Quote for bringing and defending claims for unfair dismissal or wrongful dismisssal

Our range of fees for bringing and defending unfair dismissal or wrongful dismissal is as follows:-

Simple case (one day hearing):- £2,500 to £5,000 (excluding VAT)

Medium complexity case (usually a 2-3 day hearing): £5,000 to £10,000 (excluding VAT)

High Complexity case (usually a hearing that lasts more than 3 days): £10,000 to £20,000 (excluding VAT)

Our charges are based on hourly rates and these will be different depending on the solicitor dealing with your matter (such as their level of experience or qualification). 

There will be an additional charge for a solicitor or a barrister attending a Tribunal Hearing.  The Fee ranges from £1,000 to £2,500 plus Vat per day (see Disbursements below). 

Other methods of funding

You may have alternative funding options available (such as an insurance policy).  We will discuss this was you at your initial meeting. 

Factors that make a case more complex:

  • If we need to determine complex preliminary issues.  Examples include:
    • Whether the claimant is an ‘employee’ or ‘worker’
    • Whether the claimant is ‘disabled’
    • Whether a claim has been brought in time
  • The number of witnesses and documents
  • Defending claims brought by litigants in person (i.e. by claimants who are not professionally represented) 
  • Whether there are additional claims such as allegations of whistleblowing or discrimination.
  • Whether there is a need for preliminary hearings
  • Making or defending a costs application
  • When it is necessary to make or defend applications to amend claims or provide further information about an existing claim

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees and barrister’s fees. 

Barrister’s fees range from £1,000 to £2,500 plus Vat per day for attending a Tribunal hearing (including preparation) depending on the level of experience and the complexity of the claim.  We will handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Key stages

The fees set out above cover all 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)
  • Preparing the claim or response
  • Reviewing and advising on the claim or response from the other party
  • Exploring and negotiating the settlement throughout the process (but excluding the pre-claim conciliation process)
  • Preparing or considering a schedule of loss
  • Preparing for and attending a Preliminary Hearing
  • Taking witness statements, drafting statements and agreeing their content with witnesses.
  • Exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing and preparing a bundle of documents
  • Reviewing and advising on the other party’s witness statements
  • Agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and/or cast list
  • Preparing a skeleton argument
  • Preparing and attending a 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 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 also be arranged based on your individual needs.  It can sometimes more cost efficient to instruct a barrister to deal with certain aspects of making or defending the claim and we will advise you of circumstances when this may be the case. 

Time scales

The time that it takes from your initial instructions to the final resolution of your matter depends largely on the stage at which your case is resolved. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case may take up to 12-18 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. 

Key contacts

Sanjay Nena – Head of Employment (over 10 years’ experience) 

Grant Smith – Consultant Solicitor (over 5 years’ experience)