Unfortunately, as each case is different, it is very difficult to give a very precise figure at the outset; we set out below some guidelines for our charges. We encourage all clients to check their insurance policies to see if they have “legal expenses” insurance. If so, we can be appointed as your legal representative and your insurer pays your legal fees. Please note it is your responsibility to check whether you have cover and, if so, to comply with the terms of any policy.

What is an employment tribunal?

An employment tribunal is a legal forum that hears employment disputes. Cases that can be taken to an employment tribunal include unfair dismissal, discrimination and redundancy disputes.

Before a case can be taken to an employment tribunal, your employee would need to attempt to settle the issue with you. This is done through the conciliation service Acas, so you would be notified of the claim by an Acas officer.

There may be an opportunity to end the case at this early stage, depending on the strength of the employee’s claims and whether you feel it could be worth settling rather than proceeding to a tribunal hearing.

Unfair Dismissal

For a straightforward case (ordinary unfair dismissal only, with a 1-2 day final hearing) our estimated fee range is £10,000 - £20,000 plus VAT (at 20%). For a more complex case that may involve issues of automatic unfair dismissal, discrimination or whistleblowing, a hearing which will last for more than 2 days, the need for a preliminary hearing(s) and two or more witnesses, our estimated fee range is £15,000 - £70,000 plus VAT (at 20%). The above figures are purely an estimate (and a broad one at that), so please contact us, so we can discuss your specific situation and provide a more detailed/specific estimate of fees. We may be able to provide fixed fee quotations for different stages of employment tribunal claims.

Employment tribunal claims have many different stages to them, and the overall cost of bringing or defending your claim will generally depend on the legal issues involved, the amount of documentary evidence, number of witnesses and the length of the final hearing. For the unfair dismissal price ranges, this includes; submitting your claim or defence, attending preliminary hearings, preparing and agreeing trial bundles, preparing witness statements and advising you throughout the proceedings. It does not include representation at hearings, reconsiderations, appeals or remedy hearings. When acting for you we may incur costs from third parties, which are known as ‘disbursements’.

We rarely work on a ‘no win/no fee’ basis but if we do, we will require a payment up front to assess your claim (usually around £1,000 - £2,000 + VAT (at 20%) depending on documentation). If, after the assessment, we agree to take the case on ‘no win/no fee’ basis and a successful outcome is achieved, we will also charge you a fee for our professional fees depending on the type of agreement we enter into. This will either be a damages-based agreement, where we will charge up to 35% (including VAT at 20%) of the value of the successful outcome, or a conditional fee, where we charge our normal hourly rate, but with an uplift to our hourly rate based on the risk, plus VAT (at 20%). Disbursements will be charged in addition for any ‘no win/no fee’ work.

Time basis

The way we usually charge is on a time basis, meaning; the more time we spend, the more we charge.

When working in this way, we generally agree budgets / fee ranges with you before undertaking any work and work within those. Also, we ask for money on account and bill monthly to also help put you in control of your legal fees.

All our Partners are fully qualified, senior and experienced, with a minimum 15 years’ post-qualification experience; often a lot more. Please see our individual profiles for more detail.

All our Consultants, Senior Associates and Associates are also experts in their field all with many years’ experience.

When working on a time basis, our Partners and Consultants charge between £350 - £500 + VAT per hour. Our Senior Associates charge £310 - £330 + VAT per hour. Our Associates charge £275 + VAT per hour. Paralegals/legal assistants charge £100 + VAT per hour. HR Consultants charge £150 + VAT per hour.

Disbursements

Disbursements: The disbursement we usually incur is counsel’s fees; usually for representation at an Employment Tribunal. The Barristers we tend to use cost approximately £1,000 to £2,000 + VAT (at 20%) per day depending on their experience. Expert costs are also a disbursement that may be incurred and are likely to be in excess of £1,000 plus VAT (at 20%). In order to obtain a specific price and quote for any disbursement, we will need to understand the work involved and agree those fees with you and Counsel before they are incurred. We will discuss all options with you and how and who will incur any disbursements.

From initial instructions to conclusion, unfair dismissal claims are likely to take 12-18 months and assistance with ACAS early conciliation 4 – 6 weeks.

VAT

All our services are charged with VAT in addition at 20%.

Timescales

Progressing a case can also be a lengthy process. Although settlement can be achieved within weeks, a simple case may take more than 9-12 months to be heard, a mid complexity case will probably take over 12 months, and a complex case is likely to take more than a year.

Further information

If you would like any more information about our fees, please contact us; we can explain everything in detail.