It is important for both of us to use my time as efficiently as possible and this means that there is quite a lot that you can do before we meet to save time (and cost).
Employees
I will need to see all paperwork that relates to your employment from the original offer letter, through the contract/particulars of employment, payslips, commission/bonus plans, company pension arrangements, company handbook, appraisals, company grievance and disciplinary procedures and any correspondence (letters, emails, memoranda) with your employers about the problem that you have.
So, please look for them and bring them with you. Ideally, put them in date order (but please do NOT put them in plastic sleeves); it helps if you can provide me with photo-copies but that is not essential.
Next, it is a good idea to write out a short history in your own words of what it is that has made you feel that you need to take legal advice. A page of A4 will usually be enough. It may help to clarify some of the issues in your own mind and will be an invaluable aid to me. Perhaps jot down what particular questions you want to ask.
If you have had any meetings or important telephone conversations which have not been minuted then it is important that you should note down now your recollection of who said what to whom.
I will probably send you a very short questionnaire to fill in too.
Employers
I will need to see all paperwork that relates to relevant employees from the original offer letters, through the contracts/particulars of employment, pay and benefits packages information, commission/bonus plans, company pension arrangements, company handbook, appraisals, company grievance and disciplinary procedures, minutes of meetings.
If there is a specific problem include any correspondence (letters, emails, memoranda) with your employee(s) which are relevant. So, please look for them and bring them with you. Ideally, put them in date order (but please do NOT put them in plastic sleeves); it helps if you can provide me with photo-copies but that is not essential.
Next, it is helpful to prepare a short account about what you need to take legal advice on. A page of A4 will usually be enough: it may help to clarify some of the issues in your own mind and will be an invaluable aid to me. Perhaps jot down any particular questions you may want to ask.
If there have been any meetings or important telephone conversations which have not been minuted then it is important that you should note down now your recollection of who said what to whom.
You can also read some additional notes about Costs and the Progress of a Tribunal Case
