SOUTH coast law firm Bond Pearce has just launched an innovative scheme designed to protect companies from spiralling employment tribunal cases.

At a time when employment law is quickly changing, more and more companies are becoming vulnerable to claims with cases up a staggering 60 per cent in the last three years.

In an effort to help companies cope with the law, and protect them from costs Encase has been launched to take the gamble out of employment issues.

Christina Tolvas-Vincent, pictured, a Bond Pearce partner and employment specialist says that most companies currently fall foul of legislation to some extent and cases can be difficult to avoid and impossible to budget for.

She said Encase offers proactive specialist advice to do everything possible to prevent a tribunal claim being brought in the first instance.

"Encase ensures a company's legal procedures are based on best practice," says Christina. "But however good policies and documentation are, they have to be implemented by individuals who can still fall foul of them. This new scheme covers the legal cost of having to defend a claim and the cost of the compensation should the employee be successful."

The first stage of Encase involves an audit of current documentation, policies and procedures. Docu-mentation would then be updated and amended according to the findings of the audit, or new documentation would be provided tailored to the needs of the company concerned.

Once the company becomes a member of Encase they are entitled to an advice line on employment law issues by telephone or e-mail.

The third element of Encase is an insurance policy which indemnifies the company for legal costs to defend a claim and also for the compensation paid to an employee should they be successful.

"This scheme enables a company to operate its employment law systems on a best practice basis which is what every company should be aiming for if it is a good employer.

"It allows a company to budget sensibly for its employment law matters and pay on a monthly basis if preferred.

"The cost is proportionate to the size of the company and the numbers of employees."