Talia's principal areas of practice are employment law, commercial litigation and education law. 

She is recommended as a leading junior for employment by both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, where she is noted for her strategic advice, cross-examination skills and exceptional client care.  She is also recommended as a leading junior for education in Legal 500.  

Talia frequently acts for multinational corporations in the financial, insurance, media, construction, retail and transportation sectors in cases of reputational importance. She also represents individuals, trade unions and public sector clients including universities, NHS Trusts and local authorities. 

Talia was appointed a Member of the Panel of Counsel for the Commission of Equality & Human Rights in January 2011.

• Recommendations

  Employment recommendations

  "Utterly amazing on discrimination cases. A fierce intellect with the advocacy skills to match." "Very client-friendly and really gets to grips with the nuances of the case." Successfully resisted an application brought by the British Airline Pilots Association that sought declaration that pilots are entitled to refuse to undertake certain flying duties. - Employment Chambers UK Bar 2020

  "Her manner with opposing counsel and the tribunal is calculated to give her client the best possible chance at any hearing." - Employment, Legal 500 2020

  Manages an extensive employment law practice. She is especially skilled at handling whistle-blowing and remuneration claims, unfair dismissals, redundancies and TUPE issues. She has vast experience acting for clients in the financial and healthcare sectors. "Technically excellent and great to work with. She has an incredible work ethic." "A very strong advocate. She is very thorough in her preparation." Represented Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank in a sexual harassment claim. - Employment, Chambers UK Bar 2019

  "She is technically excellent and has an incredible work ethic." - Employment, Legal 500 2019

  Manages an extensive employment law practice. She is especially skilled at handling whistle-blowing and remuneration claims, unfair dismissals, redundancies and TUPE issues. She has vast experience acting for clients in the financial and healthcare sectors. “Able to get to grips with the complicated issues very quickly and an effective cross-examiner.” “Very strategic and very good at negotiations.” Defended British Airways in a series of whistle-blowing claims. - Employment, Chambers UK 2018

  "She has good judgement and achieves excellent results" - Employment, Legal 500 2017

  Praised for her approachability and client-handling skills, she has an extensive employment law practice advising on unfair dismissals, redundancies and TUPE issues. Regularly represents both private and public clients, with vast experience acting for healthcare trusts and local authorities. "She is sharp, picks up facts quickly and is good at explaining matters and issues to clients." "She has the ability to gain the trust of the client very quickly and comes across as someone with great gravitas."  - Employment, Chambers UK 2017

  Talia Barsam is ranked as a Leading junior in 'Employment'. "Her judgement routinely produces positive results, which others would struggle to achieve." - Legal 500 2016

  Has a broad employment and commercial practice, and represents both public and private organisations in disputes. She garnered high praise for the excellence of her client service, and for her courtroom presence. "Very thorough, and a tough cross-examiner who is good with witnesses." "Clients love her, and she is extremely conscientious and methodical." Acted in the tribunal and the EAT on behalf of Aviva in a complex unfair dismissal and discrimination claim. - Employment, Chambers UK 2016

  "A tough cross-examiner who is very thorough and good with witnesses." - Employment, Legal 500 2015

  An excellent employment junior recommended for her tough cross-examination and ease with witnesses. She has impressed with her work on high-value and complex discrimination claims, and has noted expertise in disability discrimination. Expertise: "She is good under pressure, calm under fire and great to work with." Recent work: Advised the respondent in Lefebvre v British Airways, a disability discrimination claim lodged by a member of cabin crew with obsessive compulsive disorder. - Employment, Chambers UK 2015

  "Demonstrates exceptional client care and the ability to deliver strong advocacy" - Employment, Legal 500 2014

  Education recommendations

  "An excellent advocate: professional and direct while also being supportive." - Education, Legal 500 2020

  "She is technically excellent, great to work with and has an incredible work ethic." - Education, Legal 500 2019

  "Excellent preparation, client skills and advocacy." -  Education, Legal 500 2017

  "She provides well-structured advice, particularly in discrimination cases - Education, Legal 500 2016

• Employment

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  Talia has extensive experience in employment law, including all areas of discrimination law, whistleblowing, unfair dismissal, redundancy, equal pay, breach of contract, TUPE, Working Time Regulations, restrictive covenants and jurisdictional issues.  She has particular expertise in complex disability discrimination claims and whistleblowing claims.

  Recent cases include:

  • representing a leading project management consultancy in a disability discrimination claim brought by a director (ongoing)
  • represented an Islamic bank in a sexual harassment and constructive unfair dismissal claim attracting significant press attention (settled after 5 days of trial, 2017)
  • represented the defendant recruitment agency in an application for an interim injunction (2017)
  • represented one of the big 4 accounting firms in an equal pay claim (settled, 2017)
  • represented the claimant in a disability discrimination and age discrimination claim brought by a senior executive against a global bank, led by Bruce Carr QC (settled, 2016)
  • successfully represented British Airways in a series of whistleblowing claims attracting significant press attention (2015-2016)
  • successfully represented the respondent at the ET (initially and on remission) in Burdett v Aviva (UKEAT/0439/13/JOJ) and in the EAT, in which the tribunals considered the definition of gross misconduct and the test for justification under s.15 of EqA 2010 (2014 - 2016)
  • represented a senior female manager in her claim for age and sex discrimination (2016)

  Recent advisory work includes:

  • advising and acting for an NHS Trust in a dispute over the employment status of GPs working in Out of Hours services
  • advising Heineken in relation to its collective agreements and variation of its terms
  • advising a City Council in relation to TUPE and equal pay
  • advising a technology company in relation to a non-compete clause

• Equality

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  Talia is very experienced in all areas of discrimination law.  She has been recommended in the directories for her work in high value and complex discrimination claims, with noted expertise in disability discrimination claims (Chambers & Partners, 2015). 

