Tribunal Costs

The complexity of bringing or defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal can vary significantly from case to case. For this reason, we have set out below a range of fees for cases of low, medium and high complexity together with additional guidance on the sort of factors that can make a case more complex.

We charge for our services by the hour. The hourly rates in the team vary from £155+VAT to £280+VAT depending on which solicitor deals with the matter.

Our fees for bringing and defending a claim for unfair or wrongful dismissal:

Simple case:                               £3,060 – £5,100 plus VAT of £612 – £1,020

Medium complexity case:        £4,080 – £8,160 plus VAT of £816 – £1,632

High complexity case:              £7,140 – £13,260 plus VAT of £1,428 – £2,652

Factors that could make a case more complex:

• 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” (people representing themselves)
  
  
• Making or defending an application for payment of costs
  
  
• Complex preliminary issues such as deciding disability related issues (if such issues are not agreed by the parties)
  
  
• The number of witnesses and documents
  
  
• If it is an automatic unfair dismissal claim e.g. if a dismissal happens after blowing the whistle
  
  
• Allegations of discrimination which are linked to a dismissal
  
  
• If there is a requirement for expert evidence to be obtained
  
  
• If a separate hearing is required to decide the amount of the compensation

There will be an additional charge for attending a Tribunal Hearing of £750 per day plus VAT of £150. A typical Tribunal Hearing can take 1–5 days, depending on the complexity of the case.

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Tribunal fees, expert’s fees and barrister’s fees (called Counsel’s fees).

If instructing a barrister to represent a client at a full one day employment tribunal hearing the average cost per day could be between £1,250 - £1,750 per day. VAT is charged in addition. Costs may vary depending on the type of case, the complexity of the case and the seniority of the barrister used.

There will be an administrative charge of £8 plus VAT per client/beneficial owner at the outset of the matter in order for us to complete our anti-money laundering checks in compliance with regulatory requirement.

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 the strength of the claim and likely compensation (this is likely to be revisited throughout the matter and subject to change)
  
  
• Entering into “pre-claim conciliation” with ACAS where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached
  
  
• Preparing a claim or a response to a claim
  
  
• Reviewing and advising on a claim or response from the other party
  
  
• Exploring the prospect of settling the claim and negotiating potential settlement throughout the process
  
  
• Preparing or considering a “Schedule of Loss” to set out the amount of compensation that is claimed
  
  
• Preparing for, and attending, a Preliminary Hearing
  
  
• Exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing a “bundle of documents” for use at the final hearing
  
  
• Taking witness statements, drafting statements and agreeing their content with witnesses
  
  
• 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
  
  
• Preparation and attendance at a Final Hearing, including preparing instructions to Counsel

These stages are an indication. Some of the stages may not be required in your particular claim and, if that is the case, our fees will be reduced (within the range of fees above). You may wish to handle the matter yourself and only have our advice in relation to some of the stages. This can also be arranged on your 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 is likely to take 2 to 4 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take between 6 to 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.