Another First For Harper Macleod With Launch of Employer Insurance Scheme

Leading commercial law firm Harper Macleod LLP is to become the first law firm in Scotland to launch an Employer Protection Scheme, employerplus, offering an exclusive package of legal services and insurance against HR problems.

The firm, renowned for its market leading, innovative approach to the law, is introducing the scheme at a time when employment legislation is becoming increasingly complex and a growing number of firms are putting policies and procedures in place to limit the business risk of tribunal claims and employee disputes.

Available directly through Harper Macleod and brokered through Baker Tilly Insurance Services Ltd, employerplus offers a range of key services, including an audit of existing employment policies, any necessary recommendations and advice from a dedicated team of employment lawyers. In addition, the scheme includes insurance cover that protects businesses against legal representation costs, awards and settlements, should a tribunal claim be awarded.

Whilst similar schemes exist south of the border, employerplus is the first scheme of its kind in Scotland and the only one to provide direct access to a specialist team of employment lawyers without the use of call centres or automated customer response services.

Harper Macleod Managing Partner, Professor Lorne Crerar commented; "Harper Macleod is delighted to be launching employerplus, another first for a firm which has a reputation for doing things differently.  employerplus will provide clients with a dedicated and specialist employment service with insurance cover that protects businesses from the financial risk of employee disputes.  Were absolutely confident that no other competitor will be delivering a package of services with this level of expertise and direct lawyer access and were delighted to be leading the field yet again."

Phil Worthington of Baker Tilly Insurance Services Ltd added: "Figures released by the Department of Trade and Industry (Scotland) in June suggest that three quarters (74%) of employers in Scotland worry about the financial implications of being taken to an employment tribunal and six in ten are concerned about the damage a tribunal could do to their overall business reputation. We therefore perceive tthat there is a genuine need for companies to consider employment practice cover due to an increase in tribunal related claims activity.  employerplus is a significant enhancement to our overall client proposition and we are pleased to be working in partnership with Harper Macleod to provide this service to employers in Scotland."

Established in 1988 by Professor Lorne Crerar and Rod McKenzie, Harper Macleod has evolved into a firm with 31 Partners, 2 Consultants, 91 Fee Earners and a complement of 171 staff.   Renowned for its expertise in Sports, Public Sector & Housing, Employment, Banking, Recoveries and Litigation, the firm includes the Scottish Premier League, The Scottish Executive, Optical Express, Tulloch Limited, THUS plc, The Child Support Agency, Direct Line Insurance and BCW Group plc in its impressive list of clients.