Employment Law Solicitors for Employees in Carlisle

Wragg Mark-Bell Solicitors helps employees across Carlisle and Cumbria with workplace problems — disciplinary proceedings, unfair dismissal, contract disputes and settlement (compromise) agreements — protecting your rights and fighting for a fair outcome.

Problems at work – being disciplined, dismissed, or pushed into signing a settlement agreement – can feel daunting when your employer has HR and lawyers on their side. We level the playing field, giving you clear advice on where you stand and what your options are, and we will fight for a fair outcome. (We also act for employers – see our employment law for business page.)

How we help employees

We believe that every employee deserves to work in an environment that is fair, respectful, and legally compliant. Our services are designed to protect your rights and ensure that you are treated justly:

  • Advice on and Attendance at Disciplinary Proceedings: We offer professional guidance to prepare you for disciplinary hearings, ensuring you understand your rights and the procedures involved. Our presence can provide the necessary support and representation to navigate these challenging situations effectively.
  • Help with Unfair Dismissal Claims: If you believe you’ve been unjustly dismissed, our team of experts is here to help you understand your options and fight for your rights. We’ll guide you through the process of making a claim, from the initial advice to representation at employment tribunals.
  • Contract Disputes: Employment contracts are the foundation of your relationship with your employer. We assist in resolving disputes over contract terms, ensuring your rights are protected and advocating for a fair resolution.
  • Assistance with Compromise and Settlement Agreements: These agreements can be complex and significantly impact your future employment rights. Our solicitors will help you understand the implications, negotiate terms, and secure an agreement that respects your best interests.
 
employment law for individuals

At Wragg Mark-Bell Solicitors, we combine deep legal expertise with a practical approach, ensuring our clients navigate the complexities of employment law with confidence and clarity.

Whether you’re an employee seeking justice or an employer aiming for compliance and harmony, our team is dedicated to providing the highest level of service and support.

"Very helpful and professional."
Kimberly

Employment law fees

Our fees are determined on an hourly rate of £250 + VAT per hour, with routine letters and telephone calls charged at 1/10th of that rate. We will always provide a costs estimate and agree it with you before commencing work on your behalf, indicating the amount of work needed and the basis of the fee calculation.

If we need to incur any disbursements to complete the work required, we will always seek to identify these in advance and obtain your approval before incurring them. Depending on the nature of your case, we may agree a fixed-fee quote calculated based upon our hourly rate, identifying what the fixed fee does and does not include.

Meet our employment law team

To discuss your workplace issue in confidence, call us on 01228 510077 or contact us by email.

Employment law FAQs

There are no disbursements in the vast majority of HR and employment advice matters. Should your case require a disbursement, you will be notified in advance of what it is, why it is needed and how much it will cost.

We take instructions, consider individual circumstances and mitigations, applicable aspects of employment legislation, statutory codes, and case law, provide advice, write or provide documentation and communication to clients, and submit relevant documents between parties such as employers and employees and to judicial bodies such as the Employment Tribunals (part of the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary) or to authorised conciliation bodies such as ACAS.

There are many variations on the types of cases we advise upon, so not all of the above may be relevant in every matter – but our staff will ensure you are aware of what is needed for your matter at all times.

Key stages of an Employment Law or HR advice matter can vary depending on the nature of the case and, specifically whether they are linked to a matter which is being heard before an Employment Tribunal or not. As a general guide the following key stages will generally apply:

Non-Employment Tribunal related.

  1. Consider request for advice and assess any conflict of interest.
  2. Schedule meeting or discussion
  3. Consider documentation and individual case and circumstances.
  4. Provide written advice, documentation, policy, or options.
  5. Meet to discuss content and agree completion.

Employment Tribunal related.

  1. Consider request for advice and assess any conflict of interest.
  2. Advice to client on prospect of success and ongoing communications
  3. Informal negotiation and conciliation between employee and employers directly or via ACAS pre claim conciliation (28 days) on behalf of client.
  4. Formulation of application (12 weeks from date of termination of employment for employee) or response to ET complaint (28 days for employer response).
  5. Production of Schedule of Loss at direction of ET.
  6. Production of documentation, witness statements and bundle of documents at request of ET or client.
  7. Support with provision of a Solicitor or Barrister in preparation for any full hearing.

The length of time can vary widely depending on circumstances, health matters, the resource of employers, reports from external agencies (pension providers, Occupational Health, medical reports), the workload and wait times of the Employment Tribunal service, and the response times of those involved.

Many factors are outside our direct control, but rest assured we will follow up your case frequently. We work to a guide of responding to client enquiries within two working days at most (one day is our target). You will be provided with a timescale, determined by the complexity and individual circumstances of your case, once you have instructed us.

For matters not involving escalation to courts, we anticipate around two hours will satisfy most general employment initial queries and advice requests, though this depends on the individual nature of your matter.

Contact our employment law solicitors in Carlisle

If you’re facing a problem at work, early advice can protect your position. For confidential, expert support, contact Wragg Mark-Bell Solicitors today on 01228 510077.

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