Potential Fees

Quite often tribunal proceedings can be avoided if we are contacted at an early stage, in which case our Disciplinary, Mediation and Settlement Agreement information may be useful. However, if matters have reached tribunal stage the fees below may be applicable.

Our fixed fee pricing for bringing claims for unfair dismissal or wrongful dismissal claims usually range from:

Simple case	Medium complexity case	High complexity case
£5,000 - £7,000 exc VAT	£7,000 - £11,000 exc VAT	£11,000 + exc VAT

Factors that could make a case more complex include:

• If it is necessary to make applications to amend claims or to provide further information about an existing claim
• Making or defending a costs application
• Complex preliminary issues such as whether the claimant is disabled (if this is not agreed by the parties)
• The number of witnesses and documents
• If it is an automatic unfair dismissal claim eg if you are dismissed after blowing the whistle on your employer
• Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal

There will be an additional charge for attending a Tribunal Hearing of £1,000 per day (exc VAT).  Generally, we would allow 1-7 days depending on the complexity of your case. Not all cases will require the solicitor to be in attendance where a barrister has been appointed.

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are usual payable to third parties, such as any court fees, medical reports, etc and are in addition to other fees.

Counsel’s (barrister) fees are estimated between £750 to £1,500 per day (exc VAT) (depending on the experience of the barrister) for attending a Tribunal Hearing (plus preparation).

Funding options

There may be other funding options available, such as cover under an insurance policy and we will check this with you at your first appointment.

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 merits and likely compensation (this is likely to be reviewed throughout the matter and is subject to change)
• Preparing the claim application
• Reviewing and advising on the response from other party
• Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process
• Preparing or considering a schedule of loss, setting out the valuation of the claim
• Preparing for a Preliminary Hearing
• Exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle of documents
• Taking witness statements, drafting statements and agreeing their content with witnesses
• Preparing 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 for Final Hearing, including instructions to Counsel (barrister)

The stages set out above are an indication only.  You may wish to handle the claim yourself and only have our advice in relation to some of the stages.  This can be arranged on request and to meet your individual needs.  Some clients choose to enter into pre-claim conciliation themselves.  Entering into pre-claim conciliation is not included in the above mentioned fees unless by prior arrangement.  Pre-claim conciliation is mandatory before a claim can be made at the Employment Tribunal, to explore whether a settlement can be reached.

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 4-6 weeks.  If your claim proceeds to a final hearing, your case is likely to take 6-12 months.  Complex cases including discrimination cases are likely to take longer and we would keep you updated.  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.

Preferential rates

Preferential rates apply to returning clients and/or existing clients on other matters.

Fees

All fees will be subject to VAT at the standard rate of 20%.

Experience and qualifications

Vivien Earp qualified as a solicitor in 2006 and her particular expertise is in employment law.  Vivien is also a qualified workplace mediator. 

We invite people to call us with any questions as we know that even considering making or defending a claim at the Employment Tribunal is daunting.  We would be happy to explain and go through any of the above with you in more detail so that you have a better understanding of the whole process.