Legal cover for home insurance

Most of the employment disputes we see are to do with discrimination at work, unfair or constructive dismissal, settlement agreements or contract issues. Read more about employment law. 

We may cover disputes such as:

• Claims against your employer for discrimination such as because of your race, sex or age
• Disputes over unpaid wages
• Unfair dismissal or unfair selection for redundancy
•  Claims for discrimination relating to your disability or illness

As a first step, it’s a good idea to follow your organisation’s internal dispute resolution procedures. This may include raising a grievance or appealing any decision you disagree with.

If you want to go further and take your case to an Employment Tribunal or to a County Court, there’s often a time limit to start proceedings. 

You’ll also need as much information and evidence as possible to support your case. This could include: 

• A copy of your employment contract
• Witness details
• A statement or diary of everything that's happened
• Receipts for expenses

In an Employment Tribunal, both sides usually pay their own legal fees, no matter who wins. An Employment Tribunal can also award you compensation from your employer or order them to fix the issue in some other way, including giving you your job back.

The County Court tends to deal with employment-related claims that involve a breach of contract, or where the amount you’re looking to claim for is more than the amount an Employment Tribunal can award.

This is to do with goods and services that you buy or rent, and any contracts you might enter into for them. An example of this is receiving poor service from a tradesperson. Read more about consumer and contract law. 

Other disputes we may be able to help with include:

• Buying a faulty vehicle from a garage
• Contract disputes with a travel agent
• Poor quality photographs taken at an event, like a wedding

If you buy goods or services from a trader and a fault occurs within the first six months, the law presumes the fault existed when you entered the contract. However, if the fault occurs after this point, or the trader denies the fault, it’ll be your responsibility as the consumer to prove the fault.

In most cases, it’s a good idea to get an assessment from an independent party. For example, an independent mechanic for a vehicle fault, or a repair service for electrical appliances.

If you can’t resolve the dispute directly with the trader, you may be able to pursue your claim through the County Court system. However, you must be within the time limit of six years since the contract was breached.

This is to do with your rights to any land or property that you own or rent. An example of this is a noise dispute with a neighbour. Read more about property law. 

Types of dispute we often deal with also include:

• Disputes regarding an agreement for the sale or purchase of your home
• Disputes between landlords and tenants 
• Boundary disputes regarding building work or fences

Depending on the type of dispute, there are different time limits for how long you have to start proceedings. For example, claims for trespass and property damage can be brought up to six years after the incident. 

Most personal injury claims result from a person or organisation doing, or failing to do something, that causes death or injury to a person. An example of this is being knocked off your bicycle while on the road. Read more about personal injury law. 

Some incidents we may assist with also include:

• Slipping on a wet floor in a supermarket
• Suffering from food poisoning following a meal in a restaurant
• Being injured while operating faulty equipment

Depending on the incident, you may choose to pursue a criminal claim or a civil claim. 

You usually have up to three years following the incident to make a claim, although this can be extended in some circumstances.

Medical and cosmetic negligence disputes usually arise from receiving treatment which falls below the standard expected of a competent practitioner, such as a doctor, nurse, dentist or anyone responsible for your clinical care.

The types of claims we may assist with also include:

• Failure to diagnose or diagnosing an illness incorrectly
• Surgery that wasn’t carried out correctly
• Poorly administered Botox treatment

These cases are often complex to resolve. You’ll need to prove that the standard of care you received fell below what would normally be expected. You’ll also need to show that you’ve suffered damage or loss as a result.

You usually have up to three years following the incident to make a claim, although this can be extended in some circumstances.