Annie Powell
Partner
Annie is a specialist employment and discrimination lawyer
Annie is a partner in the employment and discrimination team.
Annie is a leading practitioner in employment status and gig economy litigation. She represented Uber drivers in their successful Employment Tribunal claim in 2016 through to their victory in the Supreme Court in 2021. She also represented 50 Deliveroo riders in their claim for employment rights which settled in 2018.
Annie has recently acted for high profile female academics in relation to the expression of their protected gender critical beliefs.
What the directories say
Annie Powell is an exceptionally capable lawyer with a superb grasp of the legal intricacies of her areas as well as a keen eye for the practicalities.
Legal 500 2024
What people say
“You were so professional and committed to the cause - an absolute gem… I couldn’t have hoped for a better person on my side...”
“All sorted thanks to you!!! Many many thanks indeed! I am enormously grateful!!!! You are wonderful!” - Feedback from client in 2019
Legal expertise
Annie represents individuals across a broad range of sectors and roles, including acting for academics, doctors and consultants both in the NHS and private practice, for senior executives working in financial services, hospitality, marketing and IT, retail workers and local authority employees including refuse workers and housing officers. She has worked on the following types of cases:
- Discrimination relating to religion and belief, sex, age, disability, pregnancy and maternity, race, and sexual orientation;
- Victimisation;
- Unfair and wrongful dismissal;
- Whistleblowing;
- Redundancy;
- Trade union recognition.
Annie trained at a City law firm, qualifying as a solicitor in 2011.
What the directories say
Annie provides a flawless service, support, kindness and advice. She has a strategist's brain with laser-like tenacity.
Chambers and partners 2024
Annie Powell in the news
- Lawyer of the week: Annie Powell on her career and acting for professor over gender-critical views Times 1.2.24
- Professor Jo Phoenix interview: ‘The tactics in the tribunal were the same as in my rape case’ Sunday Telegraph 28.1.24
- Prof Jo Phoenix wins landmark case against Open University Solicitors Journal 23.1.24
- Meet the British Lawyer Taking on Deliveroo and Uber on Workers’ Rights. YouTube
- Law Gazette’s “Lawyer in the News” – Annie Powell Law Society Gazette 9.7.18
- The biggest legal crisis facing Uber started with a pile of vomit Wired 13.6.18
- BBC Documentary: Meet the teens taking on Deliveroo BBC 13.10.17
- Annie co-authored the book Employment Law and the Gig Economy (Law Brief Publishing) published in December 2018
- Tackling labour market violations for atypical work contracts LexisNexis 20.9.19
She's absolutely outstanding in every respect; she's extremely supportive.
Chambers and partners 2021
Accreditations
Prof Jo Phoenix wins gender critical discrimination case against Open University
An Employment Tribunal has found that Prof Jo Phoenix was discriminated against and harassed by her employer, the Open University, because of her gender critical beliefs. Prof Phoenix also succeeded in her claim for constructive dismissal.
Legal action launched against BMW and Mercedes-owned company over alleged unlawful treatment of FREENOW private hire drivers
Law firm Leigh Day has launched a group legal claim against FREENOW, a ride hailing app owned by BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz Mobility, arguing that the company is treating its private hire drivers unlawfully.
