How much will it cost?
It is often difficult to estimate costs at the outset without assessing the merit or the complexity of the claim, however, our fees will usually be charged on an hourly rate basis.
Our current charging hourly rates, exclusive of VAT, are as follows:-
- Senior Partner £450.00
- Partners £415.00
- Senior Solicitors (PQE 10+) £375.00
- Consultants £350.00
- Solicitors £295.00
- Trainee Solicitors £195.00
In order to assist our clients with costs, in some cases the work on your matter may be carried out by a trainee on a daily basis with the supervision of an experienced solicitor.
Our average fee for us to advise and for the necessary work up to lodging a claim (ET1) at the Employment Tribunal would be from £1,500 + VAT. This would include meeting with you and obtain instructions, assess the merits of your claim, when appropriate we would contact your employer with a view to settle your potential claim, liaise with ACAS, prepare ET1 form and grounds of complaint, and lodging your claim to the Employment Tribunal.
Our average fee to advise and to defend an Employment claim up to the lodge of a response (ET3) would be from £2,000 + VAT. This would include obtaining instructions, assessing the merits of your employee’s claim (ET1 and grounds of complaint), liaise with ACAS, attempt to settle the claim directly with your employee, prepare ET3 and grounds of resistance, and lodge your defence.
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 volume of documents
- Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties. We can handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
The additional fees which you incur will depend how far your matter proceeds but it may also include:
- Counsel’s fees
- Expert witnesses
- Medical records
How long is it likely to take?
The length of each case will vary greatly depending on the individual circumstances, the court’s directions and often the particular parties involved. Often the time frames will also change as a matter progresses.