Employment law covers the relationship between employers and employees — from your contract and pay, through to dismissal, discrimination, and redundancy. An employment solicitor can help whether you're an employee facing a dispute or an employer trying to handle one correctly.
Common reasons people seek advice
Unfair or wrongful dismissal, discrimination on the grounds of a protected characteristic, unpaid wages or holiday pay, redundancy processes, and disputes over restrictive covenants (like non-compete clauses) are among the most common reasons people contact an employment solicitor. Whistleblowing and workplace harassment complaints are another significant category.
ACAS early conciliation
Before most employment tribunal claims can be lodged, you're required to notify ACAS (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) and go through an early conciliation process. This is a formal step, not just a suggestion, and missing it can affect your ability to bring a claim — a solicitor can talk you through the timeline.
Time limits are short
Employment tribunal claims generally must be started within three months less one day from the event you're complaining about (such as your dismissal date), which is considerably shorter than many other legal time limits. If you think you might have a claim, it's worth getting advice quickly rather than waiting.
What a solicitor can do
This can range from a single piece of advice on your contract, through negotiating a settlement agreement, to representing you at an employment tribunal. Many firms offer an initial consultation to assess whether you have a viable claim before you commit to anything further.