Best Wrongful Termination Lawyers in Stonehaven

About Wrongful Termination Law in Stonehaven, United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, including Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, people often use the phrase wrongful termination to describe being sacked unfairly. In law, two distinct concepts apply. Wrongful dismissal is a breach of contract claim, usually about being dismissed without the notice the contract or statute requires, or in breach of contractual procedures. Unfair dismissal is a statutory claim that tests whether the employer had a fair reason and followed a fair process. A third related concept is constructive dismissal, where an employee resigns in response to a fundamental breach by the employer and treats the contract as terminated.

Employment law is largely the same across England, Wales, and Scotland. Claims from Stonehaven employees are usually heard by the Employment Tribunal in Scotland. Before most tribunal claims, you must go through ACAS Early Conciliation, a free pre-claim process aimed at resolving disputes.

If you believe your employment ended unlawfully, the exact label matters. It affects the legal test, the remedies available, and the time limits. A local employment solicitor can help identify the correct claim and strategy.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need legal help if your dismissal seems rushed, lacks proper investigation, or the reason given does not stack up with the facts. A lawyer can test whether the employer had a potentially fair reason and whether the process met the standards in the ACAS Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures.

Legal advice is especially important if your situation involves complex grounds such as discrimination, whistleblowing, pregnancy or maternity, health and safety concerns, trade union activity, or redundancy selection. These areas carry specific legal protections and, in some cases, do not require any minimum service length.

Lawyers help you preserve evidence, meet strict deadlines, assess the value of claims, and engage in ACAS Early Conciliation. They can also review or negotiate a settlement agreement, explain the tax and confidentiality implications, and ensure you do not waive rights you did not intend to waive.

Local Laws Overview

Key legislation: Employment Rights Act 1996 governs unfair dismissal, notice, redundancy, and related rights. Equality Act 2010 protects against discrimination and victimisation. Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 protects whistleblowers. Trade Union and Labour Relations Consolidation Act 1992 covers redundancy consultation and union matters. Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment Regulations 2006 protect employees in business transfers.

Unfair dismissal basics: Most employees need 2 years of continuous service to claim ordinary unfair dismissal. The employer must show a fair reason such as conduct, capability, redundancy, breach of statutory restriction, or some other substantial reason, and must follow a fair process. Automatic unfair dismissal does not require 2 years service and includes reasons like pregnancy and maternity, whistleblowing, asserting statutory rights, health and safety activities, and certain trade union activities.

Wrongful dismissal basics: This is a breach of contract claim about notice or procedure. If you are dismissed without the contractual or statutory notice you are due, you may claim damages for the notice period and related benefits. Employment Tribunals can hear wrongful dismissal claims up to a financial limit, with larger claims taken to the civil courts in Scotland such as the Sheriff Court or Court of Session.

Constructive dismissal: If your employer commits a fundamental breach of contract, for example serious bullying, unilateral pay cuts, or ignoring grievances about discrimination, you may resign and claim constructive unfair dismissal. This is a high threshold and you should get advice before resigning.

Redundancy: A genuine redundancy requires fair selection, meaningful consultation, consideration of suitable alternative roles, and statutory redundancy pay if you have 2 years service. Using redundancy as a pretext to remove an employee can amount to unfair dismissal.

Process and time limits: Most tribunal claims must be started within 3 months less one day of the effective date of termination. ACAS Early Conciliation is compulsory before lodging a claim and pauses the time limit while conciliation is underway. Keep careful track of dates. Failure to follow the ACAS Code can lead to an increase or reduction of compensation by up to 25 percent.

Remedies: In unfair dismissal, remedies include reinstatement, re-engagement, and compensation. Compensation usually has a basic award and a compensatory award, both subject to statutory rules and caps reviewed annually. In discrimination cases, injury to feelings can be awarded with no statutory cap. In wrongful dismissal, damages aim to put you in the position you would have been in during the notice period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between wrongful dismissal and unfair dismissal

Wrongful dismissal is a contractual breach, commonly about lack of proper notice or breach of contractual procedure. Unfair dismissal is a statutory claim about whether the employer had a fair reason and followed a fair process. You can sometimes bring both, but they are assessed under different legal tests.

