Call 1991 | Silk 2012
“Very bright, hardworking and gives everything to get the right result for the client”.
Chambers & Partners
Katie Szewczyk
Deputy Senior Clerk
+44 (0)20 7842 3710
Click here to email
Oliver Duane
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3779
Click here to email
Paul Gott KC is a specialist in commercial, regulatory, employment and sports litigation, with frequent appearances in the High Court, Court of Appeal, Employment Tribunals, EAT, Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal and the Administrative Court in relation to regulatory appeals.
He has over 30 years’ experience of industrial relations, collective labour law and injunctive relief in respect of industrial action, restrictive covenants and confidentiality. He receives regular instructions from the SRA and was also counsel for the Respondents in SRA v Leigh Day [2018] EWHC 2726 (SDT and Administrative Court 2015-2018, the longest known SDT hearing to date).
Paul’s clients include British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Network Rail, Royal Mail, Transport for London, NHS England, Govia, EasyJet, Ryanair and Unilever.
Paul sits as a panel member on the Premier League Independent Oversight Panel. He is also a National Panel member for Sport Resolutions.
Prior to taking silk, Paul was Treasury Counsel for over 14 years, representing Government Departments and Agencies in litigation and advising Ministers of State on legal issues arising within their portfolios.
Paul has developed vetting and has appeared on a number of occasions in the Investigatory Powers Tribunal.
In July 2024 Paul was nominated as Employment Silk of the Year by Legal 500.
Comments about Paul in The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners include:
Acting as counsel for a FTSE 100 plc in a Commercial Court action (2019-ongoing) regarding a claim for alleged misrepresentation, negligence, wrongful termination, breach of contract, declaratory relief and rectification. The matter involves counterclaims by the FTSE 100 plc for breach of contract and arises out of arrangements for the disposal of bulk industrial waste.
Ryanair v BALPA
Acting as counsel for Ryanair in the High Court in 2019, which involved an injunction application pursuant to Part V of the Trade Union & Labour Relations Act 1992, in respect of BALPA ballot, to prevent UK-wide strike by Ryanair pilots.
Weiss v SJJ and others
Acting as counsel for SJJ in the High Court (2018-ongoing) which involved springboard injunctions in respect of alleged confidential information, alleged breach of copyright and confidence. The case also included search and seizure orders and computer search orders.
Fox and others v SRT
Acting as counsel for SR Technics in the Employment Tribunal (2018-2021) regarding a group action arising from collective bargaining in respect of industrial shift work within the UK aircraft ground crew and engineering industry. This was a multi-jurisdictional UK dispute, involving related Employment Tribunal proceedings issued in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
SRA v Leigh Day & others (2015-2018) including [2018] EWHC 2726 (Admin)
Acting as counsel for Leigh Day and other respondents in the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal and High Court. This was the longest SDT case to date, involving over 250 allegations of misconduct against four respondents (the firm and three individuals) all of which were dismissed in June 2017. The SRA appealed 91 of the allegations, which appeals were dismissed by the Administrative Court in October 2018.
Instructed by Nat West/RBS in over 100 matters concerning bank securities and mortgage enforcement.
Instructed by Lloyds Bank in over 40 matters concerning bank securities and mortgage enforcement.
Acting as counsel for a FTSE 100 plc in a Commercial Court action (2019-ongoing) regarding a claim for alleged misrepresentation, negligence, wrongful termination, breach of contract, declaratory relief and rectification. The case includes counterclaims by the FTSE 100 plc for breach of contract and arises out of arrangements for disposal of bulk industrial waste.
Weiss v SJJ & Others
Acting as counsel for SJJ in the High Court (2018-present) involving springboard injunctions in respect of alleged confidential information, alleged breach of copyright and confidence. The case also involves search and seizure orders and computer search orders.
Acting as counsel for multiple NHS commissioning bodies in multi-contract procurement dispute involving fraud and misapplication of NHS standard terms 2016-19.
Acting as counsel for NHS commissioning body in major confidential NHS pendulum adjudication 2014-2016.
ISA v ISB
Counsel for ISB (International Arbitration, 2009-2012: £50 million dispute over internet sports gaming franchises in Spain and Latin America).
Farm Assist v DEFRA [2008] EWHC 3079
Counsel for DEFRA in Technology & Construction Court, economic duress, disclosure, legal advice privilege and waiver.
