New scheme to help employers better support staff in crisis

Monday 15 January 2018

A local family law firm has launched a scheme to help employers support members of staff who find themselves in a family legal crisis.

Corbett Le Quesne, which was recently set up by Advocates Barbara Corbett and Nick Le Quesne, is inviting employers to register with them and cover the cost of preliminary advice given to the employees who need it.

Advocate Corbett said that the scheme would allow employees to have "immediate access to a qualified and experienced family lawyer for advice in a crisis."

"Once a firm is registered with us, if and when the service is needed, a meeting will be arranged for the member of staff with one of our lawyers. The employee would then be given immediate advice to enable them to deal with the matters of most concern to them, and to protect themselves and their family if appropriate," she commented.

Pictured: The service is being offered by new family law firm Corbett Le Quesne.

The meeting could take place at the firm's office in West’s Centre, in the workplace or at a neutral venue if the employee finds it more comfortable. During the working week, the firm says the meeting could be possible on the same day, or at most within 24 hours.

The meeting, which may last up to two hours, and the subsequent written advice provided to the employee will be entirely confidential to the person involved. But Barbara Corbett says that "instead of a member of staff having the additional concern about the legal costs of such advice, the costs of this will be met by the enlightened employer, at a fixed concessionary rate."

If the person advised then wishes to instruct Corbett Le Quesne - or any other law firm - they would do so as a private client. Alternatively, if the employer wishes to extend the benefit of this service to their staff, arrangements can be made for legal fees to be paid by them on behalf of the employees, either as a full staff benefit, or to be recouped from salary in due course.