Paul Gott QC

Paul Gott KC

Call 1991 | Silk 2012

“Very bright, hardworking and gives everything to get the right result for the client”.


Chambers & Partners

For enquiries please contact

Katie Szewczyk

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

Expertise

Notable Banking & Finance Cases


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.

Notable Commercial Disputes Cases


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.

Recognised as a leader in the field of industrial relations, comments about Paul in The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners include:

  • “Great in very complicated industrial disputes.”
  • “Has a superlative knowledge of industrial relations.”
  • “Has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the provisions that deal with organising industrial action.”

Notable Employment Cases


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:

  • National Rail Strike 2015-16.
  • National Rail Strike 2010.
  • National Rail Strike 2008.
  • National Rail Strike 2004.
  • Network Rail v RMT [2010] EWHC 1084 (injunction to prevent four-day national rail strike, Easter 2010).

Counsel for London Underground

Including in:

  • London Underground Stike Action 2013-2015.
  • LUL v ASLEF [2011] EWHC 7 (High Court – injunction application to restrain Boxing Day 2010 London Underground strike).
  • LUL v ASLEF (No.2) [2012] IRLR 196 (High Court – injunction application to restrain Boxing Day 2011 London Underground strike).

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:

  • British Airways plc v Unite [2010] IRLR 423 (High Court – injunction to prevent 12-day strike by BA cabin crew over Xmas 2009).
  • British Airways plc v Unite (No.2) [2010] IRLR 809 (High Court and Court of Appeal – injunction application to restrain May/June 2010 cabin crew strike action).

Counsel in respect of strike action injunctions/industrial relations advice

Including for:

  • Southern Trains (1996 to present).
  • South West Trains/South West Rail (2000 to present).
  • Virgin Trains (2005 to 2019).
  • Transport for London (2009 to present).
  • Financial Times (2012-2016).
  • Thomas Cook (2014 – 2019).
  • First Huddersfield (2016).
  • Indesit UK (2016).
  • Morrison supermarkets (2014-15).
  • Telefonica O2 (2013).
  • DHL (2012/2013).
  • London Borough of Barnet (2011).
  • AstraZeneca (2010-2011).
  • Automobile Association (2010).
  • Scottish Newcastle plc (2006/2007).

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:

  • Graham v DWP [2012] IRLR 759 (Court of Appeal – unfair dismissal, perversity and the role of the EAT).
  • Burke v DWP (ET, 2011 – Disability discrimination).

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.

Notable Professional Discipline Cases


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 (High 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

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 CA

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.

Notable Sports Cases


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.

"He has a phenomenal ability to strategise in litigation, he has a technical mind, he has an ability to think outside the box, he is brilliant on paper and he is a brilliant oral advocate." "He is a master tactician for employers in industrial action matters and he always seems to be able to find a chink in the armour."


Chambers & Partners

"Tenacious and very tough." "A shrewd tactician who maintains a careful and considered approach. He provides balance and shines a light through complex or difficult situations."


Chambers & Partners

"Paul Gott QC is an accomplished silk with considerable skill in disciplinary matters involving solicitors. He acts on behalf of regulated firms, individuals and the SRA in high-profile cases."


Chambers & Partners

"Paul has a truly exceptional ability to grasp facts and deliver sound and pragmatic advice in the most complex cases. He stands out among peers as the go-to person for the most challenging of cases, and demonstrates an ability to perform intellectual gymnastics through complex legal issues."


The Legal 500

"Fantastic. He thinks outside the box and is willing to take on an argument. If you want a fighter in a really difficult situation, he’s your man."


Chambers & Partners

"A shrewd tactician who maintains a careful and considered approach. He provides balance and shines a light through complex or difficult situations."


Chambers & Partners

"Exceptionally bright and client and user-friendly. Someone you want in your corner."


Chambers & Partners

"A very able and bright advocate who always has a thorough command of the papers. He is well liked by clients and Tribunals for his relaxed and practical approach."


The Legal 500

"Brings in depth legal knowledge, an impressive understanding of the commercial realities and a sense of humour."


