Pricing - Unfair Dismissal

Our pricing for bringing and defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal

Simple case: £3,500 - £7,500 (excluding VAT)

Medium complexity case: £7,500 - £20,000 (excluding VAT)

High complexity case: £20,000 - £50,000 (excluding VAT)

We charge based on an hourly rate of £355 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. dismissal after blowing the whistle on an employer
• Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal

VAT  is charged at the rate of 20%

Disbursements

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

Counsel's fees estimated between £1,500 to £4,000 plus VAT (at 20 %per day (depending on experience of the advocate and the complexity of the case) 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 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.

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 4 to 6  weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take 39 to 52 weeks. 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.

Who will be doing the work?

Tim Lang is a Partner. He qualified as a solicitor in 1991 after obtaining a law degree from the University of Liverpool.

Tim was a part time fee paid Employment Judge in the South East Region.  He sat at the Watford and Reading hearing centres. 

Tim acts for employers and employees in a wide range of employment law matters including in particular transfers of undertakings, unfair dismissal, discrimination and breach of contract.  He also advises regularly regarding data protection issues including subject access requests.

He spends all of his time doing employment and data protection work and has helped thousands of businesses and individuals.

Amy Brokenshire is a Partner and advises on all aspects of employment law including drafting and reviewing employment contracts and policies, providing advice in respect of handling disciplinary and grievance processes, drafting and advising on Settlement Agreements and assisting clients in pursuing and defending Employment Tribunal proceedings.

Amy spends 100% of her working time on employment law cases and has helped hundreds of clients. She advises both employers and employees on contentious and non-contentious employment matters.