Top 10 Employment Solicitors in Manchester: Dismissal, Discrimination & Contract Experts

Finding the right employment solicitors in Manchester can make all the difference when you’re facing workplace disputes, unfair dismissal, or discrimination claims. Manchester’s legal landscape is packed with talented employment law solicitors who specialize in protecting employee rights, but knowing which firm to choose isn’t always straightforward. Whether you’re dealing with a complex discrimination case, negotiating a settlement agreement, or preparing for an employment tribunal, you need expert legal representation that understands both the law and your personal circumstances.

This guide breaks down the top 10 employment solicitors in Manchester who have proven track records in handling dismissal cases, discrimination claims, and contract disputes. These firms have been recognized by legal directories like Legal 500 and Chambers, have years of hands-on experience, and consistently deliver results for their clients. From city center practices to specialist boutique firms, Manchester offers excellent options whether you need help with wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal, or any other employment law matter. Let’s explore which solicitors stand out and what makes them the best choice for your situation.

What Makes Manchester’s Employment Law Scene Special?

Manchester has emerged as one of the UK’s leading legal hubs outside London, particularly for employment law. The city’s diverse economy, spanning tech startups, financial services, healthcare, and manufacturing, means employment solicitors in Manchester handle an incredibly wide range of workplace issues. This variety has created a pool of highly specialized lawyers who understand sector-specific challenges.

The Manchester employment law market is competitive, which works in your favor. Firms here tend to offer more affordable rates than London counterparts while maintaining the same quality standards. Many employment lawyers Manchester based offer flexible fee arrangements, including fixed fees for settlement agreement reviews, no win no fee options for certain claims, and transparent pricing structures.

What really sets Manchester apart is the blend of national firms with local offices and boutique specialist practices. You can access the resources of major law firms or choose smaller, partner-led practices where you’ll get direct attention from senior employment solicitors. The city’s legal community is also tightly connected, with regular collaboration and knowledge-sharing that keeps practitioners at the cutting edge of employment law developments.

Top 10 Employment Solicitors in Manchester

1. Martin & Co Solicitors

Martin & Co Solicitors stands out as Manchester’s first dedicated employment law practice, founded in 1999. What makes them special is their exclusive focus on employment issues, nothing else. John Martin, the firm’s founder, has earned a place in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame and is consistently ranked among the top four employment lawyers in Manchester and the North West.

The firm handles both employee and employer matters, with particular expertise in unfair dismissal, discrimination claims, and complex senior executive disputes. Their fixed-fee consultation (£195 plus VAT for the first hour) provides accessible entry points for individuals seeking advice. Legal 500 has repeatedly praised their service as “second to none” with “exceptional customer service and client relationships.”

Key Services:

• Unfair and wrongful dismissal claims
• Discrimination cases (age, sex, race, disability)
• Settlement agreement negotiations
• Employment tribunal representation
• Whistleblowing claims
• Contract disputes

Why Choose Them: Over 20 years of recognition in Legal 500 shows consistency. Their exclusive employment focus means deep expertise rather than generalist knowledge.

2. Myerson Solicitors

Myerson Solicitors brings serious firepower to employment law with a team of 15 specialist solicitors. They were crowned “Employment Team of the Year” at the Manchester Legal Awards 2024, which speaks volumes about their current standing in the market.

This firm excels at high-stakes cases involving senior executives, directors, and partners with complex employment contracts. Their track record with discrimination claims is particularly strong, including maternity discrimination, pregnancy-related issues, age, disability, sex, and race discrimination. They’re also experienced in whistleblowing cases and group litigation arising from mass redundancies.

Myerson operates on a partner-led model, meaning you get direct access to experienced solicitors rather than being passed to junior staff. Their approach is pragmatic and commercial, focusing on practical solutions rather than theoretical legal positions.

Key Services:

• High-value employment disputes
• Complex discrimination claims
• Whistleblowing protection
• Group litigation
• Settlement agreements for executives
• Employment tribunal representation

Why Choose Them: If you’re a senior employee or facing a complex, high-value dispute, Myerson’s depth of experience and award-winning team makes them an excellent choice.

