concerning the disclosure of trade secrets.
    Strengths: "Karen is an excellent advocate who has won cases we thought we might lose!"
    "I work with Karen a lot and wouldn't do so if she wasn't excellent at what she does. Whether it's drafting, advocating or anything in between, Karen is the safest pair of hands going."
    "Karen is extremely good and very thorough."
    "Karen is excellent at handling complex matters."

    Chambers UK 2025/Employment/South Eastern Bar - ranked in Band 1

    In recent work, ‘excellent drafter’ Karen Moss acted as leading counsel for Vodafone Ltd in Romain v Vodafone Ltd, a case involving accusations of direct race discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
    'Karen is effortlessly calm and collected with complex matters and tricky clients. She is brilliant, sound advocate, persuasive and robust. Her written advice is always clear, concise and practical.'
    Legal 500 2025/Employment/Leading Junior/South Eastern Circuit - Tier 1

    'Her knowledge, advocacy and experience in employment and discrimination law far exceed her year of call. Her command of the court room and even the most difficult of judges and opponents is admirable.'
    Legal 500 2025/Employment/Leading Junior/London Bar

    Strengths: “Karen is very good at dealing with complex matters and giving intelligible advice.”
    “She is helpful and willing to work with you as a solicitor, approaching me as part of a team.”
    “Karen is very thorough and straightforward in her approach.”
    Chambers UK 2024/Employment/South Eastern Bar

    Strengths: “She is really strong, very detailed and thorough.”
    “Karen Moss manages opponents and judges with skill and control.”
    Chambers UK 2023/Employment/South Eastern Bar

    Strengths: "Karen has a sharp mind and gets straight to the point. She is able to quickly grasp and identify the key issues in even the most complex of cases. She is excellent to work with, being amiable, accessible and clear in her advice." "Karen is great with clients and really good in cross-examination."
    Recent work: Acted in Dampier v Bovis Homes, defending the respondent against claims of alleged constructive unfair dismissal in relation to an implied mobility clause in the claimant’s contract.
    Chambers UK 2022/Employment/South Eastern Bar

    Strengths: "She's absolutely fantastic with clients and also just gets the legal issues instantly. She is my go-to barrister for absolutely everything because she can turn her hand to anything – she's absolutely incredible." "She routinely impresses me with opinions and her advocacy. She is very quick at cutting through the complex factual background to get to a clear legal view."

    Recent work: Acted for the respondent in an appeal brought by an employee who claimed disability discrimination, where the Employment Tribunal had found that he was disabled by reason of difficulty with handwriting.
    Chambers UK 2021/Employment/South Eastern Bar

    Karen Moss successfully represented Boots in claims of unfair dismissal and disability discrimination raised by an employee of the company and is known for ‘providing excellent objectivity, getting into the nub of the issue and demonstrating her ability to reassure nervous witnesses’.

    'Karen is an excellent lawyer. Her advocacy skills are superb, and she shows an excellent quality in all she does.'
    Legal 500 2024/Employment/South Eastern Circuit - Tier 1

    'A junior with exceptional knowledge of the law.'
    Legal 500 2024/Employment/Leading Juniors/London Bar

    Karen Moss recently successfully represented a claimant in the recovery of substantial notice pay against a care provider and was praised for her ‘great attention to detail and the ability to look at the bigger picture and work toward a resolution’
    3PB ‘Karen is very experienced in dealing with employment cases. She clearly understands tribunal requirements with regards to strike out applications and how to effectively use preliminary hearings to achieve the outcome desired for her client.’
    Legal 500 2023/Employment/South Eastern Circuit - Tier 1

    ‘She is extremely organised and methodical, and always provides her written work on time. A first-rate junior for large and complex cases, with excellent attention to detail.’
    Legal 500 2023/Employment/Leading Juniors/London Bar

    ‘Karen possesses an extremely sharp and quick mind, and her advice is clear, direct, and to the point. She is masterful at handling the most difficult of clients, and has the rare ability to see both the wood and the trees, without losing focus of either. In court, she is a powerful and persuasive advocate.’
    Legal 500 2022/Employment/Leading Juniors/South Eastern Circuit

    ''Very sharp but extremely user friendly and very clear. Quick turnaround and generally very impressive.''
    Legal 500 2022/Employment/Leading Juniors/London Bar

    "Karen Moss is praised for being 'personable with all clients' and being able to 'put witnesses at ease while keeping them focussed on their evidence'."
    ‘She is a superstar: a lawyer of the strongest calibre and an excellent advocate with strong cross-examination and client care skills.’
    Legal 500 2021/Employment/South Eastern Circuit

    ‘Superb at processing complex matters and cutting through to the core legal and commercial issues in play, her technical knowledge is extensive and impressive.’
    Legal 500 2021/Employment/London Bar

    ‘Extremely tenacious in pursuit of her client’s case and their best interests.’
    Legal 500 2020/Employment/South Eastern Circuit

    Client testimonials

    “Karen’s expert advice and support helped to secure a significant settlement on my employment tribunal case. She identified the case’s strengths and promptly addressed any possible weaknesses with evidence which was present but not previously included. Her approach, expertise and confidence led me to the outcome which was required and desired. I feel lucky to have had Karen on my side.”

    “Karen provided us with an excellent service in (a number of) cases. One case in particular involved two litigants in person and considerable documentation. The clients were extremely pleased with her handling of what was a sensitive case for them and of the successful result. Her manner with clients was good and put them at their ease. She has also performed well on cases where there was a need for greater intellectual input and skilful advocacy. Her reporting back is excellent. She is backed up by clerking at 3PB which is first class.”

    “Karen was outstanding over the two days and secured the very best possible outcome for us.”

    “I would also just like to say a massive thank you to you and to congratulate you on the excellent result yesterday, which I put entirely down to you. I am so impressed and I must say you have been a pleasure to work with throughout. I will 100% try and book you for any upcoming hearings I have in the future and cannot recommend you highly enough.”

    “your understanding of these matters and the manner in which you conveyed it to what appeared to be the most strict judge ever, was great. Furthermore, your cross examination of the cohort of (claimants) certainly taught them a lesson and was a pretty merry occasion for the three judges who could not contain themselves sometimes at the answers being received as well as the manner in which you had shown these (claimants) to be lying about various if not all statements they had made earlier. You had clearly shown (the first claimant) potentially what would happen to her when her case started and she was very fearful of your attendance at her hearing.  Even more so, you obtained a costs hearing and costs against the claimants… Once again our heartfelt thanks and gratitude for your assistance.”

    "Karen's strategy, foresight in the approach and cross-examination seemed to me to be truly exceptional. I never for one moment expected that the Respondent would seek to settle part way through the hearing, and I am convinced their surprising haste to settle part-way through the hearing was completely due to Karen."

    • Expand recommendations
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