The 2006/2007 tribunal statistics show a total number of claims of 132,577. This is an increase of 15% over the previous year. A large part of the increase can be attributed to in equal pay claims which were up by a staggering 155%, with sex discrimination claims being up by 100%. The only claims to have benefited from a decline were race discrimination and working time. The maximum awarded during the year for race discrimination was £123,898, with the maximum disability award having been £138,648. It is now open to the tribunal to award costs in certain circumstances. Out of the 132,577 cases issued, costs were awarded to the employer in a total of 343 cases, with an average costs order of £2,079. In other words, if your employee takes you to the tribunal it would be unwise to factor in any assumption that you might be awarded costs if you successfully resist the claim. The full report of the Tribunal Service can be seen here. The maximum compensatory award is now £63,000 and will next be reviewed on 1st February 2009.

As an employer it is quite likely that your first encounter with an employment lawyer is because you are faced with litigation and a possible claim. Regardless of the sector of the economy in which your business operates, we are equally at home in the employment tribunals or advising on employment policy. We have clients in all sectors ranging from retailing, health, education, charities, transport, and financial services through to professional football and even firms of solicitors. We firmly believe effective staff management is the key to increasing productivity and profitability. We aim to offer cost-effective solutions to the everyday problems facing employers. Our approach is practical as well as professional. Some of the areas where we might help are:

	Discipline and Grievance		Discrimination
	Dismissal		Family friendly policies
	Pay and Reward		Performance Management
	Personnel Administration		Recruitment
	Redundancy		Training

We have a very full employment law resource on our website which is totally free of charge. HR Managers of client companies find this an invaluable assistance in dealing with routine issues meaning that they are only incurring fees when there is genuinely a problem that needs professional input.

Through our group of highly qualified employment professionals we also are able to offer expert Health & Safety advice and checks, as well as setting up and maintenance of company pension schemes and payroll management. Furthermore we work closely with Occupational Psychologists and can offer an integrated approach to occupational stress and risk assessment.

Our charges:

Although our fees are based on hourly rates we will generally quote for a specific task so that you may budget. As a specialist firm our charges are usually lower than average legal rates. If you think we can help, you can outline your problem briefly here or give us a ring - we are equally happy to discuss the matter on the telephone. We often work to a monthly retainer enabling managers with HR responsibility to have expert advice on hand.

HR AUDIT

We have developed an easy-to-use self diagnostic tool which enables us to offer a free check of your current employment practices and documents. You pay only for any work authorised by you to bring them up to date. We can e-mail this to you.

Click here to contact us or ring us on 01303 840001