Client intake checklist for employment law matters
Employment intakes are deadline-driven — unfair dismissal and general protections claims have a 21-day window. This checklist walks through the standard opening steps.
This is a 12-step intake checklist for an employment law matter. It covers employment status, eligibility, strict filing deadlines, documents and costs so the file opens correctly.
The checklist
Identify the parties
Record the employee name, the employer entity and any related entities that may be joined.
Confirm the date of dismissal or conduct
The date of dismissal starts the 21-day clock for unfair dismissal and general protections claims.
Run a conflict check
Search for the employer, related entities, decision-makers and any witnesses.
Confirm employment status
Employee or contractor? Permanent, casual or fixed term? This affects eligibility and remedies.
Identify the applicable instrument
Award, enterprise agreement, individual contract or employment standards. Map which entitlements apply.
Check high income threshold
For unfair dismissal, confirm the employee is award-covered or below the high income threshold.
Identify the claim type
Unfair dismissal, general protections, discrimination, underpayment or bullying. Each has different forum and remedy.
Gather key documents
Employment contract, termination letter, pay slips, warnings, policies and any correspondence.
Diary the filing deadline
Diary the 21-day deadline with a buffer reminder at day 14.
Take the client's account
Capture the sequence of events, any witnesses and the outcome the client wants.
Provide costs disclosure
Issue a costs agreement and disclosure notice. Explain the no costs jurisdiction in FWC matters.
Open the file and set next steps
Create the matter, diary the deadlines and confirm required documents and next advice date.
When this checklist applies
Use this checklist on every new employment intake. The 21-day deadline and the employee vs contractor distinction are the two easiest to get wrong.
Common pitfalls
- Missing the 21-day filing deadline
- Misclassifying a contractor as an employee (or vice versa)
- Failing to identify the applicable award or enterprise agreement
- Running a claim where the employee is above the high income threshold and not award-covered
- Not warning on the no costs rule in FWC matters
Run this checklist on a real matter
Quillio drafts FWC applications, general protections claims and intake notes in current AU format. See /practice-areas/employment-lawyers.
This checklist is a general guide. Adapt for discrimination, whistleblower, executive and underpayment matters.
Use this checklist on your matter.
Quillio can run this checklist on a specific NSW conveyancing matter — confirm each item, calculate adjustments, and generate the supporting documents. The free trial requires no credit card.
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