Do I need 2 years service to claim

For ordinary unfair dismissal, usually yes. For wrongful dismissal, no, because it is about contractual notice rights after one month of service. For automatic unfair dismissal reasons such as pregnancy or whistleblowing, there is no minimum service requirement. Discrimination claims also do not require minimum service.

How long do I have to start a claim

Most unfair and wrongful dismissal claims must be started within 3 months less one day from the effective date of termination. You must contact ACAS for Early Conciliation before you can submit a tribunal claim, and the time limit is paused while conciliation takes place. Get advice early to avoid missing deadlines.

What counts as a fair dismissal process

Employers should investigate, set out allegations in writing, hold a meeting, allow you to be accompanied, and offer a right of appeal. The process should follow the ACAS Code of Practice. A failure to follow a fair process can make a dismissal unfair even if there was a potentially fair reason.

Can I be dismissed during probation

Yes, but you still have rights. You are entitled to at least statutory notice after one month of service and protection from discrimination and automatic unfair reasons from day one. A probationary label does not excuse discrimination or retaliation for whistleblowing.

What if my employer says it is redundancy but I think it is personal

A genuine redundancy is about a reduced need for work of a particular kind. The employer must consult properly, apply fair selection criteria, and consider suitable alternatives. If redundancy is used as a cover to remove you for other reasons, the dismissal may be unfair and potentially discriminatory.

I resigned because I was being mistreated. Do I have a claim

Possibly. If your employer fundamentally breached your contract, you may claim constructive unfair dismissal. You should normally resign promptly in response to the breach and state your reasons. This area is technical, so seek advice before resigning if possible.

What evidence should I gather

Keep your contract, handbook, dismissal letter, meeting notes, emails, messages, performance data, grievance or appeal documents, and a timeline of events. Save pay slips and any evidence of losses. Avoid taking confidential information that you are not entitled to hold.

How much compensation could I receive

It depends on the claim type, your losses, and mitigation. Unfair dismissal compensation includes a basic award and a compensatory award subject to statutory caps. Wrongful dismissal focuses on notice pay and related benefits. Discrimination can include injury to feelings with no statutory cap. Figures change annually, so get current advice.

Are there fees to bring a tribunal claim

At the time of writing there are no tribunal fees, but policy can change. Check the latest government guidance or speak to a lawyer before issuing a claim.

Additional Resources

ACAS Early Conciliation and Helpline: Provides guidance on your rights, the ACAS Code of Practice, and runs the mandatory early conciliation process before tribunal claims.

Employment Tribunal Scotland: Handles unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal, redundancy, discrimination, and related claims for Stonehaven and the wider region.

Citizens Advice Scotland: Offers free, confidential employment rights advice and help with next steps and deadlines.

Law Society of Scotland: Directory of solicitors who can provide specialist employment law advice and representation.

Equality Advisory and Support Service: Provides advice on discrimination issues under the Equality Act 2010.

Scottish Trades Union Congress and trade unions: Unions can provide representation, legal advice, and support during disciplinary or redundancy processes.

Next Steps

Step 1 - Write a timeline: Note key dates such as when concerns started, disciplinary meetings, the dismissal date, and any appeal deadline.

Step 2 - Gather documents: Save contracts, policies, emails, dismissal letters, notes, and payslips. Back up evidence securely.

Step 3 - Appeal or raise a grievance: Use your employer’s internal appeal process promptly. This can help resolve matters and may affect compensation adjustments under the ACAS Code.

Step 4 - Start ACAS Early Conciliation: Contact ACAS as soon as possible. This is compulsory before most tribunal claims and pauses the limitation clock.

Step 5 - Get legal advice: Speak to a Scottish employment solicitor about your options, time limits, and claim value. Ask about funding, including legal expenses insurance on home or motor policies, union support, fixed fees, or no win no fee arrangements where appropriate.

Step 6 - Consider settlement: If offered a settlement agreement, do not sign without independent legal advice. Ensure the agreement clearly sets out payments, tax treatment, reference wording, confidentiality terms, and what rights are waived.

Step 7 - Issue proceedings if needed: If conciliation does not resolve the dispute, file your claim with the Employment Tribunal within the deadline. Keep evidence of submission and track all dates.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. For tailored advice about wrongful or unfair dismissal in Stonehaven, consult a qualified employment lawyer as early as possible to protect your position and deadlines.