Get help

We read every client email carefully. If your enquiry is within our remit, we will contact you to gather further information (including financial need, which is essential, and equalities data, which you can skip). We will then look to book you a free consultation with one of our legal advisers.

The consultation is an opportunity for you to understand your rights and the possible solutions to your issues, and any risks that apply to your case.

We will need you to send us all the relevant evidence in good time, to enable us to advise you.

Depending on your case and needs, you might have a consultation with:

• An employment adviser - who will advise on your employment rights, any employment claims you could bring, their merit, and how you might negotiate with your employer.

• An immigration adviser - who will look to determine your immigration history, current status, and any options for accessing a more secure status.

• An employability adviser - who will support you with practical job search strategies.

• A mix of the above. For example, you might want to speak to an employment adviser if you are mistreated at work, but may need a separate consultation with an immigration adviser if you are worried about how ending employment might affect your visa. 

Generally, each adviser you speak to will give you some information and advice during the consultation and/or send a letter of advice later. This is an email summary of your discussion and practical steps you can take. 

The follow-up then depends on the nature of the enquiry. Most consultations are a one-off. This is because representation is complex and very time-consuming, and we only have the capacity to take a few cases every month.

If we can’t represent you, we will give you every tool possible to address your issue. You can also book another consultation for further advice when your case reaches a new milestone.

It is important to remember that your employment and immigration prospects may differ, so we encourage you to pay close attention to the advice you receive from subject specialists.

Unfortunately, we cannot advise everyone who contacts us. This will usually be because of our:

• Eligibility criteria. We are only able to support people who are in the UK, on low-incomes, and are not supported by a union or legal adviser already. If you live abroad, we would have to determine that advising you will make a positive impact to ending precarious work in the UK.

• Expertise. We specialise in employment and immigration legal advice, and have a small employability clinic operating on Saturdays. Due to cost risks, we are not able to support self-employed individuals to bring claims in the County Court. Take a look at our guide, Claim your rights, for information on how to bring a money claim yourself. 

• Capacity. We have a small team of advisers who can only take a limited number of new cases in any one week. This is because we will never drop existing clients without good reason, such as reaching a resolution or for breach of conduct. 

If we can’t advise you, we will signpost you to alternative sources of advice and information. See our work rights, immigration rights, and Universal Credit guides, which answer some of the most common questions brought to our clinic.

Please read our client charter to understand what we expect from our clients, and what you can expect from the Work Rights Centre.