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Getting your employment contracts right protects your business, sets clear expectations, and prevents costly disputes. Whether you’re drafting contracts for new hires, reviewing existing agreements, or dealing with a breach of employment contract, you need specialist legal advice that’s practical and commercially focused. We help businesses across Wales and the UK create watertight contracts and policies that safeguard your interests while staying legally compliant.
To speak to an employment law consultant today, call us on 02920 829 100 or use our Contact us form.
Excellent rating by Review Solicitors | Ranked in Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.
A poorly drafted contract of employment can come back to bite you. Maybe a key employee leaves and takes your clients because their restrictive covenants won’t hold up. Perhaps you’re facing a tribunal claim because someone’s contract doesn’t match what they were promised. Or you’ve got contracts from years ago that don’t reflect how your business actually operates now.
Employment contracts aren’t just legal documents, they’re the foundation of your relationship with your staff. They need to protect your business interests, comply with employment law, and be clear enough that everyone understands what’s expected. Get them wrong and you’re exposed to breach of contract claims, tribunal issues, and disputes that could have been avoided.
We work with businesses across Wales and the UK, from startups hiring their first employee to established companies reviewing their entire workforce documentation. Our employment contract solicitors understand what you need: contracts that are legally sound, commercially sensible, and actually usable.
Whether you need contracts drafted from scratch, existing agreements reviewed, advice on contractual changes, or help with breach of employment contract issues, you’ll work directly with experienced solicitors who specialise in employment law for businesses. And if you operate bilingually, we can draft all your contracts and policies in Welsh.
Let’s make sure your employment contracts actually protect your business.
Contact us today for practical employment contract legal advice.
We draft employment contracts tailored to your business needs. Directors and senior executives need detailed contracts with appropriate restrictive covenants, bonus clauses, and termination provisions. Standard employees need clear, compliant contracts covering pay, hours, notice periods, and basic terms. Zero-hours workers, contractors, and consultants each need different agreements. We draft the right contract for each role.
Got existing contracts that need checking? We review your current contracts of employment to spot gaps, outdated clauses, and potential legal issues. We’ll identify weak restrictive covenants, missing terms, GDPR problems, and anything that doesn’t comply with current employment law. You’ll get a clear report on what needs fixing and practical recommendations for updates.
Stopping employees taking your clients, staff, or confidential information when they leave needs properly drafted restrictive covenants. We draft enforceable non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality clauses that actually work. Too broad and they’re unenforceable. Too narrow and they’re useless. We get the balance right based on the role, seniority, and your legitimate business interests.
Employee breached their contract by working for a competitor or taking confidential information? We advise on your options, from sending warning letters through to High Court injunctions and damages claims. We also defend businesses when employees claim you’ve breached their contract over pay, bonuses, or working conditions. Breach of employment contract issues need quick action and clear strategy.
Need to change employment terms? Maybe you’re introducing new working patterns, amending benefits, or updating restrictive covenants. Changes to contracts of employment need handling carefully. Unilateral changes can lead to constructive dismissal claims. We advise on the right process, whether that’s consultation, agreement, or termination and re-engagement as a last resort.
Contracts work alongside handbooks and policies. We draft comprehensive employee handbooks covering disciplinary procedures, grievances, sickness, holiday, expenses, IT use, social media, whistleblowing, and everything else you need. Clear policies prevent disputes and give you solid ground to manage staff issues when they arise.
Director service agreements and senior executive contracts need special attention. These roles warrant detailed provisions on bonuses, share options, company cars, benefits, notice periods (often 6-12 months), and robust restrictive covenants. We draft contracts that reflect the seniority and commercial importance of these positions while protecting your business if the relationship ends.
Zero-hours contracts, casual workers, and flexible arrangements give you staffing flexibility but come with compliance requirements. We draft contracts that give you flexibility while meeting legal requirements around mutual obligations, holiday pay, and workers’ rights. The wrong wording can turn a casual arrangement into a permanent employment contract.
