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Ryan Bradshaw

Partner

Ryan advises on human rights, discrimination and employment law

Discrimination Employment Human rights

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 shows fantastic judgement, a commercial approach and marshals large cases with devastating attention to detail.

Legal 500 2021

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:  

He also regularly provides case updates and insights in the Discrimination Law Association’s Briefings journal. 

Notable cases

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

News Article
Bhavini Makwana
Discrimination Human rights

Vision-impaired woman receives settlement from college after being refused enrolment to a course

A vision-impaired woman has received a settlement from Barking & Dagenham College after a lecturer refused to enrol her on a course, due to her sight loss and having a guide dog.

News Article
Manchester From Above
Human rights Disability Cycling

Greater Manchester disability campaigners appeal to Andy Burnham over pledge to remove barriers on public pathways

A number of organisations have written to Andy Burnham to ask for wider action over a pledge to remove barriers on public pathways across the region.

News Article
Oxford University
Employment Gig economy University

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.

Accreditations