Providing regular commercial advice to private and public sector clients including Government Departments and Agencies such as BIS (Dti), SFO (on civil matters), MoJ, FCO, DCLG, MOD and Dept of Health.
Providing regular commercial advice and work for NHS commissioning bodies, including NHS England.
Nominated as Legal 500 Employment Silk of the year – July 2024.
Recognised as a leader in the field of industrial relations, comments about Paul in The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners include:
Ryanair v BALPA
Acting as counsel for Ryanair (High Court, 2019, injunction application to prevent UK-wide strike by Ryanair pilots).
Counsel for Network Rail (1996 to present)
Including in:
Counsel for London Underground
Including in:
Acting as counsel for Royal Mail in respect of industrial relations issues arising from Royal Mail Privatisation 2013-2014.
Metrobus v Unite [2010] ICR 173
Acting as counsel for Metrobus (High Court and Court of Appeal – injunction against London bus strike, analysis of TULRA 1992 and its conformity with Art 11 ECHR).
Counsel for British Airways
Including in:
Counsel in respect of strike action injunctions/industrial relations advice
Including for:
Regular instructions from employers in respect of CAC proceedings and applications for statutory recognition of trade unions. Clients have included Amazon, Govia, Southeastern and easyJet.
Fox and others v SRT
Acting as counsel for SR Technics (ET, 2018-ongoing, multiple claims arising from collective bargaining in respect of industrial shift work).
Rickhuss v Network Rail
Acting as counsel for Network Rail (High Court, 2013-2018, collective bargaining, formation and interpretation of collective agreements).
Pavithran v London Clinic
Acting as counsel for the London Clinic (ET, 2013-2015, alleged protected disclosures, whistle-blowing and ss43A-43L of the Employment Rights Act 1996).
Morris v Crossrail
Acting as counsel for Crossrail in (ET, 2012-2013, alleged trade union blacklisting under the Employment Relations Act 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations 2010).
Reckless v IPS
Acting as counsel for IPS (ET, 2012-2013, equal pay, relevant comparators, genuine material factor defences and justification).
Counsel for Department of Work and Pensions
Including in:
Goatley v DCMS
Acting as counsel for the Department of Culture Media & Sport (ET, 2011-2012, protected disclosures, whistle-blowing, unfair dismissal and ECHR).
Muschett v HMPS [2010] IRLR 173
Acting as counsel for HM Prison Service (Court of Appeal, race discrimination claims brought by temporary workers).
Wheeler v Brixton plc
Acting as counsel for Brixton plc (ET, 2010, unfair dismissal claim by dismissed CEO of plc during credit crunch).
George v Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust
Acting as counsel for Royal Brompton Hospital (ET, 2010-2011, alleged race discrimination, unfair dismissal and whistle-blowing).
Jones v DCA
Acting as counsel for the Department of Constitutional Affairs (ET, EAT and Court of Appeal, 2006 to 2009, including CoA decision [2008] IRLR 128– Disability discrimination, statutory limitation periods and jurisdiction).
Merrill Lynch v Subbiah
Acting as counsel for Merrill Lynch (High Court – enforcing restrictive covenants and protecting confidential information).
News International v Mirror Group Newspapers
Acting as counsel for Mirror Group (High Court – resisting enforcement of restrictive covenants).
Darbyshire v Nuffield Hospitals
Acting as counsel for Nuffield Hospitals (High Court – injunctive relief in respect of hospital practice privileges).
Regular employment and Industrial Relations advisory work including advice to Government Departments and Agencies, including BIS (DTi), DCLG, DfT, FSA, MoJ, DVLA, FCO, Dept of Health, HMPS, Home Office, MOD and Cabinet Office.
SRA v Leigh Day & Others
Acting as counsel for the respondents in SRA v Leigh Day & Others 2015-2018 including [2018] EWHC 2726 (Admin), in the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal and High Court. This was the longest SDT case to date, involving over 250 allegations of misconduct against four respondents (the firm and three individuals) all of which were dismissed in June 2017. The SRA appealed 91 of the allegations, which appeals were dismissed by the Administrative Court in October 2018.
SRA v Elkins
SDT, 2016, dishonesty in the use of Stamp Duty Land Tax avoidance schemes.
