We are required to set out price and service information for bringing and defending claims for unfair and/or wrongful dismissal in an Employment Tribunal.
Please note that the figures below are not quotes and exclude disbursements (which are explained below) and are on the basis the matters proceed to fully contested hearings before the Tribunal. More complex claims are likely to be more expensive than the costs set out below. As soon as we have all relevant information from you we should be able to provide our opinion at the outset as to how complex the matter is likely to be.
Simple case: £10,000 - £20,000 (excluding VAT)
Medium complexity case: £25,000 - £50,000 (excluding VAT)
High complexity case: £60,000 -£120,000 (excluding VAT)
VAT is presently charged at 20%.
Factors that could make a case more complex include the following:
- 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 such as whether the claimant is disabled (if this is not agreed by the parties);
- The number 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; and
- Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal.
There may be other funding options available, depending on your personal circumstances and the nature of your case. For example, you may have cover under the legal expenses section of your home insurance policy or be a member of a trade union, and these matters will be discussed with you at your first appointment.
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as barristers fees or court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process but you will be responsible for paying these third parties.
Counsel's fees will depend on experience and seniority of the barrister who will be advising as the matter progresses and who will subsequently attend the Tribunal Hearing (including preparation).
Key stages
The fees set out above cover all of the work in relation to the following key stages of a claim:
- 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 pre-claim conciliation where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached.
- Preparing claim or response.
- Reviewing and advising on claim or response from other party.
- Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process.
- 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 bundle 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 and if some of stages above are not required, the fee will be reduced. You may wish to handle the claim yourself and only have our advice in relation to some of the stages. This can also be 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 your case is resolved. If a settlement is reached during pre-claim conciliation, your case could take 4 – 6 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take several months to conclude. We should be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the matter progresses.
Who will carry out the work?
The work will be undertaken by a qualified Solicitor with the assistance of a paralegal or Trainee Solicitor, under the supervision of a Partner. The fee estimates above would accord with a Solicitor with 3 years' post qualification experience undertaking the work. Profiles of our staff can be reviewed here.