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Our employment law solicitors pride themselves on providing expert advice to employees and individuals to resolve all types of employment and discrimination issues. For advice on any employment law issue, we recommend completing our online enquiry form - by completing the form as fully as possible, it will allow us to assess your case much more efficiently to tell you whether we can assist and what funding option we can recommend.
Our employment law specialists advise clients nationally from our offices in Manchester, Bolton, Wigan, St Helens and London.
We have specialist employment and discrimination solicitors recommended in their field who can provide advice to employees on: unfair dismissal, discrimination, redundancy, TUPE, equal pay and settlement agreements.
Our discrimination solicitors can also provide expert advice on all discrimination claims raised against other organisations which include civil claims against public bodies, service providers and private associations which can be brought within the civil courts.
How can our employment law solicitors help?
Employment law in the UK covers a wide range of areas including unfair dismissal, redundancy, discrimination, employment contracts, working hours, holiday entitlement, disciplinary and grievance procedures, and workplace safety. These laws help ensure fair and safe working conditions and protect employee rights.
Under UK law, unfair dismissal occurs when an employer terminates an employee’s contract without a valid reason, or without following proper procedure. Valid reasons for dismissal might include misconduct, capability issues, redundancy, or legal restrictions. If an employer fails to justify the dismissal or does not follow the correct process, the employee may have grounds for an unfair dismissal claim.
If facing redundancy, you have the right to a consultation period, consideration for alternative employment within the organisation, statutory redundancy payment (if you've been employed for two years or more), paid notice period, and time off to seek alternative employment. Employers must follow a fair and transparent selection process and uphold your employment rights throughout.
Yes, you can claim for employment discrimination if you've been treated unfairly based on protected characteristics outlined in the Equality Act 2010, such as age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. Claims can relate to recruitment, promotion, training opportunities, redundancy, dismissal, or general workplace treatment.
In most cases, you have three months less one day from the date of the event or action you're disputing, such as dismissal, discrimination, or unpaid wages, to bring a claim to an employment tribunal. Before submitting a claim, it is compulsory to contact ACAS for early conciliation to attempt resolution without tribunal intervention; this process may extend your claim period slightly.
All employees in the UK are legally entitled to receive a written statement detailing the main conditions of employment from day one. This must include pay details, working hours, holiday entitlement, notice periods, job description, and other critical employment terms.
Employees on zero hours contracts have several key employment rights including entitlement to statutory annual leave, statutory sick pay, protection from discrimination, and the national minimum wage. Employers cannot prevent zero hours contract workers from working elsewhere or exclusively tie them to one business unless justified.
ACAS early conciliation is a free service designed to help resolve employment disputes without going to an employment tribunal. Before making a tribunal claim, individuals must notify ACAS, who will attempt to facilitate an agreement between the parties involved. If conciliation is unsuccessful, ACAS issues a certificate, allowing the claim to proceed to tribunal.
At Stephensons, we understand how complex and emotionally challenging employment issues can be. Whether you're facing unfair treatment at work, redundancy, dismissal or workplace discrimination, our employment law solicitors for employees are here to support you. We take the time to fully understand your situation before offering practical and tailored advice to help you reach a satisfactory resolution. By combining extensive legal knowledge with a client-focused approach, we stand out as trusted employment lawyers for individuals across the UK.
Employment law is designed to protect individuals in the workplace from unfair or unlawful treatment. Our employment law specialists can help you fully understand your legal rights, from the moment an employment issue arises. Whether it’s related to discrimination, redundancy, pay disputes or workplace grievances, we are committed to ensuring you are treated fairly and in accordance with the law. Our employment law solicitors for employees act swiftly, proactively and with your best interests in mind.
Our dedicated employment lawyers offer expert insight on a wide range of legal matters that affect individuals in the workplace:
Each case is handled with sensitivity and care, and we pride ourselves on achieving positive outcomes for our clients.
Choosing the right employment law solicitors can make all the difference when it comes to protecting your rights and obtaining fair treatment. Stephensons is a leading law firm with a strong reputation for excellence in employment law services. Here's why clients across the UK turn to us:
We are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), offering peace of mind that you are in safe legal hands when you choose Stephensons for employment law advice.
From the moment you contact us, our team of employment law solicitors will work closely with you to assess your situation and advise on the best course of action. We recognise that each client’s circumstances are unique. That’s why we offer a bespoke service tailored to your specific objectives—whether that’s achieving financial compensation, negotiating a favourable settlement or reinstating your position.
Our employment lawyers can also assist with preparing claims for employment tribunals, negotiating settlements with employers and enforcing your rights under employment legislation. With Stephensons, you gain a legal partner who is focused on securing the best outcome for you.
