Profile
Graham specialises in civil disputes. He has over 15 years experience in front of the civil courts and employment tribunals. He has acted for a wide range of clients and addressing a wide variety of problems.
As part of his practice, he has represented companies, partnerships, health trusts, and local authorities. He is also instructed regularly by the Fire Service, Ambulance Trust and Police Force. At an individual level, Graham acts for employees, contractors, partners and directors.
Graham is a strong advocate and has developed a busy appellate practice. He recommends his early involvement in any proceedings (threatened or issued), and enjoys advising on the tactics and approach to litigation and settlement.
Graham is regularly praised for his relationship with clients. He works on a nationwide basis, and will often appear in London, Manchester and beyond to ensure continuity of service.
Graham is direct access qualified, and can be instructed directly by individuals and organisations. He has recently undertaken the latest update training from the Bar Council.
Employment
Graham has been a leading employment practitioner for a number of years and is Head of Clerksroom Employment Group. He is regularly recommended in the legal directories (please see “feedback” tab), and has been involved in a number of appellate cases, (please see “cases” tab)
Graham advises right across the spectrum of employment work from TUPE and Equal Pay to Victimisation and Unfair Dismissal. He has acted in a number of high profile and long running pieces of whistleblowing litigation.
He has a particular specialism in contractually-based work such as wrongful dismissal or restraint of trade claims, which dovetail with his pure contractual work set out below.
Inquests & Inquiries
Graham retains a strong following in inquest work and enjoys acting in these cases. He has also appeared as an advocate in major public inquiries
Civil
Graham advises and represents clients across several areas of civil dispute, but in particular
- TOLATA claims
- Building disputes
- Contractual disputes
- Inheritance disputes
Mediation
Graham advises and supports clients at mediation hearings in all types of civil dispute.
Please click link to see Graham's mediation profile .
Personal
When he is not being a barrister, Graham is learning to box, and spends a lot of time on the floor of a gym in Exeter. In other reckless pursuits he continues to surf, a habit he picked up when living in Australia many years ago.
Testimonials
Lay client High Court Injunction...I would like to extend my immense gratitude to you for all the work that you are doing for me...both myself and my wife were absolutely in agreement that Graham Watson did an exceptional job on Wednesday, and evidently ongoing, in terms both of negotiations...and in the way that he speaks openly and frankly with us about our options. We really cannot express our gratitude and appreciation enough.
Stephen Jennings, Employment Partner TozersGraham [Watson] has an impressive command of employment law (and I speak as a solicitor who has specialised in employment law for 12 years). He is good with clients and gives sensible, pragmatic advice. He combines a good grasp of the detail of the case with an ability not to lose sight of the bigger picture and the client's wider interests. He comes across as measured and reasonable and has considerable experience at all levels up to and including the Court of Appeal, which was an important qualification for me. It also doesn't hurt that he is approachable and friendly. I am a generally sceptical user of other legal services and do not instruct barristers lightly as I prefer to deal with most work within my own firm - however it is reassuring to know that someone like Graham is available if we need him
Jon Dunkley, Head of Employment Toller BeattieApproachable, efficient and effective - [Graham Watson]reassures clients whilst dismantling the opposition!
Henry Knill Consultant Head of Employment, MILS SolicitorsWe have instructed Graham Watson on a range of employment and commercial issues over the years and I regularly instruct Graham on Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal cases. He has an excellent track record and detailed knowledge of employment law, as well as a calm and amiable manner with clients.
Who's Who Legal 2015Graham Watson is ' doing some brilliant work in the employment area.'
Chambers & Partners 2015Graham Watson has 'wide-ranging experience covering wrongful dismissal, discrimination, whistle-blowing and TUPE claims. He is praised by solicitors for his approach to client service.' Strengths: 'He is calm, focused and pragmatic, and has great client skills.' - Chambers and Partners 2015
Legal 500 2014Graham Watson 'handles a broad spectrum of employment work and is an experienced appellate advocate.'
Areas of Law
Graham Watson (1996) is happy to accept instructions as counsel who is:
Specialist in the areas of:
- Business & Commercial Law
- Employment
- Inquests
Experienced in the following additional areas:
- Consumer Contracts
Note:
Outside of these key areas of law, Graham Watson (1996) is always willing to consider any enquiry requiring the experience or knowledge needed to help you or your client. Please call Graham direct or the support team on 01823 247 247 if you would like to discuss any aspect of this profile.
Fees and Feedback
Details regarding our approach to fees can be found at the following link: http://www.clerksroom.com/content-html?cid=336
SERVICES:
Please see “profile” tab for description of the legal services provided by this barrister.
We aim to complete and return all paperwork within 14 days (2 weeks) of receipt if no specific deadline is provided. We can work to much faster timescales if requested or we can agree a specific target date for each individual circumstance. We will always advise at the outset if counsel is unable to meet any deadline.
Each barrister has a standard hourly rate for their work. The individual hourly rate can be agreed when instructions are acknowledged if preferred. We welcome early discussion as to the suitability of a specific barrister for a specific case. The right barrister will have the relevant expertise to deal with the case but will not be too junior, or too senior depending on the complexities.
We aim to allocate all cases to the correct level of experience & seniority which we believe will prove most to be the most cost effective solution for our clients.
If, due to urgency, we allocate paperwork to a more senior member of Clerksroom, we will charge the appropriate hourly rate for the work, not for the barrister. We welcome early discussion to ensure the correct fee is applied to the case at the outset.
REDRESS:
All our barristers are regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and hold a current practising certificate, details can be found at the following link Barristers’ Register
Complaints information
If you are not satisfied with the service provided, you can make a complaint to Chambers. Information on the chambers’ complaints procedure is available at the following link: http://www.clerksroom.com/content-html?cid=416
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from my chambers, you can make a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman. You must contact the Legal Ombudsman either within 6 months following the conclusion of our handling your complaint, within 6 years from the date of the act/omission, or 3 years from the date that you should reasonably have known there were grounds for complaint (if the act/omission took place before the 6 October 2010 or was more than six years ago).
The Legal Ombudsman’s details are as follows:
Legal Ombudsman
PO Box 6806
Wolverhampton
WV1 9WJ
Tel: 0300 555 0333
Email: enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk
Web: www.legalombudsman.org.uk
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Privacy Notice
Privacy Notice
I will process your data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
It is necessary for me to process your data in order for me to provide you with legal services.
I may also be required to share you data with others, for example courts or tribunals, your solicitors, or other legal representatives.
I will retain your personal data for no longer than is necessary. Once your case has concluded and the fees paid, I shall only retain your personal data for the following purposes:
- my legal and professional obligation (by the Bar Code of Conduct and by HMRC) to keep records of my cases
- to check for conflicts of interest that may arise in the future
- for use in addressing complaints, defending legal proceedings or progressing fee disputes
- to refer back to in future cases which raise similar legal, factual or procedural issues
This means that I will retain your personal data for a period of upto 12 years.
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You have the right to withdraw your consent to my processing of your personal data at any time.
Your may request a copy of your personal data that is being processed by me.
You may request rectification of your personal data where there are inaccuracies.
You have the right to request that your personal data is erased in certain circumstances.
Security
I take appropriate physical and technical procedures to safeguard your personal data.
Complaints
If you have any questions about how I process your personal data, or the contents of this notice, please email me at watson@clerksroom.com
You have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office if you believe I have not handled your request in an appropriate manner.
