Legal help Needed!!!!! HELP!

[bigdunc]

To cut a long story short ,I used to work for a german company and had an employment contract stating that I was responsible for paying my own tax/ni contributions. (this was because the company didn't want to set up a payroll in the uk for just one person). I explained to them the only way it could be done was for me to go self employed and this would enable me to pay my taxes etc. The company agreed with this on an email.

Roll on 15 months later - they tell me that they have set up a uk payroll and they have paid all my tax/ni contributions for the period and I then owe them the money. We had numerous discussions regarding what the contract originally said but they were adamant I owed them this money.

I signed a document (under duress) saying I would pay this money back in stages. They threatened not to pay me if this didn't get sorted, and I didn't want any more unpaid d/d charges etc as they had previously been late with two salary payments which caused no end of problems and charges.

I ended up leaving the company last december and I now have a solicitors letter asking for full payment (which i cannot afford), what can I do? First I want to argue the amount and secondly look into the employment contract side of things.

Any help appreciated!!

Thanks

[bwglaw]

instruct a lawyer, there are several issues that need to be looked at in greater depth.

[bigdunc]

Anything you could help with??

And what would be the charges to myself?