AGM 2005-
support your branch

Membership Benefits

Acts of Parliament

Rule Book Benefits

UNISON has entered into arrangements with Thompsons Solicitors to give branches access, through the UNISONScotland office, to local high quality employment advice. 

Other legal benefits include a package of legal services for you and your family, both within and outside work:

	What are the services available?
	Who qualifies?
	Thompsons Solicitors Website
	How to Apply
	Latest Legal News
	Resources and Briefings
	Web Links

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What are the Services?

• Employment Law
• Health & Safety
• Human Rights
• Benefits & Consumer Law
• Work Related Accidents & Diseases
• Non Work Related Accidents
• Leaflets Available

• Family Law Service
• Property, Mortgage & Estate Agency
• Free Wills, Trust & Executry
• Independent Financial Advice
• Road Traffic Scheme
• Criminal Law Service

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Who Qualifies

To qualify for legal help, members will have to show that:

• they were a member at least 13 weeks before they knew they needed legal help 
• their subscriptions are up to date (they must continue to pay subscriptions while the case is going ahead). 
• Special rules apply to industrial diseases 

If you have a problem, for employment matters you MUST contact the branch directly (see who's who section for numbers). 

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Members who want legal help should contact their branch, who can refer the matter to the regional officer or legal department. Members should not instruct solicitors, as UNISON will not be liable for any costs you have to pay.

You will find all Thompson's publications, the latest legal news and fact sheets on a variety of legal issues. www.thompsons.law.co.uk  

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 Latest Legal News

	(02/04) Briefing on Freedom of Information (no 72)
	(02/04) Landmark ruling on workplace bullying: UNISON court victory means employers could now be liable for personal distress of bullying victims
	Annual survey 2003 of violations of trade union rights - ICFTU survey.
	Monitoring and surveillance - a guide to privacy at work - a new guide from Labour Research
	(07/03)  UNISON’s response to review of Employment Relations Act 1999
	(07/03)  Data Protection Code Part 3 Briefing 64
	(06/03)  Data Protection Code - Monitoring at Work
	(05/03)  ACAS Code of Practice-Time Off for Trade Union Duties & Activities
	(05/03)  Maternity Support Leave - May 2003
	(05/03)  1-in-3 NHS whistleblowers has faced reprisals
	(05/03)  Sacking Whistleblowers will cost money
	(04/03)  Cautious welcome for new Employment Law
	(03/03)  Data Protection Codes Briefing 60
	(02/03)  Bargain Brief: Legal; Employment Rights; Health & Safety
	(02/03)  Fixed Term Employees Briefing
	(01/03)  Data Protection Codes Briefing

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Useful Resources and Briefings

	:  Useful Site with extensive publication downloads
	Employment Relations Act- a TUC guide
	Data Protection Act:  Legal Guidance
	Data Protection Act 1998: Subject Access:  Lord Chancellor's Department Consultation Paper
	TUC code sets out limits on workplace snooping
	Severance Payments UNISON Scotland briefing (No. 70):  This briefing paper aims to highlight the impact that severance payments would have on entitlement to state benefits.
	UNISON Scotland Unfair Dismissal Briefing No 56

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Web Links 

	Acts of Parliament
	Daniel Barnett, Barrister
	Data Protection Agency
	Disclaw Publishing - Employment Law
	Employment Tribunals Service
	Personnel Today
	Public Concern at Work
	SCOLAG Online - Scottish Legal Action & Legal Group
	Scottish Law Online
	hompsons Scotland Solicitors (Trade Union Law Firm)
	UNISONScotland Briefings Index