How to get legal advice for an employment-related issue?

TuppenceHapenny

Is there a way to get initial legal advice for an employment issue at no or low cost, specifically to determine if there is a case to be answered and if so, what the strength of the case is
(likelihood of success). I think the issue needs advice from an employment law expert so would have to be a solicitor (or equivalent). I don't think organisations like Citizens Advice or ACAS could help.

If normal solicitor fees need to be paid, how much is it likely to cost (approximately) if the initial consultation took (say) an hour of a solicitor's time?

Jillanddy

Some solicitors offer free initial assessments. But that doesn't guarantee that they know what they are talking about, and nor does it mean that they will be interested in what is best for you. If you can stand a ruthless assessment, try no-win, no-fee practices. If they don't think there is money to be made (primarily for them!) then they won't touch you with a bargepole. But if you go down that route be very, very careful what you sign up for, and it can be nothing like what you are expecting (free!). 

tacpot12

Do you have any home insurance? If so, check to see if you have legal expenses cover. This could give you access to free legal advice, although you will need to check your policy as some exclude employment issues. 

TuppenceHapenny

tacpot12 said:

Do you have any home insurance? If so, check to see if you have legal expenses cover. This could give you access to free legal advice, although you will need to check your policy as some exclude employment issues. 

Yes, I've investigated that route and my issue got rejected by the insurer, effectively on a technicality. Thanks for the advice all the same.

TELLIT01

If the 'technicality' was enough for the insurer to reject it, it's likely that other legal routes would think the same.  The possible exception being no-win,no-fee but you need to be very, very careful about going that route.  Once signed up to these companies you have to follow it through until they decide to stop or be hit by their fees.

TuppenceHapenny

TELLIT01 said:

If the 'technicality' was enough for the insurer to reject it, it's likely that other legal routes would think the same.

Sorry, what I meant was that my insurance policy was deemed not to cover the specific legal issue at question rather than that the insurer decided there was no case to answer. The insurer didn't get as far as looking at the possible merits of any legal case.

theoretica

Does the issue affect more people than just you?  If it is potentially big enough you might find the relevant union would offer a bit of advice, even without you previously having been a member.  If it relates to discrimination you might find a relevant charity willing to look at the situation and decide if it is something they want to champion.

TuppenceHapenny

theoretica said:

Does the issue affect more people than just you?  If it is potentially big enough you might find the relevant union would offer a bit of advice, even without you previously having been a member.  If it relates to discrimination you might find a relevant charity willing to look at the situation and decide if it is something they want to champion.

No, it just affects me.

lincroft1710

If you're asking the question, you clearly have doubts about the strength of your case.


Look at it from the other side, how easy would it be for your employer to demolish your case or point out that what you believed was x was in fact y. 

TuppenceHapenny

lincroft1710 said:

If you're asking the question, you clearly have doubts about the strength of your case.


Look at it from the other side, how easy would it be for your employer to demolish your case or point out that what you believed was x was in fact y. 

Of course I have doubts about the strength of the case - I'm not an employment solicitor. I have no idea what the strength of the case is and never will unless I'm able to get expert advice.

Sandtree

TuppenceHapenny said:

TELLIT01 said:

If the 'technicality' was enough for the insurer to reject it, it's likely that other legal routes would think the same.

Sorry, what I meant was that my insurance policy was deemed not to cover the specific legal issue at question rather than that the insurer decided there was no case to answer. The insurer didn't get as far as looking at the possible merits of any legal case.

There is normally two layers of cover with LE, the first is a helpline that covers most legal issues for advice and the second is the claims department where they act for you but this is on a much smaller scope of issues. The first line helpline wont give you case specific advice but general but this may be sufficient for you to gauge your prospects of success.

Solicitors dont work for free and given the level of training required to become one their hourly rates reflect this. Many offer a free initial consultation but dont get your hopes up that this is any more than a basic fact find for them to decide if its in their sphere of interest and an opportunity for them to discuss funding etc. 

How much a fee earner charges will vary massively based on their qualifications and experience, area of law etc. Realistically solicitors charge £200-£400/hr but can go well over £1,000 for a senior partner in a specialist law field (unlikely for employment)