Where to Find Employment Law Advice

Written by: [AUTHOR NAME], Employment Law Solicitor, Setfords | Published: 6th August 2026 | Last reviewed: 6th August 2026 | Read time: 7 min

Where you should go for employment law advice depends on what’s happened and how serious it is. This guide covers the main free sources, what they can and can’t help with, and when the situation actually calls for a solicitor rather than general guidance.

Key takeaways

• Acas and gov.uk are the best starting points for free, general guidance on your rights.
• Citizens Advice and Law Centres offer free, practical support, and can sometimes help with your specific situation.
• If you’re in a trade union, your rep can offer support and representation at no extra cost.
• Some situations legally require independent advice from a solicitor, most notably signing a settlement agreement.
• Free sources are excellent for understanding your rights in general. A solicitor is what you need when the advice has to be tailored to your specific situation.

What counts as employment law advice?

Employment law advice ranges from general information about your rights (like how much notice you’re entitled to) through to specific, tailored advice about your individual situation (like whether you have grounds to bring a tribunal claim). Different sources are set up to give you one or the other, and knowing which you need saves a lot of wasted time.

For general questions, free sources are often all you need. Once your situation is properly disputed, or money and your job are on the line, that’s usually when tailored advice from a solicitor becomes worth paying for.

Acas and gov.uk: free general guidance

Acas (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) offers free, impartial advice on employment rights and workplace best practice across England, Scotland, and Wales, whether you’re an employee or an employer. Their helpline (0300 123 1100, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm) covers things like notice periods, redundancy, discipline and grievance processes, and contracts, and they offer a free translation service in over 100 languages.

Gov.uk is a solid companion to this, with guides on statutory rights covering redundancy pay, holiday entitlement, dismissal, and discrimination. Both are excellent for understanding what the law says in general. Neither can tell you whether your specific situation amounts to a valid claim.

Acas also runs early conciliation, which you’ll usually need to go through before bringing an employment tribunal claim. You can start this online through their website as well as by phone, which suits anyone who’d rather not make a call first.

Citizens Advice and Law Centres

Citizens Advice offers free, confidential, and impartial guidance on employment rights, both online and through local offices. You can also reach their national adviceline directly: 0800 144 8848 in England, 0808 250 5720 in Scotland, or 0800 702 2020 in Wales. They can help you understand your situation and what your options might be, and they’re a good next step if gov.uk and Acas have left you wanting more specific guidance.

Law Centres offer a similar service, often with a stronger focus on cases involving discrimination or more complex disputes, though availability varies by area and demand can mean a wait.

Neither can represent you at a tribunal hearing in most cases, and neither replaces the kind of tailored, one-to-one advice a solicitor gives on your specific facts.

Trade unions

If you’re a member of a trade union, your union representative is often the fastest and most cost-effective source of support. They can advise you, accompany you to disciplinary and grievance meetings, and in some cases represent you at an employment tribunal.

If you’re not currently a member but think you might need support soon, it’s worth checking whether you’re eligible to join. Some unions allow new members to access support for issues that arise shortly after joining, though this varies between unions.

When you need a solicitor

Some situations call for a solicitor because of what’s at stake, and others because the law requires it.

Settlement agreements are a legal requirement, not just a good idea. Under section 203 of the Employment Rights Act 1996, a settlement agreement isn’t legally binding unless you’ve received independent legal advice on its terms and effect from a qualified adviser, usually a solicitor. Your employer will typically contribute towards or cover this cost, so it’s rarely a reason to avoid getting it.

Strict time limits are the other trigger. Bringing an employment tribunal claim, whether for unfair dismissal, discrimination, or unpaid wages, means acting within a fixed window (usually 3 months less 1 day from the relevant date), with Acas early conciliation required first. Once a legal deadline is running, that’s a legal requirement for advice, not a preference.

How to choose an employment solicitor

Look for someone who specialises in employment law specifically, rather than a general practice solicitor picking up the case alongside unrelated work. Ask how they charge (fixed fee, hourly rate, or a mix), particularly for settlement agreement reviews, since costs and structures vary between firms.

It’s also worth asking early on how responsive they’ll be and who you’ll actually deal with day to day. Employment situations often move quickly, especially where there’s a time limit involved, so a solicitor who can turn things around promptly matters just as much as their experience on paper.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Relying only on general guidance for a properly disputed situation.
Gov.uk and Acas are excellent for understanding your rights, but they can’t tell you whether you have a valid claim.

2. Signing a settlement agreement without proper legal advice.
It isn’t legally binding without it, and your employer usually pays for it anyway.

3. Assuming free advice and paid advice cover the same ground.
Free sources are general. A solicitor’s advice is specific to your facts.

4. Waiting too long to get advice once a dispute starts.
Employment law has strict time limits, and leaving it too late can close off options entirely.

5. Not checking whether your union can help first.
If you’re a member, this is often the quickest, lowest-cost route to support.

When to speak to a solicitor

Beyond the legal triggers above, there are plenty of situations where speaking to a solicitor is simply the right call, even if nothing’s forcing your hand yet. It’s worth reaching out if:

• Free guidance has answered the general questions but not your specific one.
• You believe you’ve been treated unfairly because of who you are, and want to understand your options before deciding what to do.
• You’ve resigned, or are seriously considering it, because of how you’ve been treated. If this is the case then learn more by reading our article on constructive dismissal.
• Your redundancy or dismissal process feels rushed, unfair, or poorly handled.
• You want someone actively representing or negotiating on your behalf, rather than explaining the rules from a distance.

Understand your options and your timeline. Talk to a Setfords solicitor when you’re ready, whatever stage you’re at.

FAQs

Is Acas advice the same as legal advice?

No. Acas gives free, general guidance on employment rights and best practice, but it can’t advise on your specific situation or represent you in a claim.

Do I have to pay for legal advice on a settlement agreement?

Usually not out of your own pocket. Employers typically contribute towards or cover the cost, since the law requires you to get independent advice before the agreement is valid.

Can Citizens Advice represent me at an employment tribunal?

In most cases, no. They can help you understand your options, but representation at a hearing usually needs a solicitor or, where relevant, your trade union.

Is it worth joining a union just for employment support?

It can be, particularly if you think a dispute might arise soon, though eligibility and what support is available can vary between unions.

How do I know if my situation needs a solicitor rather than free advice?

As a rough guide, if money, your job, or a legal document is directly on the line, or if the situation is properly disputed rather than a general question, that’s usually when tailored advice is worth it.

About the author

[AUTHOR NAME], Employment Law Solicitor, Setfords

[AUTHOR BIO: one or two sentences on their experience and approach to employment law matters.]

Last reviewed: 5 August 2026.

This article is general information about employment law advice under the law of England and Wales, though the bodies and rights described operate across Great Britain. It is not legal advice, so please speak to a qualified employment law solicitor about your specific circumstances.