The 5 best employment lawyers in Belfast who stand their ground
Sometimes it’s not your job you hate—it’s how you’re treated at work. And honestly, putting up with a toxic environment usually makes things worse than taking action.
The good news? Belfast has some top-notch employment lawyers who’ve got your back. When stuff gets tricky, having the right experts on your side can make all the difference.
We’ve rounded up some of the best employment lawyers in Belfast that our team personally recommends.
How much do employment lawyers in Belfast charge for their services?
Employment lawyers in Belfast usually charge £200–500 per hour, depending on seniority. Some offer fixed fees ranging from £500–£1,800 for specific tasks, like reviewing or advising on a settlement agreement.
1. McCartan Turkington Breen Solicitors
Address: 16-18 Gloucester St
Phone: +44 28 9032 9801
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
McCartan Turkington Breen Solicitors handles the full sweep of workplace issues—discrimination, harassment, unfair dismissal, etc.
We looked into some of their cases, and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) holiday pay case is a standout.
Thousands of staff were underpaid due to incorrect calculations. Under John McShane, one of McCartan Turkington Breen Solicitors’ employment lawyers, the firm led a huge class action all the way to the Supreme Court—winning every stage.
What started as a £300k issue became a £30 million liability. It shows just how thorough and relentless the team can be.
The free, confidential, no-obligation consultation is helpful too.
Something that also stood out during our research is their ability to minimise friction between employees and employers.
Several clients highlighted how they were kept updated throughout the process, which we appreciate.
That said, it wasn’t all flawless. Someone did mention a last-minute rescheduling. It could’ve been a one-off, but still worth noting.
The process was handled efficiently from start to finish
“I had an excellent experience with Thomas Brangam at MTB Solicitors. He was professional, friendly, and kept me updated throughout my personal injury claim. The process was handled efficiently from start to finish, and I’m really pleased with the outcome. I’d highly recommend Thomas and the team at MTB for anyone needing a reliable and supportive solicitor.”
Joseph Woods, Google review
I am honestly blown away by these guys
“I am honestly blown away with these guys, especially Harry McAleese, who dealt with my case. From day 1, each person I ever spoke to was so friendly and helpful. When I needed to change appointments, they set it up; it was no bother to them at all. I would definitely recommend them to anyone without hesitation. Thank you so much for everything you have done for me.”
Cheryl Bell, Google review
2. Francis Hanna & Co Solicitors
Address: 32/36 May St
Phone: +44 28 9024 3901
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 1 PM, 2 PM – 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
We really liked how Francis Hanna & Co Solicitors come across as a versatile choice for employment law, whether you’re an employee or an employer.
They’ve handled issues like unfair dismissals, discrimination claims, and even contract disputes.
Clients often highlighted their professionalism and efficacy. Many people said that the team has acted as strong advocates for them.
They were always working in their clients’ best interests and achieving favourable outcomes.
One recurring theme we’ve got is their clarity and patience in explaining complex legal processes. This is very important to us as this makes the whole process easier to understand.
However, some clients mentioned that communication can occasionally be slow. While this doesn’t seem to affect the quality of their work, it may not suit those who expect rapid responses.
They provide an excellent service for your legal requirements
“I would not hesitate to recommend Francis Hanna and Co solicitors. Every member of the team was professional, efficient and dealt with my legal needs swiftly. They always acted in my best interests, being strong advocates for me and making sure I received a good outcome. Francis Hanna and Co. have the expertise and experience to deal with a wide range of legal issues and will take the time to explain the process fully. They provide an excellent service for your legal requirements.”
Laura, Google review
Their efficiency was outstanding
“I recently worked with Karen Connely of Francis Hanna & Co, a family solicitor in Belfast, and I can’t recommend her and her company highly enough. From the outset, they were incredibly helpful, taking the time to understand my situation and explaining complex legal matters in a clear, compassionate way. Their efficiency was outstanding—every step of the process was handled promptly, with regular updates that kept me informed and reassured. They navigated my case with professionalism and care, achieving a positive outcome that exceeded my expectations.”
