Expert tips on choosing your Northern Ireland employment lawyer
Choosing an employment lawyer to represent you is not like choosing a pineapple in a supermarket (see pic). Law firms might look similar, but we are not the same!
This article details the main things you need to know when looking for an employment lawyer.
Types of law firm
Boutique firm
Boutique firms specialise in one particular area of law or one particular type of client.
We are a boutique firm as we specialise in employment law, and only ever act for employees, never for employers.
National firm
National firms have offices located around the UK.
We’re a national firm as we’re based in Glengormley (just outside Belfast, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland), with additional offices in Leeds (West Yorkshire), Gateshead (Tyne & Wear), and London.
Our solicitors are admitted to the roll in England and Wales and we can act for clients in the Employment Tribunals in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Regional firm
A regional firm is based outside London, which means fees are typically lower.
High Street firm
This is the type of law firm you’d find on your local high street. They usually deal with legal matters such as wills and conveyancing.
City firm
This could apply to any law firm based in central London, but traditionally refers to law firms in the ‘Square Mile’.
Virtual firm
These provide centralised admin for lawyers who usually act on a consultancy basis. They can charge less as they don’t have the usual overheads that big firm have to pay.
Types of lawyer
Lawyer
The word ‘lawyer’ covers everyone who works in the field of law. Some lawyers have particular qualifications and are licensed to practice in specialist areas.
For example, we are lawyers who specialise in employment law.
Solicitor
A solicitor is qualified to advise on all areas of law, although they tend to specialise in certain areas. They are regulated by the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority.
PDEL Limited is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, SRA number: 615380.
Legal executive
A Chartered Legal Executive is only qualified to practice certain areas of law, such as family law or employment law. They are governed by the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.
Barrister
If you need representation in the higher courts in the UK, your solicitor will usually hire a barrister for you. Barristers are self-employed, often advise solicitors on the trickier points of law, and are regulated by the Bar Standards Board.
Paralegal and Legal assistant
Paralegals and legal assistants work in the legal area. Even though they don’t have a specific legal qualification, they often have have a wealth of legal experience and knowledge.
Levels of lawyer
Partner
Law firms were traditionally formed as partnerships or Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), and the top lawyers are referred to as ‘partners’. Partner generally denotes a lawyer with a wealth of knowledge and experience. They usually have a higher hourly rate to reflect that.
Director
Law firms formed as limited companies don’t have partners. The senior lawyers in those firms are usually known by a title such as ‘director’.
The company trading as Paul Doran Law is PDEL Limited, a limited company registered in Northern Ireland, Registered No: NI622116.
Paul Doran is the Director of the firm.
Solicitors
Qualified lawyers who aren’t partners or directors bear the title of associate, assistant, solicitor or legal executive. These people could have decades of experience or be recently qualified, so their hourly rate can vary widely.
Trainee solicitors and legal executives
Trainees have to work for many years before qualifying. They generally have lower rates than qualified lawyers. The work done by trainees should be supervised so you still benefit from the experience of a qualified lawyer.
Choosing your employment lawyer
Here are the main things to do when you’re shopping around:
- See the Law Society website
- Find out if the firm is well-established
- Ask for recommendations
- Check out testimonials
We’ve been going since 2013, there are lots of unsolicited testimonials on our website, and you’ll get a flavour of the way we work when you read our blog.
Instructing your employment lawyer
Most lawyers offer the the opportunity to make a free enquiry. During this informal conversation, you should tell us the details of your situation, and we’ll tell you your chances of winning your claim and what happens next.
To do this, phone 0808 168 7288 or complete the online form, top right.
Timing can be critical, so it’s best to get your employment lawyer involved early on.
Most employment law claims have strict timelines, usually three months less one day from the date of the incident you are complaining about.
The lawyer you choose should be upfront about fees, so ask for a quote and discuss ways to pay.
There’s a link below which explains your funding options at Paul Doran Law.
Sign the letter of engagement. This confirms what is to be done and when, together with the agreed costs.
We need this before we can proceed.
Be prompt about providing the documents we request. As well as collecting written evidence to support your claim, we have to do due diligence such as proving you are who you say you are and live where you say you live. Showing your driving licence or passport and a recent household bill will probably be enough. This is perfectly normal, and is required under ani-money laundering legislation.
Pay funds on account. This is like a deposit so we can get started and pay any expenses (called ‘disbursements’) that we incur while working on your case.
Further reading: Expert tips on choosing your Northern Ireland employment lawyer
- Funding an employment law claim
- Why an expert Belfast-based lawyer is a good choice
- Our expert factsheet on equal pay in Belfast
Need help? Expert tips on choosing your Northern Ireland employment lawyer
For a FREE assessment of your case, call 0808 168 7288 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.
We have already helped thousands of people to win millions of pounds in compensation.
You have a choice of ways to pay, including ‘no win, no fee’.