Employment and Immigration

Whether you’re an employee worrying about workplace wrangles, or a global business struggling to interpret immigration rules, our legal advisers will help you find solutions to your employment or immigration problems.

We deliver what you need, when and how you want it – whether that’s quick legal advice over the phone, working by your side on complex cases and litigation, or giving you in-house support if you need extra help when the pressure is on.

Key contact

Michael Stokes

Michael Stokes

I chose to specialise in employment law because it’s all about people. No two cases are ever the same, and the clients I work for vary hugely from local authorities to large employers in the private sector, like British Airways and Arriva. I also help growing businesses and charities, as well as individual claimants looking for fair treatment from their employers.

Our experience

Our 40-strong team offers specialist advice and support on everything from employment contracts and HR policies to settlement agreements, restructuring, TUPE and complex grievance and disciplinary processes. We have unrivalled expertise in discrimination issues, including gender pay, mental health and sexual harassment cases, as well as immigration experts who can help individuals with visa applications or employers hoping to bring employees to the UK.

Our accessible and friendly team includes solicitors, barristers, legal executives, HR consultants and trainers, with years of unsurpassed experience in handling complex and challenging employment law and immigration cases. We are really passionate about our jobs, and we care passionately about the people we help too.

Our clients

Our clients are hugely diverse in terms of what they do and what they need from us, but they all have one thing in common – the need for strong support, expert advice and empathy in crucial moments of decision.

We support private individuals in a variety of industries, ranging from senior executives to personalities in the public eye, such as actors and sports stars. We also work with employers in medium-sized and major national and international companies. Our experience lies in both the public and private sectors from local government, the NHS and education to manufacturing, aviation, business services and recruitment.

Future Workspaces from Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Future Workspaces – tackling the changing employment landscape

Employment in 2024 – it’s complex, it’s different, and it calls for a new approach.

Over the past five years, we have all seen irrevocable changes to the employment landscape. Brexit, Gen Z’s entry into the workplace, COVID-19, and the cost-of-living crisis have all had their part to play. And whilst some trends have come and gone, and some challenges left behind more impacts than others, many of the changes are here to stay, for you and your employees to navigate together.

Download the report

Recognition of our work

Investors in People

Investors in People

Legal 500 2026 – Top Tier Firm

Legal 500 2026 – Top Tier Firm

Legal updates and thought leadership

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Hear what our clients say about us

Andrea Thomas is pragmatic and willing to accept advice. I found her service to the client to be engaged and thorough.

Client testimonial Legal 500 2026

Chris Mayers is very experienced and seasoned. He provides meaningful, measured and wise counsel and his personable inclusive style provided very calm and invaluably reassuring to me.

Client testimonial Legal 500 2026

Adam Cotterill attention to detail made the experience very comfortable. His written and verbal communication when describing or explaining the legal terminology ensured I had a clear and concise understanding of each process. I would highly recommend him to any future clients requiring immigration law assistance.

Client testimonial Legal 500 2026

HCR initially assisted with a challenging Ancestral Immigration/Citizenship query. The individuals involved were able to thoroughly and extensively review historical policies and legislation. Their collaboration as a team (including me throughout the process) provided confidence for me to proceed (along with their continued support) with the UK Citizenship application.

Client testimonial Legal 500 2026

I can only commend Adam on the service he provided, his attention-to-detail, along with his professional yet personal nature made the experience very comfortable. His written and verbal communications when describing or explaining the legal terminology ensured I had a clear and concise understanding of each process.

Client testimonial Legal 500 2026

Elizabeth Swinburn has excellent legal knowledge, took time to understand our needs and objectives, knowledge of red flags for charities clients , responsive and good at managing expectations, reliable and a total pleasure to deal with.

Elizabeth Swinburn Employment

Rachel Roberts and Ellis Jessica Walby were exemplary; I would not hesitate to instruct them again, or recommend them to others.

Client testimonial Legal 500 2026

Highly proactive, engaged, with exemplary communication across the team, to the client, and to other parties. They demonstrated evident experience and deep expertise in employment law; and were able to utilise that expertise with insightful approaches and advice.

Client testimonial Legal 500 2026

Team members have worked collaboratively to ensure that all of our customer requirements have been met during any personnel absences. An impressive set-up.

Client testimonial Legal 500 2026

When dealing with matters like immigration and visas, the process can get quite stressful. HCR were there every step of the way, ensuring we were kept up to date on any progress, and helping us to plan for any next steps.

Client testimonial Legal 500 2026

I highly value how knowledgeable they are in their field. The lead solicitor tending to my case has proven multiple times to be a very capable lawyer, able to identify key elements in my case and provide clear plans of action every step of the way.

Client testimonial Legal 500 2026

Katherine is professional, sensitive and efficient, which made all the difference in my circumstances. What was a personally challenging and difficult time was made smoother and easier by Katherine’s professional support and diligence.

Katherine’s communication style is firm but respectful, which helps to progress matters where required. Katherine was honest and open about processes, fees and charges, and did her best to work within structures laid out, maintaining efficient communication throughout. I’m hugely grateful to Katherine.

Client testimonial

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