Billy Stein, Google review
3. O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors
Address: House 75, Courtside, 77 May St
Phone: +44 28 9032 1000
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
O’Reilly Steward Solicitors may cover a lot of legal ground, but their employment law game is pretty solid.
Clients and case histories show they excel in guiding through dismissals, discrimination, redundancy procedures, and more. They even draft contracts and policies for businesses, schools, and individuals.
One example we delved into was an unfair constructive dismissal case.
Their team managed everything from preparing and presenting evidence to cross-examining witnesses and countering the employer’s arguments.
The result? The Industrial Tribunal rules unanimously in the client’s favour, awarding £87,000.
Beyond the legal work, clients repeatedly mention feeling supported and reassured throughout the stressful process.
On the flip side, their employment law team is small. They might not be the best fit for cases requiring a lot of simultaneous attention across multiple employment matters.
I could not have asked for more
“Many thanks to Stuart (and Lisa) for all your professional help and continuous updates throughout the course of my journey with O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors. I could not have asked for more, and I wish you both continuous success.”
Eugene McArdele, Google review
Very professional and dedicated
“The best experiences I could have. Highly recommended O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors, especially Paula and Thomas. They are very professional, very dedicated, they were always willing to answer all my questions without hesitation, very fast and above all, reliable. I thank them enormously for all the help and support they provided!”
Adelina Bejan, Google review
4. O’hare Solicitors Belfast
Address: St.George’s Building, 37-41 High St
Phone: +44 28 9023 4800
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
O’hare Solicitors Belfast really knows its way around employment law, especially on the corporate side.
The team’s experience shows in the way they handle cases. They come across confident and collected, making complex legal processes feel less daunting.
From what we’ve gathered, they cover everything from reviewing internal HR policies to full-blown litigation.
A big part of their strength lies in working with employers. They’ve got experience with retail, hospitality, meat processing, and more.
That means when a company is facing redundancy procedures or other HR challenges, O’Hare Solicitors Belfast’s employment lawyers can give practical advice tailored to the industry.
Maura Herron, the lead partner, isn’t only leading the legal team but also advising corporate clients on all sides of employment law.
That said, if you’re an individual employee hoping for a fierce advocate, they may feel a bit tilted toward employers.
They do represent employees and have some union ties, but most of their energy seems to go into helping companies stay on the right side of the law.
Evident depth of experience in employment law
“I had a great experience working with Solicitor Mr Liam Magill. His depth of experience in employment law is immediately evident and really came through in his collected and confident legal approach. He made the entire process straightforward and took all the stress and worry off my shoulders…”
Olivia Litter, Google review
Very proactive, always on time, responsive, and reasonable
“I had a great experience working with Andrea and the team at O’Hare Solicitors. They were very proactive, always on time, responsive, and reasonable throughout the process. Everything was handled exactly as promised…”
Srikanta Patra, Google review
5. Oracle Solicitors
Address: 58 Howard St
Phone: +44 28 9002 2371
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
Oracle Solicitors handles all kinds of employment law issues. We liked how they work with both employers and employees on things like unfair dismissal claims, redundancies, workplace restructuring, and more.
According to clients, the team is professional, compassionate, and easy to understand. They explain things without confusing legal jargon and often help resolve cases quickly.
They’re also strong when it comes to advice on workplace policies, compliance, and other regulatory matters.
It makes them a good choice for businesses that need to manage risks and follow the rules properly.
Some clients, like Watford Council, specifically praised them for practical and respected guidance during workforce changes.
However, some people have also mentioned instances where Oracle can be slow to return calls.
Professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive
“I had a wonderful experience working with Maggie Guade! She was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive throughout the entire process. Maggie went above and beyond to ensure everything went smoothly, and her attention to detail truly stood out. It’s rare to find someone so dedicated and personable. I highly recommend her services to anyone looking for a reliable and trustworthy professional. Thank you, Maggie!”
Narobika Abrham, Google review
I have heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for her highly professional work
“I started my journey with Sir. Kiven, who was very friendly, easy to find and very helpful. Then he handed over my claim to the brilliant, creative and clever solicitor Maggie Guada, who has done more than an amazing job. I have heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for her highly professional work. I will remain thankful to her always. I highly recommend her.”
Sarah Dawood, Google review