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A passionate and approachable barrister with a diverse background, Amritpal practises housing, and employment and discrimination.
- “Amritpal is dedicated, reliable and highly professional, and has gone above and beyond exploring all avenues to secure the best results” (Legal 500 2022)
- “Amritpal truly cares and gives clear, helpful advice, taking time provide solid written submissions, which play a vital role in providing our applicants with the high quality service they deserve” (Nominated for the ‘John Collins Pro Bono Excellence Award’ in Advocate Pro Bono Awards 2021)
- ‘Highly Commended’ in the category of Junior Pro Bono Barrister of the Year (Advocate Bar Pro Bono Awards 2020)
- “Very diligent approach a keen eye for detail” (instructing solicitor in successful homelessness appeal, 2020)
- “Professional and courteous and had a personal touch regarding the plight of the client that is not always seen” (instructing solicitor in a disrepair claim, 2020)
- “Amrit really did pull out all of the stops for me, working late nights, all weekend and an extension to time on the day. He really did focus in on key areas in a rapid amount of time and put across my case concisely and persuasively” (Pro bono client in discrimination case, 2020)
Prior to coming to the Bar, Amritpal began his professional life as an optometrist, during which he also volunteered for the charity, Vision Aid Overseas, in India, Zambia, Ghana and Ethiopia. Amritpal is a keen cyclist and recently cycled from London to Paris.
Prior to joining 1MCB Chambers, Amritpal was a researcher at the House of Lords Library where he authored briefings for peers—including for members of the government, the opposition, and crossbenchers (including former members of the judiciary)—to support their participation in debates and questions in Parliament. He researched across the House of Lords’ main policy areas, particularly on constitutional affairs, and social policy issues such as homelessness and poverty.
Amritpal also volunteered extensively at the Free Representation Unit representing claimants in employment and social security cases, including successfully in the Upper Tribunal. As an intern at Medical Justice, he supported a large research project examining the unlawful detention of victims of torture. At Liberty, he undertook research in areas pertaining to human rights. Amritpal has also volunteered for the homelessness charity, Crisis, during Christmas periods.
Housing
Amritpal regularly accepts instructions in a range of housing law cases and is rapidly growing his practice in social housing. As an assured advocate, he is well placed to accept instructions to appear in applications, trials and appeals. Amritpal has represented tenants in cases involving possession, disrepair, anti-social behaviour, unlawful eviction and service occupancy.
Amritpal also has experience commercial property matters, such as TOLATA claims, and leasehold disputes.
Amritpal has a particular interest in homelessness appeals, and housing cases intersecting with the Equality Act 2010. He advises on the legalities of homelessness, such as: eligibility, intentionality, priority need, and suitability of accommodation.
Employment & discrimination
Amritpal has a strong interest in employment law, and is fast developing his practice. Amritpal is well placed to represent employers and employees in preliminary hearings, short and multi day trials, mediations and appeals. Amritpal has represented clients in unfair dismissal trials; discrimination cases; substantive preliminary hearings considering disability status, amendments to claims, deposit orders and jurisdictional issues; judicial mediations; and county court claims for unpaid wages. Amritpal also has broad experience in providing written advice on employment and discrimination matters, ranging from assessment of merits, as well as issues relating to procedure and jurisdiction.
Amritpal welcomes instructions in a broad range of employment cases, including:
- Unfair dismissal, constructive dismissal and wrongful dismissal
- Redundancy
- Direct and indirect claims concerning all protected characteristics
- Harassment and victimisation claims
- Disability discrimination claims (including failure to make reasonable adjustments and discrimination arising from disability)
- Flexible working, pregnancy and maternity claims
- Wage related claims
- TUPE
- Equal pay claims
Amritpal is also interested in non-employment related discrimination claims, and is also happy to advise and represent individuals and organisations in cases relating to services and education.
Amritpal has also contributed more widely to combat discrimination arising from Covid-19 by assisting the Equal Rights Trust (“ERT”) on their initiative addressing state responses to the pandemic. Amritpal’s legal and policy research from Parliament helped frame the ERT’s policy position on ‘immunisation certificates’ and ‘track and trace’ applications, as well as being relied upon for their advocacy submission to the UN Special Procedure mandate holders on Covid-19. Amritpal is keen to continue supporting NGOs and charities with undertaking research and drafting briefings.
Civil litigation
Amritpal also has broad experience of general civil litigation, including small claim trials in commercial contractual disputes and consumer credit disputes. Additionally, Amritpal has experience of commercial chancery work, such as early insolvency applications and enforcement proceedings.
Qualifications & Awards
- BSc (Hons) and LLB (Hons)
- ICLR National Mooting Competition Winner 2009
- Middle Temple Benefactors’ Scholarship 2009
Memberships
- Employment Lawyers Association
- Employment Law Bar Association
- Discrimination Law Association
- Human Rights Lawyers Association
- Police Action Lawyers Group
- Society of Labour Lawyers
Interests
Interests include music, art, current affairs, anti-racism studies and equal rights.