SRA v Chan & Ali
SDT and Administrative Court, including [2015] EWHC 2659 – solicitors’ duties in respect of Stamp Duty Land Tax avoidance schemes, want of integrity and pleading SRA claims).
SRA v Charles Henry (Charity) [2015] EWHC 552 (Administrative Court)
Regulation of solicitors in legal charities, disclosure of documents pursuant to s44BB of the Solicitors Act 1974.
SRA v Choudhury & Kamruzzaman [2014] EWHC 809 (Administrative Court)
SDT and High Court, 2013-2014, dishonesty and professional “cut-throat” defences.
SRA v Aggarwal
SDT, 2013-2014, dishonesty and abuse of process.
SRA v Scott
SDT, 2012, improper client withdrawals, failing to account, employing staff contrary to s43 SA 74.
SRA v Foster
SDT, 2012, conflicts of interest, integrity and back-to-back conveyancing transactions.
Attorney General v Bentley [2012] UKEAT 0556/11/0305
Restriction orders in respect of abusive and vexatious proceedings under s33 Employment Tribunals Act.
Attorney General v Branch [2008] EWHC 2679 & Attorney General v Branch No.2 [2009] EWHC 673
Vexatious litigants and Noueiri anti-suit orders at the request of the Attorney General.
Attorney General v McCluskey UKEAT/0118/09
EAT, 2010 – vexatious litigants in the Employment Appeals service – Attorney General intervention to protect EAT staff from abusive behaviour.
Bhamjee v Forsdick [2004] 1 WLR 88 (Court of Appeal)
Advocate to the Court of Appeal (vexatious litigants and civil restraint orders – the authority which established that the Court could issue orders using its inherent jurisdiction to restrain abusive behaviour.
Acting in relation to legal disputes arising from sport, with considerable experience relating to football, boxing and motor racing; gaming in sport, merchandising and sponsorship disputes.
Appointed as a Panel member of the Premier League Independent Oversight Panel – 2024.
Appointed to the National Panel of Sport Resolutions – 2024.
British Boxing Board of Control v Benn
Acting for the British Boxing Board of Control in 2022-2023, in respect of the proposed boxing contest in October 2022 between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr – the prohibition of that contest by the BBBoC, threated injunction proceedings by Matchroom Sport and the aftermath arsing from the prohibition of the contest.
National Team v Sportswear
Confidential – Acting in 2023 on behalf of a UK national football team in relation to a dispute with its kit supplier (a well known international brand) with detailed issues arising on both the merchandising contracts and sponsorship contracts.
ISA v ISB
Acting as counsel for ISB (International Arbitration, 2009-2012: £50 million dispute over internet sports gaming franchises in Spain and Latin America).
Diadora v Sports World International
Acting for Sports World International (Commercial Court, 2005/2006. Sponsorship and merchandising contracts).
Sunderland FC v Sports World International
Acting for Sports World International (High Court, 2005/2006. Sponsorship and merchandising contracts).
Jones v Frank Warren
Acting as counsel for Frank Warren (High Court – Boxing promotion contracts, illegality and duress).
Coulthard v IMG
Acting as counsel for IMG (High Court – Formula 1 driver/merchandising contracts, undue influence and duress).
Undertaking advisory work in respect of boxing management/promotion and film/television licensing.
1986-1990: University prizes and scholarships:
1989-1991: Bar awards and scholarships:
1991: Called to Bar.
1999-2012: Junior Counsel to the Crown.
2005-2012 : Treasury “A” Panel.
2006-2012: Board Member to the Standards Board for England.
2009-2012: Ambassador for Diversity in Public Appointments.
2012: Queen’s Counsel.
Fountain Court is pleased to announce that Paul Gott KC has been…
We are delighted to have been shortlisted for 29 awards at Legal…
Fountain Court congratulates the following members of Chambers on their (re)appointment to…
Katie Szewczyk
Deputy Senior Clerk
+44 (0)20 7842 3710
Click here to email
Oliver Duane
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3779
Click here to email
1986-1990: University prizes and scholarships:
1989-1991: Bar awards and scholarships:
1991: Called to Bar.
1999-2012: Junior Counsel to the Crown.
2005-2012 : Treasury “A” Panel.
2006-2012: Board Member to the Standards Board for England.
2009-2012: Ambassador for Diversity in Public Appointments.
2012: Queen’s Counsel.
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