Catherine is a former journalist who switched to law and is now an established civil practitioner, with a particular focus on employment law.
She has wide experience of hearings in Employment Tribunals and County Courts across England and Wales, and she has also represented clients in the High Court and before panels such as the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and the National Midwifery Council.
Catherine is qualified to accept instructions from members of the public on a Direct Access basis.
In her former life, Catherine spent nearly 20 years as a journalist, the last ten as travel editor of The Times. She finds the skills she learned on newspapers – such as interviewing and listening to people, arguing with the editor, and getting to grips with large amounts of information in a short time – translate well to her work as a barrister. Clients tell her that they value her wide experience of life and the workplace. She has a calm manner with nervous witnesses and understands that litigating to the bitter end is not always the answer – but if the fight is unavoidable, she is a strong advocate on her clients’ behalf.
Outside work, Catherine is a keen swimmer, in open water where possible, and most summers can be found swimming slowly around some of the smaller Greek islands. She is an enthusiastic amateur photographer, and has started learning German.
Catherine appears for both claimants and respondents in the Employment Tribunal, with clients including local authorities, schools and universities, hotels, private companies of all sizes, and charities. She undertakes all types of employment work, from advising on the merits of a claim to drafting documents, from attending preliminary hearings through to multi-day final hearings at tribunals around the country – and, since the coronavirus pandemic, by video link.
In particular, she has experience of ‘ordinary’ and automatically unfair dismissal; redundancy; whistleblowing; discrimination based on sex, race, pregnancy and maternity, religion and belief, age, and disability, including hearings to determine disability status; disputes over employment status; and interim relief. She regularly acts for clients in judicial mediations and is experienced in drafting and advising on settlement agreements.
Catherine feels strongly that there is little support for litigants bringing employment claims who do not have funding (such as through insurance or their trade union). Employment tribunals can be confusing places and employment law can be complex. So for the past two years, Catherine has regularly volunteered at the Employment Tribunal Litigant in Person Support Scheme (ELIPS) at Central London Employment Tribunal, which assists litigants who cannot afford representation.
Catherine also regularly writes articles, and present seminars in-house at solicitors’ firms, on aspects of employment law. Recent topics include: getting the best evidence from your witness; how to deal with covert recordings; managing long-term sickness absence; and an update on discrimination on the basis of religion or philosophical belief.
Oxford University: Modern History BA Hons (2:1)
Nottingham Trent University: LLB (First)
Graduate Diploma in Law, College of Law, London: Distinction
Bar Vocational Course, Nottingham Law School: Outstanding
Middle Temple: Queen Mother Scholarship; Baron Dr Ver Heyden de Lancey Prize
Comments from clients
“I want to write to you specifically to let you know what a marvellous job the barrister, Cath Urquhart, did. She was simply amazing. She is details-oriented, she knew my case inside out, she was highly analytical and she did not miss any point. She was courteous during cross questioning and remained utterly professional at all times… I cannot recommend her more highly.” – Claimant represented by Catherine in a lengthy constructive unfair dismissal hearing.
“Please allow me to express my sincere appreciation of the excellent way in which you conducted my recent case. Your initial advice was constructive and throughout you were willing to discuss and explore points with me. Your cross-examination and advocacy in Court were clear and effective. I am most grateful for the preparation and effort you put in on my behalf and that you were able to achieve such a satisfactory outcome.” – Claimant represented by Catherine in a trial of a breach of contract matter.
“You rock, baby!” – feedback from nightclub-owner client after Catherine successfully defended his business in a lengthy unfair dismissal claim.