Anyone have recommendations for an employment lawyer

NotVeryTechie

Hi there

I have been given a settlement agreement and I really need good advice. Will the Citizen's Advice Bureau give advice that is not just conservative (take what you are offered), but actually look at the merits of the case? I am honestly scared and need someone on my side!

Thanks so much
Edelweiss

ohreally

Why isn't legal advice part of the agreement?

ReadingTim

NotVeryTechie wrote: »

Hi there

I have been given a settlement agreement and I really need good advice. Will the Citizen's Advice Bureau give advice that is not just conservative (take what you are offered), but actually look at the merits of the case? I am honestly scared and need someone on my side!

Thanks so much
Edelweiss

Pay a professional: http://solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk/

NotVeryTechie

They said the law says I have to get legal advice, but they did not offer to cover that cost.

sangie595

They don't have to cover that cost. Employers often do, but not always. And it must be a lawyer or a qualified union official - CAB can't do it.

NeilCr

NotVeryTechie wrote: »

Hi there

I have been given a settlement agreement and I really need good advice. Will the Citizen's Advice Bureau give advice that is not just conservative (take what you are offered), but actually look at the merits of the case? I am honestly scared and need someone on my side!

Thanks so much
Edelweiss

Depends on the Bureau.

CAB has been heavily hit by funding cuts. Some may still have access to an employment lawyer but, I suspect, many won't. If you came into my branch I'd be suggesting you went to a solicitor. We are mainly staffed by "generalist" volunteers so do not have the capacity to offer legal advice.

Worth contacting your branch, anyway. If they can't do it they may know someone who can. We have a local law school who we point people to, when they are open.

sangie595

NeilCr wrote: »

Depends on the Bureau.

CAB has been heavily hit by funding cuts. Some may still have access to an employment lawyer but, I suspect, many won't. If you came into my branch I'd be suggesting you went to a solicitor. We are mainly staffed by "generalist" volunteers so do not have the capacity to offer legal advice.

Worth contacting your branch, anyway. If they can't do it they may know someone who can. We have a local law school who we point people to, when they are open.

Not permitted for a settlement agreement. CAB referred solicitors don't do settlement agreements, even where such referrals take place. And a law school can't do it.

The law is absolutely clear on this matter. It must be a lawyer or an appropriately qualified union official. Nobody else is allowed to countersign a settlement agreement.

NeilCr

sangie595 wrote: »

Not permitted for a settlement agreement. CAB referred solicitors don't do settlement agreements, even where such referrals take place. And a law school can't do it.

The law is absolutely clear on this matter. It must be a lawyer or an appropriately qualified union official. Nobody else is allowed to countersign a settlement agreement.

That's interesting. We don't get this sort of query so it's always good to learn something new!

So, a lawyer who gives their services free at a local CAB can't sign a settlement agreement? I get the point about law schools btw.

When I was talking about the local branch maybe knowing someone who can help, I wasn't talking about referrals. We have a list of local solicitors and what they do (and whether or not they give free/ reduced cost advice) which we give to clients. They then contact the appropriate solicitor themselves.

pmlindyloo

Have you got home insurance with legal protection? These policies often will provide lawyers on employment issues.

sangie595

NeilCr wrote: »

That's interesting. We don't get this sort of query so it's always good to learn something new!

So, a lawyer who gives their services free at a local CAB can't sign a settlement agreement? I get the point about law schools btw.

When I was talking about the local branch maybe knowing someone who can help, I wasn't talking about referrals. We have a list of local solicitors and what they do (and whether or not they give free/ reduced cost advice) which we give to clients. They then contact the appropriate solicitor themselves.

I have never come across any lawyer who does settlement agreements for free. There may be one or two - but it's not been my experience. Although employers don't have to pay for this, is commonplace that they do, so it is, to be blunt, a nice little earner, typically raising £400 + for minimal work. As a result, lawyers are loathe to establish a precedent of doing this for free, because then employers will stop paying for it and so they will always be expected to do it pro bono. Itty is classed as work, not advice, so generally not covered by the free introductory advice session, or by household insurance etc. Again, this may not be true of every insurance, but I believe it's true of most. I've never found anyone other than a union officer, who'd do it for free. And obviously you'd either need to be a member of that union, or know someone able to do it who is willing to. My friends know better than to ask - but then they are all union members!

NeilCr

sangie595 wrote: »

I have never come across any lawyer who does settlement agreements for free. There may be one or two - but it's not been my experience. Although employers don't have to pay for this, is commonplace that they do, so it is, to be blunt, a nice little earner, typically raising £400 + for minimal work. As a result, lawyers are loathe to establish a precedent of doing this for free, because then employers will stop paying for it and so they will always be expected to do it pro bono. Itty is classed as work, not advice, so generally not covered by the free introductory advice session, or by household insurance etc. Again, this may not be true of every insurance, but I believe it's true of most. I've never found anyone other than a union officer, who'd do it for free. And obviously you'd either need to be a member of that union, or know someone able to do it who is willing to. My friends know better than to ask - but then they are all union members!

Fair comment.

It's not something I know a lot about, as is probably apparent. I've been volunteering for ten years and never had a client who has come in asking for help with a settlement agreement. As you say, if there is one, the norm is that the employer has paid for the legal advice

Thanks sangie. It's good to have you back posting.