For every client, we give an estimate of the likely cost involved in using our services before we charge. 

Our client care team will have an initial discussion with you.  This is so we can ensure we can add value and so we can give you a detailed fee estimate for your approval.

We are obliged to provide details of the cost to bring or defend claims of unfair and wrongful dismissal, which are set out below. 

Every claim is different and, as such, this information is not a quotation, but provided for guidance only. We will be happy to provide a detailed cost estimate for you based on your needs and the specific facts of your case.

Tribunal disputes are very costly, and we are able to identify ways to make your claim less expensive. In addition, we are happy to discuss other ways of funding your claim, including: 

Insurance

You should check any current insurance policy that you hold as it may provide you with “legal expenses” cover. 

This means we can be appointed as your 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 the policy; and

Wrongful dismissal

These cases are usually simple with limited witnesses. As such, our estimated fee range is £4,000 to £8,000 plus VAT (at 20%) for a 1 day hearing. 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 wrongful dismissal price ranges, this includes; submitting your claim or defence, preparing and agreeing trial bundles, preparing witness statements and advising you throughout the proceedings. It does not include any 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.

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. 

For the wrongful and unfair dismissal price ranges above, this includes representing you and acting for you at Tribunal, including; submitting your claim or defence, attending preliminary hearings preparing and agreeing trial bundles, preparing witness statements and representation at the final hearing. It does not include and reconsiderations, appeals or remedy hearings. 

Basis of Charging

Fixed-Fee basis

We can, and often do, work on a fixed-fee basis. When advising individuals on settlement agreements, for example, we often accept work on the basis that our fees will be fixed in line with the contribution from their employer (assuming terms are agreed). 

We also offer our commercial clients fixed annual HR Support contracts and regularly undertake specific drafting tasks, such as, contracts of employment or staff handbooks on a fixed fee basis. 

While it can be difficult to undertake Tribunal / litigation work on a fixed fee basis, we can usually predict the likely / estimated fee range for each part of the litigation / process and may be able to undertake certain stages of the work for a fixed fee. 

Please get in touch if you want to learn more about our fixed fee services.

Time basis

The way we usually charge is in line with how most law firms charge, which 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. We 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 and often a lot more. Please see our individual bios for more detail. All our Consultants, Senior Associates and Associates are, likewise, experts in their field all with many years’ experience. When working on a time basis, our Partners and Consultants charge between £350 - £450 + VAT per hour. Our Senior Associates charge £310 - £330 + VAT per hour and our Associates charge £275 + VAT per hour.

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%.