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As a local firm we are aware that this is a difficult time for many employees of SSE, based at its head office in Perth. Many have been or shall be offered voluntary redundancy packages and are facing important important decisions as to whether those should be accepted. For those who think they may wish to accept what is being offered to them, that is not legally binding until they have received advice on their options and the package they are being offered by an independent solicitor and signed a legal document called a Settlement Agreement. Furthermore, the solicitor who provides that advice must then sign an Adviser's Certificate to confirm that. SSE Redundancy & UK Employment Law This is an important protection under UK Employment Law to make sure that when such an agreement is signed, the employee knows exactly what they are doing and that the offer being made to them is the same or more than they are legally entitled to. As a consequence of that the employer will usually - and in our experience SSE will always - pay a reasonable amount to meet the employee's legal fees in getting that advice and assistance from the solicitor of their choosing. At Macnabs, as a trusted local firm in Perth our Employment Law team assists with a number of Settlement Agreements every year for clients who are SSE employees. We are familiar with the different versions of their Settlement Agreements, which means two important things for clients who consult us about them: a) We know what the standard terms are and so can quickly advise clients of those aspects that may be different in the Settlement Agreement they are provided with making the process as quick and painless as possible; and b) We know the amount that they normally provide for in relation to legal fees - which lets us promise anyone who consults us regarding an SSE Settlement Agreement that they will not have to pay any money themselves towards their legal costs. There is always the possibility that after a client has spoken to one of our Employment Law solicitors that they decide that they do not want to accept the proposal and so they do not sign the Settlement Agreement. That is the whole point of getting independent legal advice - so employees can make an informed decision. We don't want clients feeling that they have to sign the Settlement Agreement or they are going to have to pay money to us. So to make sure that clients can consult with our Employment Law solicitors without fear of the cost to them if they decide not to go ahead, we will not charge a fee if you decide not to sign. You really don't have anything to lose by consulting us. Remote Employment Law Consultation via Zoom Finally, to make it as easy as possible to access our help at this difficult time we are able to provide our services entirely remotely - you don't even need to come to our office. Macnabs pioneered home working in Perthshire for all of our staff and partners in order to ensure not just their safety but that of our clients when Covid19 first struck in Scotland. In particular our Employment Law team set up a system to get around the problems of signing Settlement Agreements during lockdown and our Employment Law team have dealt with several since lockdown began without meeting clients face to face - and without any problems. Contact us Today So if you are an SSE employee who has been offered voluntary redundancy, perhaps haven't but are thinking about asking for that, or are just worried that your job is at risk please contact the head of our Employment Law team Jane McNicol either by emailing her at janemcnicol@macnabs-law.co.uk  or calling reception on 01738 623432. If you want to check out Jane and her team before getting in touch please follow this link where you can read about the team and some helpful articles that the team have been posting over Lockdown on Employment Law matters.

Solicitor LLB, Dip LP Practice Areas & Specialisms Family Law Megan is a familiar face to Macnabs. Having worked as a summer student at the firm during her studies in 2018 and 2019, she then graduated from Aberdeen University with a Law Degree and completed her Diploma at Strathclyde University in 2021. Following on from the completion of her studies, Megan started her Traineeship with Macnabs in June 2021 and qualified as a Solicitor into the Family Team in June 2023. Megan has a particular interest in helping clients with everything from Divorce and Separation to Child Contact and Surrogacy Arrangements. Outside of work Megan enjoys walking her dogs, socialising with friends and travelling.  Meet the Team: Megan Carling, Solicitor In this video Megan describes her journey from being a law student, to a trainee with Macnabs and then to becoming a fully qualified solicitor with the firm.   Contact 10 Barossa Place, Perth, PH1 5JX Phone - 01738 623432Email - megancarling@macnabs-law.co.uk LinkedIn 

Solicitor LLB (Hons), Dip LP Practice Areas & Specialisms Family   Rebecca graduated from Robert Gordon University in 2016 and then completed her legal Diploma at Dundee University in 2018. She joined Macnabs in 2022 and is a valued member of our busy family law department advising on the full spectrum of family law from divorce and separation to dispute resolution.   Rebecca has a particular interest in child related matters, helping clients understand more about parental rights and legal responsibilities and dealing with residency and relocation issues concerning children, and has also been a Children's Panel Member since the start of 2018. Rebecca has undertaken the Scottish Women's Rights Centre's Approved Domestic Abuse Training regarding domestic abuse legislation in Scotland and good practice when working with people who have experienced domestic abuse. This informs her empathetic approach and ability to seek protective orders for clients. She is also a volunteer with the SWRC's Pro-Bono Solicitor Network, offering advice and guidance to survivors of violence and abuse through the SWRC helpline.   Outside of work Rebecca likes to keep active, walking her dog and taking part in various outdoor activiites as well as playing hockey for Stirling Wanderers Ladies 2XI Hockey Team. She also enjoys travelling and is making the most of the post covid freedom visiting as many new cities and countries as she can.   Contact 10 Barossa Place, Perth, PH1 5JX Phone - 01738 623432Email - rebeccacoltart@macnabs-law.co.uk LinkedIn -

Solicitor Practice Areas & Specialisms Wills, Trusts & Estates Rachel began her legal journey by pursuing an undergraduate degree in Law with Spanish at Edinburgh University and spent a year at the University of Granada in Spain before returning to Scotland for her Diploma which she gained at Dundee University. She honed her legal acumen during nearly two years of traineeship with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. Her path led her through various departments, from handling high court petitions to working in the international co-operation unit, and she also completed a secondment to The Hague in the Netherlands where she worked at Eurojust, the european union agency for criminal justice cooperation. Outside of work, you'll find Rachel pursuing a healthy work-life balance. She is part of an adult gymnastics team, and has a passion for tennis. She is also actively involved with a local church - working with the local community and giving back holds a special place in her heart.   Contact 10 Barossa Place, Perth, PH1 5JX Phone - 01738 623432Email - rachelbarr@macnabs-law.co.uk