Legal Services

UNISON provides the broadest range of legal help to union members in the UK. We offer advice and assistance not just with work issues, but for you and your family outside the workplace too.

Employment problems
UNISON boasts the largest number of local union reps, branches and officers in the UK. They're your first port of call for advice and support with problems at work. Where necessary they can refer your case to the regional office or UNISON's specialist in-house lawyers and trade union solicitors.

Injury and accidents at work
UNISON has won more than £350 million in compensation for members involved in work-related personal injuries. This includes assaults, industrial diseases and accidents at work, on the way to or from work or on union business. Contact UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857 for more details.

Accidents outside work
UNISON's personal injury service covers any accident which happens to you and your family outside the workplace, including:

• Road traffic accidents
• Accidents in the street
• Accidents while on holiday
• Disease cases
• Slipping and tripping accidents.

Free initial legal advice
UNISON members can get free initial legal advice on any matter not related to work from UNISON's solicitors. This service entitles you to receive a 30-minute telephone interview. The service does not apply to advice on a legal action that you are already pursuing or cover Inheritance Tax issues. Members are not entitled to return for advice on the same issue under this scheme. Phone UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857 for more details.

Work tenancy problems
You may be eligible for advice from UNISON's solicitors if you need to live in particular accommodation as part of your job or your employer has given you accommodation as part of the job.

Wills and conveyancing
Members can use our free wills service and are eligible for cut price conveyancing. Phone UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857 for more details.

Criminal cases
Members get free legal representation if they face criminal charges arising out of their work. This includes representation for members for road traffic offences only if the members job is at risk following a conviction and excludes drink driving offences.

To access this service you should complete a CR form with your branch or alternatively contact UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857 yourself and thereafter complete the CR form with your branch to ensure assistance continues.

Additionally in an emergency outside UNISONdirect hours you can call the criminal helpline on 0800 587 7530.

Immigration
UNISON can provide advice or represent members who experience immigration problems that threaten their employment.

Medical negligence
UNISON offers a free initial screening service for members who have been affected by medical negligence.

Online solicitors' library
Thompsons solicitors' online library offers advice on all sorts of issues from problems with neighbours or goods to trade union rights, discrimination against lesbians and gays at work and clinical negligence: Link to an external website thompsons.law.co.uk