Recruitment

Hiring the right people carries legal risk. It’s a process to get right from the start. From job ad to offer letter, our employment team helps you recruit fairly, lawfully, and confidently. We’ll help you attract great candidates while reducing risk and protecting your reputation.

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Recruitment

Strategic recruitment audits

We’ll review your recruitment process to find legal or reputational and operational risks. You’ll get a clear action plan to make sure your hiring is consistent, efficient, and compliant, aligned to your business goals.

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Inclusive job descriptions and adverts

Job ads and role profiles should be clear, inclusive and legally sound. We can help you draft them and check against the Equality Act and sector regulations.

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Fair and objective selection criteria

It’s important to compare candidates fairly and defend decisions if challenged. We build scoring systems and shortlisting tools that help you do this effectively.

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Interviews, training, and documentation

We provide practical tools like interview guidance, question banks, right-to-work checklists and onboarding documents. We also offer training to reduce bias and ensure interviews are run fairly.

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Resolving complaints and defending claims

If a recruitment process is challenged, we’ll support you. From resolving complaints to defending Tribunal claims, we’ll reduce cost and keep disruption to a minimum.

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Questions we’re often asked

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What laws apply to recruitment?

Recruitment is governed by the Equality Act 2010, UK GDPR, right-to-work rules, and any industry regulations that apply to your business.

How can we avoid discrimination in hiring?

Use inclusive language in ads, set clear and objective selection criteria, use structured interviews, and keep proper records. Training your team also helps reduce bias.

Do we need consent for diversity monitoring?

No. You can rely on lawful bases like substantial public interest, provided you use safeguards and issue a clear privacy notice.

What should we include in an offer letter?

Set out the role, salary, start date, any conditions (like references or right-to-work), and include the main terms of employment.

When do we need to make reasonable adjustments?

When a disabled applicant would otherwise be at a disadvantage. This includes application forms, interviews, and assessments.

Can we reject someone because of a spent conviction?

Not usually. You can only take spent convictions into account if your role is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

Georgia was incredibly helpful throughout the process of reaching a settlement with a previous employer. Georgia took the time to understand my personal situation and provided clear, considerate, and professional guidance at every stage. Her support made a complex process much easier to navigate, and I felt reassured knowing I was in capable hands.

Employment Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

Chris is a great listener, clear communicator and, in my opinion, a genuinely good, kind human being. I have no hesitation in recommending Blacks in Leeds for any legal matters you may have; you'll be in good hands.

Employment Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

I have dealt with Chris Allen recently concerning some rather upsetting and extremely delicate matters. Chris and the team have proved to be reassuring, down to earth and absolute consummate professionals.

Employment Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

Blacks helped us think beyond the sessions by supporting us to consider how the legislative changes translate into day to day behaviours and what this means for our culture in anticipation for our policy to be launched. This has supported follow on training delivery internally surrounding misogyny, misogynoir and trans-misogyny.

Employment Training Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

We had an excellent experience working with Blacks. From the moment we reached out to request training, they responded quickly and took the time to meet with us early on to understand our needs and the wider organisational context. They were patient and flexible as we worked through our planning.

Employment Training Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

Ellie was absolutely amazing through the whole process. She made me feel at ease and was very efficient at replying to my emails and queries. I would also like to say a thank you to Jemma who was the first one I engaged with and made me feel comfortable and less anxious.

Employment Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

I worked with Tom during a very stressful and time-sensitive settlement, and I’m genuinely so grateful for his support. From the start, he was calm, practical and incredibly thorough, which made a huge difference at a point when everything felt overwhelming.

Employment Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

The service was 11 out of 10! Ellie kept me on the straight and narrow. She navigated the legal side and the emotional side incredibly well. She advised me brilliantly and I couldn’t be happier with that

Employment Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

Euan Lawrence helped me with a HR issue with a former employee, and I was extremely impressed by his professionalism and the clarity of his advice in translating complex legal ease for the less legally minded individuals such as myself – I would fully recommend.

Employment Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

Outstanding service from start to finish. The team’s work rate, speed of response, and legal knowledge were second to none. They consistently went above and beyond to get things done efficiently and with care. Special thanks to Richard P and Pete K for their exceptional support – true professionals!

Blacks Client

Experts in every area

Managing Partner

Ellie Broadhurst

Associate Solicitor

Jemma Fieldsend

Georgia Jeonney

Partner and Head of Employment

Graduate Solicitor Apprentice

Partner and Head of Employment

Anna Schiavetta

Senior Associate Solicitor

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