HOW TO HIRE · BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL

How to hire an employment law solicitor in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

An employment law solicitor in Ireland costs €150–€400 per hour, typically around €275. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.

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THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring an employment law solicitor in five steps

  1. Are you on the Roll of Solicitors, and what is your number?A number you can look up yourself before you agree a price — policy Development — employment law solicitors advise businesses on creating workplace policies that comply with legal standards.
  2. How does solicitor's experience change the price?A provider who guarantees the work prices that guarantee in. — ask before the quote rather than after.
  3. How does complexity of the case change the price?The more the brief departs from the usual, the more it costs. — ask before the quote rather than after.
  4. How does geographical location change the price?A visit outside the usual patch is priced higher. — ask before the quote rather than after.
  5. What is not included?Dispute Resolution — solicitors help resolve disputes between employers and employees, such as wrongful dismissal claims — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a employment law solicitor job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

the Roll of Solicitors

A person must be on the Roll AND hold a current practising certificate. Being qualified is not the same as being entitled to practise. Restricted to solicitor holding a current practising certificate: acting as a solicitor; conveyancing and the drawing of certain documents for reward; describing oneself as a solicitor.

Search the Roll of Solicitors for the name or the registration number before you agree a price. lawsociety.ie →

Costs in writing

A legal practitioner must provide a written statement of costs (a section 150 notice) as soon as practicable after taking instructions. If no written costs notice arrives, ask for it before anything else happens. It is the document every later argument about fees depends on.

Ask for the notice before you instruct anyone, and keep it: it is the document any later dispute about the bill is read against.

Insurance

Expect professional indemnity insurance is compulsory for solicitors in practice. From a company, ask for the insurer, the limit and the VAT number, and ask who actually attends: the team that turns up may be employed, subcontracted or both, and only one of those is supervised by the firm you are paying.

Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.

Trader or private seller

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.

Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.

VAT

VAT at 23%, the standard rate Revenue publishes for this service. Ask whether the price you were given includes it. A trader under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge it; one over it must, and must show it separately.

Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →

“Are you on the Roll of Solicitors, and what is your number?”

A good answer: A number you can look up yourself before you agree a price — policy Development — employment law solicitors advise businesses on creating workplace policies that comply with legal standards.

“How does solicitor's experience change the price?”

A good answer: A provider who guarantees the work prices that guarantee in. — ask before the quote rather than after.

“How does complexity of the case change the price?”

A good answer: The more the brief departs from the usual, the more it costs. — ask before the quote rather than after.

“How does geographical location change the price?”

A good answer: A visit outside the usual patch is priced higher. — ask before the quote rather than after.

“What is not included?”

A good answer: Dispute Resolution — solicitors help resolve disputes between employers and employees, such as wrongful dismissal claims — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a employment law solicitor job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.

“Who insures you, and what is the policy number?”

A good answer: Expect professional indemnity insurance is compulsory for solicitors in practice — negotiation of Settlement Agreements — this involves facilitating negotiations between parties to reach a fair settlement before escalating to litigation.

“What do I get in writing, and when?”

A good answer: A written scope and a price before the employment law solicitor starts, and an itemised invoice after — employment Tribunal Representation — solicitors prepare and represent clients at employment tribunals, handling all legal documents and procedural requirements.

Getting the quote right

  • Solicitor's experience — a provider who guarantees the work prices that guarantee in.
  • Complexity of the case — the more the brief departs from the usual, the more it costs.
  • Geographical location — a visit outside the usual patch is priced higher.
  • Time required to resolve the matter — a booked block of time costs less than the same hours spread out.
  • In writing before anyone starts — a message on Locufy counts
  • What is NOT included, named
  • Who actually attends, and whether they are employed or subcontracted
  • The VAT number, and whether it checks out on the Revenue register

Walk away if

  • They are not on the Roll of Solicitors, or the number does not resolve to the name on the quote
  • They will not talk about it: solicitor's experience — a provider who guarantees the work prices that guarantee in
  • They will not talk about it: complexity of the case — the more the brief departs from the usual, the more it costs
  • They will not talk about it: geographical location — a visit outside the usual patch is priced higher
  • A price for the employment law solicitor before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
  • Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
LOW
€150
TYPICAL
€275
HIGH
€400

What an employment law solicitor costs: €150–€400 per hour

Most employment law solicitors quote the job rather than the hour; the hourly rate is what the small jobs are priced from. Contract review and Unfair dismissal claims each carry their own band. Employment Law Solicitor price guide →

Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE

Employment law solicitors near you, with the badges that matter shown

ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.

