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Employment - pricing information
We provide a high quality service in all matters relating to employment tribunal claims actions and employment dispute resolution. We pride ourselves on providing pragmatic employment law advice, an efficient service and clarity when it comes to our fees.
The team is highly experienced and is recommended in the current editions of Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. The Legal 500 noted the team as “responsive, effective and able to easily understand its clients' perspectives” and recognises its strength in holiday pay issues, restructurings, TUPE, employment disputes and matters involving the recruitment sector.
Our approach to pricing
If you are considering instructing us in an employment tribunal claim or any other employment related matter, we will provide you with a clear estimate of our fees based on the particular circumstances.
We have provided the information on this page so that you have an indication of our likely fees for the following types of employment tribunal claims:
- Unfair Dismissal Claim - acting for Claimant
- Unfair Dismissal Claim - acting for Respondent
- Wrongful Dismissal Claim - acting for Claimant
- Wrongful Dismissal Claim - acting for Respondent
The stages set out in the indicative fee estimates are an indication and if some stages are not required in your matter or if you take on the work yourself, the fee will not be charged.
We have also indicated tiered prices for these types of unfair dismissal claims with differing degrees of complexity. A wide range of factors will affect the final cost including the tactics and actions of any other parties involved in the matter, the practical and legal complexity of the issues, the number of witnesses, the quality and quantity of documentation, and whether new issues come to light as the matter progresses. Ultimately these factors will may increase the amount of time we spend and we have set out the hourly rates that we use to calculate our fees at the end of the page. We will, of course, inform you if we have any reason to revise the estimate provided significantly because of these factors.
Invoicing
We will usually render invoices on a monthly basis.
Managing your matter
You will have a single point of contact for your matter who will conduct most of the work. When appropriate other members of the team will be involved in order that work is completed by deadlines, particular legal issues are dealt efficiently and work is carried out at the right level. Assistance will be provided by a trainee. Work will always be done or The fee earner working on your matter will be supervised, as appropriate, by one of our partners, Alexandra Bonner, Alison Downie or Clare Gilroy-Scott.
Other types of claim
Please note that if there are other claims with the unfair/wrongful dismissal claim, for example discrimination or working time claims, then fees are likely to be higher. We can discuss fee estimates for bringing/defending such claims when we have a better idea of the scope of the claims.
For any automatic unfair dismissal claim including for example, whistleblowing, the fees are likely to be in the fee range for a High complexity claim (see Costs Estimates 1 and 2)
How long will my matter take?
The timescale involved in the process may range from 2 months to 1 year and is largely subject to the caseload of the applicable Employment Tribunal and the stage at which your matter is resolved (for example it may settle prior to a hearing). If a settlement is reached during pre-claim conciliation, your case is likely to take 1 to 3 months. If the matter proceeds to a final tribunal hearing, your case is likely to take between 6 and 18 months. 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.
Alternative Funding Options
Depending on your circumstances, alternative funding options may be open to you. In particular for individuals, legal expenses insurance is often included as an option on various insurance policies or you may have specific insurance cover.
Employers may have insurance covers for such claims through their employers’ liability insurance or other insurance policies.
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees and counsel. We handle the payment of disbursements on your behalf, when we have received the payment from you, to ensure a smoother process. Disbursements can include additional expenses which you also have to pay, such as photocopying costs and travel expenses.
Counsel’s fees for attending a Tribunal hearing and preparation will depend upon the expertise of the advocate and the length and nature of the proceedings.
Acting for a Claimant in an Unfair Dismissal claim in the Employment Tribunal | Range of fees (not including VAT) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Complexity:Simple 1 witness on each side, 1 small bundle, 1 day hearing | Complexity:Medium 1 or 2 witnesses on each side, 1 large bundle, 2 day hearing | Complexity:High 4+ witnesses in total, 2+ bundles, 3+ days’ hearing | |
| Taking your initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising you on merits and likely compensation (this is likely to be revisited throughout the matter and subject to change). | £850 | £1700 | £2550 |
| Entering into pre-claim conciliation where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached. | £230 to £1700 | £230 to £2125 | £230 to £2550 |
| Preparing (1) the claim form outlining your case and the nature of the dispute, and (2) the document setting out the factual details of your claim. Correspondence with you in respect of these. | £1275 | £2550 | £4250 |
| General correspondence with you including in relation to strategy, consideration of the response (when received) and merits, tribunal correspondence and case management orders. | £1275 | £2125 | £2975 |
| Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process | £2125 | £2125 | £2125 |
| Preparing a Schedule of Loss | £850 | £850 | £850 |
| Preparing for and attending a Preliminary Hearing | N/A | N/A | £2550 |
| Own Disclosure – review of your documents, advice to you, preparation of list of documents and exchange of lists/documents with other parties | £1275 | £2125 | £2975 |
| Review of other parties lists and documents. Agreeing a bundle of documents for the hearing. | £1,275 to £2125 | £2125 to £2550 | £2550 to £3400 |
| Preparation of tribunal bundle and sending to other party | Carried out by Respondent | Carried out by Respondent | Carried out by Respondent |
| Drafting of witness statements and liaising with witnesses (range dependent on amount of witness evidence to be included). | £2125 | £2125 to £4250 | £2125 to £4250 per statement |
| Exchange of witness statements. Review of and advice on other party’s statements. | £1275 | £1275 to £2125 | £2125 per statement |
| Agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and/or cast list | £850 | £850 | £1275 |
