Legal Services

UNISON members can access quality legal services for work and non-work issues at no extra cost. Find out what's available to you.

UNISON provides quality legal services for employment-related and non-work issues at no extra cost to members and their families. UNISON provides the broadest range of legal help to union members in the UK.

What do UNISON legal services cover?

Employment advice — expert guidance on your rights at work
Personal injury — covers any accident that happens outside or in the workplace, including assaults at work, industrial disease claims, road traffic accidents and accidents on holiday
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) claims
Work-related criminal offences
Wills — free wills service for members, with reduced rates for family members
Conveyancing — discounted rates for members and their families
Clinical negligence — free screening service to assess potential legal claims for members and their family members affected by clinical negligence
Free legal advice on non-employment issues from UNISON's lawyers — you are entitled to a 30-minute telephone interview

Essential legal services from UNISON

UNISON works in partnership with leading specialist personal injury lawyers Thompsons Solicitors to provide essential legal cover for members and their families. If you or a loved one has been injured you can claim with confidence using the UNISON legal service. Your case will be handled by an expert lawyer — and thanks to your UNISON membership, you access this at no extra cost.

Legal support on work-related issues

UNISON members can get free legal advice and assistance with work-related issues through our legal assistance scheme.

Legal helpline for reps

A legal helpline is available for accredited UNISON stewards and lay officers who need urgent preliminary legal advice on employment matters. If the matter is not urgent, contact your regional office as normal to get a referral for legal advice.

Legal services for you and your family

UNISON members can access free initial legal advice on non-work related issues, along with support for personal injury cases outside work, a free wills service, low-cost conveyancing and help with immigration issues.

Access to legal services

Although Thompsons Solicitors are UNISON's approved legal firm for certain services, you must contact UNISON directly to get free access to these services.

Injuries at work — your rights explained

Gerard Stilliard, head of personal injury claims at Thompsons Solicitors, outlines how you can access legal support if you have been injured at work.

The best employers recognise that proper health and safety is vital and take steps to ensure they keep their employees as safe as possible in the workplace.

At Thompsons, we see first-hand the devastating impact on workers and their families when health and safety is compromised — usually when management is under pressure to cut costs. That is why, as a proud partner of UNISON, we work with your union to actively promote the benefits of union membership and support you and your families with legal claims.

Your employer's 'duty of care'

Your employer owes you a duty of care to protect your health, safety and welfare while at work. They should:

Follow health and safety legislation
Conduct adequate risk assessments
Provide health and safety training
Supply sufficient PPE
Ensure equipment is in safe working order and regularly maintained
Reduce risk as much as reasonably possible

If your employer has failed in their duty of care and you have been injured at work as a result, you may be able to bring a compensation claim.

Making a compensation claim

The law requires employers to avoid exposing employees to foreseeable risks wherever possible. If you've been injured as a result of your employer's failure to comply with this duty, Thompsons can help you claim the compensation you deserve.

Thompsons Solicitors work on a no-win-no-fee basis for UNISON members, so you can pursue a claim without financial risk to yourself.

Need help now?

Contact your branch representative or UNISON Direct:

UNISON Direct: 0800 0857 857 (Monday to Friday, 6am to midnight; Saturday, 9am to 4pm)
Online: my.unison.org.uk

Last updated: 31 January 2023