Unfair Dismissal - Best Book

Luckyspal

Can anyone recommend the best book I should buy on the subject of Unfair Dismissal? I have been asked to act as representative for someone in such a case at an Employment Tribunal and I don't want to let them down.

I'd really appreciate any help in this regard.

Regards

Pound

I don't know of any books but I'd recommend looking at this website if you haven't already: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/RedundancyAndLeavingYourJob/Dismissal/DG_175828

Just out of interest, why are you the best person to represent him? Do you have experience of employment law? Have you or the person you're representing contacted ACAS?

ohreally

A bit of advice, reconsider the request. A breadth and depth of knowledge and experience plus an understanding of procedural issues is beneficial.

How would you feel if a case fell because you were tasked with presenting the case to the tribunal and were relying solely on the knowledge you read in a book?

Don't do it without serious reconsideration, you would be doing neither your friend nor yourself any favours.

While your reconsidering, attend a couple of hearings and determine if you want that level of responsibility.

Luckyspal

ohreally wrote: »

A bit of advice, reconsider the request. A breadth and depth of knowledge and experience plus an understanding of procedural issues is beneficial.

How would you feel if a case fell because you were tasked with presenting the case to the tribunal and were relying solely on the knowledge you read in a book?

Don't do it without serious reconsideration, you would be doing neither your friend nor yourself any favours.

While your reconsidering, attend a couple of hearings and determine if you want that level of responsibility.

Thanks for the input.

I have done some research into the case and I think the employer was wrong on two counts. Careless application of selection criteria and failure to offer alternative employment. I think the case is strong enough to stand using ACAS guidleines but I wanted to back this up using precident, only I am not sure how to obtain such information. Hence the book.

Luckyspal

I don't know of any books but I'd recommend looking at this website if you haven't already: Just out of interest, why are you the best person to represent him? Do you have experience of employment law? Have you or the person you're representing contacted ACAS?[/QUOTE]

Re your question, this is my first case but I am learning fast. From what I have seen of Solicitors to date I think they just go through the motions and cannot spend much time on each indiviodual case. I am hoping to make up for my lack of experience with effort.
I have checked most web sites. I have been contacted by ACAS but have not found them to be of much use, apart from their guidlenes booklet.

Regards

Rockporkchop

I would also urge you to reconsider. For the sake of saving a few hundred pounds on a lawyer, you could end up costing your friend thousands of pounds. It's just not worth it. Yes, part of every job is going through the motions but most solicitors do impart some valuable expert knowledge as well.

Sappoo21

why not try community legal advice they are being very helpful in my case.
you should leave it to a trained legal person and if you use the above if you
pass the means test it won't cost him

qw3rt7

Why have you been asked to represent? What is your relationship to the 'client'?
Do you have legal experience in another field?
This just seems like a nightmare for you and the person you represent, and a great big gift for the company in question.
I guess the key part is legal experience/ experience of the process involved. You could find yourself very easily tripped up if you rely on a book.
I imagine the company involved will be paying for good legal advice.