Legal Fees for Employment Disputes
We set out below our average fee estimates for bringing and defending claims for ordinary, unfair and wrongful dismissal.
These fees are calculated by reference to our hourly rates which vary depending upon the experience of the solicitor carrying out the work. They typically range between £200 for a Partner and a Solicitor with over 8 years post qualification experience, £177 for a Solicitor and Legal Executives with over 4 years post qualification experience, £146 for Other Solicitors and Legal Executives and fee earners of equivalent experience and £111 for Trainee Solicitors, Paralegals and other fee earners.
The exact cost will depend on the particular circumstances of your case. If the case is straightforward it is likely that the fees will be at the lower end of the fee estimate. Where the case is more complicated then the fees may reach the upper end of the fee estimate or in some cases maybe more.
The people working on your case and how that impacts the fee estimate will be discussed with you at the start of nay matter.
Our legal fees
Please note our fees exclude VAT. We will discuss with you at the start of your case if any VAT is to be paid and the amount.
Simple case Medium case Complex case
Bringing a claim £4,000 – £7,000 £7,000 – £10,000 £10,000 – £15,000
Defending a claim £5,000 – £8,000 £6,000 – £9,000 £9,000 – £14,000
Court Attendance
There may be an additional charge for attending the Tribunal hearing of upto £1,000 per day depending on the seniority of the fee earner involved.
Disbursements
The following costs are not included within our fee estimate and are payable to third parties such as the Court fees. We will handle the payment of these additional costs on your behalf unless you pay these direct.
The additional costs payable to third parties can include:
- Court fees.
- Advice and assistance in relation to any appeal.
- Expert reports.
- Barrister’s fee for advising and attending the hearing.
What services are included
The work will involve:
- Taking your initial instructions, reviewing the documents and advising you on the 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 and advising on the claim or the reply.
- Exploring settlement throughout the length of the case.
- Preparing or considering the schedule of loss.
- Preparing for (and attending) any hearings.
- Exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle of documents.
- Preparing and considering witness evidence.
Factors that could make a case more complicated
The following list contains examples of some of the issues that may impact on the cost:
- If we need to make or defend applications, or amend the claim or defence.
- Defending a claim brought by a litigant in person.
- Making or defending a costs application.
- Dealing with complex issues about limitation and Court jurisdiction.
- The number of witnesses and documents.
- If it is an automatic unfair dismissal claim (eg) if you are dismissed after blowing the whistle on your employer.
- Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal.
- The length of the hearing.
How long will my case take?
This usually depends upon the stage at which your case is settled. If we reach a settlement prior to issuing court proceedings then it could take upto 4-8 weeks. If your case can not be settled then it can take upto 18 months before the final hearing depending on the location of the Court. This is just an estimate and we will be able to give you a more accurate time table as the case progresses.
Alternative ways to fund a claim or defence
Bringing a claim
You may have Legal Expenses Insurance as part of your car or household contents insurance policy. This type of insurance may cover your legal costs.
Defending a claim
We offer employers a fixed fee employment law and HR advisory service. The cost of defending an employment tribunal claim will be charged separately to this service but we may be able to offer capped fees.