The research into employment lawyers by Cardiff Law School is partly corroborated by our own clients’ experiences of the practices of other law firms (see [2009] Gazette, 2 July, 3). Many clients are bled dry early on in the litigation process by hourly rate solicitors. They approach us to take on their claims with little left in the way of resources and, frankly, without the benefit of having received quality advice from an employment specialist. Over-charging generalists are the bane of our field.

By contrast, we practise ‘affordable representation’. This necessarily involves advising a client on the main funding alternatives, which are: legal help; BTE insurance (normally in home contents, mortgage or credit card insurance policies); trade union funding; ATE insurance (difficult to obtain and expensive); contingency fees; law centre advice; and capped fee arrangements.

There is also funding available from the Equality and Human Rights Commission on matters that fit their strategic priorities. Finally, many firms are blissfully unaware of the Special Cases Unit, which provides funding for representation at the Employment Tribunal on complex cases for claimants on low or no income.

Lawrence Davies, Equal Justice solicitors, London