Return to dashboard

Employment Pricing Guide

Costs guide for unfair dismissal/wrongful dismissal claims

Below is an indication of what you can expect to pay for bringing and/or defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal.

In all cases, we will complete an initial review of the matter, to include taking initial instructions and reviewing all relevant documents first.  The costs of this will vary and will be chargeable at our hourly rates provided for within our terms and conditions which we will discuss with you at the outset.  Prices will vary considerably depending on the complexity of the matter and whether or not (and when) settlement can be achieved. The prices below are an indication and we will discuss in greater detail with you the likely costs once we have completed the initial review.

Simple case: £12,000.00 -£14,000.00 (excluding VAT)

Medium complexity case: £14,000.00-£17,000.00 (excluding VAT)

High complexity case: £17,000.00 to £27,000.00 (excluding VAT)

**Please note that VAT is chargeable at the (current) standard rate of 20% on all fees.**

Factors which could make a case more complex and/or increase costs

  • If it is necessary to make or defend applications to amend the claim(s) or to provide further information about an existing claim
    • Pursuing claims that are defended by unrepresented employers or defending claims by unrepresented employees (known as litigants in person)
    • Complex preliminary issues such as whether the claimant is disabled (if this is not agreed by the parties), ones requiring expert or medical evidence and claims where the legal issues are not agreed by the parties’ representatives
    • The number of witnesses and documents
    • If it is an automatic unfair dismissal claim e.g. if you are dismissed for whistleblowing
    • Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal
    • Claims of Constructive Unfair Dismissal or
    • Where the dismissal arises out of a TUPE transfer, unfair selection for Redundancy or re-organisation

There will be an additional charge for attending a Tribunal Hearing of £1495 per day (excluding VAT). Generally, we would allow 1-4 days depending on the complexity of your case.

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as experts or Counsel’s fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Counsel’s fees are estimated between £2,500.00 to £4,000.00 per day (depending on Counsel’s experience and seniority) for attending a Tribunal Hearing (including preparation). Generally, we would allow 1-4 days depending on the complexity of your case.

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 evidence available and advising you on the merits of the case and the likely compensation/award (this is likely to be revisited throughout the matter and subject to change);
  • Entering into pre-claim conciliation (with ACAS) on your behalf to explore whether a settlement can be reached;
  • Preparing the claim or response;
  • Reviewing and advising on claim or response from other party;
  • Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process;
  • Preparing or considering the Schedule of Loss;
  • Preparing for (and attending) a Preliminary Hearing, agreeing directions before-hand with other side where parties are represented;
  • Exchanging list of documents and copy document with the other party and agreeing an (indexed and paginated) bundle of documents;
  • Taking witness statements, drafting statements and agreeing their content with witnesses;
  • Reviewing and advising on the other party’s witness statements including preparing cross-examination where appropriate;
  • Agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and/or cast list, where appropriate;
  • Preparation and attendance at Final Hearing, including drafting Brief to Counsel and instructing Counsel on matter generally.

The stages set out above are an indication and if some of the stages above are not required, the fee will be reduced. You may wish to handle the claim yourself and only have our advice in relation to some of the stages. This can also be arranged on your individual needs.

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 complexity of the matter and the stage at which your case is resolved.  It will also depend greatly on which Tribunal we have to issue proceedings in and its availability. Where your claim does not settle and progresses to a final hearing, the process could take anywhere between 9 – 18 months.   This is an estimate however and we will discuss with you the likely timescales at the initial review stage once we have more information and keep you appraised throughout.