Back date notice?

Newbie here,

Following a meeting with my employer on the 18th feb i was advised in the meeting i would be made redundant and that a letter would be issued to me.

A letter was issued to me by hand on the 26th Feb dated 15th Jan (i am assured this is a typing error as it predates our consultation process) stating my termination date is 19 March. My Contract of employment states the company will give 1 month written notice so by my reckoning as they were a week late in issuing the letter "written notice" my date should be 26th March. I have queried this with my employer who has reaffirmed their position and stated that i was put on notice in my meeting and the letter is confirmation of that.

Can they do this?

Hi, I'm sorry to hear that you have been made redundant.

If you were given notice of dismissal verbally during your meeting on 18th February 2009, the notice should take effect the following day after the meeting.

Your one month period of notice would therefore commence on 19th February 2009 and end on 19th March 2009.

I hope has helped with your query.

Thanks for the response if not the one i want. How can a verbal notification override the specifics of a written contract? If the situation were reversed and i said in conversation to my employer i am resigning then give him a letter a week later saying i would leave in three weeks i would be in breach of contract. Am i right in thinking that a written notice is only effective when it is served?