Dispute Resolution Pricing

For pricing information regarding Employment Tribunals (Claims for Wrongful and Unfair Dismissal) please click here. For Debt Recovery, please click here.

Employment Tribunals – Claims for Wrongful and Unfair Dismissal

We offer an initial fixed fee consultation for £100 (excluding VAT) to take initial details and advise on prospects of success.

If we advise that your case is worth pursuing/defending our pricing for bringing and defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal is as follows:

Simple case: £2000-£5000 (plus VAT)

Medium complexity case: £5000-£10000 (plus VAT)

High complexity case: From £10,000 (plus VAT)

Factors that could make a case more complex:

• 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
• 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 e.g. if you are dismissed after blowing the whistle on your employer
• Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. There are currently no court fees payable in the Employment Tribunal. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

If the matter proceeds to a final hearing we will instruct Counsel to represent you. Counsel's fees are estimated between £850 to £1500 per day (plus VAT) (depending on experience of the advocate) for attending a Tribunal Hearing (including preparation)

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 revisited throughout the matter and subject to change)
• Entering into pre-claim conciliation (through ACAS) where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached;
• Preparing claim or response
• Reviewing and advising on claim or response from other party
• Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process
• preparing or considering a schedule of loss
• Preparing for (and 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
• 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 and attendance at Final Hearing, including instructions to Counsel

The stages set out above are an indication and if some of 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 and we can agree fixed fees for this assistance depending on what is required.

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 2-4 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take 6-9 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.

Debt recovery – claims where the debt is undisputed

Court Claims

These costs apply where your claim is in relation to an unpaid invoice which is not disputed and enforcement action is not needed. If the other party disputes your claim at any point, we will discuss any further work required and provide you with revised advice about costs if necessary, which could be on a fixed fee (e.g. if a one off letter is required), or an hourly rate if more extensive work is needed.

Anyone wishing to proceed with a claim should note that:

• Interest and compensation may take the debt into a higher banding, with a higher cost.
• The costs quoted above are not for matters where enforcement action, such as the bailiff, is needed to collect your debt.

There are two stages to the process:

Stage 1

• Taking your instructions and reviewing documentation
• Undertaking appropriate searches
• Sending a letter before action

Stage 2

• Receiving payment and sending onto you, or if the debt is not paid, drafting and issuing claim
• Where no Acknowledgement of Service or Defence is received, applying to the court to enter Judgment in default
• When Judgment in default in received, write to the other side to request payment
• If payment is not received within 14 days, providing you with advice on next steps and likely costs

Stage 1 costs

Debt up to £5,000: £200 (plus VAT)

£5000 to £10,000: £250 (plus VAT)

£10,000 to £50,000: from £300 (plus VAT)

Stage 2 costs

Debt up to £5,000: £200 (plus VAT)

£5000 to £10,000: £250 (plus VAT)

£10,000 to £50,000: from £300 (plus VAT)

Matters usually take 2-8 weeks from receipt of instructions from you to receipt of payment from the other side, depending on whether or not it is necessary to issue a claim. This is on the basis that the other side pays promptly on receipt of Judgement in default. If enforcement action is needed, the matter will take longer to resolve. If the claim becomes disputed then as set out above additional charges will apply which we will agree with you at that time.

If it becomes necessary to issue a claim Court fees will be payable which will depend on the value of the claim. The current Court fees can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fees-in-the-civil-and-family-courts-main-fees-ex50