Finding Advice
ELA is an association of qualified lawyers who are registered with their professional bodies and have told ELA that they practise employment law in the British Isles.
Who are the members of ELA?
They can be solicitors, barristers, legal executives, advocates and foreign lawyers who are fully qualified in their jurisdiction.
Many ELA members are leaders in the field of employment law in advising people and businesses, who train others and are engaged in consultations with Government. Other members of ELA may be starting out in their professional career as an employment lawyer or barrister and/or may only spend part of their time advising on employment law, because for example, they also advise in other related areas, such as personal injury or commercial law
What benefits do members of ELA receive?
ELA members benefit from a wide range of services such as specialised online resources including expert lecture notes, access to specialist publications, a regular bulletin with legal updates, the ability to attend lectures and seminars on specialist areas within employment law.
How can I find a member of ELA or a Mediator?
ELA keeps a register of members that can be searched by the general public. Note that some members opt not to be listed in the members directory
ELA also keeps a register of mediators who have told us that they are mediators and can be searched by the general public.
Other sources of help and information
You may wish to consider the following:
- Whether useful information about employment law is available to you via ACAS (www.ACAS.org.uk) or government (www.gov.uk) websites
- Whether a Local Law Centre, LawWorks or Citizens Advice may be able to help you;
- Whether the Equalities and Human Rights Commission or Equality Advisory and Support Service,might be able to assist you;
- Whether you might be able to find free legal help from Barristers;
- Whether there is further advice available from the National Debtline, Working Families or YESS, a charity which gives legal advice about resolving disputes
- Whether your household / contents / other insurance policy offers you legal expenses insurance;
- If you are an individual you may be entitled to legal aid. You may find information about legal aid on the Government's website;
- If you are a member of a Trade Union or employers federation find out whether they can offer you assistance.
Time limits
You should act quickly.
Many claims in employment law have a short period of time in which they must be made of as little as three months from when the events happened.
Benefits of using a qualified lawyer
- Giving legal advice, helping clients manage risk, resolving legal disputes and conducting and defending litigation are ‘core business’ for lawyers – this is what we do.
- ‘Legal privilege’ can offer valuable private space to discuss needs and seek legal advice without prejudicing your position. Eg by contrast disclosure of ‘open’ discussion of potential settlement terms might prejudice your position in negotiations. Legal privilege is not normally available where advice is sought from unqualified people.
- Qualified lawyers have studied the law, been trained by other lawyers, completed legal qualifications and must ensure that they stay up to date.
- All qualified lawyers are subject to onerous duties, including obligations designed to protect their clients, for example lawyers must check for ‘conflicts of interest’ and set out the main terms of your agreement with them in writing.
- Qualified lawyers are regulated by regulatory organisations that aim to ensure that professional behaviour.
- Qualified lawyers have to provide internal complaints mechanisms to resolve issues that may arise if you can’t resolve an issue with your lawyer then you can take it to their professional body and or the Legal Services Ombudsman.
What you can expect if you are in an employment dispute
You may find the Law Society’s website on Problems at Work useful.