Or post the job free and let them come to you, or book by the hour.

  1. Look firstSolicitor's experience — a provider who guarantees the work prices that guarantee in — that is what the employment law solicitor is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
  2. Agree what is being doneComplexity of the case — the more the brief departs from the usual, the more it costs — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
  3. The work itselfGeographical location — a visit outside the usual patch is priced higher — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
  4. Check it togetherTime required to resolve the matter — a booked block of time costs less than the same hours spread out — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the employment law solicitor is still there.
  5. What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, employment law solicitors should have relevant qualifications and experience in employment legislation.

Dispute Resolution
Solicitors help resolve disputes between employers and employees, such as wrongful dismissal claims.
Policy Development
Employment law solicitors advise businesses on creating workplace policies that comply with legal standards.
Discrimination Cases
This service focuses on representing clients who have experienced discrimination based on various protected characteristics in the workplace.
Employment Tribunal Representation
Solicitors prepare and represent clients at employment tribunals, handling all legal documents and procedural requirements.
Negotiation of Settlement Agreements
This involves facilitating negotiations between parties to reach a fair settlement before escalating to litigation.
the Roll of Solicitors
The Roll of Solicitors — the list you can search before you book, and the thing a employment law solicitor either is on or is not.

AFTER

When the job is done

Keep the invoice and the paperworkAn itemised invoice with the trader's name, the work and the total — policy Development — employment law solicitors advise businesses on creating workplace policies that comply with legal standards, because it is what a buyer's solicitor, an insurer or a lender asks for long after the employment law solicitor has gone.
Test what was doneDispute Resolution — solicitors help resolve disputes between employers and employees, such as wrongful dismissal claims — and something that does not work on the day is theirs to put right there and then.
Ask what the guarantee isOn the workmanship and on the parts, and for how long each one runs — they are usually different. negotiation of Settlement Agreements — this involves facilitating negotiations between parties to reach a fair settlement before escalating to litigation — under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 what was agreed is what can be relied on.
Leave the reviewOnly a booked job can be reviewed on Locufy, which is why the score on a employment law solicitor's card means something — employment Tribunal Representation — solicitors prepare and represent clients at employment tribunals, handling all legal documents and procedural requirements.

STEP 1Say it in writing, firstSay what is wrong and what you want done. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 the work must be carried out with reasonable skill and care, and defective work put right.
STEP 2Use the make-it-right step on LocufyUnder four stars you are asked whether to send it to the provider first; we follow it through. Then review.
STEP 3Escalate to the body that regulates itReport it to the Roll of Solicitors.
STEP 4Small claimsSmall claims covers €2,000, once you have asked in writing and given them a chance to put it right.

Hiring an employment law solicitor: questions people ask

The cost can vary based on the solicitor's experience, the complexity of the case, and the geographical location. More experienced solicitors or those in larger cities may charge higher rates.

Resolution time can vary widely depending on the case specifics. Simple matters may be resolved in a few weeks, while complex disputes could take several months or longer.

For employment-related issues, it's advisable to hire a solicitor who specialises in employment law. They have the specific expertise necessary to navigate complex regulations and represent your interests effectively.

Many solicitors offer emergency consultations for urgent cases, but availability may vary. It's best to contact solicitors directly to inquire about same-day appointments.

Yes, many solicitors provide comprehensive services and can assist with multiple related legal matters, such as contract reviews and dispute resolutions, often at a bundled rate. Employment law solicitors should have relevant qualifications and experience in employment legislation.

Issues such as personal injury claims, criminal matters, or non-employment related disputes are generally outside the scope of employment law solicitors. It's important to clarify the specific services offered during your initial consultation.

MORE GUIDES

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How to hire: AccountantHow to hire: BookkeeperHow to hire: Payroll ServiceHow to hire: Tax AdvisorHow to hire: VAT ReturnsHow to hire: Self-Assessment HelpHow to hire: AuditorHow to hire: Financial AdvisorAll 701 hiring guides →

Employment law solicitors near you

Employment law solicitors in DublinEmployment law solicitors in CorkEmployment law solicitors in GalwayEmployment law solicitors in LimerickAll employment law solicitors on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. Law Society of Ireland — find a solicitor
  2. Legal Services Regulatory Authority
  3. Legal Services Regulation Act 2015
  4. Consumer Rights Act 2022
  5. Revenue — LAWYERS/SOLICITORS SERVICES (LEGAL SERVICES) — Standard rate
  6. Revenue — current VAT rates (effective 1 January 2026)
  7. Revenue — VAT thresholds: €42,500 for a person supplying services only