3. JMW Solicitors

JMW Solicitors operates from both Manchester and London, giving them reach across the country while maintaining strong local roots. They’re members of the Employment Lawyers Association (ELA), which provides their team with access to exclusive training, resources, and the latest developments in UK and European employment law.

What sets JMW apart is their clear communication style. They pride themselves on explaining complex legal concepts in plain English, making them particularly good for clients navigating employment disputes for the first time. Their fixed-fee services provide cost certainty, and they’re upfront about what they can and cannot help with.

JMW handles the full spectrum of employment law matters including unfair dismissal, workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, contract disputes, and redundancy issues. They also provide proactive advice to help employees understand their rights and avoid potential problems before they escalate.

Key Services:

• Unfair and constructive dismissal
• Discrimination and harassment claims
• Contract reviews and disputes
• Whistleblowing protection
• Employment tribunal claims
• Settlement agreement negotiations

Why Choose Them: Their membership in ELA and commitment to clear communication makes them ideal if you want accessible expertise without legal jargon.

4. Kuits Solicitors

Kuits Solicitors has built a reputation as one of Manchester’s leading firms for both employers and employees. Their employment law team is headed by Kevin McKenna, Sally Bird, and Mark McKeating, who bring decades of combined experience to the table.

While Kuits works extensively with businesses, their employee-focused practice handles employment tribunal claims, redundancy matters, and discrimination cases with equal skill. They stay current with the latest regulations and court decisions, ensuring their advice reflects the most recent legal developments.

Kuits takes a relationship-focused approach, building long-term connections with clients rather than treating each case as a one-off transaction. This means they understand context and history when advising on disputes.

Key Services:

• Employment tribunal claims and representation
• Unfair dismissal cases
• Discrimination disputes
• Redundancy and TUPE matters
• Contract negotiations
• Settlement agreements

Why Choose Them: Their balanced experience representing both sides gives them insight into how employers think, which can be valuable when strategizing your case.

5. Slater and Gordon Lawyers

Slater and Gordon is one of the UK’s largest consumer law firms, and their Manchester employment team has earned recognition across multiple legal directories. They’re known for providing inclusive, tailored support with a diverse team from various communities and backgrounds.

The firm specializes in discrimination claims and understands the emotional toll workplace disputes can take. Their approach combines legal expertise with empathy, making them particularly effective for cases involving harassment, bullying, or sensitive personal matters.

Slater and Gordon operate from a central Manchester location with excellent transport links (5 minutes from Manchester Oxford Road, 14 minutes from Piccadilly). Their initial consultation provides clear guidance on next steps and expected costs.

Key Services:

• Constructive and unfair dismissal
• Workplace discrimination (all protected characteristics)
• Harassment and bullying claims
• Redundancy disputes
• Employment tribunal representation
• Settlement agreement reviews

Why Choose Them: Their national presence provides resources and backing, while their Manchester team offers local expertise and accessibility.

6. Analysis Legal

Analysis Legal positions itself as a provider of “top national law firm experience at sensible costs.” Their team consists exclusively of senior employment lawyers who previously worked at major national firms before joining Analysis Legal. This means you get big-firm quality without big-firm prices.

The firm is praised by clients for client-focused, pragmatic advice. They don’t just recite the law; they give clear recommendations and practical solutions. Analysis Legal serves blue-chip national and international clients but also represents individuals in employment disputes.

They offer streamlined, fixed-fee settlement agreement reviews that provide good value. Their team responds efficiently and decisively, with direct solicitor contact that saves time and reduces costs.

Key Services:

• Employment contracts and restrictive covenants
• Redundancy and TUPE advice
• Settlement agreement drafting and review
• Employment tribunal representation
• Discrimination claims
• Unfair dismissal cases

Why Choose Them: If you want senior-level expertise at reasonable rates with no sitting on the fence, Analysis Legal delivers straight-talking advice.

