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Michael Newman

Partner

Michael Newman is a discrimination and employment law specialist

Discrimination Employment Group claims

Michael conducts litigation at all levels (including the Supreme Court), and against all opponents. His knowledge of group litigation is impressive, and he is equally at home representing single individuals in the employment tribunal, or hundreds of claimants in the High Court. Lengthy and complex trials, against large and well-resourced companies, are second nature to him.

He has successfully brought employment claims against central government departments, banks and financial institutions, large multinationals, NHS bodies, universities, local authorities, non-governmental organisations (“NGOs”) and several national newspapers. Several of Michael’s previous cases have received support from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission. He only acts for claimants.

Michael advises and assists in a wide-range of workplace disputes, and discrimination matters in all sectors. He previously had conduct of the blacklisting litigation on behalf of GMB members in the High Court, and also represents tens of thousands of workers in an equal pay claim against Asda (believed to be the largest private sector equal pay claim). In addition he represents thousands of other supermarket workers in their equal pay claims.

He has also successfully concluded hundreds of worker status claims for individuals who were classified as self-employed independent contractors by their companies (often referred to as “gig economy” cases), and was appointed a specialist adviser to the House of Commons Department of Work and Pensions Select Committee, contributing to their “Legalising the Gig Economy” report.

He graduated from Worcester College, Oxford with a double first in law, followed by a distinction in the Bachelor of Civil Law at Merton College, Oxford.

Michael trained as a barrister, and was called to the Bar in 2007. He completed his pupillage at a leading employment and discrimination set of chambers. Michael qualified as a solicitor in 2011.

What the directories say

Michael Newman is one of the leading equal pay litigators in the country, and a pleasure to work with.

Legal 500 2024

Legal expertise

He has advised and litigated in the following types of claim:

  • discrimination because of age, disability, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation;
  • Gig economy cases around worker status;
  • discrimination in goods and services;
  • Exit fee challenges for graduates;
  • discrimination in further education;
  • whistle blowing;
  • victimisation and harassment;
  • bonus disputes;
  • TUPE;
  • redundancy;
  • unfair and wrongful dismissal;
  • equal pay (both individual and multi-party).

Michael is also experienced in drawing up and negotiating settlement agreements when the employment relationship has ended, and has helped individuals secure six-figure settlements.

While working at Leigh Day, Michael has been involved in the following reported cases:

Michael wrote an entry on harassment on Westlaw’s Insight, and has recorded podcasts on both discrimination and equal pay. He has been quoted on equal pay in all major newspapers, given evidence to the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee, was a guest on Clive Anderson’s Unreliable Evidence and has appeared live on both BBC and Sky news programmes. In 2018 he was a panellist at the Institutional Investor Educational Foundation’s conference in New York.

What our clients say

When Michael Newman took over my case things started to come together – I was very pleased with his attitude and help.

Client of Michael

Memberships

Michael was previously on the executive committee of the Discrimination Law Association for ten years, latterly as vice-chair, and regularly contributes to articles, cases summaries and responses to government consultations.

What the directories say

Michael is extremely experienced in the tactics of mass claims. He is not fazed by anything.

Chambers and partners 2024

News Article
Supreme Court
Equal Pay Supreme Court

Supreme Court hands down landmark judgment allowing equal pay claims in the civil courts

Equal pay claims can now be heard in the civil courts as well as in employment tribunals

News Article
co-op claim badge
Equal pay Co-operative

Co-op supermarkets latest to face equal pay claims

An equal pay claim has been launched on behalf of supermarket workers at the Co-op. The first hearing for the claim will be at Manchester Employment Tribunal on Friday, 24 January 2020.

News Article
Elderly Man Seated
Care homes Equal pay

High Court ruling in Avery Homes equal pay claim allows case to move forward

The High Court has made a ruling in the equal pay claim for over 75 female care home workers against Avery Healthcare

Accreditations