Max Gordon

Employment Law

Max regularly appears in multi-day tribunals representing Claimants and Respondents in claims concerning all manner of discrimination, unfair dismissal, and unpaid wages. Due to the current climate, many of the disputes Max has recently been instructed on involve redundancy.

Max is happy to be involved in the early stages of proceedings to provide advice and draft pleadings. He has acted in matters in the Employment Tribunal and the EAT. He is also experienced in negotiating settlements and assisting in judicial mediation.

Notable Cases

Kownacka v Textbook Teachers Limited: representing a Claimant in claims of harassment relating to cancer. The findings of the Tribunal included comments made about early menopause and are important findings for potential menopause claims as an emerging issue. The matter attracted national media attention.

Judgment

BBC

Daily Mail

Gobbato v Intelligent Business Transfer Ltd: representing a Claimant for unfair dismissal. The Respondent argued that the Claimant’s resignation was without prejudice and/or a protected conversation and could not be considered by the Tribunal. Max successfully argued to the contrary and the Claimant was held to be unfairly dismissed.

Judgment

Thorpe v Sainsbury’s Supermarket’s Ltd: Representing the Respondent, Max successfully argued the claims were brought out of time and that it had been reasonably practicable to bring the claims earlier and it was not just and equitable to extend time.

Webinars

Max is available to present seminars, either in house or hosting by 42BR Barristers.

Taking Leave Since Smith recording.

Property & Housing Law

Max represents both private and social landlords in possession, rent arrears, and disrepair claims. He has acted in high value unlawful eviction matters, recently successfully representing a tenant who was held to have been unlawfully evicted.

He also acts in the First Tier Tribunal and has experience with collective enfranchisement, cross examining experts on hope value and premium issues, and applications for dispensation from service charge consultation, and commercial lease disputes.

Max regularly advises on liability and quantum in a range of residential property matters including disrepair cases and section 21 notices.

Max has experience in acting in housing matters raising Equality Act claims. Utilising experience from Employment Law, Max is well placed to advise in this rapidly growing sector.

Webinars

Max is available to present seminars, either in house or hosting by 42BR Barristers.

'Drafting Effective Claims and Defences' recording.

Business Law

Commercial and Insolvency

Max advises and advocates for individuals, companies, and partnerships in general commercial and contractual disputes including issues involving agency, contractual interpretation, misrepresentation, Consumer Rights Act claims, and assignment.

Max accepts instructions in personal and commercial insolvency matters. In addition, he has represented debtors and creditors in winding-up petitions.

Inquests & Personal Injury

Max accepts instruction to attend inquests on behalf of a range of interested parties. He is able to utilise his experience in personal injury to assist Coroner’s inquests whilst being mindful of the facts that are relevant for fatal accident claims or similar.

Max is experienced with cases involving allegations of fundamental dishonesty and occupier’s liability, and MIB cases. Max has also assisted in claims involving historic sexual abuse and injuries resulting in paraplegia and death.

Max accepts instructions on the basis of conditional fee agreements if appropriate.

Recent Cases

Max represented the family in the inquest of the death of Mr Nathan Hook. The Inquest had detailed consideration of unlawful killing and corporate manslaughter and whether it was safe to leave such considerations to the jury pursuant to the Galbraith plus test. Ultimately, the jury returned a narrative conclusion which included ‘lack of formal/informal training and lack of communication of risk assessments is likely to have contributed to Mr Nathan Paul Hook’s death’. The case was reported by the BBC.

Direct Access

Max is authorised to accept instructions direct from members of the public. He encourages clients who are considering this route to contact Chambers and discuss their problem.

In suitable cases, he can provide client conferences, written advices and representation at court. He accepts public access work across Chambers’ areas of expertise.