Workplace issues can have a significant impact on your financial security, wellbeing and future career. Our employment law solicitors for employees are not only legal experts but also empathetic professionals who understand the pressure you're under. We offer clear, jargon-free advice so you know where you stand and what your options are at every stage of the process.
We aim to resolve matters quickly and constructively, whether that means negotiating with your employer, attending mediation or representing you at tribunal. Whatever route your case takes, you’ll have the confidence of knowing Stephensons is by your side.
No matter where you are in the UK, you can benefit from the expertise of our employment lawyers. We help clients nationwide thanks to our conveniently located offices and remote legal services. If you’re looking for employment law solicitors with a proven track record, we're here to help.
Our team has helped thousands of employees across various industries, from teachers and healthcare workers to directors and contractors, protecting their rights and delivering results when facing difficult situations at work.
If you are facing a dispute at work or believe your rights have been infringed, it’s essential to act quickly and seek professional legal advice. Stephensons has a team of employment law specialists ready to support you. From initial consultation through to resolution, we provide responsive, clear and strategic advice that empowers you to make informed decisions.
Our reputation among employment law solicitors is built on successful outcomes, compassionate service, and a steadfast commitment to justice. Contact us today to find out how our employment lawyers can help protect your interests.
There are several ways in which we can help you look to resolve a dispute with your employer or pursue a claim against an organisation in the employment tribunal or civil court. This can be achieved in one of the following ways:
We are one of a handful of firms nationally to advise employees and individuals on all areas of employment and discrimination law whilst offering affordable access to justice.
Our specialist employment solicitors are held in the highest regard by the Legal 500.
Our employment law solicitors advise a wide range of individuals, including but not limited to:
Awards
We offer no win no fee assistance on a case by case basis, which means that we need to assess your particular case and circumstances.
If you would like to have your situation assessed our advisers will find out a little more about your claim before passing this on to our specialist solicitors who will confirm whether or not we can assist you on a no win no fee basis.
If we can assist you on a no win no fee basis, we will guide you through the ACAS Early Conciliation, tribunal and court process to help you achieve the best resolution of your claim.
Our employment law and discrimination law experts have a strong track record successfully recovering compensation from employers and other defendants when acting on a no win no fee basis. The following examples highlight what we have achieved for our clients.
Case 1 - We acted on behalf of two employees who worked for a national supermarket chain and both were subjected to a campaign of homophobic abuse and discrimination. Both employees were able to provide significant detail as to the nature and occasions on which they were subject to such discrimination which we were able to present to the tribunal. We acted for these clients on a “no win, no fee” basis meaning there were no up-front legal fees for both clients. We were able to successfully settle the claims for both individuals to compensate them for financial loss and injury to feelings for sums in excess of £15,000.
Case 2 - We acted on behalf of a client in raising a claim for constructive dismissal and disability discrimination claim arising out of a failure to make reasonable adjustments to assist her in the workplace. We were successful in being able to reinstate an offer that had been withdrawn and increase this offer to the satisfaction of the client. We did all this on a “no win, no fee” basis with the client securing compensation without the worry of paying any fees in advance.
Case 3 - We recently assisted a client with raising a claim for unfair dismissal, after his employer had dismissed him without following any procedure or conducting a disciplinary investigation into the allegations made against him. We subsequently prepared our client for his Final Hearing at the employment tribunal and he was successful in obtaining compensation in excess of £20,000 for the loss that he had suffered as a result of his dismissal. As part of his award, our client was awarded a 25% uplift to his compensation, as the judge decided that his employer had failed to follow ACAS Code of Practice when dismissing him. Our assistance with this client’s case was funded by his legal expenses insurance, which he had access to via his home insurance policy.
Read more case examples on our no win no fee page.
For cases run on this funding basis, there is a maximum deduction of 35% payable to Stephensons which is governed in accordance with the Damages Based Agreement Regulations 2013.
Clients are only liable for our fees in these circumstances:
Where we have acted for you under the agreement and you end the agreement where:
A solicitor’s hourly rate usually reflects their level of experience and seniority. Paying a solicitor on an hourly rate to deal with the whole of a claim in the tribunal or court is the most traditional method of funding. It secures you comprehensive assistance from day one, but you will need to consider whether the cost of proceeding with a claim outweighs the value of it. Typically speaking, a claim for unfair dismissal will cost at least £3,000 plus VAT and associated costs, such as barristers and tribunal fees. Fees in civil claims can exceed this amount. However, if your claim far exceeds the value of the estimated fees to be incurred and you are prepared to accept the risk that it may not succeed, then this could be a good method of funding for you. You should however be aware that only in a small minority of cases are legal costs recoverable from your opponent in tribunal proceedings.
