Advice on choosing an employment lawyer?

bangragal

Thank you all very much for your advise. A few things I'd like to clarify:

I shouldn't have said he HAS to be in a union, but in his job most people would consider it sensible.

In addition to believing that the company haven't made adequate provision for finding alternate work, we're also not convinced that they have followed the procedures to sack him correctly, it has come completely out of the blue. Hence these are really the two areas that need looking at.

SarEl - that's an interesting point about the tribunals and legal fees, I hadn't realized that might be the case.

Obviously we are just beginning the process of gathering as much evidence as we can, prior to the union rep meeting - does anyone have any other advice about what we should/shouldn't be doing in the meantime?

B

SarEl

Speak to your union. You can check out what is said here (or with me by PM if you can't post it to the thread for reasons of privacy) if you want to check out questions or queries. be clear that I cannot give you legal opinion, but if you are worried about the advice I can give you a personal opinion based on experience, or guidance. Provided you do not send me 3 page PM's! Which believe me, does occasionally happen!

bangragal

Thank you SarEl - I may take you up on that depending on the meeting!

jobbingmusician

Nobody has mentioned what I would call the DRC - now the Equality and Human Rights Commission....

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/about-us/advice-from-our-helpline/

[Deleted User]

Seems like you have found some good advice ref SarEl, I will keep you in mind if I may :-)

bangragal

Just to update, saw union rep today - she seems to think there are good grounds to appeal, so that is what we will be doing and see what happens from there - all the documentary evidence will be sent to the union's legal team so fingers crossed for a good outcome.

bangragal

jobbingmusician wrote: »

Nobody has mentioned what I would call the DRC - now the Equality and Human Rights Commission....

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/about-us/advice-from-our-helpline/

Also, boyfriend did call them (via text-speech line), they advised that the lack of support given by the employers did seem like discrimination.

Thanks to everyone who's taken the time to reply. I can forsee that this is probably going to be a long and drawn out process but will update once it's all over.

Uncertain

bangragal wrote: »

Just to update, saw union rep today - she seems to think there are good grounds to appeal, so that is what we will be doing and see what happens from there - all the documentary evidence will be sent to the union's legal team so fingers crossed for a good outcome.

Excellent but keep an eye on the clock particularly with the Christmas shutdown coming up. The three month tribunal deadline is strict and exceptions are rarely made. If need be you can lodge a claim just in case then withdraw it if appropriate.

bangragal

Uncertain - do you mean he only has 3 months from the dismissal date and not from the result of the appeal?

And if that is the case, any ideas on how long an appeal is likely to take? (and I expect the answer will be, how long is a piece of string...but just a general idea would be nice!)

bangragal

SarEl - you have email