I represent Deaf and disabled people who face barriers with access to services, advice, information and education in everyday life.
I have always been a lawyer committed to positive change for people. The first ten years of my career were dedicated to helping people injured and disabled through work leading to cases in the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and national recognition through lectures, articles and a book.
Over the last decade my primary focus has been on promoting inclusion and accessibility for disabled people, having lived experience of disability as a consequence of a diagnosis of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in 2005 (now in remission).
For some years I ran my own law firm. Many of my cases have been featured across the national media, with whom I am now regarded as a leading legal commentator on Equality related issues. I have appeared on the Today programme, In Touch, BBC Ouch, Victoria Derbyshire and various regional television and radio programs.
I work closely with various national charities and Peers on campaign related work. I am regularly instructed by The Equality & Human Rights Commission, and also by national Charities such as Disability Rights UK, Transport for All, The National Federation for the Blind UK, Inclusion London and Not Dead Yet.
I am one of few Solicitors with reported cases in employment, public law and private law, and to have run multiple cases in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court (list below).
I assist with cases involving disability discrimination – where people are treated less favourably whether on purpose or because of a policy or practice which creates a disadvantage. I specialise in achieving reasonable adjustments at work, at Universities and in terms of customer service..
In addition to my litigation work, I also deliver Equality Act training and Consultancy; having assisted the English Football League and Level Playing Field in drafting their Guide to making sports venues more accessible, and on assisting the Support & Advocacy Team at STAMMA.
In January 2020 I qualified as a CEDR Accredited Mediator.
I have drafted published articles within the Discrimination Law Association, and I am one of the co-authors of the “Blackstones Guide to the Equality Act”.
I am also listed as one of the Shaw Trust ‘Power 100’.
I have worked as a Consultant Lawyer at various law firms, through whom I have given regulated legal advice, and helped trained lawyers to assist in discrimination work. I am pleased to now be working with the team at Inspire Legal who aim to make legal services more open and accessible.
Sign Up
Receive updates, news and latest blogs
Equality Consultancy
Having been at the forefront of disability rights work for the last 10 years, I am happy to train other lawyers in this important work. If you have a desire to help tackle inequality and create a fairer and more inclusive society please get in touch.
Pro Bono Resources
I can provide you with a free guide to complaining, and template complaint letters, click here. Subject to resource I also provide pro bono representation.
Mediation
Because there is more to life than forcing a solution through the Courts, I qualified as a CEDR accredited Mediator in January 2020. I strongly support the use of Mediation to change attitudes, rebuild relationships and deliver culture change.
Awards
Finalist, Best Contribution by a Small Firm, National Pro Bono Awards 2019.
Disability Discrimination Law Firm of the Year in England & Wales 2018/19
· Disability Discrimination Law Firm of the Year in England & Wales 2017/18
Best Contribution by a Small Firm, National Pro Bono Awards 2018
Niche Law Firm Award, Yorkshire Legal Awards 2015
· Niche Law Firm Award, Yorkshire Legal Awards 2014
Law Society Excellence Award – “Solicitor of the Year – Private Practice”, Highly Commended [2013]
Law Society Excellence Award – “Client Care”, Finalist [2013]
Yorkshire Lawyer Award – “Enterprise”, Winner [2013]
· Niche Law Firm Award, Yorkshire Legal Awards 2012
Law Society Excellence Award – “Community Investment”, Winner [2012]
Star Business Award – ‘Start Up Business, Winner [2012]
Yorkshire Lawyer Award – “Dispute Resolution”, Highly Commended [2009]
The Times Lawyer of the Week – following a precedent setting group action for Noise Induced Hearing Loss [2009]
Law Society Excellence Award – “Solicitor of the Year”, Finalist [2008]
Yorkshire Lawyer Award – “Rising Star”, Winner [2006]
Publications
I have published two practitioners’ guides in my career, across the two work types I have developed to the Supreme Court:
Author of the Jordan’s Guide to Noise Claims: https://www.lexisnexis.co.uk/store/products/apil-guide-to-noise-claims-skuANC
Co-Author Guide to the Equality Act 2010:
Reported Cases (Disability)
Judicial Review
Instructed by the Claimant Katherine Rowley in her successful case against The Cabinet Office on behalf of Deaf People let down by the Government in the Covid Pandemic: https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/R-on-the-application-of-Katherine-Rowley-v-Minister-for-the-Cabinet-Office.pdf
Instructed by Inclusion London in the case of Leighton, R (On the Application Of) v The Lord Chancellor [2020] EWHC 336 (Admin) (19 February 2020) http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2020/336.html&query=(Esther)+AND+(Leighton)
Instructed by Baroness Campbell for Not Dead Yet UK in the case of Conway v The Secretary of State for Justice [2018] EWCA Civ 16 (18 January 2018) http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2018/16.html&query=(noel)+AND+(conway)
Instructed by Fair Access to Colchester in the case of Hamnett v Essex County Council [2017] EWCA Civ 6 (18/01/2017) https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2017/6.html
