On this page
Primus Solicitors is a national law firm. We act for clients across the UK from our Manchester office, by phone, video or in person. Our employment team acts for employees and workers in disputes with their employers, from a first letter to a full employment tribunal hearing, and for small employers who need a problem handled properly.
What we help with
- Unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal and constructive dismissal.
- Settlement agreements: the independent advice the law requires before you sign, usually paid for by your employer.
- Employment tribunal representation from Acas early conciliation to the final hearing.
- Discrimination because of race, religion, sex, pregnancy, disability, age or another protected characteristic, and harassment and victimisation.
- Unpaid wages, holiday pay and notice pay, including for workers on sponsored or seasonal visas.
- Grievances, disciplinary hearings and performance processes, and advice before you resign.
- Whistleblowing and detriment claims.
- Sponsored workers: if you are dismissed, your sponsor must report it and your leave will be curtailed, usually with 60 days to find a new sponsor. We advise on the employment claim and the immigration position together; see Skilled Worker visa.
Time limits: act quickly
Most employment tribunal claims must be started within six months less one day of the act complained of, for problems arising on or after 1 October 2026 (three months for earlier problems). You must contact Acas for early conciliation first, which pauses the clock. Missing the limit usually ends the claim.
Why choose Primus Solicitors
- A solicitor runs your case. Every matter is supervised by a qualified solicitor, not passed to a call centre.
- Honest advice at the start. The first consultation tells you whether you have a claim, what it is likely to be worth, what it will cost and how long it will take. If the claim is not worth pursuing, we say so.
- Clear fees. Fixed fees where the work is predictable, estimates before every stage, and no surprises: see what it costs.
- Regulated and accredited. Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Lexcel accredited by the Law Society.
- National reach. Phone and video meetings for clients anywhere in the UK; hearings attended across England and Wales.
What it costs
A consultation with a solicitor is £80 for half an hour or £200 for a full hour. After that we give a written estimate or fixed fee for the next stage. Typical costs for an unfair or wrongful dismissal claim, from a simple case settled at conciliation to a complex final hearing, are on our fees page, as the SRA Transparency Rules require. We consider no-win-no-fee arrangements for suitable claims.
Questions people ask
Do I need two years' service to claim unfair dismissal?
For dismissals up to 31 December 2026, yes, in most cases. From 1 January 2027 the qualifying period falls to six months under the Employment Rights Act 2025. Some claims never needed a qualifying period, including discrimination, whistleblowing and dismissal for asserting a statutory right.
Is there a fee to bring a tribunal claim?
No. There is currently no fee to start an employment tribunal claim in England and Wales. You pay your own legal costs, and each side usually pays its own costs whatever the result.
How long does a claim take?
Many claims settle during Acas early conciliation or soon after the claim is issued, within two to four months. A claim that goes to a final hearing often takes a year or more because of tribunal waiting lists.
Can you act if I am outside Manchester?
Yes. Employment tribunal claims are dealt with largely on paper and by video, and we attend hearings across England and Wales.
Our Manchester office and national service
We are at First Floor, 402 Palatine Road, Northenden, Manchester M22 4FZ, open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm, with free parking nearby and the M60 and Wythenshawe tram stops close by. Most clients outside Greater Manchester deal with us by phone and video; we also attend hearings across England and Wales. If you would prefer to meet in person, we can arrange a meeting in your own town by advance arrangement. We advise in English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi.
Ask a question
Not sure where you stand? Ask a solicitor and we will reply by phone or email, or send an enquiry for a free initial assessment.
