Cases | Factors | Costs (excluding VAT) |
|---|---|---|
Simple cases | - Make or defend simple applications. | £5,000 - £15,000 |
Medium complexity cases | - 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 bought about 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 or 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. | £15,000 - £40,000 |
High complexity cases | - Complex and varied preliminary issues such as whether the claimant is disabled (if this is not agreed by the parties).
- The number of witnesses or 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. | £40,000 - £100,000 |
There is no additional charge for attending a Tribunal Hearing & instructing a Barrister (Counsel). Tribunal Hearings can typically range from one to fourteen days, depending on the complexity of your case.
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
Counsel’s fees are estimated at about £1,000 per day (depending on the 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 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 the claim or response;
- Reviewing and advising on a claim or response from the 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 to 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 a Final Hearing, including instructions to Counsel;
The stages set out above are an indication and if some of the stages are not required, the fee will be less. 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 your matter take?
The time 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 about five weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take six months to a year. This is an estimate and we will be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the matter progresses.
You may have other funding options available, such as cover under an insurance policy which we advise you to check as a priority.