Employment solicitors for Sunderland
Employment law advice for Sunderland workers, executives and local employers
From redundancy and changes to shift patterns to disciplinary hearings and settlement agreements, our employment solicitors help Sunderland clients understand their rights and make informed decisions about what to do next.
We are based at 11 Ashley Street in Glasgow and advise employees, senior executives, partners and employers in Sunderland and across Tyne and Wear and the wider North East. Most employment rights are the same throughout Great Britain, so the protections we advise on apply in England too. Your first 30-minute consultation is free, with no obligation to continue.
At a glance
- Free 30-minute consultation with an employment solicitor
- Advice for employees, executives, partners and employers
- Sunderland claims are usually heard in Newcastle
- 120+ client reviews on Google
- Recognised at the Scottish Legal Awards, Denovo 2025
Our services
How we can help in Sunderland
We advise on the full range of workplace problems, whether you are an employee facing a difficult situation or an employer who wants to get a decision right.
For employees
Advice when something has gone wrong at work, or before you sign anything.
For employers
Practical advice that helps you act fairly and avoid costly tribunal claims.
Local knowledge
Employment law in Sunderland
Sunderland is home to Nissan’s car plant, the largest car factory in the UK, and the factory and its supplier companies remain the largest employers in the region. Service businesses at Doxford International Business Park, the Port of Sunderland and the University of Sunderland add to the local economy. Typical issues include shift and overtime arrangements, restructuring, redundancy consultation and disciplinary procedures.
Shipbuilding ended in Sunderland in 1988 and coal mining in 1993, and the city rebuilt its economy around car manufacturing and service industries. Supplier businesses depend closely on production schedules, so changes to shifts, temporary lay-offs, short-time working and redundancies can arise at short notice. Agency workers also have rights of their own that are worth checking.
For Sunderland employers, from manufacturing suppliers to service and office-based businesses, we advise on contracts, restructuring, settlement agreements, restrictive covenants, absence and performance management and whistleblowing, so that changes are planned properly and handled fairly. We can also help you plan lay-offs, short-time working or redundancy consultation so that the legal steps are followed.
Tribunal hearings for Sunderland
Claims from Sunderland are usually heard by the Newcastle Employment Tribunal at Newcastle Civil & Family Courts and Tribunals Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8QF.
Six-month time limit
Since 1 October 2026, most employment tribunal claims must be started within six months. Before that the limit was three months less one day.
Acas comes first
You normally need to contact Acas for early conciliation before you can make a claim. The time limit pauses while conciliation is under way.
How it works
From first call to a clear plan
1
Tell us what is happening
Book online or call 0141 471 9166. It takes a couple of minutes.
2
Free 30-minute consultation
A solicitor reviews your situation, your options and the likely fees.
3
Decide your next step
Go ahead with us, or not. There is no obligation to continue.
Reviews
Clients recommend us
Questions
Sunderland employment law questions
Short answers to common questions. Every situation is different, so the free consultation is the best place to start.
Can a Glasgow firm advise me in Sunderland?
Yes. The main employment rights, including unfair dismissal, redundancy pay and discrimination protection, are the same across Great Britain. Call us on 0141 471 9166 or book online and we will arrange your free 30-minute consultation by video, by phone or in person. Most of our meetings take place by video, so there is usually no need to travel. Our office is at 11 Ashley Street, Glasgow.
Where would a Sunderland employment tribunal hearing take place?
Claims from Sunderland are usually heard in Newcastle, at the Civil & Family Courts and Tribunals Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8QF. Some hearings also take place by video. We will explain what to expect at each stage.
How long do I have to bring a claim?
For most claims the time limit is now six months from the date of the act you are complaining about, such as your dismissal. This changed on 1 October 2026; before then it was three months less one day. You usually need to start Acas early conciliation first, and time limits can be strict, so speak to a solicitor as early as you can.
Can you help Sunderland businesses with staff issues?
Yes. We advise employers of all sizes on contracts, restructuring, settlement agreements, restrictive covenants, absence and performance management, and handling whistleblowing reports.
Employment solicitors near Sunderland
Get in touch
You are one step closer to solving it
We are here to help. Relax, you are in good hands. Book a free 30-minute consultation and an employment solicitor will explain your options in plain English, with no obligation to continue.