Employment and Discrimination Advice
The Law Centre provides free, independent advice on employment and all discrimination matters. We cannot advise employers, landlords or service providers. We can advise on all areas of discrimination law including:
- Equality Act 2010
- Disability discrimination
- Race discrimination
- Sex/Gender discrimination including transgender
- Age discrimination
- Religion or belief discrimination
- Sexual orientation discrimination
- Court claims
- Equal pay
- Maternity and family rights
- Family-friendly rights
- Unfair Dismissal
- Contract problems
- Employment Tribunal claims
We can also provide representation at court and tribunals in appropriate cases if resources allow.
Employment matters
We have a Legal Services Commission contract to provide specialist Legal Help in employment law. For funding by the Legal Services Commission you will need to be financially eligible for us to help you.
We are funded by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission to advise and assist in all cases of discrimination.
Our service covers Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Somerset.
If you need advice and want us to consider your case please telephone us. If we cannot help we can signpost to other services if necessary.
Click here for a list of papers to bring to the Law Centre when seeking employment Advice.
How to contact us - employment matters
- Our employment and discrimination line is open on Wednesday between 10am and midday on 0117 9167727. During this time you can call this number to get advice and help. Unfortunately, we cannot respond to voice mails so please do not leave messages. After discussing your case with an employment caseworker, we may be able to offer you an appointment.
- We also offer face-to-face appointments during the day with our caseworkers. These appointments must be booked in advance by contacting our Reception on 0117 9248662.
- We can also offer one-off evening appointments with employment lawyers from local law firms who attend the Law Centre on a voluntary basis. These appointments deal with non-discrimination matters. To book an appointment you should contact reception on 0117 9248662.
- In some cases, another agency can refer your cases to us. The advice agency will discuss this with you. The advice agency that is helping you can also get consultancy help from us (they will continue to assist you but with our help).
Discrimination in the provision of goods and services
We are funded by the Equalities & Human Rights Commission to advise and assist in cases of discrimination in the provision of goods and services. This is where you are denied a service or are treated badly by a service provider or a business and that treatment is discriminatory. For example, you are refused entry to a cafe, club or restaurant because of a disability, your race or your sexual orientation. It also includes discrimination in education or housing.
Disability discrimination
We now have a Legal Services Commission contract to advise and assist in cases of disability discrimination in particular in the provision of goods and services. This may include refusal of entry to a restaurant , difficulty in accessing buildings and public spaces or difficulties arising in education. However, this list is not exhaustive and we will discuss any questions with you if you ring our advice line. Leave a message with your contact details and we will ring or email you back. For funding by the Legal Services Commission you will need to be financially eligible for us to help you.
For more information about disability discrimination, please read 'Don't stand for disability discrimination'. If you have an enquiry or would like to make a referral, please call us or use the referral forms below.
Don't stand for disability
discrimination leaflet
Disability
discrimination referral form - word format
Disability
discrimination referral form - pdf format
Click here for a list of papers to bring to the Law Centre when seeking discrimination advice.
How to contact us - non-employment discrimination cases
- Our goods and services discrimination line is open on Tuesday mornings between 10am and 12 noon on 0117 9167704. During this time you can call this number to get advice and help. You can call outside this time and use our voice mail service. An advisor will ring you back. After discussing your case with a discrimination caseworker, we may be able to offer you an appointment.
- You can also contact us by fax, e-mail or minicom for advice about discrimination relating to goods services and facilities and housing.
| Fax: | 0117 9248020 |
| Minicom: | 0117 9245573 |
| EMail: | mail@ablc.org.uk |
Other useful websites
Please note that we cannot vouch for the content of these external websites.
Direct Gov. This website provides an introduction to to employment and discrimination law and legal aid, and contains information about how to get help or find an adviser.
Equality and Human Rights Commission The EHRC has a statutory remit to promote and monitor human rights; and to protect, enforce and promote equality across all the strands of discrimination. Contains pages of advice and resources to be used by claimants who are considering whether to pursue discrimination cases.
Liberty. Liberty seeks to protect civil liberties and promote human rights for everyone. There is a useful section on Human Rights
The Public Law Project. An independent, national legal charity which aims to improve access to public law remedies for those whose access is restricted by poverty, discrimination or other similar barriers. Has a section with information leaflets.
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS). Offers advice on employment rights and best practice for employers.
Her Majesty's Courts Service. Information leaflets and court forms on making monetary and non-monetary claims. Monetary claims can be made online
Employment Tribunals. Contains information about how to take a case to a tribunal.