Employment Fees and Services

The nature of employment matters can vary widely.  The costs indicated below are broad estimates only. We would always recommend a free initial meeting so that we can taylor our costs to your specific requirements.

Our pricing for bringing and defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal are based on the following hourly rates:

The range of costs would typically be:-

Simple case: £1,200.00-£3,600.00 (including VAT)

Medium complexity case: £3,600.00-£8,500.00 (including VAT)

High complexity case: In excess of £12,000.00 (including VAT)

Factors that could make a case more complex include:

• Numbers of witnesses and documents
• If it is an automatic unfair dismissal claim e.g. if you are dismissed after blowing the whistle on your employer
• Allegations of discrimination  linked to the dismissal
• Substantial history of relevant events
• Cases involving case management hearings and/or multiple days of trial
• Complicated factual or legal issues
• Multiple parties
• Additional claims

There will be an additional charge for a solicitor attending a Tribunal Hearing of £600.00 – £1,620.00 per day (including VAT) in addition to any barristers fee if one was required.

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We usually obtain from you the amount of the disbursements and discharge them on your behalf.

Counsel’s fees estimated are in the table below for attending a Tribunal Hearing (including preparation).

Typical Key stages

The fees set out above would cover the work in relation to the following key stages of a claim (if applicable to your case):

• Taking your initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising you on merits and likely compensation (this is likely to be revisited throughout the matter and subject to change)
• Entering into early conciliation where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached (subject to your instructions):
• Preparing the claim or response (sometimes Counsel’s input may be required);
• Reviewing and advising on claim or response from other party
• Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process as is appropriate and based on your instructions
• Preparing or considering a schedule of loss
• Preparing for (and attending) a Preliminary Hearing
• Exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle of documents
• Taking witness statements, drafting statements and agreeing their content with witnesses
• Preparing bundles of documents
• Reviewing and advising on the other party’s witness statements
• Agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and/or cast list
• Preparation and attendance at Final Hearing, including instructions to Counsel

The stages set out above are an indication (some of stages above may not be required), the fees charged will reflect the work actually carried out. You may wish to handle the claim yourself and only have our advice in relation to some of the stages and may not require our/Counsel’s attendance at any hearings. This can be discussed and arranged on your individual needs.

How long will my matter take?

The time that it takes from taking your initial instructions to the final resolution of your matter depends largely on the stage at which we are instructed and at which your case is resolved. If a settlement is reached during early conciliation, your case is likely to take up to 6 weeks from commencement of the early conclusion period. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take up to 12 months from the filing of a claim with the Tribunal, although unusually it may take longer . This is just an estimate and we will of course be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the matter progresses.

Counsel’s Fees (excluding VAT if applicable) can vary depending on the purpose and the length of the hearings they are required to attend or the advice they are required to give The fees also vary significantly based upon experience but tyically can range from £350 to £750 plus VAT for providing an opinion or conference to £3500 to £5000 plus VAT for attending a three to five day hearing.