  She represents both respondents/defendants and claimants in the Employment Tribunal, EAT, County Court and SENDIST (First-tier Tribunal). 

  Recent work includes:

  • representing a leading project management consultancy in a disability discrimination claim brought by a director
  • representing an Oxbridge University on a disability discrimination claim brought by a student regarding a failure to make reasonable adjustments and victimisation
  • represented an Islamic bank in a sexual harassment and constructive unfair dismissal claim attracting significant press attention (settled after 5 days of trial, 2017)
  • represented one of the big 4 accounting firms in an equal pay claim (settled, 2017)
  • represented the claimant in a disability discrimination and age discrimination claim brought by a senior executive against a global bank, led by Bruce Carr QC (settled, 2016)
  • successfully represented the respondent at the ET (initially and on remission) in Burdett v Aviva (UKEAT/0439/13/JOJ) and in the EAT, in which the tribunals considered the definition of gross misconduct and the test for justification under s.15 of EqA 2010 (2014 - 2016)
  • represented a senior female manager in her claim for age and sex discrimination (2016)

  Talia was appointed a Member of the Panel of Counsel for the Commission of Equality & Human Rights in January 2011. 

• Restrictive Covenants & Injunctions

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  Talia has experience both advising on the enforceability of restrictive covenants and representing clients in High Court litigation. 

  Recent work includes:

  • represented the defendant recruitment agency in an application for an interim injunction 
  • advised a technology company on the enforceability of its non-compete clause 
  • advised and represented recruitment consultants and a leading recruitment company on defending an application for an injunction for breach of restrictive covenants and breach of confidence in the High Court, as well as drafted the Defence
  • advised a national business services provider on a non-compete covenant 
  • advised a multinational corporation on an application for an injunction for breach of confidence and on the enforceability of its restrictive covenants 
  • successfully represented the claimant hairdresser in an application for a springboard injunction in the High Court

• Industrial Relations

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  Talia has been involved in a number of claims arising out of industrial disputes and is frequently instructed by organisations within the heavily unionised healthcare, transportation and education sectors. 

  Recent work includes:

  • instructed by British Airways in relation to the wetleasing of aircraft from Qatar Airways during the recent industrial action
  • advised Heineken in respect of its collective agreements
  • led by Bruce Carr QC in an application for an injunction against the Prison Officers Association 
  • successfully represented a multinational corporation in a claim for trade union detriment
  • instructed by a bus company in respect of potential injunction to prevent recent strike action
  • successfully represented British Airways in a claim for trade union detriment arising from a cabin crew dispute
  • successfully represented a trade union in a claim for race discrimination brought by an trade union member against a trade union representative.

• Education

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  Talia is recommended in Legal 500 as a leading junior in Education.  She has experience representing both claimants and defendants in the County Court, SENDIST (First-tier Tribunal) and Employment Tribunal.  Talia has particular expertise in disability discrimination claims and exclusions.    

  Recent work includes:

  • representing an Oxbridge University in a failure to make reasonable adjustments and victimisation claim brought by a student, including challenges to the form of assessment
  • representing a University in a breach of contract claim brought by a PHD student regarding an alleged failure to provide adequate supervision
  • successfully represented a well-known London Academy in a series of disability discrimination claims, including in relation to an exclusion
  • represented a school in a complex holiday pay claim brought by peripatetic teachers
  • successfully represented a prestigious independent school in a disability discrimination claim brought on behalf of one of its pupils in the SENDIST
  • successfully represented a school in a disability discrimination claim brought by a prospective pupil challenging the approach taken by the school and LA following the naming of the school on the child's statement
  • represented the claimant teacher in a disability discrimination claim brought against Harrow School in the ET (settled)

• Commercial Litigation

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  Talia has a burgeoning insurance and professional negligence practice, acting for both claimants and defendants.  She has experience in fast track and multi-track commercial cases in the County Courts and High Court.   Talia is a member of PNBA and COMBAR.

  Recent work includes:

  • acting for the defendant construction company in a negligence claim and coverage dispute led by Colin Edelman QC, including as sole counsel in defending an application for an interim payment of £10 million
  • advising a College in relation to insurance coverage for a mesothelioma claim
  • acted for the defendant solicitors in relation to a solicitor's negligence claim brought following the late service of proceedings
  • advising a claimant developer in relation to a solicitor's negligence claim, approximate value £500,000
  • acted for multiple claimants bringing claims against solicitors instructed to act in an unusual property transaction
  • acted for the claimant in a claim brought against financial advisors and solicitors arising out of the removal of funds from the Court of Protection and their subsequent investment, approximate value £1.5 million (with Ben Lynch)
  • acting for a defendant architect in a claim for negligence arising out of significant building works
  • acted for the claimant in a claim under Director's Liability insurance involving issues of non-disclosure
  • drafted pleading in a high value insurance claim brought under an Employers’ Liability Policy led by Andrew Burns QC

  Talia has lectured recently on topics including:

  • Insurance Act
  • Limitation
  • Notification of claims
  • Insurance broker's negligence
  • Lawyer's negligence in employment claims

• Additional Information

  Add to Portfolio

  Talia has lectured on several subjects. Recent topics include:

  • Privilege
  • Limitation
  • Insurance broker's negligence
  • Lawyer's negligence in employment claims
  • Disability discrimination
  • Anti-Strike Injunctions and Actions Against Striking Employees
  • Age Discrimination
  • Changes to Terms & Conditions