Employment Tribunal
For the Employer
Our Costs & Services
Our pricing for defending claims for Unfair or Wrongful dismissal:
- Low complexity case: £5,000.00 – £7,500.00 (excluding VAT)
- Medium complexity case: £7,500.00 – £10,000.00 (excluding VAT)
- High complexity case: £10,000.00 -£12,500.00 (excluding VAT)
There will be an additional charge for attending a Tribunal Hearing of £800.00 per day (excluding VAT). Generally, we would allow 1-5 days depending on the complexity of your case.
These charges are based on the following schedule of hourly rates:
Pay Band | Fee Earner | Hourly Rate |
A | Solicitors and legal executives with over 8 years’ experience | £275.00 plus VAT |
B | Solicitors and legal executives with over 4 years’ experience | £260.00 plus VAT |
C | Other solicitors or legal executives and fee earners of equivalent experience | £180.00 plus VAT |
D | Trainee solicitors, paralegals and other fee earners. | £120.00 plus VAT |
The Complexity of the Claim
In assessing the complexity of claim, and whether the claim is a ‘low complexity’, ‘medium complexity’ or ‘high complexity’ claim, we will consider the following factors; –
- 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.
- Engaging in judicial mediation and negotiating potential settlement terms.
- Making or defending a costs application.
- Complex preliminary issues.
- The number of witnesses and documents.
- If it is an automatic unfair dismissal claim e.g. a dismissal after blowing the whistle on an employer.
- Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal.
Disbursements
In addition to legal costs, you will be responsible for the disbursements incurred in a claim. Disbursements are costs related to a claim that are payable to third parties. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. The relevant disbursements that may be incurred in an Unfair or Wrongful Dismissal claim are;
Barrister’s fees: –
For preparing a written opinion on the merits of the claim if it were to proceed to a final hearing (we will discuss with you whether this is necessary): –
£1,000.00 to £2,000.00 exclusive of VAT (depending on the experience of the Barrister).
For preparing for and attending a tribunal hearing: –
A brief fee of: – £750.00 to £2,000.00 exclusive of VAT (depending on the experience of the Barrister).
A further: – £750.00 to £2,000.00 exclusive of VAT per day (depending on experience of the Barrister).
Key stages in an Unfair or Wrongful Dismissal Claim
The fees set out above cover all of the work in relation to the following key stages of a claim:
Stage | Work Involved | Duration |
Stage 1 | Taking your initial instruction, reviewing the papers and advising you on merits. Merits of a claim are subject to change. | 1 week |
Stage 2 | Engaging in Early Conciliation with ACAS. | 2 – 6 weeks |
Stage 3 | Reviewing and advising on claim. | 1 – 2 weeks |
Stage 4 | Preparing the response to be submitted to the Employment Tribunal. | 1 – 2 weeks |
Stage 5 | Considering the Schedule of loss and preparing a Counter Schedule of Loss. | 2 – 4 weeks |
Stage 6 | Preparing for and attending a Preliminary Hearing. | 2 – 4 weeks |
Stage 7 | Preparing for and attending Judicial Mediation. | 2 – 4 weeks |
Stage 8 | Collating, preparing and exchanging documents. | 2 – 6 weeks |
Stage 9 | Preparing Witness Evidence. | 6 – 8 weeks |
Stage 10 | Preparing and paginating the agreed Tribunal Bundle. | 1 – 2 weeks |
Stage 11 | Agreeing a List of Issues and Chronology. | 1 – 2 weeks |
Stage 12 | Preparation and attendance at the Final Hearing, including preparing written instructions to Counsel. | 1 – 2 weeks |
The stages set out above are an indication and if some of the stages above are not required, our fees will be reduced accordingly.
The time that it takes from taking your initial instructions to the final resolution of your matter depends largely on the stage at which the case is resolved, how protracted and complex each stage is and the capacity of the Employment Tribunal to hear the case. It is therefore extremely difficult to accurately predict how long your claim will take.
As a guide: If a settlement is reached during pre-claim conciliation, your case is likely to take 2 – 6 weeks.
If it proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take anywhere from 38 – 52 weeks.
You may wish to handle the case yourself and only have our advice in relation to some of the stages. This can also be arranged on your individual needs.
Alternative Funding Options
Legal Expenses Insurance
You may have the benefit of a Legal Expenses Insurance Policy.
We advise you to check whether or not you have Legal Expenses Insurance at the earliest opportunity as there may be a deadline within the policy for notifying the insurer that you wish to rely on the policy.
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