We understand that legal fees may be additional costs that you did not plan or budget for. We work with all of our business clients to offer clear and transparent costs, giving you clear plans and peace of mind.
Introduction
Our team of Employment Law experts regularly advise clients on a broad range of employment tribunal claims. No claim is the same and we adapt our approach and strategies to each unique case. Our client’s objectives, the strength of the claim, the volume of documentation and the complexity of the issues are all factors that are likely to affect strategy. There are also external factors, such as whether the Claimant is represented and the Tribunal’s availability to hear a case that will impact on the costs that are incurred.
With this in mind, our fees in providing representation to our clients can also vary. The following is an illustration of what clients can realistically expect their costs to be when instructing us to represent them in claims for unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal, subject to a number of assumptions.
Basis of Engagement
The majority of the Employment Tribunal work we undertake is charged on a time spent basis at our standard hourly rates:-
Director/Associate Director – £340 plus VAT
Solicitor – £230 plus VAT
Where possible we may agree to undertake elements of the work on a fixed fee basis, including where we have agreed a “price and slice” approach where we have agreed pricing for different tasks associated with the claim, this would typically include:-
Likely costs
Subject to the assumptions listed below, our costs are likely to fall within the following ranges:-
| Type of Claim
|
Likely lower range fee | Likely upper range fee |
|
Wrongful Dismissal
|
£4,000 plus VAT |
£7,000 plus VAT |
|
Unfair Dismissal
|
£9,000 plus VAT |
£13,000 plus VAT |
|
Unfair and Wrongful Dismissal
|
£10,000 plus VAT
|
£17,000 plus VAT |
For these purposes we would assume that a wrongful dismissal claim would require only one witness to give evidence on behalf of our client at an employment tribunal hearing that lasts no longer than a day.
In terms of the unfair dismissal claims, whilst the range given can be applied to both unfair and constructive unfair dismissal claims the range given would apply to claims where there are no additional claims (such as claims under the Equality Act 2010 or whistleblowing claims), that only one preliminary hearing is required and that the matter is listed for no more than three days and requires no more than three witnesses to give evidence on behalf of our client.
In all cases, the range assumes that the Claimant would be represented by an employment law specialist or that they would conduct the case reasonably, that no expert medical evidence needs to be considered and that no hearing will be postponed.
Representation at the Hearing
The range of costs provided does not include the costs for representation at the hearing itself. Such representation is generally provided by expert Counsel. We have strong relationships with leading Barristers’ Chambers in both Kent and London with whom we work closely on contentious matters.
Counsel’s fees are charged as disbursements and are typically the only additional disbursements you will incur based on the assumptions listed above. We will always agree these with you in advance of instructing counsel and will ask for money on account of these fees before the hearing.
Counsel’s fees for cases of this nature will generally vary between £1,500 plus VAT and £6,000 plus VAT depending on length of hearing and required preparation time.
Timescales
It is difficult to estimate how long a case will take to conclude at this time due to the significant backlogs and time pressures most Employment Tribunals are under. A straight forward, one day wrongful dismissal claim may be heard within one year of the claim form being issued, but it is more likely that a longer hearing may not be heard for closer to two years after the claim form was issued.
We focus on creating long-term relationships with our corporate and commercial clients, and provide clear, straightforward and practical advice for all sizes and sectors of business. For an estimate of your costs, please speak to a member of our team.
We understand the importance of the role we play in achieving a successful commercial property transaction, as success is typically down to the commitment of the parties and the cooperation of their legal advisors. We apply our knowledge, experience and commercial judgement to each transaction. Get in touch with us for an estimate of your commercial property costs.
Our dispute resolution services cover a wide range of scenarios. We also work to ensure that your costs are kept to a minimum. Speak to us today for an estimate.
Mediation costs can depend heavily on your requirements and how long the process lasts. However, we also look to keep your costs as low as possible. Speak to a member of our team today for an estimate of your costs.
We understand that during disputes, you don’t need the stress of large costs, so we always aim to keep our costs as low as possible. In order to understand the likely cost of managing your dispute, please enquire today.
