Employment solicitors in Leicester

Employment solicitors in Leicester: settlement agreements, dismissal and tribunals

Last updated 26 September 2026. General information, not legal advice.

Employment law covers the relationship between employers and employees from the contract at the start to the way it ends. Firms in this area usually act for employees, employers, or both.

For employees

The most common reasons people contact an employment solicitor are being offered a settlement agreement, being dismissed or made redundant, being treated unfairly because of a protected characteristic (such as sex, race, disability, age, religion or pregnancy), or problems with pay.

A settlement agreement is a contract in which you give up the right to bring claims against your employer in return for a payment. The law requires you to get independent legal advice before you sign, and your employer will usually contribute to the cost of that advice. The solicitor explains what you’re giving up, checks the tax treatment of the payment, and can often negotiate better terms.

Time limits and Acas

If you think you have a claim, don’t wait. Employment tribunal time limits are short, and before issuing most claims you have to notify Acas and go through early conciliation, which pauses the clock for a period. Missing a deadline can end a claim before it starts. The Employment Rights Act 2025 is changing several rules, including some qualifying periods and time limits, in stages, so check the current position with a solicitor or on the Acas website.

For employers

Employers use solicitors for contracts and handbooks, disciplinary and grievance processes, redundancies, TUPE transfers when a business is sold, settlement agreements, and defending tribunal claims. Getting advice before a dismissal is usually much cheaper than defending a claim afterwards.

Costs

Settlement agreement advice is often done for a fixed fee, frequently covered wholly or partly by the employer’s contribution. SRA-regulated firms have to publish price information for bringing claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal. Tribunal claims are otherwise usually charged by the hour, and some firms offer damages-based agreements, where the fee is a share of what you recover. Legal expenses insurance on a home or car policy sometimes covers employment disputes, so it’s worth checking.

Common questions

Do I need a solicitor to sign a settlement agreement?

Yes. A settlement agreement is only binding if the employee has had independent legal advice on it from a qualified adviser, and the adviser signs to confirm it. Employers usually make a contribution towards the cost.

How long do I have to bring a tribunal claim?

Time limits are short, usually measured in months from the dismissal or the act complained of, and you must normally contact Acas for early conciliation first. The law in this area is changing, so take advice promptly rather than relying on a figure you have read.

Can I claim unfair dismissal?

It depends on how long you have worked for the employer and the reason for dismissal. Some dismissals are automatically unfair regardless of length of service, for example for whistleblowing or for reasons connected with pregnancy.

This guide is general information about the law in England and Wales and isn't legal advice on your situation. Solicitor Leicester is a directory, not a law firm.