Employment law
Employment lawyer in Luxembourg
The firm advises both employers and employees in Luxembourg: employment contracts, dismissal, termination, harassment and disputes before the Labour Tribunal.
Legal content reviewed by Maître Cora Maglo, Avocate à la Cour, Liste I du Barreau de Luxembourg depuis 2009.
Luxembourg employment law is protective and governed by strict time limits, particularly when it comes to dismissal.
The firm secures your HR decisions and defends your rights, on the employer side as well as the employee side.
The need
Hiring, changing a contract, dismissal, negotiated departure: every stage carries a risk of dispute.
On the employee side, challenging a dismissal means meeting short deadlines.
The risk
An irregular dismissal exposes the employer to compensation; on the employee side, a claim against a dismissal is subject to a strict limitation period (often 3 months).
A letter stating the grounds for dismissal that is too vague can be enough to make a dismissal wrongful.
How the firm helps
Drafting and securing of contracts and procedures, support with dismissals and terminations, and representation before the Labour Tribunal.
The firm advises early to avoid disputes, and defends firmly when a dispute is unavoidable. Our digital tools only organise information intake; the advice and representation come from a lawyer admitted to the Luxembourg Bar.
Practice areas
When to call on the firm
- Drafting or securing an employment contract.
- Preparing or challenging a dismissal.
- Negotiating an amicable termination.
- Acting in cases of harassment or a pay dispute.
Method
Our engagement process
- 1
Information intake
You describe your need via a structured form or an initial call. Our digital tools serve only to organise this information and save time.
- 2
Lawyer qualification
Maître Maglo reviews your situation, identifies the legal issues and confirms the feasibility and exact scope of the engagement.
- 3
Transparent quote
You receive a clear fee proposal, a fixed fee or a range, before any engagement. Nothing is billed without your approval.
- 4
Legal work
The firm drafts, negotiates or litigates as required. Every deliverable is designed and approved by a lawyer admitted to the Luxembourg Bar.
- 5
Tracking and delivery
You follow your matter transparently and receive your finalised documents with the explanations you need.
Documents required
- • The employment contract and any amendments
- • Letters and correspondence exchanged
- • Payslips and a timeline of events
Deliverables
- • Secured contracts and procedures
- • A dismissal or defence strategy
- • Representation before the Labour Tribunal
Indicative timing
In the event of dismissal, the deadline to challenge is short: you should seek advice without delay. The firm acts urgently where necessary.
Fees stated in advance
Fixed advisory fee or fees per stage of the dispute, communicated before any engagement, from EUR 1,500.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the deadline to challenge a dismissal in Luxembourg?
The deadline to challenge a dismissal in Luxembourg is short: the employee must in principle act within a strict limitation period, often 3 months from the notification or statement of grounds. It is essential to seek advice immediately.
Does the firm advise employers?
Yes, the firm advises employers as well as employees, provided there is no conflict of interest on the same matter.
Is an amicable termination possible?
Yes, an amicable termination is possible: a termination by mutual agreement is often preferable to a dispute, and the firm secures its terms.
Quick answer
When should you consult an employment lawyer in Luxembourg?
An employment lawyer steps in when an employee or an employer wishes to secure a decision, negotiate the termination of an employment contract, or defend their interests in a dispute before the employment courts.
Our approach
A pragmatic reading of every case
Notre objectif n’est pas seulement d’expliquer la règle, mais d’identifier la solution la plus efficace pour atteindre vos objectifs. Chaque dossier est analysé sous trois angles.
Risque juridique
La règle applicable, les délais et les points de contentieux possibles.
Risque opérationnel
L’impact concret sur votre activité, vos contrats et votre organisation.
Risque financier
Le coût d’une décision, d’un litige ou d’une inaction, chiffré en amont.
Expertise
Our employment law services
For employers
- Employment contracts
- Dismissals
- Disciplinary sanctions
- Restructurings
- Internal procedures
- Posting of staff
- International mobility
For employees
- Wrongful dismissal
- Gross misconduct
- Harassment
- Discrimination
- Severance negotiation
- Compensation
- Social security
Dismissal
- Dismissal with notice
- Immediate dismissal
- Gross misconduct
- Wrongful dismissal
- Compensation
Executives and companies
- Executive contracts
- Non-competition clauses
- Management packages
- Incentive plans
- HR governance
- Restructurings
Professional immigration
- Foreign employees
- Recruitment from outside the EU
- EU Blue Card
- Posted workers
- International mobility
Social security
- CCSS and affiliation
- Workplace accidents
- Invalidity and pension
- Social benefits
- European posting
Examples of matters handled
Proven expertise, anonymised
Challenging a dismissal
File review, negotiation and representation before the competent courts.
Support for an employer
Securing a disciplinary procedure and reducing the risk of litigation.
International recruitment
Obtaining the authorisations required for a foreign employee.
Complex HR dispute
A negotiated settlement avoiding lengthy proceedings.
Representative and anonymised examples, for illustration only. Every matter is handled and validated by a lawyer registered with the Luxembourg Bar.