Chambers & Partners

Chambers & Partners
  • Employment
  • Professional Discipline
The Legal 500
  • Employment

  • Marple Hall Comprehensive (1979-1986)
  • MA, Cambridge University, Downing College (1986-1989)
    • Law – Double First Class Honours
    • Proxime accessit Part 1(a) of Tripos (1987)
    • Proxime accessit Part II of Tripos (1989)
  • BCL, Oxford University, Brasenose College (1989-1990)
    • First Class Honours

1986-1990: University prizes and scholarships:

  • Clive Parry International Law Prize (Cambridge University) 1988.
  • Rebecca Flower (Cambridge University) Scholarship 1987.
  • JC Platt Memorial Prize for Law (Cambridge University) 1987.
  • Downing College Cambridge, Tripos prizes: 1987, 1988 and 1989.
  • Downing College Cambridge, Law Scholarships: 1987, 1988 and 1989.
  • Joseph Squire (Cambridge University) Scholarship 1988.
  • Harris Senior Scholarship (Downing College Cambridge) 1989-1992.
  • Brasenose College (Oxford) Graduate Prize

1989-1991: Bar awards and scholarships:

  • Hardwicke Entrance Award (Lincoln’s Inn) 1989.
  • Inns of Court School of Law full fee scholarship 1990.
  • Mansfield Scholar (Lincoln’s Inn) 1990.
  • Denning Scholar (Lincoln’s Inn) 1991.

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.

For enquiries please contact

Katie Szewczyk

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

"He has a phenomenal ability to strategise in litigation, he has a technical mind, he has an ability to think outside the box, he is brilliant on paper and he is a brilliant oral advocate." "He is a master tactician for employers in industrial action matters and he always seems to be able to find a chink in the armour."


Chambers & Partners

"Tenacious and very tough." "A shrewd tactician who maintains a careful and considered approach. He provides balance and shines a light through complex or difficult situations."


Chambers & Partners

"Paul Gott QC is an accomplished silk with considerable skill in disciplinary matters involving solicitors. He acts on behalf of regulated firms, individuals and the SRA in high-profile cases."


Chambers & Partners

"Paul has a truly exceptional ability to grasp facts and deliver sound and pragmatic advice in the most complex cases. He stands out among peers as the go-to person for the most challenging of cases, and demonstrates an ability to perform intellectual gymnastics through complex legal issues."


The Legal 500

"Fantastic. He thinks outside the box and is willing to take on an argument. If you want a fighter in a really difficult situation, he’s your man."


Chambers & Partners

"A shrewd tactician who maintains a careful and considered approach. He provides balance and shines a light through complex or difficult situations."


Chambers & Partners

"Exceptionally bright and client and user-friendly. Someone you want in your corner."


Chambers & Partners

"A very able and bright advocate who always has a thorough command of the papers. He is well liked by clients and Tribunals for his relaxed and practical approach."


The Legal 500

"Brings in depth legal knowledge, an impressive understanding of the commercial realities and a sense of humour."


Chambers & Partners

Chambers & Partners
  • Employment
  • Professional Discipline
The Legal 500
  • Employment

  • Marple Hall Comprehensive (1979-1986)
  • MA, Cambridge University, Downing College (1986-1989)
    • Law – Double First Class Honours
    • Proxime accessit Part 1(a) of Tripos (1987)
    • Proxime accessit Part II of Tripos (1989)
  • BCL, Oxford University, Brasenose College (1989-1990)
    • First Class Honours

1986-1990: University prizes and scholarships:

  • Clive Parry International Law Prize (Cambridge University) 1988.
  • Rebecca Flower (Cambridge University) Scholarship 1987.
  • JC Platt Memorial Prize for Law (Cambridge University) 1987.
  • Downing College Cambridge, Tripos prizes: 1987, 1988 and 1989.
  • Downing College Cambridge, Law Scholarships: 1987, 1988 and 1989.
  • Joseph Squire (Cambridge University) Scholarship 1988.
  • Harris Senior Scholarship (Downing College Cambridge) 1989-1992.
  • Brasenose College (Oxford) Graduate Prize

1989-1991: Bar awards and scholarships:

  • Hardwicke Entrance Award (Lincoln’s Inn) 1989.
  • Inns of Court School of Law full fee scholarship 1990.
  • Mansfield Scholar (Lincoln’s Inn) 1990.
  • Denning Scholar (Lincoln’s Inn) 1991.

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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