The NASUWT’s legal and casework services for members, and in some cases their families too, is the envy of many other organisations. The Union uses solicitors who specialise in employment, personal injury, trade union and criminal law. More information can be found throughout the website, particularly on our Legal Support pages.

Helping members in financial difficulty

The NASUWT Benevolent Fund is available to members, former members, the dependants of members and former members, and dependants of deceased members, provided a subscription has been paid to the Union and former members have not joined another teaching trade union.

Sometimes members experience financial hardship through no fault of their own and as a result of unforeseen circumstances. These situations can arise because of chronic illness, bereavement, an accident, or loss of employment through dismissal or redundancy. The NASUWT Benevolent Fund was created to provide effective short-term assistance during such difficulties.

For those members who have accumulated large or unmanageable debts, the Benevolent Fund provides access to a money advice service through PayPlan, which is a free and confidential debt advice company.

A member seeking financial help should email the Northern Ireland National Centre or the Legal and Casework Team at NASUWT Headquarters to arrange a visit from a local Benevolence Officer who will complete the application form on the member’s behalf. All information will remain strictly confidential.

Employment-related legal services

  • Casework advice and assistance may be provided in respect of matters arising from or in the course of a member’s teaching duties. The Union’s casework services include:

    • advice on all aspects of employment, including terms and conditions, school policies, maternity rights, pay, redundancy and discrimination;

    • the defence of disciplinary allegations or competency proceedings;

    • representation and support in the defence of teacher regulation proceedings, i.e. GTCNI;

    • representation, where claims are deemed to have reasonable prospects of success, at Industrial Tribunals for cases such as breach of contract, unfair dismissal, redundancy and discrimination on the grounds of one or more protected characteristic;

    • advice and assistance in respect of AccessNI certificates and/or barring;

    • accidents at work or on a journey to and from work where the accident is caused by the negligence of a third party (see Accidents at Work);

    • assaults at work (see Assaults);

    • criminal allegations (see Allegations);

    • termination of employment via a Settlement Agreement, where appropriate.

  • Where it is judged necessary and appropriate, legal assistance will be provided at no cost to the member.

  • NASUWT members who were not in membership or were three or more months in arrears with their subscriptions at the time the issue occurred are not entitled to casework representation and/or legal assistance and cannot establish entitlement to representation by subsequently paying arrears. Retired, former, career-break and associate members who were in full membership at the time the issue occurred, and former members providing they have not joined another teacher trade union, are also entitled to representation.

In the first instance, NASUWT Representatives should contact the Northern Ireland National Centre if they believe a member needs legal assistance. A decision can then be made as to where the member should be referred.

The NASUWT Casework Code of Practice provides further guidance about what level cases should be dealt with at. NASUWT Representatives should note that any case involving alleged or suspected discrimination must always be escalated to the Northern Ireland National Centre to be conducted by a paid official. In cases of real emergency, which usually involve a criminal allegation, see Allegations.

Non-employment-related legal services

FREE non-employment legal advice

NASUWT members can take advantage of a 30-minute free advice service staffed by experienced advisors able to access the latest information and equipped to advise on any non-employment legal issue. This service is provided for the NASUWT by Thompsons Solicitors.

Call 0808 100 2221 between 8am and 8pm on weekdays to speak to an advisor. A membership number will be required to use this service which is only for members.

Members and their families

The NASUWT, in association with Thompsons Solicitors, the UK’s largest and longest established firm of personal injury and employment lawyers, offers a complete legal package for members and their families available through one FREE telephone number.

Call 0808 100 2221

  • The Union offers a free personal injury scheme which provides advice and representation for members and their families for injury outside the workplace, including from road traffic accidents and for non-work-related disease or illness. Accidents that occurred abroad, for example on holiday, are covered if the claim can be pursued in the UK Courts. The scheme does not cover medical negligence or non-work-related CICA claims.

  • Members and their families have access to a free road traffic accident scheme. If a member or any member of their family is injured in an accident on the roads, whether as a driver, cyclist or pedestrian, the NASUWT provides full legal assistance in making a claim for personal injury.

Call 0808 100 2221

  • A free basic will-writing service is available for members to help safeguard the interests of family, friends and dependants. A reduced-rate service is offered to members’ families. A reduced Probate Administration and Lasting Power of Attorney service is also available to members and their families. The service is provided by BBH Legal Services, a subsidiary of Thompsons Solicitors. Call 0808 100 2221 for an information pack or visit the website at www.thompsons.law.co.uk/wills/your-will.htm. BBH Legal Services do reserve the right to make a charge if the will is more complex or contains complex tax provisions, or the subject makes substantial changes once the will is drafted.

  • Hassle-free Conveyancing - members and their families can take advantage of this low, fixed-fee package, offered by BBH Legal Services, that even avoids the need to visit a solicitor. Just call 0808 100 2221 or visit www.thompsons.law.co.uk/property-moves/your-propertymoves.htm.