| Instructions to counsel, preparation of documents for counsel | £850 | £850 | £1275 |
| Attend tribunal hearing | See below | See below | See below |
Acting for a Respondent in an Unfair Dismissal claim in the Employment Tribunal | Range of fees (not including VAT) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Complexity:Simple 1 witness on each side, 1 small bundle, 1 day hearing | Complexity:Medium 1 or 2 witnesses on each side, 1 large bundle, 2 day hearing | Complexity:High 4+ witnesses in total, 2+ bundles, 3+ days’ hearing | |
| Taking your initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising you on merits and likely compensation (this is likely to be revisited throughout the matter and subject to change). | £1275 | £2125 | £2550 |
| Entering into pre-claim conciliation where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached. | £230 to £1700 | £230 to £2125 | £230 to £2550 |
| Preparing (1) the response form outlining your case and the nature of the dispute, and (2) the document setting out the factual details of your defence. Correspondence with you in respect of these. | £1275 | £2550 | £4250 |
| General correspondence with you including in relation to strategy, merits, tribunal correspondence and case management orders. | £1275 | £2125 | £2975 |
| Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process | £2125 | £2125 | £2125 |
| Reviewing Claimant’s Schedule of Loss and preparing Counter-Schedule | £850 | £850 | £1700 |
| Preparing for and attending a Preliminary Hearing | N/A | N/A | £2550 |
| Own Disclosure – review of your documents, advice to you, preparation of list of documents and exchange of lists/documents with other parties | £2125 | £2975 | £3400 |
| Review of other parties lists and documents. Agreeing a bundle of documents for the hearing. | £1,275 to £2125 | £2125 to £2550 | £2550 to £3400 |
| Preparation of tribunal bundle and sending to other party | £1275 | £1700 | £2125 |
| Drafting of witness statements and liaising with witnesses (range dependent on amount of witness evidence to be included). | £2125 | £2550 per statement | £5100 per statement |
| Exchange of witness statements. Review of and advice on other party’s statements. | £1275 | £1275 to £2125 | £2125 per statement |
| Agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and/or cast list | £850 | £850 | £1275 |
| Instructions to counsel, preparation of documents for counsel | £850 | £850 | £1275 |
| Attend tribunal hearing | See below | See below | See below |
Acting for a Claimant in a Wrongful Dismissal claim in the Employment Tribunal | Fees (not including VAT) Complexity:Medium 1 or 2 witnesses on each side, 1 large bundle, 2 day hearing |
|---|---|
| Taking your initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising you on merits and likely compensation (this is likely to be revisited throughout the matter and subject to change). | £850 |
| Entering into pre-claim conciliation where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached. | £230 to £1700 |
| Preparing (1) the claim form outlining your case and the nature of the dispute, and (2) the document setting out the factual details of your claim. Correspondence with you in respect of these. | £1275 |
| General correspondence with you including in relation to strategy, consideration of the response (when received) and merits, tribunal correspondence and case management orders. | £1275 |
| Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process | £2125 |
| Preparing a Schedule of Loss | £850 |
| Preparing for and attending a Preliminary Hearing | N/A |
| Own Disclosure – review of your documents, advice to you, preparation of list of documents and exchange of lists/documents with other parties | £1275 |
| Review of other parties lists and documents. Agreeing a bundle of documents for the hearing. | £1,275 to £2125 |
| Preparation of tribunal bundle and sending to other party | Carried out by Respondent |
| Drafting of witness statements and liaising with witnesses (range dependent on amount of witness evidence to be included) | £2125 |
| Exchange of witness statements. Review of and advice on other party’s statements | £1275 |
| Agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and/or cast list | £850 |
| Instructions to counsel, preparation of documents for counsel | £850 |
| Attend tribunal hearing | See below |
Acting for a Respondent in a Wrongful Dismissal claim in the Employment Tribunal | Fees (not including VAT) Complexity:Medium 1 or 2 witnesses on each side, 1 large bundle, 2 day hearing |
|---|---|
| Taking your initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising you on merits and likely compensation (this is likely to be revisited throughout the matter and subject to change). | £1275 |
| Entering into pre-claim conciliation where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached. | £230 to £1700 |
| Preparing (1) the response form outlining your case and the nature of the dispute, and (2) the document setting out the factual details of your defence. Correspondence with you in respect of these. | £1275 |
| General correspondence with you including in relation to strategy, merits, tribunal correspondence and case management orders. | £1275 |
| Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process | £2125 |
| Reviewing Claimant’s Schedule of Loss and preparing Counter-Schedule | £850 |
| Preparing for and attending a Preliminary Hearing | N/A |
| Own Disclosure – review of your documents, advice to you, preparation of list of documents and exchange of lists/documents with other parties | £2125 |
| Review of other parties lists and documents. Agreeing a bundle of documents for the hearing | £1,275 to £2125 |
| Preparation of tribunal bundle and sending to other party | £1275 |
| Drafting of witness statements and liaising with witnesses (range dependent on amount of witness evidence to be included) | £2125 |
| Exchange of witness statements. Review of and advice on other party’s statements | £1275 |
| Agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and/or cast list | £850 |
| Instructions to counsel, preparation of documents for counsel | £850 |
| Attend tribunal hearing | See below |
Fees for attendance at a Tribunal hearing (per day, exclusive of VAT)
| Trainee (range depending on whether a first or second year trainee) | £840 to £1,085 |
|---|---|
| Associate | £1,600 |
| Senior Associate | £2,275 |
| Partner (range depending on hourly rate) | £2,555 to £2,975 |
| Name | Role | Hourly Rate | Year of Qualification | Post Qualification Experience (PQE) | Click here for further qualifications and experience |
| Alexandra Bonner | Partner (Head of Team) | £425 | 1996 | 22 years’ PQE | Alexander Bonner - profile |
| Alison Downie | Partner | £380 | 1986 | 32 years' PQE | Alison Downie - profile |
| Clare Gilroy-Scott | Partner | £365 | 2003 | 15 years' PQE | Clare Gilroy-Scott - profile |
| Trainee | Trainee | £120-£155 | N/A | N/A |