Paul O'Callaghan LLB (Hons) General Information Called to the bar at Gray's Inn in 2008, Paul is a specialist employment and civil barrister. He joined Clerksroom in 2013, having previously practised as a solicitor-advocate with a national firm of solicitors. An experienced and tenacious advocate, Paul is based in Cardiff but can attend court anywhere within England and Wales. He regularly provides drafting and advisory services to solicitors who routinely instruct him to attend hearings. Flexible and approachable, Paul is always willing to have an informal discussion about a case or query at any stage in proceedings. Paul accepts instructions from the public on a direct access basis and has been granted full litigation privileges. He has received excellent feedback from both lay and professional clients and always welcomes feedback so that he can continue to improve upon the service that he provides. Areas of law Employment Law Property Law Contract Law & Business Disputes Personal Injury Employment Law As a specialist employment lawyer, Paul regularly appears at tribunals nationwide, but he prides himself on a conciliatory approach to employment disputes. The vast majority of cases that he deals with settle amicably without the need for a trial which ultimately saves time and costs. Paul's employment work is generally split at 75% claimant and 25% respondent. He has successfully handled claims against major multi-national companies as well as public sector organisations. Paul is regularly instructed by major insurers to provide legal opinions, and he also provides advice and assistance to employees and employers involved in disciplinary and grievance procedures. He recently acted in a group litigation case against an international bank represented by a Magic Circle law firm and Queen's Counsel. Paul was able to negotiate a settlement on behalf of the group in excess of £400,000. Civil Law Paul maintains a busy civil litigation practice which includes acting in property, contract and business disputes as well as personal Injury. Memberships Employment Lawyers Association (ELA) Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) Road Traffic Group Personal Injury Group Clinical Negligence Group Motorcycle PI Group Inquests Group Industrial Disease Group Fraud Group (Claimant) - RTA & PI Fraud Counsel Credit Hire Group Defendant Credit Hire Group Costs Group Employment Law Group Contract Law Group Consumer Credit Group Sale of Goods Group Landlord & Tenant Group Insolvency & Bankruptcy Public Access Accredited Group (also authorised to conduct litigation under Public Access rules) Personal Interests When not in court, you may find Paul 'relaxing' by entering endurance running events. His marathon personal best is 2 hours and 59 minutes. Paul was proud to represent Team GB at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, and after a long hiatus, has recently returned to his sport of target shooting. He is also a commercial pilot and qualified flying instructor.