Law firm Hill Dickinson has launched a new fixed-cost service for SMEs to help them keep employment contracts up-to-date.

The Employment Contracts Diagnostic Toolkit has been created to review companies’ contracts and prepare a clear report, which identifies any areas of legal non-compliance, commercial weaknesses and other legal risks.

“British employment laws are notoriously strict and change on a regular basis,” said Will Clayton, an empployment partner at Hill Dickinson. “As a result, any errors or weaknesses within contracts of employment can not only create misunderstandings and loss of productivity, but can also increase the likelihood of disputes and legal claims.

In recent years, law firms have lost market share advising employers on employment law by a number of firms such as Salford-based Employment Law Advisory Services and Peninsula Business Services – both of which charge companies a subscription fee based on updating firms on employment and health & safety law as well as providing insurance against legal costs if a business does find itself brought before an employment tribunal.

However, Clayton said that it encouraged clients “to do more than merely comply with their minimum legal obligations by using their contracts with employees as a business tool to protect their commercial interests, improve labour relations and encourage employees to perform at their best”.

“We believe this service is unique in its offer and is one of several products that will be developed to support our client base.”