I was recently instructed by a client in a professional negligence matter. She had sought to bring an employment claim for unfair dismissal and sex discrimination. It was a potentially valuable claim. She had carried out an Internet search and came across what she thought was a reputable employment law consultancy. But it failed to submit my client's claim in time and was struck out.


Following receipt of my client's instructions, I sent a letter of claim to the consultancy, advising it of the potential claim and requesting my client's file. I received no response. Eventually, I took out an application for pre-action disclosure. On arranging the telephone hearing, I discovered that the consultancy's number had been taken out of service and that it had, essentially, upped sticks and gone.



It is unacceptable that people are put in this position. Employment law is a serious area. As legal aid is not available and contingency fees are not particularly attractive, while most legal expenses insurance policies exclude such claims, the public are expected either to deal with such matters themselves (often against companies which have employed solicitors) or through unregulated consultancies, many of which are run by 'chancers' looking to make easy money.



Lyndsey Ryan, Brian Barr Solicitors, Manchester