Private Law
Reynolds, Nelson & Cassandro v Live in the UK [2021]
Paulley v First Bus Group [2017] UKSC 4 http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/uk/cases/UKSC/2017/4.html&query=(paulley)
Edwards v Flamingo Land Ltd [2013] EWCA Civ 801 (05 July 2013) http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2013/801.html&query=(edwards)+AND+(v)+AND+(flamingo)
Reported Cases (Non Disability)
Field v British Coal Corporation [2008] EWCA Civ 912
Furniss v Firth Brown Tools Ltd [2008] EWCA Civ 182 (12 March 2008)
Baker v Quantum Clothing Group Ltd [2007] EWCA Civ 750 (28 June 2007)
Baker v Quantum Clothing Group Ltd & Anor [2008] EWCA Civ 823 (11 June 2008)
Baker v Quantum Clothing Group & Ors [2009] EWCA Civ 499 (22 May 2009)
Baker v Quantum Clothing Group & Ors [2009] EWCA Civ 566 (05 June 2009)
Baker v Quantum Clothing Group Ltd & Ors (Ver 2) [2011] UKSC 17 (13 April 2011)
Reported Cases (Disability)
Judicial Review
Instructed by the Claimant Katherine Rowley in her successful case against The Cabinet Office on behalf of Deaf People let down by the Government in the Covid Pandemic: https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/R-on-the-application-of-Katherine-Rowley-v-Minister-for-the-Cabinet-Office.pdf
Instructed by Inclusion London in the case of Leighton, R (On the Application Of) v The Lord Chancellor [2020] EWHC 336 (Admin) (19 February 2020) http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2020/336.html&query=(Esther)+AND+(Leighton)
Instructed by Baroness Campbell for Not Dead Yet UK in the case of Conway v The Secretary of State for Justice [2018] EWCA Civ 16 (18 January 2018) http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2018/16.html&query=(noel)+AND+(conway)
Instructed by Fair Access to Colchester in the case of Hamnett v Essex County Council [2017] EWCA Civ 6 (18/01/2017) https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2017/6.html
Private Law
Reynolds, Nelson & Cassandro v Live in the UK [2021], Central London County Court.
Paulley v First Bus Group [2017] UKSC 4 http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/uk/cases/UKSC/2017/4.html&query=(paulley)
Edwards v Flamingo Land Ltd [2013] EWCA Civ 801 (05 July 2013) http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2013/801.html&query=(edwards)+AND+(v)+AND+(flamingo)
Reported Cases (Non Disability)
Field v British Coal Corporation [2008] EWCA Civ 912
Furniss v Firth Brown Tools Ltd [2008] EWCA Civ 182 (12 March 2008)
Baker v Quantum Clothing Group Ltd [2007] EWCA Civ 750 (28 June 2007)
Baker v Quantum Clothing Group Ltd & Anor [2008] EWCA Civ 823 (11 June 2008)
Baker v Quantum Clothing Group & Ors [2009] EWCA Civ 499 (22 May 2009)
Baker v Quantum Clothing Group & Ors [2009] EWCA Civ 566 (05 June 2009)
Baker v Quantum Clothing Group Ltd & Ors (Ver 2) [2011] UKSC 17 (13 April 2011)
Goldscheider v The Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation [2018] EWHC 687 (QB) (28 March 2018)
https://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWHC/QB/2018/687.html&query=(goldscheider)
Goldscheider v Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation [2019] EWCA Civ 711 (17 April 2019)
https://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2019/711.html&query=(goldscheider)
Goldscheider v The Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation [2018] EWHC 687 (QB) (28 March 2018)
https://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWHC/QB/2018/687.html&query=(goldscheider)
Goldscheider v Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation [2019] EWCA Civ 711 (17 April 2019)
https://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2019/711.html&query=(goldscheider)
Client Testimonials
“I chose Chris Fry because of his proven track record in discrimination cases to help me pursue a disability discrimination case where a company had refused to make reasonable adjustments. I am really appreciative of Chris’s passion for disability law and his experience. I found him to be very competent and transparent. He works with integrity and he demonstrated a commitment to me as his client. Chris’s relatable, knowledgeable approach was reassuring and much needed during this experience. He went the extra mile and made the effort to ensure I understood where I stood in this case in relation to disability Law and his strategy. This felt supportive as it meant I could match my expectation with a realistic, positive outcome. I have worked previously with other solicitors who seem incompetent by comparison. Chris took this case and secured a positive outcome very quickly. I would absolutely highly recommend Chris Fry as an excellent solicitor. Thanks for your work on my case,.”
— Lesley
“I came to Chris for a second opinion because my Trade Union Solicitors had advised me that my claim for reasonable adjustments would fail. Chris came back to me quickly with a couple of strategies which ultimately led them to change their mind, giving me free legal support and optimism that my work issues will resolve..”
— Lou
“I chose Chris Fry who has a proven track record in discrimination cases to help me pursue a disability discrimination case against a nursery that had denied my daughter access and refusal to make reasonable adjustments. It was an incredibly difficult time for us as a family and to have a solicitor like Chris who saw the people behind the documents made all the difference. We could see that Chris was passionate about the change that was needed in society to make a more inclusive world for everyone. What was really helpful is that he gave us his mobile number and really meant it when he said “call anytime.”
— Vanessa
Sign Up
Recieve updates, news and latest blogs