We help people and small businesses by providing them with an exceptional, responsive and affordable employment law service. We offer competitively priced initial telephone advice and apply a range of different funding options. We also mediate disputes and provide training.

How we help people

How we help businesses

Employment law services

People Legal was founded by Chris McAvoy-Newns in February 2019. Chris’ goal was to provide high quality employment law advice and representation to individuals and small businesses.

Since then, Helen Littlewood, Rizwana Ishaq and Georgia Goulding have joined to expand the firm’s capability and broaden its employment law expertise. Find out more about the team here.

People Legal is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and its registration number is: 654830.

People Legal has been consistently ranked as a Tier 2 ‘Leading Firm’ by Legal 500. In the 2026 edition, our capabilities in advising high-net-worth individuals in the banking and finance sectors, and the high-value litigation that we undertake, were particularly commended.

Chris has also personally been recommended by Legal 500 on numerous occasions, and over the last three years, he has been recognised as a ‘Next Generation Partner‘. In the 2026 edition, clients told Legal 500 that Chris is “is an expert in his field with a great depth of knowledge in employment law and an understanding of the challenges his diverse clients face whilst being responsive, supportive and having empathy. He has a dynamic way of resolving problems with tailored solutions”. They also said that he was “never judgemental and was patient, offering an opinion if I was unsure, and always answering any questions I had promptly and fully.

Chris has also received recognition from Chambers and Partners, having been ranked for the last three years. In 2026 he was ranked in Band 3 (having moved up from Band 4) with clients telling Chambers and Partners that they are “always impressed with the level of knowledge that Chris has and his speed and level of attentiveness”. They also said that “Chris is hugely experienced, professional and competent”, “He was very helpful and very transparent with me about his evaluation of my case and the risks. He was engaging but still very concise and clear. He provides outstanding client service. He’s always responsive and professional in handling our work. He approaches complex issues with expertise and strategic insight, ensuring effective solutions” and “Chris is a joy to deal with. He’s an incredible professional but approachable. His advice is presented in a digestible but reassuring way. His work accuracy is outstanding”.

Chris also sits as a part-time Employment Judge in the North East of England Employment Tribunals. As such, unfortunately, we may not be able to assist you with your claim if it is likely to be heard in the Newcastle, Leeds or Sheffield Employment Tribunals. If you have any queries regarding this, please contact us and we can discuss this further.

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Some words from our happy clients

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"We were introduced to People Legal Limited and particularly Chris McAvoy-Newns by our PEO. Chris and his team, Lauren Beaumont and Georgia Goulding, were extremely knowledgable and responsive when helping us with an employment matter. They quickly gained our trust, provided great counsel and guided us through a process which we were not previously familiar with. The People Legal team provided timely and detailed communications and kept us apprised throughout the engagement. I cannot recommend Chris, Lauren and Georgia enough. People Legal Limited provided excellent service for a reasonable fee." John

"I found Chris and his team professional, friendly and very knowledgeable. I would not hesitate in recommending People legal to anyone seeking employment law advice. A first class service from beginning to end." Mark

"Excellent experience and very positive outcome with Lauren and the People Legal team - comprehensive and actionable advice, delivered in an extremely professional and timely manner - great service all round and highly recommended." Anon

"I can’t recommend Chris and his team enough. Really efficient and speedy response time. Exactly the support I needed during an extremely stressful time!" Niamh

"People Legal were recommended to me and I am so happy to have used their service. Lauren and team have been amazing at assisting me with my employment related matter. They were professional, friendly, knowledgeable and very responsive. Lauren kept me in the loop at every stage of the process and constantly kept me up to date with the legal fees which was much appreciated. Overall, I found them very affordable for the amount of work that was put into my case. I was very impressed with the service I have received and I would absolutely recommend this firm to anyone that requires employment related advice." Izabella

"I feel fortunate to have been referred to Chris and Laurent, who stood out for their quick, clear and informative approach. It made me feel assured in their handling of my complicated case. Especially, they offered expert guidance, ensuring I understood every legal term, which was crucial for making informed decisions. They also clearly outlined the path and realistic cost of each scenario, enhancing the professional direction of the case. Their honesty, sincerity, and informative approach helped me navigate out of a challenging situation and resolve issues maturely during a difficult time. I highly recommend this firm and cannot thank them enough for their outstanding support." Anon

"I was very pleased with the service provided and found the entire team very friendly, Helpful and professional when discussing my case details and providing me with legal advice." Jason

"The team has given me so much support and handled my case, showing excellent knowledge, attention for detail and a calm composure. They have exceeded my expectations and reduced my stress levels and I’m feeling grateful to have worked with them." Gemma

"Chris and his team were extremely helpful, very responsive and very professional. I would gladly recommend their services to anyone. They made the whole experience simple, fast and everything was explained in full and I was kept updated at every step of the way." Iain

"I instructed People Legal based on a recommendation from a previous client and I was not disappointed. Chris and the team were excellent advocates for me and provided me with clarity and confidence at a difficult time. I would highly recommend them." Stacy

"From first contact with People Legal I no longer felt alone against the 'big boys'. They ensured I understood everything every step of the way, and got a positive outcome due to the work the whole team put in." Chris

"I recently engaged People Legal to deal with my redundancy settlement agreement and cannot speak highly enough of their services. From our first interaction, it was clear that I was in capable hands. People Legal demonstrated exceptional professionalism, combined with a deep understanding of employment law, which immediately put me at ease during a challenging time. What stood out most was their ability to explain complex legal terms in a way that was easy to understand, ensuring that I was fully informed at every stage of the process. People Legal was not only thorough but also very approachable and empathetic, making a potentially stressful experience much more manageable. The dedication and attention to detail were evident in the way they negotiated on my behalf. People Legal went above and beyond to ensure that my interests were protected and that I received a fair and satisfactory settlement. I am extremely grateful for the support and guidance provided by People Legal. I would highly recommend them to anyone in need of expert legal assistance with employment matters. Their combination of expertise, professionalism, and personal touch truly sets them apart." Carl

I worked with Chris and his team on an employment contract when leaving my full time job at a large corporate. They’ve been incredibly supportive and clear with their communications both with me and my employer. I would highly recommend them for any employment legal support and advice." Fabio