If you’re an employee
Most people come to us at one of two moments: they’ve been handed a settlement agreement, or something has gone wrong and they don’t know where they stand. Both are worth an early conversation.
- Settlement agreements — reviewing and negotiating what you’ve been offered
- Unfair or constructive dismissal — whether you have a claim, and whether it’s worth bringing
- Discrimination and grievances
- Redundancy — checking the process was actually followed
The law requires you to take independent advice before signing, and employers almost always cover that cost — typically £350–£500. In most cases you pay us nothing at all.
If you’re an employer
We act for small businesses across Staffordshire who don’t have an HR department and don’t want to be on the phone to a national firm at £400 an hour.
- Contracts of employment and staff handbooks
- Disciplinary and grievance procedures done properly
- Redundancy processes and consultation
- Defending tribunal claims
What it costs
| Matter | Fee (excl. VAT) |
|---|---|
| Settlement agreement review | Usually employer-funded |
| Initial advice meeting (1 hour) | £150 |
| Contract of employment (drafted) | £450 |
| Staff handbook | From £850 |
| Tribunal representation | Hourly, capped by agreement |
Time limits matter here
Employment claims have short deadlines — usually three months less one day from the act complained of, and you must contact ACAS for early conciliation before bringing a claim. Miss it and the tribunal can refuse to hear you regardless of merit.
- Day 1
The dismissal, or the act you’re complaining about.
- Within 3 months
Notify ACAS for early conciliation. This pauses the clock.
- After ACAS
Certificate issued. You then have at least a month to lodge a claim.
The most expensive employment cases we see are the ones where someone waited. A fifteen-minute call at the start is free and often changes the outcome entirely.
