Notice Period for a fix term contract not been paid

[Old Greg]

I get the feeling that I may have been shafted slightly, and maybe need to get a solicitor involved to see if there is a possibility for breach of contract

Even if the contract has been breached, it doesn't mean you suffered any damages - i.e. if there was no payment due because you hadn't done any work. If you can find a solicitor to give you a free Introductory meeting, there's no harm in that.

[northernladuk]

I get the feeling that I may have been shafted slightly, and maybe need to get a solicitor involved to see if there is a possibility for breach of contract

We are trying to tell you exactly the opposite. This is very common and happens of often in contracting.

Use Google and search the forums and you'll find 100s of threads on the same topic.

Type in.
Notice period site:contractoruk.com/forums

What should be more concerning to you is you don't appear to understand your engagement model and sounds like you've not read your contract thoroughly enough.

[LondonManc]

I get the feeling that I may have been shafted slightly, and maybe need to get a solicitor involved to see if there is a possibility for breach of contract

Probably but you'll find that's part of contracting. You may get shafted with no recourse - a simple case of "don't work your notice, we're not obliged to give you work for the four weeks, goodbye."

Turn it the other way round - do you think that, if the client declare that they've run out of money, you must work your notice even though there's no chance of being paid?

"The budget has been pulled."
"The project has changed direction."

Two common phrases used when canning contractors without notice.