Whistleblowing & sexual harassment — a new era of protection from April 2026
We explain exactly what’s changing, how the new protections will work and what employers need to know.
Employment law solicitors in Preston, Lancashire
Our award-winning solicitors support employers and senior professionals with the full spectrum of employment law legal services.
Talk to us
Clear, concise legal advice for employers and individuals across Lancashire
Our employment solicitors have deep experience in supporting organisations and professionals.
As one of the largest and most specialised legal teams in England and Wales with a number of ‘Leading Partners’ and ‘Next Generation Partners’ and ‘Key Lawyers’, we offer the full suite of services, covering:
- Contracts, policies & frameworks — advising employers on preparing and updating employment contracts, service agreements and robust HR policies and procedures.
- Employment disputes & claims — representation and advice in relation to tribunal claims of all kinds, including unfair dismissal, discrimination and whistleblowing.
- Immigration — strategic advice for employers on UK immigration law, helping businesses adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape.
- Redundancy, restructuring & TUPE — helping organisations to manage legal risks, employee relations and reputational impact through restructuring and redundancy exercises.
- Recruitment & workforce solutions — supporting recruiters to navigate all areas of employment law include Agency Worker Regulations and Gangmaster Labour Abuse Authority issues, modern slavery and National Minimum Wage investigations.
- Reproductive health — helping employers to put policies and practices in place to appropriately support staff experiencing reproductive health challenges.
- Post-termination restrictions & restrictive covenants — advice for employers and individuals on the scope and enforceability of restrictive covenants, including non-compete, non-solicitation, non-dealing and non-poaching obligations, as well as dealing with disputes relating to breaches of covenants.
- Settlement agreements — pragmatic, outcome-driven advice and support for individuals on settlement agreements and senior-level exit negotiations.
- Trade unions & industrial relations — strategic support on trade union engagement and the development of effective, proactive industrial relations approaches as well as advising on industrial action and injunctive relief.
- Employment law training — bespoke programmes for HR teams, managers and in-house teams, focused on reducing risk and avoiding disputes.
Talk to us by calling 0333 004 4488, emailing hello@brabners.com or completing our contact form.
Please to view this map.
A ‘Top Tier’ law firm for employment matters
Our nationally-recognised team — recognised as ‘Leading’ and ‘Top Tier’ in Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500 — will help you develop a commercially-driven strategy tailored to your circumstances.
With over 30 dedicated lawyers and support staff, we offer industry-specific insights across construction, healthcare, hospitality, housing, manufacturing, professional services, recruitment, retail, sport and more.
We’ll also be able to help you navigate an increasingly complex and dynamic legislative and regulatory landscape — which includes the new Employment Rights Act.
We work with businesses and individuals right across the Lancashire region, including those in Preston, Ribble Valley, the Fylde Coast and Lancaster. We also routinely support clients further north in Cumbria.
Meet our Preston employment lawyers
A ‘Top Tier’ employment law firm
“The ‘top-drawer’ [team] has well-established capabilities handling the full spectrum of employment matters for its clientele, including those relating to recruitment, immigration, discrimination, unfair dismissal and corporate exits.”
The Legal 500
“The [employment] team is very in tune with the needs of its clients. They listen and don't impose some pre-set solution. Instead, they provide sensible advice which is generated from their vast collective experience. The team works very well together.”
Client feedback, The Legal 500
“The [employment] partners and associates are very ‘down-to-earth’ without being condescending. There's an absence of buzzwords and complexity in their discourse without any loss of substance.”
Client feedback, The Legal 500
“Simon Whitehead is very personable and manages a prickly client relationship with aplomb. Hannah Morrison is excellent, on top of the detail, leaves no stone unturned and produces excellent quality work within very short timescales.”
Client feedback, The Legal 500
“The employment team was very responsive and supportive during a difficult period... took the time to understand the unique situation and commercial challenges... advice is clear and comprehensive... they act as a team, not simply a collection of individuals from different areas of specialism.”
Client feedback, The Legal 500
“Brabners pride themselves on client contact, where the client grows with the firm.”
Client feedback, Chambers and Partners 2026
Employment law: expert insights
Collective consultation overhaul — 4 key steps for employers
We explore the collective consultation overhaul and detail what’s changing, the associated risks and how employers should prepare.
Statutory Sick Pay reforms — what’s changed?
