We are always happy to provide free initial advice in the form of a preliminary assessment of your case. For further information then please telephone us on 016974 78222 or email [email protected] and we will be happy to help.
All work on your behalf and supervision of files is carried out by specialist employment solicitors with 18+ years’ experience.
At the outset, we provide specific information of what we think the work you want us to do will cost. As your case progresses, we provide regular updates on fees so you are in control.
We will advise on how to save fees (e.g. by you carrying out certain elements of the work and by seeking to negotiate a favourable early settlement).
The figures below are guides (for unfair and wrongful dismissal claims only) and presume that the case goes to a full single day hearing. This is not what happens in the vast majority of cases that we handle and we are skilled at negotiating favourable early settlements where this is appropriate.
Call or email us using the details above and we will undertake a free assessment of your case and give you a clear indication of the cost of handling your case.
For defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal:
- Wrongful dismissal case: £2400-£3,950
- Unfair dismissal case: £5,400-£9,800
- Our hourly rate is £235-270.
All amounts are exclusive of VAT which is charged at 20%.
Factors that could make a case more complex and so more costly than above:
- If it is necessary to make or defend applications to amend claims or to provide further information about an existing claim
- Defending claims that are brought by litigants in person
- Making or defending a costs application
- Complex preliminary issues
- The number of witnesses and documents and/or cases that go to multiple day hearings
- Allegations of discrimination or other claims (including automatic unfair dismissal, detriment, notice pay, holiday pay and unpaid wages) which are linked to the dismissal
- Claims with complex loss issues (including pension loss, mitigation of loss and arguments about reductions to losses)
Generally, we use specialist barristers to attend a Tribunal Hearing (because this is their specialism and they can carry out the work more cost-effectively). However, where cost is a particular concern, we also assist clients to attend the hearing themselves by explaining the Tribunal procedure, preparing cross-examination questions and drafting submissions.
Where you choose to use a barrister, the cost (which is in addition to our fees above) varies with levels of experience and availability but is usually £900 and 1450 per day (including preparation).
The length of the hearing depends on the complexity of the issue. The figures above anticipate a single day hearing but cases can involve multiple day hearings which will involve additional cost.
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties. Usually, the only disbursement will be barrister’s fees. These will only be required if the case goes to a Tribunal Hearing. We will inform you of the cost of any barrister’s fees. These are charged at different rates depending on the length of the case and the experience of the barrister.
The fees set out above cover all of the work in relation to the following key stages of a claim (which are the normal stages of a case):
- Taking your initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising you on the strengths, weaknesses and likely value of the claim (this may be subject to change and will be revisited throughout the matter)
- Entering into pre-claim conciliation where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached
- Preparing a response to the claim
- Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process
- Exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle of documents
- Taking and drafting witness statements
- Preparing bundle of documents
- Reviewing and advising on the other party’s witness statements
- Preparation for Final Hearing, including instructing a barrister
The stages set out above are a guide. If some of the stages above are not required, the fee will be reduced. You may wish to handle elements of the claim yourself and only have our advice in relation to some of the stages. Our approach will be tailored to your needs.
The time that it takes from taking your initial instructions to the final resolution of your matter depends largely on the stage at which your case is resolved. If a settlement is reached during pre-claim conciliation, your case is likely to take 3-6 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, then the mean time for the disposal of a claim in the Employment Tribunal (according to the July to September 2020 Tribunal statistics) is 39 weeks from the start of the case in the Employment Tribunal to the Tribunal Hearing.
This is just an estimate and much will depend upon when we are instructed and the complexity of the case. We will of course be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the matter progresses.
We are always happy to provide free initial advice in the form of a preliminary assessment of your case. For further information then please telephone us on 016974 78222 or email [email protected] and we will be happy to help.