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Swift, robust legal advice on employment disputes and tribunals

Our employment solicitors advise employers and senior executives on the full range of employment disputes – from discrimination and unfair dismissal claims to breaches of contract terms and whistleblowing.

Employment disputes can be legally complex, commercially sensitive and deeply personal. Whether you’re responsible for managing a dispute within your business or a senior executive defending your reputation, it’s important to receive early and effective legal advice.

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Who we can help with employment disputes

We focus on helping employers and senior professionals resolve the most complex and challenging employment disputes pragmatically and efficiently, ensuring legal rights, professional reputations and commercial interests are protected.

Employers

We help HR teams, legal counsel and leadership to resolve employment disputes quickly and protect the business with minimal disruption. Our support includes:

Senior professionals

We provide strategic advice to executives, directors, partners and senior employees involved in contentious employment disputes, helping to protect their career prospects, secure fair compensation or clear their name. For example:

How our solicitors can help with employment disputes

Our employment solicitors have many years of experience providing commercial, cost-effective advice to resolve the most challenging employment disputes as quickly as possible, including:

  • Early-stage advice – to avoid escalation and manage internal risk
  • Tribunal and High Court representation – for employers and employees
  • Emergency injunctions – for restrictive covenant or confidentiality breaches
  • Internal dispute support – for grievances, disciplinary disputes or whistleblowing
  • Alternative dispute resolution – including mediation, conciliation and direct negotiation
  • Ongoing legal support – from our colleagues across the firm when an employment matter crosses into other areas of law such as criminal, regulatory or corporate tax law

Preventing employment disputes

Many disputes can be prevented by taking pre-emptive steps, including:

  • Clear contracts and policies
  • Legally sound internal procedures
  • Prompt, fair handling of grievances and performance issues
  • Early intervention when relationships break down

We offer retained employment law support for businesses who want confidence and continuity when navigating employee relations.

Employment tribunals and High Court claims

When an employment dispute can’t be resolved internally or informally, we can bring and defend claims before an employment tribunal or the High Court, including:

  • Drafting pleadings and witness statements
  • Managing disclosure and evidence
  • Briefing leading employment barristers where necessary
  • Preparing for judicial mediation or final hearings

Often cases are lost (or large settlements paid) because the employer did not get the process right from the beginning. Involving our employment solicitors at an early stage could save thousands of pounds in the long run.

We also advise on early resolution where litigation is not in your best interests – saving time, cost and uncertainty.

Why choose Clarke Willmott for employment disputes

  • Partner-led approach – We believe in the value and expertise our senior partners bring to our clients. Your work will be overseen throughout by one of our partners working closely with our wider employment team.
  • In-house advocate – If your dispute goes to an employment tribunal, we work with a range of barristers and have our own highly experienced in-house advocate.
  • Outcome-focused, pragmatic approach – We aim to secure the best result with the minimum of disruption to you, using the most effective method for the situation, whether that’s negotiation, mediation or litigation.
  • Tailored support aligned with your objectives – We shape our advice to match your specific goals, resolving disputes swiftly and discreetly and defending your position robustly.
  • Efficient, cost-conscious delivery – Our work is allocated to the best qualified person for your needs, giving you the benefit of a large, multi-skilled team with no unnecessary expense.

Recognition for our solicitors

‘Excellent response times and advice is always concise, clear and commercially focused. The team offers a broad range of skillsets and all employment queries are answered well.’

Legal 500 2026

“The breadth of experience within the team means that there is rarely a matter that hasn’t been experienced.”

Chambers 2026

‘I’m always able to speak with someone from the team when I need to. They take the time to understand the situation and provide excellent advice that is not only legally compliant but also assesses the commercial risk.’

Legal 500 2026

“They grasped the issues immediately and were able to explain them to me.”

Chambers 2026

Frequently asked questions on employment disputes

  • Claims for unfair or inconsistent treatment
  • Workplace investigations and whistleblowing
  • Individual and group grievances
  • Disciplinary issues
  • Team moves, redundancy and TUPE related disputes
  • Senior executive remuneration, bonus and incentive plans
  • Stress at work and employer duty of care
  • Misuse of confidential information

How long an employment dispute takes will depend on whether it resolves early or goes to an employment tribunal. A settlement may take 2 – 4 weeks to agree, whereas tribunal proceedings can last 6 – 12 months.

If the nature of the issues means you need to act urgently, our solicitors can advise you on immediate steps, including seeking or defending injunctions (e.g. for breach of confidentiality or non-compete clauses) and preserving evidence.

Contact an employment disputes solicitor

For swift and robust advice on resolving an employment dispute, call 0800 652 8025 now or complete the form below to arrange a free consultation.

Our employment law team supports businesses and senior executives across the UK and internationally from our offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton.

 

Meet our employment team

With seven offices throughout England and Wales, Clarke Willmott is a national law firm with a local presence. Learn more about our wider team of legal professionals and how they can support you.

Meet the team

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