If you've lost your job and believe your dismissal wasn't fair, our unfair dismissal solicitors in Chesterfield, Sheffield, Dronfield and Mansfield can explain your legal rights, assess the strength of your case, and help you decide on the most appropriate next steps.
Talk to Banner Jones. We are ready to help you.
Losing your job can be stressful, particularly if your dismissal comes as a shock or you believe your employer hasn't followed the correct process. Our unfair dismissal solicitors across South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire provide clear, practical legal advice to help you understand where you stand and what options are available.
We can help with:
Our specialist employment law team will listen carefully to your circumstances, explain whether you may have a potential claim, and advise you on the most appropriate way forward. We always aim to give straightforward unfair dismissal legal advice that's tailored to your situation, so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
Under the Employment Rights Act 1996, employers can dismiss employees for a number of legitimate reasons. However, for a dismissal to be fair, the employer must have a potentially fair reason and follow a fair procedure.
In some situations, the law gives employees additional protection. These are known as automatically unfair dismissals, where the reason for the dismissal is unlawful regardless of the employer's justification.
Examples of automatically unfair dismissal include being dismissed:
The law recognises five potentially fair reasons why an employer may dismiss an employee, provided they also follow a fair procedure:
In most cases, only employees can bring a claim for unfair dismissal, and you'll usually need at least 2 years' continuous service with your employer (from 1st January 2027, this reduces to 6 months). However, if you've been dismissed for an automatically unfair reason, such as pregnancy, whistleblowing, or asserting a legal employment right, you may be able to bring a claim regardless of your length of service.
If you think you've been unfairly dismissed, it's important not to delay. In most cases, you must begin ACAS Early Conciliation within 3 months less 1 day of the effective date of your dismissal before you can make an Employment Tribunal claim.
You should also consider appealing your dismissal through your employer's internal procedure where appropriate. Failing to do so could reduce any compensation awarded by an Employment Tribunal by up to 25% under the ACAS Code of Practice.
If you're eligible, you can ask your employer to provide written reasons for your dismissal from work. If they fail to do so within the required timeframe, you may have additional legal rights.
If you believe you have been unfairly dismissed from work, it's important to act quickly. Strict time limits apply to employment claims, and the steps you take immediately after your dismissal can affect your legal position.
At Banner Jones, our unfair dismissal solicitors in Sheffield, Chesterfield, Dronfield and Mansfield can assess your circumstances, explain whether you may have a claim, and help you decide on the most appropriate next steps.
We recommend that you:
If you've resigned because your employer seriously breached your contract or made your position impossible, you may have a claim for constructive unfair dismissal. Our constructive unfair dismissal specialists can advise whether you have a potential claim and explain the options available to you.
Get help from Banner Jones' contructive dismissal solicitors
Our employment law team advises employees on workplace disputes including unfair dismissal, disciplinary procedures, settlement agreements, and Employment Tribunal claims. We keep up to date with changes in employment law so our advice reflects the latest legislation and case law.
At Banner Jones, we know how difficult it can be to face the prospect of losing your job. Before recommending any course of action, we'll assess the strengths and potential risks of your case, explain the likely costs, and help you decide whether pursuing a claim is in your best interests.
Our employment law team is friendly, compassionate, and will support you every step of the way. We understand that individuals who come to us are often feeling stressed and anxious about their future. Rest assured that our service is confidential and your case will be handled sensitively.
We know that taking legal action after a dismissal can have a significant impact on your finances. That’s why we offer fixed-fee initial advice appointments and will always discuss the funding options available. We'll also consider whether legal expenses insurance or a no-win, no-fee arrangement may be suitable.
Banner Jones Solicitors’ Employment Law team has won the Sheffield and District Law Society “Employment Law Team of the Year Award” for four consecutive years. Recognised for its trusted advice, responsive service, and strong track record of achieving positive outcomes for employers and employees alike, the team has built an enviable reputation throughout South Yorkshire and the East Midlands.
With offices in Sheffield, Chesterfield, Mansfield and Dronfield, our expert unfair dismissal lawyers have helped thousands of people locally with their employment law cases.
Please call Banner Jones on 0330 017 6304 today or visit our unfair dismissal solicitors in Sheffield, Chesterfield, Dronfield and Mansfield. We are here to support you every step of the way.
A guide for employees with essential information on employment rights, capability, conduct, gross misconduct, redundancy, illegality and automatic unfair dismissals.
Mrs L, Old TuptonKatie is understanding, considerate and very kind and thoughtful in her manner.
Talk to Banner Jones. We are ready to help you.
Most employees need 2 years' continuous service (reducing to 6 months from 1st January 2027) to make an unfair dismissal claim. However, if your dismissal was for an automatically unfair reason, such as pregnancy, whistleblowing, or asserting a legal employment right, you may still be able to make a claim. An unfair dismissal lawyer can advise whether the qualifying period applies to your circumstances.
At Banner Jones, we offer fixed-fee initial advice appointments so you can obtain specialist unfair dismissal legal advice and understand your options before deciding how to proceed. During your appointment, we'll explain the likely costs of any further work and discuss the funding options available.
When choosing an unfair dismissal solicitor, it's important to look for specialist employment law experience, clear advice on the strength of your case, transparent fees, and a funding option that's right for your circumstances. At Banner Jones, we'll assess your case during your initial appointment and advise whether a no-win, no-fee arrangement or another funding option, such as legal expenses insurance, may be available.
In most cases, you must begin an employment tribunal claim within 3 months less 1 day of the effective date of your dismissal, with there also being a requirement to commence ACAS Early Conciliation in this period too. Missing this deadline could prevent you from bringing a claim, so it's important to seek legal advice from an unfair dismissal solicitor as soon as possible.
If your unfair dismissal claim succeeds, compensation will depend on the circumstances of your case. Awards can include a basic award and a compensatory award for financial losses such as lost earnings, subject to any statutory limit that may apply.
You can represent yourself, but employment law can be complex and strict procedural deadlines apply. An experienced unfair dismissal solicitor can assess the strength of your case, explain your options, negotiate with your employer where appropriate, and represent you if your claim proceeds.
Unfair dismissal usually occurs when your employer dismisses you without a fair reason or fails to follow a fair procedure. Constructive dismissal happens when you resign because your employer has fundamentally breached your employment contract. If you're unsure which applies, our constructive dismissal specialists can advise you.
Being dismissed during probation doesn't automatically prevent you from making a claim. Your legal rights depend on factors such as your length of service and the reason for your dismissal. If you believe your dismissal was discriminatory or automatically unfair, you may still have legal protection.
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A guide for employees with essential information on employment rights, capability, conduct, gross misconduct, redundancy, illegality and automatic unfair dismissals.
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Mrs L, Old TuptonKatie is understanding, considerate and very kind and thoughtful in her manner.
Mr. Richard Kay, Operations Manager, Stagecoach East MidlandsWe have used Banner Jones for employment advice for over 20 years and the team have always found the best approach to resolve our problem
David Hart InXpress Sheffield“Katie Ash recently reviewed an employment agreement for me and provided extremely sound and practical HR advice. She took the time to understand my background and business requirements, which proved invaluable for me to reach the right professional solution. She displayed wide industry knowledge in HR employment matters and I would, without hesitation, recommend BannerJones and their legal and consultancy services provided by her.”
