£7,500 - £25,000 +VAT at 20% For a one day unfair dismissal claim based on work carried out at solicitor, associate or senior associate level with partner involvement and supervision as needed (see estimating costs below for further details).
16 - 30 weeks Estimated time between initial instructions and proceeding to a hearing. Alternatively, approximately 2-3 weeks if settlement reached.
We have a large Employment team, led by 10 partners, who can offer advice on a wide range of matters. The team comprises lawyers with different specialisms and qualifications to ensure that your needs are met by lawyers with the most appropriate level of expertise and experience.
We have a team approach, so that clients have a dedicated lawyer who will meet them and who is fully involved in every stage of the claim. He or she is supported by our secretarial team, so that there is always cover and a point of contact. All work carried out by the Employment Team is supervised by a partner.
We charge on the basis of an hourly rate and estimate the costs based on the amount of time we think the matter will take. We set out all of the rates and provide fee estimates at the outset of the case so that each client has oversight of our costs at the beginning of the case, and agrees the level of fees to be incurred. We provide regular costs updates as the case proceeds.
The rates applied to a particular case may depend upon any client retainer or procurement framework that is in place at the time and will also take into account the complexity, value or urgency of the work to be completed.
It is very difficult at the outset, to predict accurately all of the work needed to deal with a case and therefore how much it will cost. The ultimate cost will depend on the individual circumstances of each matter and the stage at which a settlement may be reached. Where possible, we will break down the stages of the Employment Tribunal and agree a cost for each stage (as explained in more detail below).
Our fees for the services listed below, in relation to an unfair dismissal or wrongful dismissal claim proceeding to a one day contested tribunal hearing, generally range from £7,500 to £25,000 plus VAT of 20%. This is based on the work being carried out at solicitor, associate or senior associate level with partner involvement and supervision, as needed. The average time incurred varies between 30 hours and 60 hours depending upon the complexity of the issues.
If additional steps to those set out below need to be taken, or the matter is more complicated, due to complex preliminary issues (such as time limits or employee status), allegations of discrimination or whistleblowing, or a large number of witnesses and documents, our costs and those of a barrister might exceed the range provided. If this is the case, we will advise you on the estimated additional costs as soon as we become aware.
Conversely, if settlement with the employee is reached before a final hearing, not all of the services listed below will be necessary and the cost of the matter may be at the lower end of the range, or less.
In addition to our fees, other costs may arise during the matter that are payable to third parties. These costs are called 'disbursements' and are likely to include barrister fees, if the case proceeds to a hearing as outlined below. There may be other expenses, such as experts fees, or the costs of preparing the document bundles for the hearing. We will keep you updated on all expenses throughout the matter and let you know in advance before they are incurred. We will also inform you if additional expenses are required.
Advocacy at a tribunal hearing will be undertaken by a barrister who will charge an additional fee of between £1,500 and £5,000 plus VAT at 20% for a one day hearing. The exact amount a barrister will charge depends upon the preparation needed and the seniority of the barrister.
At the outset of a matter it can be difficult to predict timescales, because 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 settlement is reached during ACAS pre-claim conciliation, your case may be resolved within a few weeks of your instructions to us. Alternatively, if your claim proceeds to a final hearing in the employment tribunal, the time between your initial instructions and proceeding to a hearing may be between 16 and 30 weeks. This estimate depends upon the complexity of your case and also the availability of an Employment Judge at the Employment Tribunal dealing with the case. If the case is factually complex, involves multiple claims and/or a number of witnesses, the timescale for resolution or a final hearing may be more than 30 weeks. We will provide you with a more accurate timescale, once we have more information, and update you as the matter progresses.
Our services
The fees set out above cover all of the work, in relation to the following key stages of a claim:
taking initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising you on merits and likely compensation payable
entering into pre-claim conciliation (where appropriate) to explore whether a settlement can be reached
preparing a claim or response
reviewing and advising on any response from the other party
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
preparing witness statements, to include preparing first drafts, reviewing and finalising statements
preparing a bundle of documents
reviewing and advising on the other party's witness statements
agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and/or cast list (if appropriate)
preparation and attendance at Final Hearing, including instructions to Counsel (where appropriate)
exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process.
The range of costs shown above is an estimate only and deals with an employment tribunal relating to unfair dismissal or wrongful dismissal. Please contact your usual team contact or the Head of the team to discuss the full range of employment law services we provide.
For specialist legal support defending claims brought before the Employment Tribunal, please contact Gareth Edwards on 0117 314 5220 or make an online enquiry below.
The team has wide experience and excellent subject knowledge and is at the forefront of employment law practice for charities and independent schools.
Our employment lawyers based in London, Watford, Bristol and Birmingham provide specialist legal advice and support to employers of all sizes and in all sectors.
