Employment

Advocates, Lawyers, Solicitors and Attorneys. An incorporated legal practice.

"The team at M&P are without doubt knowledgeable and pragmatic when it comes to the advice they give to their clients. The advice is considered and measured from both parties' views"

– Legal 500 (2025) Category One Ranking

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Compromise or settlement agreements

The Isle of Man differs significantly from the UK as to the effect of employment compromise or settlement agreements. The Manx conciliation agreement needs specialist local advice. We have advised on many hundreds of such agreements over the years and can also provide assistance on English compromise or settlement agreements where appropriate. We are experienced in cross border settlements where multi-jurisdictional requirements are necessary to ensure finality of settlement, and Employment team head John Aycock remains a practising English solicitor who can provide advice as the 'Relevant Independent Advisor' for English Settlement Agreements.


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Contract and handbooks

Our employment law team has extensive experience of preparing contractual documentation and handbooks at all staffing levels. This drafting work can often be done on a fixed fee basis. Isle of Man employment law differs from that of the UK therefore documentation reflecting the local changes is essential. We can generally advise as to extra clauses that are recommended to protect interests and give better clarity.


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Employment tribunal claims

Our employment lawyers are very experienced in conducting tribunal disputes and generally do their own advocacy. We act for a number of key Isle of Man finance sector employers but also represent employees in tribunal claims whether it be unfair dismissal, discrimination claims, detriment, protected disclosures, unlawful deduction from salary or the enforcement of any other statutory employment right. Our employment team is highly respected in the Isle of Man and beyond as one of the leading specialist teams in this field in the Isle of Man. Team head John Aycock has over 30 years experience of this type of work, and lectures locally on employment law matters. Amelia Quinn and Lorcan O'Mahony make frequent appearances for both employers and employees in Tribunal cases of all complexity.


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Equality Act Advice

In January 2020, the Isle of Man Equality Act became fully enlivened. The legislation brings the Island's equality laws fully up to date and, in some respects, it is more advanced than the UK. Local employers and employees will need guidance on contract reviews and compliance generally. M&P Legal has been closely involved in public dissemination of this substantial new law, with unit head John Aycock published frequently on the topic in local media. We are well placed to advise Manx businesses and individuals on this significant new law.


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Helpline services

We operate a helpline type service for local employers so that those in HR can simply pick up the phone to discuss a thorny labour law issue with our employment unit off the cuff. If you would like to enquire about this service please contact employment unit head John Aycock.


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Immigration

The Isle of Man is part of the British Isles but immigration can be an issue depending on the circumstances of the relocation involved. We have access to specialist advisers on Manx immigration.


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Isle of Man work permits

The Isle of Man is not part of the European Union and even workers from the United Kingdom generally require a work permit to work in the Isle of Man. Our employment unit team has extensive experience of dealing with this area having appeared before the Work Permit Committee, the Work Permit Appeal Tribunal and the Isle of Man High Court on point of law appeals from a work permit application. We can advise on the procedure and assist in the necessary drafting (including a local advertisement) and the application.


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Redundancy

We can prepare redundancy policies and advise generally on the implementation of redundancy programmes as well as dealing with claims that may result from redundant employees or advising such employees on claims.


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Restrictive covenants

Our employment team regularly advise on the drafting of post-termination restrictions and enforceability. It is crucial to obtain a Manx assessment of such restrictions given the logistical and geographical differences of employing staff in an Island environment. We have wide experience of injunction work relating to enforcement of covenants and drafting settlement agreements or undertakings.


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Workplace mediation

Our employment unit head John Aycock is an accredited workplace mediator and thus is able to offer independent services to resolve such disputes. Please see our separate Mediation page.


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Contacts