Sunderland Employment Law Solicitors

There are countless issues that could come under the remit of employment law. You might have been made redundant, unfairly dismissed or discriminated against based on your age, disability or sex. Or perhaps you run a small business in Sunderland and need guidance on employee contracts, working time regulations or your legal obligations in relation to paternity and maternity rights. Whatever the reason, our site can help you to find and compare solicitors in Sunderland that practice employment law. On this page you will find company profiles on every firm in the area, which have a range of details which helps make the task of choosing a solicitor easier than ever. The information we supply includes full office details, areas of law, accreditations and awards, company bios and ratings received from former clients. If you cannot find a suitable firm in Sunderland, you are able to extend your search area to alternative towns in Tyne and Wear, which include Jarrow, South Shields or Hetton.

What services are provided by employment solicitors in Sunderland?

As mentioned above, a solicitor that practices employment law can help with a wide range of legal problems. Below are some of the more common circumstances that may require the help of a legal professional:

• Unfair dismissal - Unfair dismissal is when an employer doesn't have good reason to dismiss you or has not followed the formal dismissal procedures of the company. An employment law solicitor can benefit victims of unfair dismissal by offering advice and support in progressing claims and seeking legal solutions. An employment law solicitor will also support victims of unfair dismissal in any necessary employment tribunal processes through providing advice and guidance.
• Redundancy - Redundancy is a type of dismissal that occurs when an employer needs to reduce their workforce, usually to reduce expenditure or because workloads are reduced. Employees who are made redundant are protected by various rights and an employment solicitor can ensure that these rights are observed and that the redundancy process is reasonable and legal. What is more, the solicitor can ensure that you are not discriminated against during redundancy selection and that redundancies are made on fair grounds.
• Maternity and Paternity Rights - Statutory maternity and paternity rights are offered to employees as protection when they have a baby or adopt a child. Statutory maternity leave allows for a year off work and paternity leave grants one or two weeks’ leave. Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid for up to 39 weeks and is the lower of £139.58 or 90% of your average weekly earnings for the following 33 weeks. Statutory Paternity Pay is paid at a rate of £139.58 or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower, to eligible employees. Employment law solicitors are able to ensure that expectant parents are treated legally and fairly by their employer and that they access the maternity and paternity rights and benefits that they are eligible for.

What questions should I ask before I hire a solicitor?

Choosing a solicitor can feel like a challenge. It is important that you find a solicitor that you not only have confidence in, but also feel comfortable communicating with. Before hiring a solicitor it is a good idea to ask a number of questions to help determine if they are the right solicitor for you. Here are some of the questions you may want to ask:

• How much experience does the solicitor have? Do they hold any awards or accreditations?
• How much will their services cost?
• What is the anticipated timeframe to complete the case?
• How and when can you contact the solicitor?
• Does the solicitor have references from previous clients?
• What level of success has the firm had on similar cases?