Direct Access Barrister

Richard James Wayman

I am a specialist employment barrister who has spent nearly a decade practising in this fast-moving area of law. Prior to this I developed extensive hands-on commercial experience of employment law as Managing Director of a long-established family printing business with 80 employees, before reading law at Cambridge University.

“Richard thank you for a truly formidable performance. Your legal knowledge, thorough preparation, focus on the key facts, mental agility, impressive cross-examination and compelling closing statement resulted in an exceptional result. Always professional and respectful towards the Respondent, you clearly commanded the respect of the Tribunal and succeeded against a very competent barrister of some 20 years’ experience.” – Direct Access client

“Thank you for your guidance whilst trying to navigate the employment tribunal case. You steered us quietly the whole time in the right direction and patiently explained the vagaries of employment law when we got confused! It was just quite something to be part of your masterly follow through after the preliminary hearing which led to the withdrawal of the entire claim.” – Direct Access client

“I just wanted to take a moment to thank you very much for your help and assistance in this matter. Although I didn’t secure the outcome (as you pre-warned), I cannot thank you enough, for the assistance you provided, especially explaining the law in plain and simpler terms. Your advice and representation meant that I was significantly less anxious about the tribunal hearing.” Direct Access client

Area of Law

Employment and Pensions

I have extensive experience of cases involving unfair and constructive unfair dismissal; redundancy; discrimination, harassment and victimisation; whistle-blowing; restrictive covenants, and TUPE. I have particular expertise in complex discrimination claims, often involving multiple protected characteristics, including disability, age, race, religion, pregnancy and maternity and gender reassignment.

I thrive on document-heavy multi-day Final Hearings in which my attention to detail and focused cross-examination come to the fore. A tenacious advocate in Tribunal, outside court I am noted for my approachable manner and ability to put clients at their ease, particularly those with mental health or neurodiversity issues. I give clear, practical, commercial advice, whether dealing with individual litigants or senior management.

What sort of work do I do?

I am regularly instructed to appear in Preliminary Hearings dealing with issues such as time limits, employment status and territorial jurisdiction, disclosure issues, strike out and deposit orders, as well as Final Hearings on both liability and remedy, and Judicial Mediations.

When not in Tribunal, I assist by drafting key documents on behalf of clients, including Grounds of Claim and Response, Schedules of Loss and Lists of Issues; advising on the merits of a case, points of law and settlement negotiations, and of course strategy and tactics at all stages of a case. Clients often find that early advice enables them to avoid costly and drawn out litigation.

I work with individual claimants, HR departments and company directors on how to avoid litigation where possible and, where it cannot be avoided, how to obtain the best and most cost effective outcome once a Tribunal case has been issued.

Who do I work for?

I represent both Claimants and Respondents in the Employment Tribunals and beyond, acting for individuals, SMEs and large employers, including the automotive and airline sectors, universities, police forces and other public bodies.

I have over 6 years' experience of representing clients on a Direct Access basis, and aim to respond to all queries within 24 hours. I have a busy practice and so cannot offer a free initial consultation in all cases; instead I ask clients to send me the key documents so that can assess whether the case is suitable for Direct Access and provide an accurate fee quote.

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