UCU legal support

If you have a problem at work please contact your branch or local association to avoid unnecessary delay.

However, sometimes disputes cannot be resolved locally. Consequently, the union offers legal services to members.

On this page, you will find information about the key points of our scheme, and how to apply under it. Please note that there are time limits applicable to claims which are to be brought in either the tribunals or the courts. More information on the time limits is available in the UCU Support Centre.

If you have any questions about UCU's legal scheme please check the UCU legal services FAQs.

Your regional office can also provide you with more information about the legal scheme and the regulations under which the scheme is operated. If you have any questions about the scheme you can also contact legalservices@ucu.org.uk.

UCU legal scheme: key points

The scheme covers employment rights, personal injury (including workplace stress), police enquiries and immigration employment advice.

It excludes defamation, representation by your own legal advisers, where your interests are in conflict with UCU's, and to bring legal action against UCU.

You must be a member of UCU whose subscriptions are up to date. Unless you joined UCU at the earliest opportunity you may be asked to pay a year's subscription in order to receive legal services. Advice will not be provided about matters which occurred when you were not a member.

UCU will not meet legal costs it has not specifically authorised.

Below you will find some other useful UCU guides:

• UCU legal services FAQs
• UCU guide to employment tribunals
• UCU Legal Scheme Regulations, April 2021 [197kb]
• Handling casework: a guide for UCU reps [701kb]

Employment rights

If you are involved in a dispute with your employer arising from your work, the union can offer you advice on your rights and remedies. In some cases, the union will also provide legal representation.

To apply for assistance you must contact your branch or local association who can refer you to the regional office.

Police enquiries

If you are asked by the police to attend an interview in connection with an investigation arising from your work, the union can arrange for a lawyer to accompany you to that interview. If you are charged with an offence, the union also offers a full criminal defence service utilising Thompsons Solicitors LLP Criminal Law Unit.

To apply for assistance, you must contact your regional office as soon as you are notified that the police wish to interview you.

Personal injury

If you think you have a personal injury claim you should log into to 'My UCU'. Or you can  email us at injuredatwork@ucu.org.uk and one of our advisers will contact you to obtain the relevant information before making the referral to one of our panel firms.

Find more information here.

Immigration employment advice

If you require assistance with a matter concerning your ability to live (or continue to live) and work in qualifying employment in the United Kingdom please contact UCU's Legal Services team who will refer you to specialist immigration lawyers Bindmans LLP.

If you have a question about immigration and your right to work please also see the UCU Support Centre.