On instructing the firm, we will assess the complexity of your case at the earliest opportunity to determine which case type your matter falls within, and will provide you with an accurate indication of your anticipated fees.
We base our charges on hourly rates, which vary depending on the seniority and experience of the solicitor who carries out your work. Our hourly rates range from £220 + VAT for our non-partner fee earners and £400 + VAT for partners. We do not offer any conditional fee arrangements or damages based agreements.
If you would like your employment solicitor to be with you during the tribunal, this will incur a further cost of £900 to £2,000 + VAT per day depending on the seniority of the solicitor involved.
As no two cases are the same, the above indication of fees should be referenced as a guide only. In the event of any conflict between this guide and our fee estimate provided on instructing the firm, our fee estimate shall take precedence.
Disbursements
Disbursements are payments we make to third parties for expenses such as travel costs, counsel’s fees (Barrister fees), court fees and expert fees. Once received, we will pay any disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
If your case proceeds to an Employment Tribunal hearing, a barrister would usually be instructed to represent you. Barristers tend to charge a daily fee for appearing at the tribunal itself (£750 - £3,000 + VAT per day, depending on experience), and an additional fee for preparing for the final hearing (£1,000 - £8,000 + VAT).
We will discuss all disbursements with you in advance of incurring any on your behalf.
What work will be included in the key stages of your case
The fees set out above cover all the work in relation to the following key stages of your claim:
- Initial conversation with advice based on an understanding of your situation
- Exploring whether a settlement can be reached at an early stage
- Preparing and issuing the claim and reviewing the response from your employer
- Preparing a ‘schedule of loss’, which details the sums you expect to be awarded if you win your claim
- Preparing for any preliminary hearing (if this is required)
- Preparing documents, including exchanging them with the other side
- Taking, drafting and finalising your witness statements, and reviewing your employer’s witness statements
- Agreeing a list of issues in the order they occurred and identifying the people involved
- Preparation for the final hearing, including briefing and updating the chosen barrister (which may include a meeting between the witnesses, the barrister and ourselves prior to the hearing).
At any point during the process, you may decide to agree a settlement with your employer. Settlement at an early stage can greatly reduce your legal costs.
If there are additional stages then further costs will be incurred. Additional stages might include:
- Making or responding to additional applications, for example applications for specific disclosure, to strike out a claim, to seek additional time to take a step in the process, to seek an unless order to compel the other side to complete a step in the process.
- Joining additional parties or dealing with additional parties.
- Amending pleadings.
- Dealing with appeals
For the avoidance of doubt anything outside the scope of the legal advice we provide in the key stages will incur additional fees which we will advise you of.
Do you have insurance that can help with fees?
Insurance can help to cover some or all of these costs, so check whether any of your existing insurance policies provide legal expenses cover for employment claims. For example, your home insurance, car insurance, credit cards, premium bank accounts and any trade union or professional body membership may offer you insurance cover. If not, we may be able to suggest other options to help you.