We explore the changes to Statutory Sick Pay that are due to come into effect from 6 April 2026 and outline what they’ll mean for employers.
Trade union reform under the Employment Rights Act — trends, priorities & planning implications
We break down the latest and upcoming trade union reforms — from ballot changes and electronic voting to wider union access and new employer duties.
Hugh’s Law — statutory paid leave for parents of critically & seriously ill children
We explore Brentford FC’s landmark adoption of Hugh’s Law and its wider implications for supporting parents of critically ill children.
April 2026 changes to NMW, statutory payments & employment tribunal awards
We discuss the increases to statutory payments, national minimum wage rates and unfair dismissal compensation from April 2026.
Cross-border executive appointments — key UK tax & corporate considerations
We outline the key payroll, tax and governance issues that overseas companies typically face when appointing a UK‑based executive.
Managing tax risks for internationally mobile employees — 6 practical steps for employers
We outline the key UK tax issues for employers sending staff to the UK and highlight steps to stay compliant while maximising reliefs.
Autumn Budget 2025 — what international businesses need to know about UK tax changes
We break down what the Budget means for international employers, investors and multinational groups.
The evolution of LGBTQ+ rights at work — landmark cases that transformed UK employment law
We explore how attitudes, rights and workplace protections for LGBTQ+ people have shifted over the past four decades.
Settlement agreement FAQs
Find answers to our most frequently asked questions about settlement agreements and executive severance from our specialist employment lawyers.
Unfair dismissal reform under the Employment Rights Act 2025 marks a significant shift for employers
We explore what the changes will mean in practice — from the new six‑month qualifying period to the removal of the statutory cap on the compensatory award.
Supporting employees during Ramadan — a guide for employers
We explain how employers can build supportive, inclusive environments that recognise both personal needs and organisational realities during Ramadan.
The Fair Work Agency — the quietly radical reform set to reshape UK employment enforcement
We discuss what the Fair Work Agency is, what powers it’ll hold and what businesses should be doing now to prepare.
Employment Rights Act roadmap — what’s changing & when
We break down the Employment Rights Bill (ERB) — what’s changing, when it’s happening and how you can prepare.
Reversing DEI commitments? Essential legal guidance for employers
We explain the legal issues that ‘rolling back’ DEI can create and offer some practical guidance to ensure that your organisation remains compliant.
McLaren v Palou — 5 legal lessons for drafting & managing sports contracts
We examine the consequences of Palou’s defection and the wider lessons for businesses negotiating contracts with athletes or other high‑value individuals.
2026 horizon scan — key legal & regulatory changes ahead
We explore the key developments that in-house lawyers should have on their radar and what they mean for your organisation in the year ahead.
Immigration after the 2025 rule changes — protecting the ‘hidden’ sports workforce
We explore the new immigration changes including higher salary thresholds, stricter qualification levels and limited relief under the TSL.
Employment tribunal early conciliation period doubles to 12 weeks
Individuals who want to take an employment case to a tribunal must first take part in a longer conciliation process.
Umbrella company non-compliance — 9 practical tips for recruiters & employers
We outline what’s changing in April 2026 (and beyond) and provide some practical steps that recruiters using umbrella companies need to take.
Unionisation in sport — what the Employment Rights Bill means for clubs & governing bodies
We explore how the Employment Rights Bill reshapes union access, strike rules and workplace protections for sport organisations.
AB v Grafters — why employers can’t ignore off-site harassment
We break down the case of AB v Grafters Group Ltd and explore some key lessons for employers.
Autumn Budget 2025 — what professionals need to know
We explore some of the key changes from the 2025 Autumn Budget that professionals should watch out for.
Restrictive covenant dispute — Brabners secures successful judgment for Docutech Office Solutions Ltd
Our litigation team achieved a successful outcome for Docutech Office Solutions Ltd in a major claim against a former employee and his new employer.
A purpose-led independent law firm
As well as having founded our own independent charity, The Brabners Foundation, in 2022 we also became the largest UK law firm to become B Corp-certified.
We’re on a mission to make the difference for our people and communities across the Lancashire region.
Northern Ambition
The collaborative network for purpose-led businesses. We’re building a more sustainable and innovative tomorrow.
Read more
Sustainable Business
In 2022, we proudly became the UK’s largest law firm (and the first outside London) to become B Corp certified.
Read more
Community Impact
We channel the energy of our public-spirited people and clients towards improving our local communities.
Read more
Talk to us
Loading form...