Employment Law Specialist in Belfast
Employment law specialist based in Holywood, County Down
I completed my degree at Queen's University Belfast, followed by an apprenticeship with a highly regarded city centre practice, qualifying as a Solicitor in 1993. I have considerable litigation experience dealing with both employees and employers, as well as providing support on everyday employment issues such as disciplinary procedures, contracts of employment, redundancy and formal grievances.
Over the years I gained a wealth of experience within the legal profession, joining a large firm in County Down where I established their employment unit, relocating strategically to the Belfast office.
In October 1999 I opened this practice in Holywood, specialising in employment law and providing advice and assistance on the challenges faced by both employers and employees in the workplace.
Lodge a written grievance with your employer, meet to discuss it, and appeal if you are not happy with the outcome. If you remain unhappy, you can take your case to an Industrial Tribunal or the Fair Employment Tribunal.
You must normally have 12 months' continuous service to lodge a standalone unfair dismissal claim, though if discrimination and dismissal are linked, a claim may still be possible with less service.
Straightforward unfair dismissal claims can be listed and heard within a matter of months, while claims with a discrimination element can take up to 6 months to be listed.
An employee must be continuously employed for more than 2 years before qualifying for redundancy pay, and is entitled to a consultation period and to know the reason for selection.
The maximum award for unfair dismissal is in the region of £66,000. Discrimination awards are typically in the region of £2,000 to £25,000, with the average award in Northern Ireland around £6,000.
Yes, an initial free telephone consultation is offered, with any further consultation charged at an hourly rate communicated to you in advance.
Failure to provide a contract within 2 months of your request may entitle you to compensation for loss of statutory rights, usually around 2 weeks' salary.
If you have 1 year's continuous service and are sacked without investigation or appeal, the dismissal will be automatically unfair and challengeable at an Industrial Tribunal.
Contact Sheena Murphy today for tailored advice and a free initial consultation.
