Equal Pay Advice Service
A service offering free legal advice to individuals using Fawcett’s Equal Pay Advice Service. This is not in relation to our Supermarket claims.
Learn moreLeigh Day is proud to partner with the Fawcett Society and to provide legal advice to individuals using Fawcett’s Equal Pay Advice Service.
Fawcett’s Equal Pay Advice Service was set up thanks to Carrie Gracie, former China Editor for BBC News. Back in 2018 Carrie joined other BBC women to challenge the national broadcaster over equal pay. Following her high-profile and successful struggle to achieve parity, Carrie reached a settlement with the BBC. She then donated all the settlement money to the Fawcett Society to set up the Equal Pay Advice Service (EPAS). A concept created by Carrie to help women enforce their right to equal pay.
It is as hard as ever for women to fight pay discrimination and I am thrilled that they have such powerful champions on their side. With Leigh Day joining Fawcett, the Equal Pay Advice Service is in the best possible hands".
Carrie Gracie, Former BBC China Editor
Get help today
Meet the EPAS team
Paula Lee
Paula is an employment lawyer with a wealth of experience. She always puts her clients at the centre of everything she does, helping them to defend their rights fiercely
Lara Kennedy
Lara is a partner in the employment and discrimination claims team
Jasmine Patel
Jasmine Patel is an senior associate solicitor in the employment department.
Roshan Croker
Roshan Croker is a senior associate solicitor in the employment department.
Jessica Hunt
Jessica Hunt is a senior associate in the employment department.
Confirmation of eligibility
The Equal Pay Advice Service is specifically aimed at individuals whose gross income is £40,000 or less per year and who have no access to expert legal advice. Under this service, we can offer advice and assistance to help individuals to challenge their employer’s pay practices without the need for litigation.
If you think you might have an equal pay issue at work, please get in touch by clicking here and completing our short form. If you meet the service’s eligibility criteria, we may be able to provide you with up to 10 hours of free legal advice.
Once you’ve filled in the form, we will take the following steps:
1. Leigh Day will send you an automated confirmation of receipt to let you know we have received your information.
2. One of our friendly team members will reach out to you by phone or email to discuss the information you have provided and your next steps. We will aim to contact you within a week of receiving your form.
3. Provided you meet the service’s eligibility criteria, we will then send you a Client Care letter confirming you are a client under the service.
4. One of our solicitors will contact you to discuss your case and provide you with up to 10 hours of free advice.
If you would like to register your interest and you feel you satisfy the eligibility criteria, please register your interest here.
EPAS provides you with the tools to navigate the difficult conversation with your employer. Once you’ve filled in the ‘sign up’ form and we’ve confirmed you meet the eligibility criteria, the following steps will follow:
- Leigh Day will send you an automated confirmation of receipt
- One our friendly solicitors will reach out to you to discuss your equal pay concerns, within 48 hours of initial contact.
- We’ll then send you a Client Care letter which confirms we have understood your equal pay issue(s), the advice we recommend and agreed action to resolve your dispute. In addition, the letter will cover our Service Level Agreement and further details of the EPAS process.
- We’ll provide step-by-step legal advice throughout the equal pay dispute (up to 10 hours) via your preferred means of contact.
What our clients say
I would definitely recommend this service. If you are unable to afford private legal help and need someone to support you in framing your case, this service does that.
Equal Pay Advice Service FAQs
We review all applications on a case-by-case basis. If your salary is over £40k, please briefly state your actual salary and the reasons for requesting assistance in the box provided on the form.
Yes, any information you share with us is client privileged, and we will never disclose information to any third parties, unless you have given us written consent.
- We cannot guarantee that we will be able to resolve your equal pay issue for you within the 10 hours of free assistance provided, but we will do our best!
- If you are able to resolve your equal pay issue, the outcome of your case may differ depending on your individual situation. For example, your employer may agree to pay you your back-dated pay, a settlement sum, change your job title or undertake a review of company policy etc.
We will always try our best to resolve your equal pay issue within the 10 hours allowance, however if this hasn’t been possible, Leigh Day and Fawcett Society will review your case and advise of the next course of action.
No, there are no hidden fees. EPAS provide up to 10 hours of free legal advice to you.
Yes, as the legal advice provided will be based on Equality Act 2010.
What our clients say
I’m very grateful for the service provided by Jessica and her colleagues at Leigh Day who run the Fawcett Equal Pay Advice Service at every stage of my contact.
News
- Carrie Gracie leaves BBC after 33 years. Guardian 26.08.2020
- BBC's Carrie Gracie gives £360K payout to charity. The Times 10.11.2018
- Carrie Gracie calls watchdog's report on BBC equal pay a 'whitewash'. BBC 12.11.2020
News and blogs
Fawcett Society Equal Pay Advice Service in new partnership with Leigh Day solicitors
The Equal Pay Advice Service, set up thanks to former BBC China Editor Carrie Gracie, has joined forces with law firm Leigh Day in a bid to help more women achieve equality at work.
Tell me why.....
Solicitor Paula Lee was recently asked why I work in the equal pay arena and it got her thinking 'why is there still a problem'?