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Employment Litigation - Pricing Transparency 


The Solicitors Regulation Authority has recently updated its rules to require firms to provide clear information on legal costs. The costing detail listed below is intended to provide an indicative overview but is not an estimate. The lawyers at Tan Ward will, wherever possible, provide estimates on receipt of new instructions to ensure its clients have a transparent understanding of the likely costs involved in any given matter. 

The information below provides a guiding overview of the likely costs involved in bringing or defending Employment Tribunal claims.

Our fees – Ordinary unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal 


The range of likely fees depending on the complexity are set out below. These are all based on our hourly rates, which will be discuss with you at the start of our relationship. Our hourly rates range between £250 and £500  plus VAT.  The figures below exclude VAT, which is currently set at 20%.

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  • Simple case: £10, 000 to £15,000 

  • Medium complexity case: £15,000 to £30,000 

  • High complexity case: £30,000 to £150,000 


Factors that could make a case more complex:

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  • Making or defending applications prior to the full hearing;

  • Defending claims that are brought by litigants in person;

  • Making or defending a costs application;

  • Complex preliminary issues, such as jurisdiction to hear the claim;

  • The number of witnesses and documents;

  • Allegations of discrimination/whistleblowing, which are linked to the dismissal;

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Key Stages


The fees set out above cover all of the work in relation to the following key stages of an unfair dismissal or wrongful dismissal claim:
 

  • Taking your instructions, reviewing any papers and advising you on merits/strategy. Both merits and strategy can evolve as the matter progresses.

  • Advising on pre-claim conciliation and possible settlement;

  • Drafting the Claim or the Response;

  • Advising and/or attending Preliminary Hearing;

  • Reviewing documents and exchanging documents with the other party

  • Agreeing and preparing a bundle of documents

  • Advising on and preparing witness statements;

  • Preparation and attendance at Final Hearing, including instructions Counsel.


The above is only intended to be a guide.  Not every case will require all these steps and we will work with you at the start of the matter to discuss which elements you require our support on.

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Disbursements

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In addition to our legal fees summarised above, you will be responsible for all third-party costs we may need to incur on your behalf during the course of the matter.


These include but are not limited to court fees, travel and courier expenses. It also includes photocopying costs. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure speed and a streamlined service to you.


Should your matter require Counsel, we will instruct an appropriately qualified barrister on your behalf. Their costs range depending on their level of qualification and what support they are required to provide. Counsel’s fees can be in the range of between £900 and £6,500 plus VAT per day for representing you at a Tribunal Hearing. These costs would include their preparation time.

 

Timeframes

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The time it takes from receiving your initial instructions to a final resolution of a matter will be largely dependent on whether your case can be settled and at what stage of the process that occurs. Claims that are settled early could be concluded within a short timeframe of 3 to 8 weeks. However, claims that proceed to the Employment Tribunal could take between 6 – 24 months (based on current listing times and the substantial delays at the Employment Tribunal).


For further information, please contact one of our Employment team.

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