Ryan Bradshaw
Partner
Ryan advises on human rights, discrimination and employment law
Ryan joined Leigh Day, in 2015, and is based in Manchester. His primary areas of expertise are in discrimination, human rights and employment. He has a particular commitment to tackling the discrimination endured by disabled people, both in the workplace and in their day to day lives, and regularly provides training on how to use the Equality Act to challenge everyday discrimination.
He conducts litigation on behalf of individual clients, groups, charities, professional bodies and Trade Unions, and provides regular advice to several charities on the application of the Equality Act to their service users. He sits on the Manchester Law Society Pro Bono Committee and the Equally Ours Forum (as a representative of the Discrimination Law Association).
What the directories say
Ryan Bradshaw is increasingly sought out by unions for his willingness to give them the advice they need rather than the advice they want. Has developed a niche in the field of worker status in academic institutions and recentring industrial disputes into the Tribunals rather than other forms of industrial action where possible.
Legal 500 2024
What people say
"I can’t recommend this company enough. Ryan Bradshaw has been very supportive and encouraging throughout my experience with them. He has kept me updated in every step."
- Shelley via Trustpilot
"I really can’t thank you enough but I hope I can convey how much this has meant to me. I know you understand the struggles disabled people face on a daily basis and the communications difficulties I encounter being profoundly deaf."
"Ryan has been wonderful throughout the whole process. He dealt mainly by email as I cannot hear on the telephone. We have been able to contact him quickly and efficiently."
"I have consulted Ryan on a number of matters related to my work. I am retired now, however I worked as a psychiatric social worker (forensic) I was impressed by his knowledge and acumen. Mr R.Marsden. B.A.(Hons) C.Q.S.W."
"Ryan was very approachable, attentive and empathetic when I first spoke to him. I instantly felt confident that he would negotiate the best possible outcome, and he did. He is very knowledgeable and gave me sound advice from the outset and dealt with matters very swiftly. I couldn't have been more pleased with the result."
Legal expertise
Ryan advises on all areas of employment, discrimination and public law. He has acted for clients in the County Court, Tribunals and Court of Appeal. He has successfully brought a number of civil discrimination claims against large Government departments.
Ryan has contributed to various government consultations on:
- Enforcing the Equality Act: the law and the role of the EHRC
17.07.2019 - The Government Response to the Independent Review of Administrative Law
(“IRAL”) 29.4.21 - The consultation on calculating holiday entitlement for part-year and irregular hours workers
09.03.23
He also regularly provides case updates and insights in the Discrimination Law Association’s Briefings journal.
Notable cases
- Windle v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police et al
EA-2020-000406-LA 12.11.21 - Ramesh Patel v Folkestone Nursing Home
[2019] ICR 273 - S Pointer v Brixworth Parish Council
(ET/2016) - Vernon v Azure Support Services & others
UKEAT/0192/13; [2014] All ER (D) 11 (Dec).
Ryan Bradshaw in the news
- Military personnel to take legal action over housing costs, lawyers say Independent 1.3.24
- Fitter working for Sharps takes legal action over employment rights Guardian 2.1.24
- Charging for MOD housing by age behind the times, says housing claim solicitor Forces News 15.11.23
- Magistrates granting energy firms prepayment meter warrants in ‘private back rooms’ at court Inews 05.11.23
- Academics sue Oxford University over ‘Uberisation’ of teaching contracts The Guardian 23.01.23
- Revealed: UK fast fashion staff deprived of pay by jobs agency Observer 27.8.22
- Goldsmiths lecturers win worker rights battle Employee Benefits 27.10.21
- Thousands of disabled universal credit claimants owed £170 each due to migration flaw Mirror 10.6.20
- The DWP is facing Universal Credit court action from over 150 people The Canary 20.2.20
- Universal Credit: Disabled claimants planning to fight DWP in court for cash The Mirror 16.5.19
- Government urged to lift barriers to legal aid in discrimination cases LNB News 19.6.19
What the directories say
Having someone strong and committed to my case was extremely reassuring.
Chambers and partners 2024
Ryan's cases and blogs
Oxford University academics win employee status legal challenge
Oxford University tutors, Rebecca Abrams and Alice Jolly, have won their claim for employee status at an Employment Tribunal hearing.
Sharps Bedrooms fitter fights for rights after being denied holiday pay and Statutory Sick Pay
Huddersfield fitter David Lockwood, who has been classed as a subcontractor by Sharps Bedrooms Limited is taking legal action against the company to be classed as a worker and receive benefits such as holiday pay and Statutory Sick Pay.
Thousands of military personnel could be owed compensation from the MOD for discrimination over housing costs
Up to 80,000 serving members of the military are believed to be eligible for compensation from the Ministry of Defence after being unfairly overcharged for housing in the last six months because of their age and potentially their marital status.
Accreditations
