NEW BUSINESS: workers and employers seek legal advice

Deteriorating industrial relations in the UK will lead to an upsurge in work for employment solicitors, a leader in the field has predicted, as lawyers forge ahead as the main source of advice for clients affected by disputes.

David Bradley, partner at City firm DLA, spoke out after the firm published its 11th annual survey of 370 employers and 22 trade unions on industrial relations trends, which found that 62% of those embroiled in disputes consulted a law firm first.

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) was second with 38% turning to the organisation for support.

In previous years, ACAS was more popular than independent legal advice.

Just over one in five - 22% - did not seek outside help but relied on their own knowledge.

The survey found that strike action had almost doubled over the last 12 months, with 22% overall and 44% of public sector employers saying they had faced action and almost half - 48% - expecting matters to get worse.

Pay disputes accounted for 36% of action, followed by working conditions (25%), and job security (24%).

Mr Bradley said solicitors must bring themselves up to speed on striking, procedures such as balloting, and predicted that greater agency staff rights - which mirrored a shift in the law towards protection for employees - would also provoke more actions.

'There will be more work for people with a reputation in this field,' he added.

'However, this is an area where you don't just need to know the law, you have to have a feel for the politics.'

In the same week, the Trades Union Congress called for greater rights for 'casual' workers, more emphasis on the work-life balance and more consultation with workers on key workplace decisions.

Paula Rohan