7. Chambers O’Neill

Chambers O’Neill is a dedicated employment law practice established in 2010 and listed in Legal 500 every year since. They offer nearly 100 years of combined experience providing expert legal and HR advice to both employers and employees.

The firm has a national client base with appearances in almost every employment tribunal in the UK and the Employment Appeals Tribunal. Managing partner Mr. O’Neill is dual-qualified, also working in Ireland and Northern Ireland, which gives the firm unique cross-border capabilities.

Chambers O’Neill doesn’t charge for initial conversations, making them accessible for people exploring their options. They provide practical, hands-on advice backed by deep expertise in all aspects of employment law from recruitment to termination.

Key Services:

• Employment tribunal representation
• Unfair dismissal claims
• Discrimination cases
• Redundancy matters
• Employment contracts
• HR support and project work

Why Choose Them: Their no-charge initial consultation and nearly 100 years of combined experience makes them worth a conversation if you’re unsure about your next steps.

8. Farleys Solicitors

Farleys Solicitors offers approachable, straightforward legal guidance for employees dealing with workplace disputes. Their Manchester employment law team understands how stressful employment issues can be and focuses on making clients feel supported throughout the process.

The firm handles the full range of workplace disputes including discrimination (age, sex, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation), harassment, bullying, employment tribunal claims, and disciplinary disputes. They provide clear, practical advice to help find resolutions.

Farleys offers free initial assessments, allowing you to understand your options before committing to legal representation. Their goal is ensuring clients feel confident and informed about their rights and available remedies.

Key Services:

• Discrimination and harassment cases
• Employment tribunal representation
• Disciplinary and dismissal disputes
• Redundancy advice
• Contract breach claims
• Settlement agreements

Why Choose Them: Their free initial assessment and focus on clear communication makes them ideal if you’re looking for accessible, empathetic representation.

9. Forbes Solicitors

Forbes Solicitors is a well-established firm with 7 employment solicitors dedicated to handling workplace disputes. They’re recognized in Legal 500 and bring substantial resources to complex cases.

The firm represents both employers and employees, giving them comprehensive insight into how employment disputes develop and resolve. Their experience spans traditional employment issues like unfair dismissal and discrimination as well as modern challenges involving remote work, data protection, and whistleblowing.

Forbes takes a commercial approach, focusing on practical outcomes rather than pursuing legal battles for their own sake. They understand that most clients want efficient resolutions that allow them to move forward.

Key Services:

• Unfair and wrongful dismissal
• Discrimination claims
• Employment tribunal representation
• Settlement negotiations
• Redundancy disputes
• Contract issues

Why Choose Them: Their balanced experience and commercial focus makes them suitable for clients who want pragmatic solutions over prolonged legal fights.

Springhouse Solicitors

Springhouse Solicitors specializes exclusively in employment law, with a team of experienced solicitors who have secured better results for clients across various workplace issues. They’re centrally located near Piccadilly train station, making them easily accessible.

The firm can usually see clients within hours, which is invaluable when you’re dealing with urgent situations like sudden dismissal or disciplinary proceedings with tight deadlines. Their most frequent cases involve unfair dismissal, constructive dismissal, discrimination, and issues relating to family rights, wages, and working time.

Client testimonials consistently praise Springhouse for being thorough, helpful, transparent, and responsive. They provide honest advice in a friendly manner and focus on putting clients in control of their situations.

Key Services:

• Unfair and constructive dismissal
• Discrimination cases
• Employment tribunals
• Redundancy matters
• Settlement agreements
• Family rights and working time issues

Why Choose Them: Their ability to see clients quickly and exclusive employment focus makes them excellent for urgent matters requiring immediate specialist attention.

Understanding Common Employment Law Issues in Manchester

Unfair Dismissal Claims

Unfair dismissal occurs when your employer terminates your employment without a fair reason or without following proper procedures. In Manchester’s diverse economy, unfair dismissal claims arise across all sectors from retail and hospitality to tech and professional services.

