Set out below are details of a range of potential fees for bringing and defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal. These are only general estimates based on an hourly Partner rate of £250.00 plus VAT*.
Please contact us so that we can provide a bespoke quote that fits your circumstances:
- Simple case: £3,500-£5,000 (excluding VAT);
- Medium complexity case: £5,000-£10,000 (excluding VAT); or
- High complexity case: £10,000-£25,000 (excluding VAT).
Wrongful dismissal cases would tend to be at the lower end as they are usually less complicated.
Factors that could make a case more complex include:
- 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; and
- Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal.
It is not always necessary for us to attend the Tribunal Hearing but if we do attend there will be an additional charge for attending a Tribunal Hearing of £1,200 per day (excluding VAT). Generally, we would allow 1-10 days depending on the complexity of your case.
If a matter settles before a hearing the costs will reflect the time spent to that point.
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.
Expected disbursements include Counsel’s fees estimated between £500 to £1,500 per day (depending on experience of the advocate) for attending a Tribunal Hearing (including preparation).]
Key stages
The estimate of our fees covers 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; and
- Preparation and attendance at Final Hearing, including instructions to Counsel.
- The stages set out above are an indication only and if some of stages above are not required, the fee may be reduced. You may wish to handle the claim yourself and only have our advice in relation to some of the stages. This can be arranged based 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 and the listing timescales dictated by the Tribunal and/or Court. If a settlement is reached during pre-claim process, your case is likely to take 6-8 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take 26-39 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.
* VAT refers to the VAT rate in force from time to time – this rate is currently 20%
