Legal Services

Employment

What we do

Experienced legal support
for workplace matters.

We provide strategic, pragmatic and commercially focused employment law advice to employers across Northern Ireland, acting for public sector bodies, private companies, charities and third sector organisations.

We advise on a full range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, including recruitment and selection processes, contracts of employment, workplace policies and procedures, disciplinary and grievance issues, redundancies, restructuring exercises, senior executive exits and severance arrangements, and the employment aspects of business sales, acquisitions and re-organisations, including TUPE advices.

Our solicitors have extensive experience defending complex Tribunal claims as well as representing clients in other means of dispute resolution, including both Commercial and Judicial Mediations. We work closely with employers to provide clear, practical guidance aimed at resolving issues efficiently while protecting operational and commercial interests.

Known for our responsive and market leading services, we combine technical expertise with a practical understanding of workplace challenges to deliver tailored employment law solutions for organisations throughout Northern Ireland.

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Common questions

Do you offer training and if so, in what areas?

Our Employment team can provide a range of training tailored to your individual business needs and we will work with you to develop training that meets your specific aims and objectives. Training can be provided on a wide range of issues and delivered to employees at any level within your organisation. Potential topics can include: best practice for conducting workplace investigations, Dignity at Work, Absence Management issues, obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 or simply an update as to recent developments in employment law legislation.

Training is important because it allows employees who are expected to deal with the above issues as part of their day to day role to manage them confidently, appropriately and effectively.

How important is a Contract of Employment and Employee Handbook?

Under Article 33 of the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996, an employee is entitled to receive a written statement of employment particulars from their employer, more commonly known as a Contract of Employment. Article 33 of the 1996 Order sets out the minimum matters that such a statement must address. The statement is to be provided to the employee within two months of the commencement of their employment.

The Contract of Employment is an essential document which governs and regulates the day to day employment relationship and sets out the employee’s rights and entitlements. It is therefore essential that such a document is clearly drafted and is legally compliant.

An Employee Handbook is also a core document and generally sets out the employer’s policies and procedures on matters such as Conduct, Capability, Grievances, Absence Management, Redundancy, Social Media, Flexible Working and other family friendly rights, IT and Data Protection.

Changes to employment legislation can move at a fast pace. It is important that these documents are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain legally compliant. Our Employment team can assist in the drafting of Contracts of Employment and Employee Handbooks or indeed the reviewing and updating of existing documents.

Do I need to wait before I receive a Tribunal claim from an employee before contacting you?

No. We can provide advice and guidance at any stage of the employment relationship and in fact the earlier you contact us about a potential issue, the better. In many cases, obtaining early legal advice can assist in resolving the issue. This is particularly important where there is still an ongoing employment relationship which very often can be preserved. Ultimately, seeking our advice and support at an early stage can help to prevent costly and time consuming litigation.

Specialist team