Employment Law
Advice for employers and employees
We act for both sides — from settlement agreements and disciplinary processes through to tribunal claims. Employment matters run to strict deadlines, so the sooner you take advice the more options you have.
If you are an employee
Losing your job, or being pushed towards leaving, is rarely just a legal problem. It affects your income, your reference and often your confidence. We will tell you honestly whether you have a claim worth bringing, what it is likely to be worth, and what it will cost to pursue.
- Settlement agreements — reviewing and negotiating terms
- Unfair, wrongful and constructive dismissal
- Breach of employment contract and TUPE
- Employee pay disputes
- Discrimination, harassment and victimisation
- Redundancy and consultation failures
- Unpaid wages, notice and holiday pay
- Whistleblowing and detriment claims
If you are an employer
Getting the process right is almost always cheaper than defending the outcome. We advise on the decisions before they are made, and represent you if a claim is brought.
- Contracts of employment, handbooks and policies
- Disciplinary and grievance procedures
- Managing performance and sickness absence
- Redundancy and restructuring, including consultation
- Settlement agreements and exit negotiations
- Defending employment tribunal claims
Deadlines matter
Most employment tribunal claims must be started within three months less one day of the act complained of, and you normally have to notify ACAS for early conciliation before you can issue. Miss it and the tribunal may refuse to hear the claim at all, however strong it is.
If you have been dismissed or handed a settlement agreement, note the date and take advice quickly. Do not wait for an internal appeal to run its course before speaking to someone.
Fees
We have a deliberately flexible fee structure for employment clients. We recognise that employees and workers we represent may have limited funds — some have just lost their income. We discuss the options with you from the outset and agree the basis in writing before starting work.
| Option | Charge |
|---|---|
| Initial telephone advice — to identify the nature of your case and explore the prospects of success | Free |
| Fixed fee — agreed at the outset of the case, and unchanged whatever the outcome and the work involved | Agreed per case |
| No win no fee — where possible we act on this basis; if you are successful our fee is the equivalent of up to 25% of the compensation or damages you receive from your opponent | Up to 25% |
| Hourly rate — where documents need to be reviewed and considered. We advise from the outset roughly how many hours are likely to be needed | £200.00 per hour |
| Settlement agreement — where your employer is contributing to your legal fees, we charge no more than the employer’s contribution | Usually £250 – £500 |
When a settlement agreement may cost more. We may charge an additional fee if your employer is introducing new restrictive covenants, or if you ask us to advise on the terms of your contract of employment — both fall outside the remit of a standard settlement agreement review. We will tell you before we start if that applies to you.
VAT is charged in addition where it applies. Disbursements — such as counsel’s fees and expert reports — are not included above and are agreed with you in advance. Where we act on a no win no fee basis, the success fee is agreed and explained in writing before any work begins.
Common questions
A settlement agreement is only binding if you have taken independent legal advice on it, and employers almost always contribute to that cost. In many cases the contribution covers our fee in full. We will tell you before we start if it does not.
Usually three months less one day from the act complained of, with ACAS early conciliation required first. Some claims run to different limits, so tell us the key dates at the outset.
In suitable cases, yes. Whether it is appropriate depends on the strength of the claim and the likely value. We will tell you honestly if we do not think it is the right arrangement for your case.
Most claims settle before a final hearing. We prepare every case as though it will be heard, because that is usually what produces a sensible settlement.
Been dismissed, or handed an agreement?
Time limits are short. Call and we will tell you where you stand.
0161 241 6309
Fee options
- Initial phone advice — free
- Fixed fee — agreed at the outset
- No win no fee — up to 25%
- Hourly rate — £200
- Settlement agreement — usually £250–£500, met by your employer
Other practice areas
Contact
Find out where you stand
Whether you are an employer or an employee, a short conversation early on is usually the cheapest advice you will ever take.
0161 241 6309