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Thank you for looking at our employment law services. Whilst we advise and assist employees on a range of employment-related issues, this section of our website is to give you more details about our fees for pursuing claims for unfair and wrongful dismissal in the Employment Tribunals.
If you believe you have been unfairly dismissed from your job or if you have not been paid all of the sums you are entitled to, getting the right legal advice as soon as possible is vital. This will allow you to get a clear picture of whether you have grounds for a claim and what compensation you may be entitled to.
Why Us
Our expert team have years of experience and can explore all of the options available to you, helping you to determine how best to proceed.
We will provide you with a range of estimates and keep you updated on fees as your matter progresses.
Pricing
Our Employment Team is headed up by Andrew Peters, Partner and Solicitor qualifying in 2004. Andrew's hourly rate is £300.00 plus VAT.
Our usual fees for bringing claims for unfair and wrongful dismissal are based on three bands, which we will be happy to discuss with you.
There may be other funding options available to you, for example, as an individual you may have insurance which can cover your legal fees, which we will discuss with you.
There are various issues we will need to consider when deciding what your total legal fees are likely to be. We will make this assessment and inform you of the likely overall fees at the outset and as your matter progresses, if we consider these fees will be exceeded.
Fees
Type of claim: unfair dismissal | Fees/Range of Fees | VAT | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
Simple claim defined as: an unfair dismissal claim with a hearing lasting one day | £7,500 - £10,000 | £1,500 - £2,000 | £9,000 - £12,000 including VAT |
Medium claim defined as: an unfair dismissal claim with a hearing lasting 2-3 days | £10,000 - £15,000 | £2,000 - £3,000 | £12,000 - £18,000 including VAT |
Complex claim defined as: an unfair dismissal claim with a hearing lasting 3 days or more | £15,000 - £25,000 | £3,000 - £5,000 | £18,000 - £30,000 including VAT |
Type of claim: wrongful dismissal | Fees/Range of Fees | VAT | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
Simple claim defined as: a wrongful dismissal claim with a hearing lasting up to one day | £5,000 – £10,000 | £1,000 - £2,000 | £6,000 - £12,000 including VAT |
Medium claim defined as: a wrongful dismissal claim with a hearing lasting one day | £10,000 - £15,000 | £2,000 – £3,000 | £12,000 - £18,000 including VAT |
Complex claim defined as: a wrongful dismissal claim lasting more than one day | £15,000 – £25,000 | £3,000 - £5,000 | £18,000 - £30,000 including VAT |
Fees are based on hourly rates ranging from £175 - £350 plus VAT, depending on the level of experience of the person handling the claim.
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Counsel’s fees.
Counsel's fees are estimated between £1,000 and £5,000 per day (depending on experience of the advocate) for attending a Tribunal Hearing (including preparation, which will vary case to case). We will obtain an accurate fee estimate, based on your individual case, from Counsel in advance of any hearing.
Exclusions and Factors Which May Make a Case More Complex
In the event that the issues become more complex or any unforeseen issues arise, we will make sure you are informed of this at the earliest opportunity and a clear estimate of any additional fees or disbursements will be provided.
Factors that may lead to an increase in fees or disbursements include:
- If it is necessary to make an application to amend your claim or to provide further information about an existing claim
- Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process
- The conduct of your opponent or their legal representative, including but not limited to, the need to make or respond to any applications to the Tribunal
- Making or defending a costs application
- The number of documents and witnesses
- If it is an automatic unfair dismissal claim e.g. if you are dismissed after blowing the whistle on your employer
- If there are allegations of discrimination linked to the dismissal or other complex issues
- Preliminary issues which may need to be determined by a Tribunal first
- Liaising with any third parties such as legal expenses insurers and agreeing fees increases
Time Scales
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 and the Tribunal hearing centre where the hearing will take place.
If a settlement is reached during pre-claim conciliation, your case is likely to take up to 6-8 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a final hearing, your case is likely to take up to 9-12 months.
This is just an estimate and we will of course be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the matter progresses.
Key Stages
There are key stages in every Employment Tribunal claim, however some may vary according to individual circumstances. They may be as follows:
- 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 is subject to change)
- Entering into pre-claim conciliation, where this is mandatory, to explore whether a settlement can be reached;
- Preparing your claim, drafting it and submitting it to the Tribunal
- Reviewing and advising on the response from the other party
- Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process, if applicable
- Preparing or considering a Schedule of Loss (setting out the compensation you are seeking)
- Preparing for (and attending) any preliminary hearings, if required
- Exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle of documents
- Taking witness statements, drafting statements and agreeing their content with witnesses and exchanging with the other party
- Preparing bundle of documents
- Reviewing and advising on the other party's Witness Statements
- Preparing and agreeing a List of Issues, a Chronology and/or Cast List
- Updating the Schedule of Loss
- Drafting instructions to Counsel and liaising with Counsel
- Preparation and attendance at the final hearing
- Advising on any Tribunal judgment
