Sorcha Dervin - Farrar's Building Barristers Chambers

In employment law, Sorcha is ranked as ‘Up and Coming’ in Chambers and Partners, and as a ‘Rising Star’ in Legal 500.

Sorcha is a confident advocate with a busy Tribunal based practice. She is regularly instructed in multi-day hearings and has appeared unled in the Employment Appeal Tribunal. Sorcha advises and represents clients across the full range of employment disputes, with particular interest and experience in discrimination and whistleblowing claims. She frequently works on matters for the lifespan of the case; from drafting the grounds of claim/response to appearing as trial counsel at the final hearing. Sorcha also has a busy advisory practice and has experience advising on matters pre-litigation.

In her personal injury practice, Sorcha appears in court regularly in a range of claims arising from RTAs and EL/PL disputes, many of which involve fraud and fundamental dishonesty. Sorcha also has a confident grasp on the technicalities of Highways Act claims. Sorcha’s paperwork practice encompasses higher value personal injury work, up to and including head injuries, where she manages cases involving multiple expert disciplines, settles pleadings and advises on liability, quantum, and tactics.

‘Sorcha is a great advocate, brilliant with clients, and skilled in her technical practice.’

Chambers & Partners 2026

‘Sorcha Dervin is a highly skilled counsel. She has an eye for detail and technical ability, whilst offering clients a personalised service.’

Chambers & Partners 2026

‘Sorcha is great on her feet and has a fantastic rapport with clients.’

Chambers & Partners 2026

‘Sorcha is an outstanding employment barrister with a sharp legal mind and a strategic approach to complex cases. She has meticulous attention to detail, persuasive advocacy, and ability to navigate challenging legal disputes with confidence.’

Legal 500 2026

‘Sorcha is an impressive advocate, with a strategic approach and an eye for detail. A real up-and-coming star.’

Legal 500 2025

Employment

Before coming to the Bar, Sorcha was an employment paralegal with a broad client base in the health and social care sector. She worked on a wide range of cases, particularly involving misconduct dismissals and whistleblowing. She brings that experience to her employment practice and is routinely instructed on complex multi-day Tribunal hearings in similar types of cases. Alongside appearing in Tribunal, Sorcha has a busy advisory practice.

Personal Injury

Sorcha enjoys a busy personal injury practice. She regularly appears in court in claims involving road traffic accidents, occupiers’ liability, employers’ liability, and Highways Act disputes. Sorcha is also experienced in novel personal injuries such as cases involving damage to hair. Sorcha’s paperwork practice encompasses higher value personal injury work, where she settles pleadings and advises on liability, quantum, and tactics.

Sorcha was instructed to represent the Claimant in a five-day Tribunal hearing and succeeded in claims of automatic unfair dismissal and whistleblowing detriment.

E v CGS

Sorcha was instructed to represent the Respondent to defend claims of unfair dismissal and disability discrimination. Sorcha succeeded in challenging disability status at a two-day preliminary hearing and later succeeded on the remaining claims at the three-day final hearing.

C v LHR

Sorcha was instructed to represent the Claimant in a five-day Tribunal hearing and succeeded in claims of discrimination arising from disability, and failure to make reasonable adjustments.

B v CPFT

Sorcha was instructed to represent the Respondent in a five-day Tribunal hearing and successfully defended claims of automatic unfair dismissal and trade union detriment.

D v GSK

Sorcha was instructed to represent the Claimant in a seven-day Tribunal hearing and succeeded in claims for unfair dismissal, disability discrimination, and failure to make reasonable adjustments.

W v LBI

Education & Qualifications

2019-2020: BPTC – BPP University (Outstanding).
2015-2018: Law LLB – University of Bristol (First Class).

Appointments & Memberships

Honourable Society of the Inner Temple.
Personal Injuries Bar Association (PIBA).
Employment Lawyers Association (ELA).
Advocate Panel Member.

Personal Interests

In her spare time, Sorcha enjoys baking and going to the theatre. She also likes to visit her home county of Cumbria whenever she can.

To instruct Sorcha Dervin or obtain more information

Our clerking team, led by Chief Executive & Director of Clerking, Paul Cray, will be pleased to help with any enquiry regarding Sorcha Dervin, including suitability, availability, and fees. The team offers responsive, commercially focused, and highly professional support.

chambers@farrarsbuilding.co.uk

+44 (0) 20 7583 9241