Discrimination and whistleblowing for individuals & businesses

At Russell-Cooke, our expert discrimination solicitors and whistleblowing lawyers provide specialist legal support to both individuals and businesses facing issues related to employment discrimination, whistleblowing claims and regulatory compliance. We help employees who have been dismissed or treated unfairly due to whistleblowing, as well as businesses facing discrimination claims.

For individuals, we assist whistleblower employees who have faced dismissal or unfair treatment after reporting wrongdoing by their employer. We also support employees experiencing discrimination at work, ensuring they understand their rights and receive the legal protection they are entitled to. Many of the claims we handle are funded by legal expense insurance, we frequently assist in dealings with insurers.

For businesses, we represent organisations that have discrimination claims brought against them by employees, customers or other parties. These cases often involve allegations related to unlawful discrimination in service provision or corporate policies. Our team of discrimination lawyers has extensive experience defending businesses from claims that could result in financial and reputational damage. With no limit to the potential financial damages a tribunal can award in discrimination cases, ensuring expert legal representation is crucial to effectively manage risks and minimise potential liabilities.

Discrimination and whistleblowing for individuals

We advise employees when they are discriminated against or harassed on the basis of:

• age
• sex
• race
• religion or belief
• disability, sexual orientation
• trans-gender status
• marital status

Unlike many employment law specialists, we regularly act for both employers and employees. This gives us better insights into what the other side is likely to be thinking. We understand the importance of providing emotional support to clients who have been bullied or mistreated, particularly where their health has been affected. 

Discrimination and whistleblowing for businesses

We advise employers (ranging from London based, national and multi-national) on issues relating to discrimination law and whistleblowing, including allegations of:

• victimisation and harassment
• age discrimination
• sex discrimination
• race and religious discrimination
• disability discrimination
• discrimination based on sexual orientation

Our team of discrimination and whistleblowing solicitors has a proven track record of successfully representing both individuals and businesses.

We are one of a relatively small number of employment law teams highly recommended in The Legal 500. Our specialist employment lawyers have a proven history of handling high-profile cases, including the associative discrimination case Coleman v Attridge Law, a whistleblowing claim against Vera Productions, and a claim involving allegations of sexual misconduct against one of England’s richest men.

We have successfully defended large discrimination claims in which claimants were seeking compensation for loss of career, securing some of the largest cost awards ever granted in the Employment Tribunal. Acting for trade bodies, qualifying organisations and public function bodies, we provide businesses with strategic legal representation to mitigate legal risk while protecting their reputation.

Unlike many other employment law teams, we also regularly act for employees in whistleblowing and discrimination claims, giving us valuable insight into the arguments used on both sides.

Client expertise

Recent cases we have handled include:

• the reported cases of Fu v London Borough of Camden [2001] IRLR 186, EAT, and Woodward v Abbey National plc [2006] IRLR 677
• claims on behalf of senior executives in banking, finance, and insurance, many of which have reached seven-figure settlements
• complex disability discrimination claims for loss of career
• a case where a client received a settlement of over ten times their salary after unfair treatment related to an equity participation scheme and pregnancy
• a sex discrimination claim against a well-known surgeon

If you need expert legal assistance with discrimination, whistleblowing, or employment related disputes, contact our team today for specialist advice and representation.