EMPLOYMENT LAW
Ranges of Fees (Please be informed that VAT at 20% is payable on all fees)
The hourly rates depend on the date of enrolment of the Solicitor handling the matter. The current hourly rates exclusive of VAT are set out below:
- Director / Solicitors with over 8 years’ experience : £250.00.
- Solicitors with over 4 years’ experience: £180.00.
- Other Solicitors: £165.00.
- Trainee Solicitors: £120.00.
- Others: By agreement.
We also offer one-off fixed / agreed fees for advice and assistance, and many clients find the fixed fee arrangement competitive and better for them. The costs will be agreed before we commence work.
It is important to explain that it is difficult to ascertain the fee that will be incurred for each employment matter as each case is differs. But there are some factors that we take into consideration, including but not limited to the following:
- Where there is a dispute as to whether the claimant is disabled
- The amount of documents
- The number of witnesses
- Any allegations of dismissal
- If the dismissal occurred as result of whistle blowing
- Initiating or defending a costs application
As stated above, we charge an hourly rate of £250 plus vat of 20% for Director and there is an initial consultation fee of £100 to obtain instructions and ascertain the merits of your case.
A defended Employment Tribunal claim could cost from £2,500 to £14,000 (inclusive of VAT of 20%) depending on the merit, length and complexity of the matter.
OUR FEE RANGE
For bringing and defending claims for wrongful or unfair dismissal claims and discrimination cases could vary as follows:
Unfair and Wrongful Dismissal Cases.
- Simple cases £25000 – £5000 (Excluding Vat).
- Cases of Medium Complexity £6000 – £7000 (Excluding Vat).
- Cases of High Complexity £7000 – £14000 (Excluding Vat).
Discrimination Cases
- Simple Cases £1000 – £2,500 (Excluding Vat).
- Cases of Medium Complexity £3,500 – £5,500 (Excluding Vat).
- Cases of High Complexity Cases £5,500 – £7,000 (Excluding Vat).
Please note that the above fee does not include barristers’ fees which can range from £1,000 to £3,500 (inclusive of VAT) per day (depending on experience of the barrister and the complexity of the issues involved) and attendance at Employment tribunals.
We usually charge £100 Consultation fee which would involve a face-to-face consultation to discuss and assess the likelihood of success and likely compensation in the case. On perusing the document, if it appears that the case has a strong prospect of success and you are unable to pay our fees, we shall discuss how to progress the matter with you on.
In some cases, we may be able to offer you a Damage Based Agreement (DBA). Depending on the number of documents, it may take up to 2 weeks to screen cases before we can make a decision to proceed.
The level of taken from your compensation if you are successful under a (DBA) is 35% excluding VAT. In addition, you will be responsible for all disbursements including the fees to third parties involved in your case, any required medical evidence, copies of medical record and the Barrister’s fees for representing you at a tribunal hearing.
The factors that determine the complexity of cases include but not limited to the following:
- The number of witnesses and documents to peruse.
- Determination of complex preliminary issues that are not agreed by the parties, such as whether or not the claimant is disabled.
- 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.
- Making or defending a costs application.
- If it is an automatic unfair dismissal claim. For example, if you are dismissed after blowing the whistle on your employer.
- Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal.
The Services we will undertake covers all the work relating to the following key stages of a claim:
- Taking your initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising you on the merits and likely compensation. This is subject to changes as it will be reviewing throughout the process.
- Entering into pre-claim conciliation where it is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached.
- Drafting and considering a letter before action.
- Collating and reviewing of medical records.
- Commencing pre-claim reconciliation with ACAS (to discuss settlement before issuing proceedings).
- Drafting claim or defence.
- Considering and advising on claim or response from other party.
- Discussing negotiations on settlement.
- Drafting and considering a schedule of loss in the case.
- Preparing claim or response.
- Preparing or considering a schedule of loss.
- Preparations for attending 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.
- Reviewing and advising on claim or response from other party.
- Discussing negotiations on settlement.
- Drafting and considering a schedule of loss in the case.
- Preparations for attending a Preliminary Hearing.
- Exchanging of documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle (document).
- Obtaining instructions for witness statements, drafting statements and confirming same with witnesses.
- Preparing and collating documents for the preliminary hearing, final hearing or remedy hearing.
- Considering and advising on the other party’s witness statements.
- Preparations for and attendance at a Preliminary Hearing.
- Agreeing a list of matters, a chronology and/or witness list.
- Arranging conference with barristers if necessary.
- Considering and reviewing barrister’s notes, arguments and opinions.
- Making necessary preparation, attend preliminary hearings, final hearings or remedy hearings.
- Negotiating terms of settlement.
- Reviewing and advising on the other party’s witness statements.
- Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process.
- Preparing indexed bundle of documents.
- Agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and/or cast list.
- Preparation and attendance at Final Hearing, including instructions to Counsel.
The work we undertake does not include:
- Disbursements such as any Court fees and Counsel’s fee.
- Any appeal on this matter.
- Expert opinion evidence.
Additional Fees / Disbursements
You may also incur expenses for disbursements. Disbursements are costs due to third parties regarding your case, such as: Medical and Occupational Health reports, Company search fees, Mediators fees (if the parties agree to settle through mediation).
Disbursements also include court fees and barrister’s fees. To expedite the process, we can arrange the payment of the disbursements on your behalf.
There will also be an additional charge for attending a Tribunal case management hearing or full hearing. Counsel’s fees for attending a Tribunal Hearing are estimated from £500 per day, depending on experience of the advocate and the location of the hearing.
If some of the stages listed above are not required in your matter, the fee will be reduced. Also, it may be that you wish to handle the claim yourself and only have our advice in relation to some of the stages.
Timescale
The time required for the 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 up to four weeks or more depending on the complexity of the case. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take three to 12 months or more, depending on the complexity of the case.
Please note that the projected timescale and fees are an estimate as cases are likely to vary in complexity, so we can give you a more accurate estimate once we have all the information on your matter. If there is any reason whatsoever for a change in fees, we will inform you and agree the fees before we proceed.