To qualify for unfair dismissal protection, you generally need at least two years of continuous employment (though exceptions exist for automatically unfair dismissals like whistleblowing or pregnancy-related dismissals). Fair reasons for dismissal include capability, conduct, redundancy, statutory restrictions, or “some other substantial reason.”

However, even with a fair reason, the dismissal can still be unfair if your employer didn’t follow a reasonable process. This includes failing to investigate properly, not giving you a chance to respond to allegations, or not considering alternatives to dismissal.

Employment solicitors in Manchester can assess whether your dismissal was unfair, calculate potential compensation, and represent you at employment tribunals. Compensation typically includes a basic award (based on age, length of service, and weekly pay) plus a compensatory award for actual losses.

Discrimination in the Workplace

Workplace discrimination remains one of the most common reasons people seek employment law advice in Manchester. Protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 include age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Discrimination can be direct (treating someone less favorably because of a protected characteristic), indirect (applying a policy that disadvantages people with certain protected characteristics), harassment (unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic), or victimization (treating someone badly because they’ve complained about discrimination).

Manchester’s employment solicitors handle discrimination cases ranging from recruitment bias and unequal pay to pregnancy discrimination and disability-related dismissals. These cases can be emotionally draining, so finding a solicitor who combines legal expertise with empathy is crucial.

Unlike unfair dismissal claims, there’s no qualifying period for discrimination claims. You can bring a claim even if you’ve worked somewhere for just one day. Compensation is uncapped, meaning serious cases can result in substantial awards.

Settlement Agreements Explained

A settlement agreement (formerly called a compromise agreement) is a legally binding contract where you agree not to pursue employment tribunal claims against your employer in exchange for compensation and other benefits. These are incredibly common in Manchester workplaces.

For a settlement agreement to be valid, you must receive independent legal advice from a qualified solicitor or certified adviser. Your employer typically pays for this advice (usually £250-£500 plus VAT). The agreement must be in writing, relate to specific complaints or proceedings, and meet other statutory conditions.

Settlement agreements offer several advantages: faster resolution than tribunal proceedings (days or weeks versus months or years), certainty of outcome, confidentiality, potential tax benefits, and the ability to negotiate terms like positive references that tribunals can’t order.

Most employment solicitors in Manchester offer fixed-fee settlement agreement reviews. They’ll assess whether the offer is fair, identify any problematic clauses, and negotiate improvements where possible. Common negotiation points include payment amounts, notice periods, references, confidentiality scope, and restrictive covenants.

Employment Tribunal Process

Employment tribunals are specialist courts handling workplace disputes. While less formal than regular courts, they follow legal procedures and can be daunting without proper representation.

The process starts with submitting an ET1 claim form to the tribunal within strict time limits (usually three months minus one day from the act you’re complaining about). Before submitting, you must contact ACAS for early conciliation, which adds about one month to the time limit.

Once your claim is submitted, your employer responds with an ET3 form. The tribunal then manages the case through preliminary hearings, document disclosure, witness statements, and ultimately a final hearing where both sides present evidence and legal arguments.

Employment solicitors in Manchester provide crucial support throughout this process. They ensure deadlines are met, draft persuasive legal documents, gather and organize evidence, prepare witnesses, and present your case effectively at hearings. Their experience with tribunal procedures and judges can significantly improve your chances of success.

Most cases settle before reaching a final hearing. Your solicitor can negotiate throughout the process, using the tribunal proceedings as leverage to secure better settlement agreement terms.

How to Choose the Right Employment Solicitor

Specialization Matters

When facing employment law issues, specialist knowledge makes a real difference. General practice solicitors who handle employment matters alongside conveyancing, wills, and family law simply can’t match the depth of expertise that dedicated employment solicitors provide.

Look for solicitors who practice exclusively or primarily in employment law. They’ll understand recent case law, tribunal trends, and effective strategies that general practitioners might miss. Many of the top employment solicitors in Manchester focus solely on employment issues.

