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Practice area · Employment

Employment Law Solicitor in Derby

Fast, practical employment advice when work goes wrong — for employees and employers across Derbyshire.

What we help with

Settlement agreements, unfair dismissal, redundancy, discrimination and contract disputes. Below is a working list — your situation may fit one or more. If you're not sure, ask. Initial conversations are confidential and rarely take more than a few minutes to clarify whether we're the right fit.

  • Settlement agreement review and negotiation (often employer-funded)
  • Unfair and constructive dismissal advice
  • Redundancy consultation, selection and protected conversations
  • Discrimination, harassment and whistleblowing claims
  • Employment contracts, restrictive covenants and references
  • Grievance and disciplinary support

What's typically included

  • Plain-English initial review
  • Written summary of your position
  • Document drafting, correspondence and submissions
  • Regular progress updates by phone/email
  • Sign-off, completion or final order as required

    What's not included (usually)

  • Court fees and disbursements (charged at cost)
  • Counsel's fees if a barrister is needed
  • Translation or expert reports
  • Work outside the agreed scope (re-quoted in writing first)

How the process usually runs

  1. Step 1. Same-week consultation to understand the situation and deadlines
  2. Step 2. Review of documents — contract, dismissal letter, agreement
  3. Step 3. Strategy: negotiation, tribunal claim or settlement
  4. Step 4. Sign-off, submission, or representation as required
Time-sensitive? Employment tribunal time limits are tight — typically three months less one day. Don't wait.

Indicative fees

Our typical starting point for employment matters is £300. Settlement agreement reviews often funded by the employer. You'll always get a written quote before any work starts.

Where the scope is genuinely unpredictable (contested disputes, complex cases, multi-party negotiations) we'll quote an hourly rate or capped estimate and stick to it.

Common questions

What is the time limit for an employment tribunal claim?
Usually three months less one day from the date of the act complained of (e.g. dismissal). ACAS Early Conciliation extends this. Don't wait — call us as soon as you can.
Will my employer pay my legal fees for a settlement agreement?
In almost all cases, yes. Employers are required to fund independent legal advice on the terms of a settlement agreement. We'll confirm the contribution before starting work.
Can I negotiate a higher exit payment?
Often, yes. We assess the strength of your underlying claims and use that to negotiate uplift, reference wording and notice — without putting your offer at risk.

Related

Other practice areas:  Crime · Family · Wills & Probate · Power of Attorney · Litigation

Where we work

Derby base. East Midlands reach.

Most matters are handled by phone, video and email, so where you live in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire or Leicestershire rarely changes the work. In-person appointments are available by arrangement.

Derby

Central — home base

Nottingham

20 minutes east

Burton-on-Trent

Staffordshire border

Chesterfield

North Derbyshire

Mansfield

Nottinghamshire

Loughborough

Leicestershire

Leicester

South — 35 minutes

Ashbourne

Derbyshire Dales

Ripley

Amber Valley

Belper

Amber Valley

Long Eaton

Erewash

Ilkeston

Erewash

Not listed? We routinely act for clients across the whole of Derbyshire and the wider East Midlands. Ask if we can help.

Need straight answers from a real solicitor?

Tell us briefly what's going on and we'll come back to you within a working day — usually sooner.