We offer an initial consultation of up to one hour at the fixed rate of £300 inclusive of VAT when we shall discuss your options with you. For any further or additional advice we charge at the rate of £240 per hour + VAT for more junior solicitors and at the rate of £280 per hour + VAT for more senior solicitors of at least 8 years’ experience. We shall discuss with you the likely cost of such additional work at the outset which will be subject to review as the matter progresses. Factors which may affect the costs estimate will be matters such as the particular issues, the facts involved and the volume of documentation.
For employees who may be offered a Settlement Agreement, then your employer will generally contribute to the cost of the advice which you are required to take. We shall discuss with you at the outset whether the employer’s contribution will cover your legal costs and if not what additional costs you are likely to incur.
Prior to commencing Employment Tribunal proceedings, an application for conciliation through ACAS is generally required to be made. If you require us to assist in the negotiations for settlement then we shall charge for such work at the rate of £240 per hour + VAT for more junior solicitors and at the rate of £280 per hour + VAT for more senior solicitors of at least 8 years’ experience.
We charge for Employment Tribunal claims at the rate of £240 per hour + VAT for more junior solicitors and at the rate of £280 per hour + VAT for more senior solicitors of at least 8 years’ experience.
In order to give you an indication of costs, whether you are an employee or an employer, we have set out a range of typical costs for Employment Tribunal cases for claims for unfair dismissal or wrongful dismissal.
In simple cases, our costs are likely to be in the range of £3,000 to £10,000 + VAT
In cases of medium complexity, our costs are likely to be in the range of £10,000 to £25,000 + VAT
In cases of high complexity, our costs are likely to be in the range of £25,000 to £100,000 + VAT
In addition to our costs, you may also incur Counsel’s fees.
It would be usual for us to instruct Counsel to represent you at a hearing. It may be appropriate for Counsel to be more actively involved at an earlier stage particularly in more complex cases. We shall discuss the choice of Counsel with you and obtain an estimate of fees prior to providing formal instructions. Counsel’s fees will depend on the seniority of the Counsel. Fees for advice and drafting are likely to be charged on a time spent basis. A brief fee for representation at a hearing is likely to range from about £1,500 + VAT for simpler cases lasting less than one day to about £50,000 + VAT for more complex cases. When a hearing lasts for more than 1 day, then additional, refresher, fees will be charged for each extra day and such fees are likely to range from about £500 + VAT to £5,000 + VAT per day.
The steps involved in Employment Tribunal claims are likely to will include the following:
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- taking instructions, reviewing paperwork and relevant documents, advising on the merits and likely compensation;
- trying to reach terms of settlement;
- drafting the claim form or response;
- advising on the response;
- dealing with any applications to the Tribunal;
- drafting or considering a Schedule of Loss;
- preparing a statement of issues
- preparing for a preliminary hearing;
- preparing a list of documents and considering the other party’s list and documents;
- preparing and exchanging witness statements;
- considering the other party’s witness statements
- preparing and /or liaising with the other party regarding agreed bundles of documents;
- instructing Counsel;
- preparing for the final hearing.
At all stages we shall undertake a regular review of the matter to include trying to reach terms of settlement.
We shall discuss with you at the outset the likely complexity of your case or of any particular factors which may affect the above estimate.
If you wish us to handle only certain aspects of your case, then we shall charge for such work at the rate of £240 per hour + VAT for more junior solicitors and at the rate of £280 per hour + VAT for more senior solicitors of at least 8 years’ experience.
We shall request money on account of costs as the matter progresses and we shall try to bill on a monthly basis.
The timescale will depend on the complexity of the matter, the stage at which terms of settlement may be reached or the listing of a case for a final hearing and could range from a period of about 6 weeks to 2 years. We shall try to give you a better indication of time once we have more information on your case.
01256 760074 