From the outset we will outline the potential costs that you are likely to incur to take your claim to an Employment Tribunal or County Court. We will fully outline any risks to you and discuss the options available to you to successfully resolve the claim. We believe in transparency of costs and therefore provide regular updates as to the costs you are incurring on a monthly basis. We believe in taking a pragmatic approach to resolving complaints before proceeding with litigation and therefore will discuss all options available to you.
If you wish to pursue a claim and want to know more about costs of doing so, please complete the online enquiry form and a member of the team will contact you to discuss.
Everyone who owns a house will have taken out buildings insurance, and as part of this type of cover you may also have the benefit of a legal expenses insurance policy which can sometimes cover legal assistance in the Employment Tribunal or County Court. You can check this by looking at your policy terms, or contacting your insurer directly.
You do have freedom of choice to select the solicitor you would like to instruct, and we have extensive experience of acting for clients with this type of policy. Upon becoming aware of a claim, you should contact your insurance company as soon as you can and advise that you wish to instruct your own solicitor to assist with the claim. We are able to liaise with insurers on your behalf to quickly secure cover.
If you are experiencing difficulties at work we can provide you with practical advice on the options available to you as well as advice on potential claims. For £450 plus VAT, we offer an initial face-to-face meeting to discuss your concerns and outline practical steps toward resolution. If you prefer, appointments with a senior specialist are also available for £600 plus VAT. For that fee we can consider documentation you have received from your employer and following the meeting provide you with a written advice outlining the options available to you. We often continue to advise clients following the meeting by looking to resolve the issue on their behalf.
If you believe that you are experiencing discrimination from a service provider, public body or private club or association then we can offer bespoke fixed price services at various stages of any complaint or claim.
Although the scope of the assistance we are able to offer under the civil legal advice scheme has been greatly reduced as a result of recent legal changes, Stephensons are one of only three providers in the country who can offer help under this scheme. Individuals who have been subjected to unlawful discrimination in the workplace or otherwise and who are in receipt of certain benefits or on a low income can claim free legal advice and help. The first point of contact should be the civil legal advice team, who can assess your financial eligibility and transfer your case through to us.
We can assist under multiple funding options with tribunal representation such as insurance funding, privately funded and on a no win no fee basis in some cases.
Unpaid wages/breach of contract - Average £2,000 plus VAT and disbursements.
Unfair dismissal claim - Average £4,000 plus VAT and disbursements
Discrimination claim - Between £6,000 - £8,000 plus VAT and disbursements
Prices quoted are for representation throughout the full stage of proceedings up to a final hearing. Work would include the draft of initial pleadings, attendance at a preliminary hearing to discuss case management, dealing with the case management orders including; preparation of a schedule of loss; dealing with disclosure of documents/preparation of a bundle and drafting of witness statements. We would also instruct and liaise with a barrister for any final preparations before attending the final hearing.
Disbursements including a barrister attending the hearing can range from £400 - £2,500 plus VAT depending on the length of the hearing and experience of the barrister. Clients will be informed as early as possible about the costs of the barrister.
On average an employment tribunal can take up to 6 months though this depends on each case.
Our experienced employment law specialists provide expert representation and guidance in employment tribunal proceedings across a comprehensive network of locations throughout England and Wales. Whether your case is heard in Ashford, Bedford, Birmingham, Bristol, Bury St Edmunds, Cardiff, Exeter, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, any of the London tribunals (Central, East or South), Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Reading, Sheffield, Shrewsbury, Southampton or Watford, our team is well-equipped to support you at every stage. With in-depth knowledge of tribunal procedures at each venue, we deliver consistent, high-quality legal advice and advocacy, ensuring you are fully supported, wherever your claim is being heard.
All employment law work is supervised by a qualified solicitor. Specific experience can be seen in the individual staff profiles.
The value of a claim is dependant on multiple factors, firstly starting with the nature of the claim you are making, your financial losses and potential other factors including compensation for injury to feelings in cases of discrimination. We often look to value cases and assist further on a no win no fee basis, and we also offer fixed fee consultations where clients can obtain further advice regarding the potential value of their claims.
The strength of a case often depends on the evidence that a client has to support their claims. We often offer no win no fee assistance when we believe a client has a strong case to pursue and we also offer fixed fee consultation options where clients are looking for an initial assessment of the strength of their case.
For advice on any employment law issue, we recommend completing our online enquiry form - by completing the form as fully as possible, it will allow us to assess your case much more efficiently to tell you whether we can assist and what funding option we can recommend.
To browse a range of FAQs related to employment law and discrimination please click the following link: Employment law and discrimination FAQs
Winners of
Employment Law Team of the Year at the Manchester Legal Awards
In the last 2 years
We have helped 2,000 clients with settlement agreements
In the last 2 years
we have given 50-75 hours on a pro bono basis as part of The Business Growth Hub
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