Commercial Legal Services

  • Recommended specialists in the prestigious Legal 500 and "leaders in their field" Chambers 2011 placing it amongst the elite of the UK legal profession.

Services Overview

The fast pace of change in employment law and the seemingly ever growing burden on employers to follow proper legal procedures has fuelled the need for good quality, commercially aware employment solicitors.

Our Employment Team has, for the fourth consecutive year, been listed as 'recommended' specialists in the prestigious Legal 500 directory placing it amongst the elite of the UK legal profession. The Partner who heads the Team, Darren Hayward, is considered to be one of the leading employment lawyers in the UK having been ranked in the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Editions of Chambers UK as a 'Leader in the Field' in Employment Law. Employment Law is an area of law that moves swiftly and is constantly changing with new government and increasingly European driven legislation.

We provide advice on:

  • Redundancy
  • Unfair Dismissal
  • Disciplinary & Grievance Procedures
  • All forms of Discrimination
  • Workplace Harassment
  • Maternity, Paternity and Parental Rights
  • Equal Opportunities
  • Contracts of Employment
  • Director's Service Agreements
  • Staff Handbooks and HR Policies
  • The TUPE aspects of Company purchase/sales

Whether you are an SME or larger organisation employment issues often arise and when you need advice, we can support on the following basis:

Employment Legal Insurance

Suitable for all types of business, especially for those with regular employment issues who want the security of monthly premiums to cover their Employment Law costs.

Our experts are at the end of the phone to answer your queries as and when an issue arises. By obtaining expert and clear advice in advance, your business can actively minimise the risk of falling foul of the legislation and a tribunal claim.

Nockolds Employment Insurance reduces unplanned expenditure on employment disputes by providing:

  • Insurance to cover all legal costs relating to Employment Tribunal claims.
  • Full audit of employment documents.
  • A 24 / 7 helpline for employment law and HR advice from expert employment solicitors.
  • Automatic updates to all employment hand books and policies upon changes in the law.

Premiums cover all costs such as:

  • All of your legal costs of defending Employment Tribunal claims and any out of court settlements that may be reached.
  • Employment Tribunal award up to £250,000 per claim (and £1,000,000 per year) subject to terms and conditions.

Employment / HR Case File

Typically used for businesses with periodic employment issues or concerns who want instant access to a dedicated employment solicitor with a thorough knowledge of your business.

Suitable for all types of legal advice such as redundancy, discrimination, harassment, disciplinary and grievance procedures, contract reviews, policy and procedure advice and support with general day to day employment law and HR enquiries.

Charged on a time basis

Tribunal Costs for fighting the case to be paid on top.

Once your employment issue has been resolved your file remains open for future use to ensure the quickest possible response to any future problems.

Adhoc Employment Advice

Typically used by companies for one off employment or HR events and for companies that have not used Nockolds or our Employment Team before.

Suitable for all types of legal advice such as redundancy, discrimination, work based harassment, disciplinary and grievance procedures.

Initial estimate provided.

Charged on a time basis.

Employment Tribunal Costs for fighting the case to be paid on top.

Employment Contract Audit

Suitable for all businesses from 1 employee upwards.

A full review and update of your Employment Contracts including updating your Staff Handbooks and all Internal Policies against the latest changes in employment law.

Initial estimate provided

Once completed you will receive an electronic copy of your Contract that you can adapt to your own future needs.

Employment Contract Health Check

Suitable for small to medium sized firms who want to check the compliance of their employment contracts against current legislation.

All contracts reviewed.

A full report is provided including areas of compliance and non-compliance along with an explanation. We also provide suggestions as to options that you may not have thought of.

Currently offered Free of Charge.

Our aim is to avoid litigation for our clients wherever possible, and where it cannot be avoided to achieve the best results at the minimum cost both financially and in management time and resources.

More Information on Employment Law can be found in our Industry Updates, or on our News BLOG

Contact us now to discuss how we can help on (01279) 712 549 or email employment__AT__nockolds__DOT__co.uk

Nockolds Related Practices

  • Outsourced Legal Team

    Outsourced Legal Team

    Nockolds Outsourced Legal Team provideds bespoke legal support for small to medium sized businesses.

  • Business Legal Advice

    Business Legal Advice

    Legal experts in business law serving PLC's, corporate organisations, companies, partnerships and sole traders.

  • Employment Issues

    Employment Issues

    Employment solicitors specialising in redundancy, contracts & unfair dismissal

Team Contact Details:

01279 712 549

fax: 01279 260 047
employment__AT__nockolds__DOT__co__DOT__uk

Darren Hayward

Darren Hayward (Partner)

01279 712 547

dmh__AT__nockolds__DOT__co__DOT__uk

View profile

Gary Smith

Gary Smith

01279 712 502

gsmith__AT__nockolds__DOT__co__DOT__uk

View profile

Bev Moseley

Bev Moseley

01279 712 501

bmoseley__AT__nockolds__DOT__co__DOT__uk

View profile

Latest News

  • Things to look out for in Employment Law in 2012

    The landscape of employment law is likely to change dramatically over the coming years as the Coalition Government looks to grapple with the economic difficulties. At present there are very few details in the Government’s plans but a few look to have sufficient momentum to carry them in to force this year

  • Time off work to care for dependents.

    With the threat of teachers strikes looming many parents will be concerned about how to manage childcare if their children’s school is closed.
    Many parents will request a day’s holiday to ‘solve the problem’, however although an employee is entitled to statutory holiday entitlement there is no entitlement for an employee to take holiday as and when he or she wishes and an employer can refuse requests for a holiday.

  • Vince Cables Speech to the EEF on Employment Law Reform.

    Following the Governments review of Employment Legislation, Vince Cable outlined a ‘package of measures’ which could lead to radical changes in Employment Law in an attempt to reduce the number of Employment Tribunal Claims which has risen 44% since 2008-2009.

View all News by Commercial Employment Law →

Updates & Papers

  • Nockolds Commercial Newsletter

    What is the impact of the Agency Workers Regulations? How can businesses now collect their debts abroad? What are the issues facing business owners if they get divorced? Find out more with Nockolds Commercial Newsletter.

  • Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2010

    Nockolds LLP provide a summary of the latest changes to employment compensatory awards.

    The latest Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order was published on Friday 10 December. The Order will see employers potentially paying out more in redundancy payments and unfair dismissal compensation from 1 February 2011.

  • Severe weather conditions - what are the rules?

    The recent cold weather at the end of 2010 is predicted to return in the new year and many businesses will continue to be disrupted as employees are unable to get into work due to problems with transport or when schools are closed and employees cannot find anyone to care for their children. Here we answer some of employer’s most frequently asked questions about the affects of severe weather on the workplace

View all Updates by Commercial Employment Law →