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Nigel Mackay

Partner

Nigel is a leading employment and discrimination lawyer. He is co-head of the employment department, alongside Emma Satyamurti

Discrimination Employment Group claims

Nigel’s practice has two key areas of focus: representing senior executives and professionals and acting on individual and group employee rights and trade union claims. The diversity of Nigel’s client base means that he brings unique expertise to each area of practice.

Nigel represents groups of workers in the gig economy, including couriers and drivers working for a number of well-known gig economy operators. He is the lead author of the book Employment Law and the Gig Economy, a principal legal text in this area.

Nigel also represents a large and growing group of teachers who are bringing discrimination claims against the Government relating to changes made to teachers’ pensions, where younger teachers were treated less favourably than their older colleagues.

Nigel is a recognised expert in employment law, and is regularly asked to speak at meetings and seminars both in the UK and abroad on a variety of employment law issues. 

What people say

"As an HR person I have worked with several lawyers but none so fabulous as Nigel. He is great technically of course but his manner and the support are also brilliant."

"He was caring and compassionate, and expressed the necessary outrage when needed, but was also a top-notch lawyer. His advice was always very practical and he did an excellent job of keeping me, as the client, involved."

What the directories say

Nigel Mackay is a dedicated, thoughtful and committed practitioner, working very hard on behalf of his clients, with a creative and collaborative approach. He is hugely experienced and not afraid of combat.

Legal 500 2024

Legal expertise

Senior executives and professionals

Nigel has particular expertise in advising board members, senior executives and other professionals relating to their employment issues. 

This includes advising clients on their employment contracts, restrictive covenants and bonus issues, including representing them in disputes in the High Court, as well as acting in high profile discrimination and whistleblowing claims in the employment tribunal. Nigel regularly advises senior executives in complex and high value severance negotiations. 

Nigel’s clients come from the whole range of industry sectors, including:

Nigel has a formidable reputation for his tenacious approach, leaving no stone unturned to get the best possible results for his clients, many of whom go on to recommend him to their own colleagues and contacts. 

Employee rights and trade union claims

Nigel has been at the forefront of some of the most important recent cases brought on behalf of workers and trade union clients.

These include representing Uber drivers and the GMB trade union in their stunning employment tribunal victory against Uber, where it was decided that Uber drivers were entitled to rights such as holiday pay and National Minimum Wage. Most recently this case was heard in the Court of Appeal, where Nigel’s clients were again successful in challenging Uber’s appeal. The case will be heard in the Supreme Court in 2020.

Nigel Mackay in the news

What the directories say

Nigel really listens and takes the time to understand my situation. His knowledge and expertise are mind-blowing. I can't speak highly enough of him.

Chambers and partners 2024

Accreditations

News Article
Supreme Court
Uber Employment

Uber drivers entitled to workers’ rights after Supreme Court ruling

Tens of thousands of Uber drivers can now claim the right to be classed as workers after the Supreme Court handed down its judgment today.

News Article
teacher in class
Teachers Pensions

ARCHIVE: Hundreds of teachers issuing legal claims challenging government pension scheme

Over 300 teachers are issuing legal claims to the Employment Tribunal in a group claim brought on their behalf by law firm Leigh Day relating to discriminatory changes made to their pensions.

Blog Post
man fixing sink
Gig Economy

Pimlico Plumbers and the impact on employment status

Employment law specialist Nigel Mackay and Hannah Reid discuss the Court of Appeal's recent decision in favour of plumber Gary Smith in his case against Pimlico Plumbers