Theo Lester

Theo has been representing clients in the employment tribunals since 2016.

Since coming to the Bar, he has worked on numerous employment matters of all stripes, for both Respondents and Claimants, and regularly appears in lengthy full trials on liability and quantum. He has also advised on and appeared in complex strategic litigation, and represents clients at both judicial and private mediations. Recent trial matters have involved complex collections of claims focusing primarily on discrimination matters, including direct and indirect race discrimination and disability discrimination, victimisation, s.15 discrimination arising from disability, failures to make reasonable adjustments, and constructive dismissal and unfair dismissal matters etc. Pending trials include more discrimination claims, and a breach of contract and unlawful deductions TUPE matter.

Prior to coming to the Bar Theo had already appeared in the employment tribunals for a number of years on a pro bono basis with FRU and other organisations, including e.g. in a matter for Kensington & Chelsea CAB involving 10 heads of claim for which he drafted pleadings, appeared at Tribunal on behalf of the client, and which resulted in a £30k settlement.

Theo represents immigration and asylum clients in both the First-Tier and Upper Tribunals, as well as appearing in judicial review proceedings in the High Court.

Prior to coming to the Bar Theo had already gained extensive experience in the immigration and asylum fields, having worked at the leading specialist firm Luqmani Thompson & Partners as a Law Society-accredited Senior Caseworker. In that role he had personal conduct of numerous asylum claims, specialising in particular in UASC (unaccompanied asylum-seeking child) cases. This included working with victims of trafficking and victims of torture, in tandem with organisations such as Freedom from Torture.

During his time at Luqmani Thompson, Theo also assisted the senior partners on a wide range of immigration and public law matters including at the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court level (e.g. WA (Pakistan) v SSHD [2019]EWCA Civ 302), conducting legal and country research as well as other casework tasks, and working on complex criminal deport matters as well as on public law actions such as injunctive relief applications (stays on removal).

Additionally, as part of his own caseload Theo advised and represented private clients making human rights-based applications, and had conduct of Tribunal appeals.

Theo’s first practical contact with the area of immigration law was during his legal studies, when as a volunteer for Haringey Migrant Support Centre he assisted (in a non-advisory capacity) clients of the Centre on a wide range of immigration and related matters, and worked on the preparation of cases including pro bono appeals. Through his pro bono immigration work he also had contact with many prominent NGOs in the immigration sector such as Migrants Organise and Coram Children’s Centre.

He continues to pursue his passion for pro bono work as a barrister, representing immigration clients at bail hearings with Bail for Immigration Detainees and taking on cases through Advocate.