Also consider industry specialization. If you work in healthcare, tech, or financial services, finding solicitors with experience in your sector helps. They’ll understand industry-specific contracts, bonus structures, and common disputes.

Cost and Fee Structures

Employment law costs vary significantly across Manchester firms. Understanding fee structures helps you budget and avoid surprises.

Common arrangements include:

• Hourly rates: Typically £150-£350 per hour depending on seniority and firm prestige
• Fixed fees: Common for settlement agreement reviews (£250-£500) and initial consultations
• No win no fee (Conditional Fee Agreements): Available for strong unfair dismissal and discrimination cases, usually with a success fee of 25-35% of compensation
• Payment plans: Some firms offer staged payments for tribunal representation

Always get a clear cost estimate upfront. Reputable employment solicitors in Manchester provide transparent pricing and cost updates throughout your case.

Track Record and Recognition

Legal directory rankings like Legal 500 and Chambers provide independent verification of quality. These directories research firms extensively, interviewing clients and analyzing case outcomes before awarding rankings.

Also check client testimonials and reviews. Look for patterns in feedback about communication, responsiveness, and results. Be wary of firms with no client reviews or only generic praise.

Consider whether the firm has experience with your specific issue. A solicitor who regularly handles discrimination claims will be more effective than one who primarily does redundancy work if discrimination is your concern.

The Importance of Acting Quickly

Employment law operates on strict time limits that can bar your claim if missed. For most employment tribunal claims, you have three months minus one day from the discriminatory act or dismissal date to submit your claim (with early conciliation adding about a month).

These deadlines are unforgiving. Even if you have a strong case, missing the deadline typically means the tribunal can’t hear it. Some exceptions exist for continuing acts of discrimination or when it wasn’t reasonably practical to claim in time, but these are narrow.

Beyond legal deadlines, acting quickly preserves evidence. Emails get deleted, colleagues move jobs, and memories fade. The sooner you consult employment solicitors in Manchester, the better they can secure and organize evidence.

Early legal advice also gives you more options. If you’re still employed and facing issues, proactive advice can help you navigate grievance procedures, protect your position, or negotiate better exit terms. Waiting until after dismissal limits your leverage.

What to Expect from Your First Consultation

Most employment solicitors in Manchester offer initial consultations, either free or at fixed fees. This meeting serves several purposes: you’ll explain your situation, the solicitor assesses the case, and you both determine if you want to work together.

Come prepared with key documents: your employment contract, any policies that relate to your issue, correspondence with your employer, and a timeline of relevant events. The more organized your information, the more productive the consultation.

Expect honest advice. Good solicitors tell you if your case is weak or if pursuing it isn’t cost-effective. They’ll explain different options, potential outcomes, costs, and timescales. They should answer your questions clearly without excessive legal jargon.

Use the consultation to assess the solicitor too. Do they listen? Do they explain things clearly? Do you feel comfortable with them? Employment disputes can be personal and stressful; you need a solicitor you trust and can communicate with openly.

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External Resources for Employment Law Guidance

For authoritative information on employment rights and procedures, ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) provides comprehensive guidance on workplace disputes, settlement agreements, and employment tribunals. They also offer free early conciliation services before tribunal claims.

The GOV.UK Employment Tribunal page contains detailed information about how to make a claim, what to expect at hearings, and how the tribunal system works. These government resources complement the advice you receive from employment solicitors in Manchester.

Conclusion

Manchester offers exceptional employment solicitors who combine deep legal expertise with practical, results-focused advice. Whether you’re dealing with unfair dismissal, discrimination, or complex contract disputes, the firms highlighted here represent the best the city has to offer. From established names like Martin & Co and Myerson to accessible practices like Springhouse and Chambers O’Neill, you have options that fit different budgets, case types, and personal preferences. The key is acting quickly, choosing a specialist with relevant experience, and ensuring you feel comfortable with your legal representation. Employment disputes impact your livelihood, career, and wellbeing—investing in quality legal advice from Manchester’s top employment solicitors gives you the best chance of securing a fair outcome and moving forward with confidence.