Using consultants or contractors instead of employees? Consultancy agreements and contractor contracts need drafting carefully to avoid “false self-employment” claims and IR35 tax issues. We draft agreements that genuinely reflect contractor status with the right control, substitution, and payment clauses.
Too many employment contracts are generic templates that don’t fit the business. We draft bespoke contracts tailored to your specific roles, industry, and commercial needs. You’ll get contracts that protect your business interests while being clear enough that employees understand them. That’s what specialist contract of employment solicitors should deliver.
We’re Wales’ leading commercial law firm with a Welsh language employment law services. Your contracts, handbooks, and policies can be drafted bilingually, meeting Welsh language standards while being legally sound in both languages. For Welsh businesses, this isn’t optional, it’s essential.
We get that you’re running a business, not just ticking compliance boxes. Our advice balances legal protection with commercial reality. Sometimes the legally strongest position isn’t the most practical. We’ll tell you what the law requires and what makes commercial sense for your business.
You’ll work directly with employment contract solicitors who draft these agreements daily. No juniors learning on your time. When you need advice on a contract issue, you speak to someone who knows your business and can give immediate, practical guidance.
Good contracts prevent problems before they start. We build in clauses that protect you from common issues we see in tribunal claims: weak restrictive covenants, unclear notice periods, poorly worded bonus provisions. Employment contract review solicitors should spot these risks, and we do.
As your business changes, your contracts need updating. We provide ongoing support, reviewing contracts regularly and advising on updates when employment law changes. You’ll have contract of employment solicitors near me (or wherever you need us) who understand your business and can respond quickly.
Over 20 years advising businesses | Ranked in Legal 500 for Employment Law | Full Welsh language services
We start by understanding your business, roles, and commercial priorities. What are you trying to protect? What flexibility do you need? What’s your budget? We’ll discuss your current contracts (if any) and what problems you’re trying to solve. This shapes everything we draft.
We draft new contracts from scratch or review your existing contracts of employment. For reviews, you’ll get a detailed report identifying issues, legal risks, and practical recommendations. For new contracts, we’ll produce tailored agreements that fit your business and protect your interests.
We don’t just hand over legal documents. We explain what the key clauses mean, why they’re important, and how to use them. You’ll understand your contracts, not just possess them. We’re here to answer questions and make sure you’re confident about what you’re asking employees to sign.
Got 50 employees who all need updated contracts? We advise on the rollout process, handling consultation, and managing the change. We can provide template letters, Q&A documents for staff, and support through the implementation. Contract changes need managing carefully.
Employment law changes regularly. We keep your contracts compliant by advising on updates when legislation changes or case law shifts. You’ll have employment contract solicitors you can call when contract issues arise or you’re hiring senior people who need bespoke agreements.
Darwin Gray have provided us with a first-class service for many years now. They really take the time to understand our business and develop relationships which results in advice and support that is contextualised and effective.
Rebecca Cooper, Head of HR, ACT Training
PSS has worked with Darwin Gray for many years. I have always received excellent service. Thank you for prompt professional advice and support.
Ledia Shabani, PSS Group
We have worked with Darwin Gray for several years and have always found their services and advice to be first class with a particular mention to go to Owen John and his assistance with the employment issues and queries we have had over the years.
Karen Gale, Stepping Stones Group
Every contract of employment must include statutory minimum terms: employee and employer names, start date, pay and hours, holidays, sick pay, notice periods, and where you work. Beyond that, include: job title and duties, probation period, benefits, pension, confidentiality, IP ownership, restrictive covenants, disciplinary procedures reference, and termination provisions. Senior roles need more detailed terms.
Yes. Employers must provide written statement of employment particulars from day one of employment (changed from 2 months in 2020). While oral contracts are legally binding, having everything in writing protects both parties and evidences what was agreed. Never rely on oral contracts, always get them in writing.
