The UK Degree Advantage
You reach this specialism by first qualifying as a solicitor (via the SQE or the Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship) or as a barrister, then building employment-law experience. A law degree helps, but any degree plus the SQE works, and a background in HR or with the CIPD can be a strong route in. Specialist employment knowledge and tribunal experience matter more than the subject of your first degree.
The Role & Expectations
As an employment lawyer you advise on one of the most human areas of law - what happens between people and their work. One day you might draft a contract or a redundancy process for an employer; the next you might represent someone bringing an unfair-dismissal or discrimination claim. You guide clients through Employment Tribunal cases, ACAS early conciliation and settlement agreements, and you keep employers on the right side of fast-changing legislation. The work blends technical law with commercial sense and real emotional stakes.
Daily Responsibilities
- Advise employers or employees on rights and obligations around dismissals, discrimination and pay.
- Draft employment contracts, policies, settlement agreements and tribunal pleadings (ET1/ET3).
- Run Employment Tribunal cases, including disclosure, witness statements and hearings.
- Handle ACAS early conciliation and negotiate settlements.
- Advise on redundancies, restructures and TUPE transfers of staff.
- Keep up with new employment legislation and tribunal and appeal decisions.
- Deliver training and updates to clients or HR teams.
- Manage a caseload and record billable time.