They entrust us with their cases
Varied profiles, the same standard of excellence
- Entrepreneurs setting up their company in Luxembourg
- International investors
- SME executives
- International groups
- Expatriates and international families
- Employers recruiting foreign talent
Explore our key areas of expertise
Employment, immigration and litigation
Recent case-law highlights
What Luxembourg case law says
A dismissal whose grounds are imprecise or based on facts that are too old may be held to be wrongful.
Official sourceIn the event of wrongful dismissal, the employee may obtain compensation for material and moral harm, including where they have sought employment abroad.
Official sourceThe employer cannot claim costs from the employee without proven fault or a clear contractual commitment.
Official sourceTrends presented for guidance only and not exhaustive, to be checked on a case-by-case basis. Sources: Luxembourg courts (justice.public.lu).
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do you challenge a dismissal in Luxembourg?
The employee can request the grounds, then refer the matter to the employment court within a strict deadline. The lawyer analyses the regularity of the procedure and of the grounds, quantifies the compensation and brings the action in good time.
What are my rights in the event of dismissal?
Depending on the grounds and length of service: notice or compensation in lieu of notice, severance pay, and, in the event of wrongful dismissal, damages. The deadlines for taking action are short.
What should you do in the event of gross misconduct?
Dismissal for gross misconduct is immediate and without compensation, but it is strictly regulated. Both employee and employer have an interest in having the reality and seriousness of the misconduct, and compliance with the procedure, verified.
How do you recruit an employee from outside the European Union?
Recruiting a third-country national requires a work permit and, often, a labour market test, or an EU Blue Card for highly qualified profiles. Cerno combines employment law and immigration.
What are the deadlines for taking action before the employment court?
They are short and vary according to the action (challenging a dismissal, claim for unpaid salary). Once the deadline has passed, the right to take action may be lost: it is essential to consult quickly.
How do you negotiate the termination of an employment contract?
Through a structured negotiation and a settlement protocol securing the mutual concessions (compensation, notice, clauses). The lawyer protects your interests and the validity of the agreement.
Member of
Affiliations & réseaux professionnels
Free guide · PDF
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Choosing Cerno means choosing over 17 years of experience
- 2013
- independent firm
- 2009
- at the Bar since 2009
- 7
- working languages
- 100+
- companies & SOPARFI structured
- 200+
- visas & residence permits obtained
- 170
- client nationalities served
- 300+
- due diligence reviews conducted
Around twenty M&A transactions supported · one of the best visa approval rates in Luxembourg.
Since 2009, we devote our expertise to your satisfaction: more than 85% of our clients renew their trust in us.
Our work
Representative matters, anonymised
Typical examples of engagements handled by the firm, presented in an anonymised and illustrative manner. Each matter is handled and validated by a lawyer registered with the Luxembourg Bar.
A holding company and a residence permit, in a single process
Incorporation of a SOPARFI for a non-resident investor, combined with obtaining their residence permit. A single point of contact across both fronts.
Permit obtained in 6 weeksA similar matter? Companies & governanceFounders protected before the funding round
Structuring a shareholders’ agreement and governance for a young company with several founders, ahead of a funding round.
Shareholders’ agreement signed before the roundA similar matter? Debt recoveryA debt recovered across borders
Cross-border recovery of unpaid debts for an SME, through an order for payment and coordination with a foreign colleague.
Receivable recovered in full (100%)A similar matter? Employment lawAn executive defended before the Labour Tribunal
Supporting an executive in a contested dismissal, from strategy to representation at the hearing.
Case argued at the hearingA similar matter? ContractsA secured international distribution
Negotiating and securing an international framework distribution agreement, from liabilities through to the competent jurisdiction.
Competent jurisdiction securedA similar matter?Typical, anonymised examples, for illustration only. They do not prejudge the outcome of a matter, which depends on each situation.
Entrust my matter to the firmExpertise & authority
Ongoing review and analysis of Luxembourg and European case law
Avocate à la Cour, List I of the Luxembourg Bar since 2009
Trained at the London School of Economics, formerly at Clifford Chance and Bonn Steichen & Partners
Member of international networks: EILN, AEA, Cross Border Advisory Solutions
Every matter handled and approved by a lawyer admitted to the Bar
Support in 7 languages, clients of 170 nationalities
Testimonials
What our clients say
Had a consultation with Me Cora Maglo about my Luxembourg Blue Card application. She explained everything clearly: the process, timeline and documents I need, and helped me with my wife’s family reunification too. Honest and practical advice. I felt confident after talking to her.Farshid Pourlatifi
J’ai beaucoup apprécié le service de Maître Maglo : son sérieux, sa sympathie, son professionnalisme et sa disponibilité. Toujours répondu rapidement et clairement, avec des conseils pragmatiques, sans pousser à des procédures longues et coûteuses lorsqu’elles ne sont pas justifiées.Nathan Wirtzfeld
Super assistance and great support! Highly recommend. All my questions were answered, Cora and her team kept me updated all the time. I will definitely reach out to them next time for my residency.Tatiana
They talk about us
The firm referenced and cited
Professional directories, business press and legal publications where Cerno Law Firm and Maître Cora Maglo are referenced.
Let’s talk about your matter
Describe your situation: you receive an initial analysis and a transparent quote, with no obligation. One dedicated lawyer, from start to finish.