Ideally by agreement, getting employee consent in writing to the changes. Alternatively, through collective consultation if changing multiple contracts. As a last resort, terminate existing contracts and offer new ones (termination and re-engagement), but this risks unfair dismissal claims. Employment contract solicitors should advise on the safest approach for your specific changes.
Only if they’re reasonable. Courts scrutinise restrictive covenants closely and will only enforce them if they: protect legitimate business interests, are no wider than necessary in scope and duration, and were agreed for adequate consideration. Generic templates often fail. Properly drafted covenants by specialist contract of employment solicitors stand a much better chance.
Employees have full employment rights including unfair dismissal protection (currently after 2 years). Workers have some rights (minimum wage, holidays, discrimination protection) but fewer protections. Genuine self-employed contractors have minimal rights. The contract label doesn’t matter, it’s the actual working relationship. Getting this wrong can be expensive.
You can, but they’re risky. Templates don’t reflect your specific business needs, industry requirements, or role seniority. Restrictive covenants in templates are often too broad (unenforceable) or too narrow (useless). Key clauses may be outdated. Using employment contract review solicitors to check templates before use saves money compared to fixing problems later.
Depends on the breach. Serious breaches (not paying wages, imposing unauthorised changes) can lead to High Court breach of contract claims or constructive dismissal. Minor breaches may be contractual disputes you can resolve internally. Breach of employment contract solicitors can assess whether you’ve actually breached and your exposure if you have.
Statutory minimum is one week for employees with over a month’s service. Most contracts specify longer periods, often 1-3 months for standard roles, 3-6 months for managers, 6-12 months for directors. Longer notice protects you from sudden departures but makes redundancy more expensive. Balance security against flexibility based on role importance.
Absolutely. Directors and senior executives warrant service agreements with enhanced terms: longer notice periods, detailed bonus provisions, share options, benefits, enhanced restrictive covenants, and careful termination clauses. These roles justify more generous terms but also need stronger protections when they leave. Generic contracts don’t work for senior people.
Garden leave allows you to exclude an employee from work during their notice period while still paying them. Useful when employees resign to join competitors, preventing them accessing clients, systems, or staff during handover. Garden leave clauses need explicit wording in contracts. Without them, employees can insist on working their notice.
Not always immediately, but good practice to review regularly. Major changes (like recent flexible working rights) may need contract updates. Minor changes may be covered by “statutory overrides” (law overrules contract). Employment contract solicitors should advise when updates are essential versus nice-to-have. Annual reviews catch most issues.
Yes. You can’t force employees to sign contract changes. If changes are beneficial or neutral, most will sign. If changes are detrimental (reduced pay, increased hours), they can refuse. You can’t dismiss for refusal without risking unfair dismissal claims. This is why consultation and negotiation matter. Employment contract lawyer advice is crucial here.
We’re based in Cardiff and Bangor, but we provide employment contract solicitors services to businesses throughout Wales and across the UK. We work with you however suits best, whether that’s face-to-face meetings, video calls, or phone and email.
Our Cardiff office serves businesses across South Wales including Swansea, Newport, and the Valleys. Our Bangor office supports businesses throughout North Wales including Wrexham, Anglesey, and Gwynedd.
As Wales’ leading Welsh language commercial law firm, we’re particularly experienced drafting bilingual employment contracts and handbooks. For Welsh businesses needing contracts in both languages, or businesses operating under Welsh language standards, we provide expert drafting that’s legally sound in Welsh and English.
Poor contracts cost businesses money through disputes, lost clients, and tribunal claims. Good contracts protect your interests, set clear expectations, and prevent problems.
Whether you’re hiring your first employee, updating outdated contracts, dealing with a breach, or need ongoing support, we can help. We’ll draft contracts that actually work for your business.
If you need any advice on employment contracts, please contact a member of our employment law team in confidence here or on 02920 829 100 for a free initial call to see how they can help.
Direct access. Welsh language services. Commercial advice that protects your business.
To speak to one of our experts today, please contact us on 02920 829 100 or by using our Contact Us form for a free initial chat to see how we can help.
02920 829 100 
