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Costs Information
Unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal employment tribunal claims
If you are an employer seeking to defend an unfair dismissal or wrongful dismissal claim at an Employment Tribunal, we can help.
Our fees are based on hourly rates. However, we also operate a number of alternative charging structures for some clients, including capped and fixed rates and menu pricing. We also offer preferential rates for larger clients who are able to offer volume work which would allow us to deliver efficiency savings based on economies of scale.
Illustrative range of fees
Likely timescales
The time that it takes from taking initial instructions to the final resolution of a matter depends largely on the stage at which the case is resolved. If, for example, a settlement is reached during pre-claim conciliation, the case is likely to take three to eight weeks. If the claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, then its likely duration depends on how complex the issues are and how long the hearing is estimated to last. For example, a simple wrongful dismissal claim with a time estimate of half a day is likely to take at least four months. In contrast, a complex unfair and wrongful constructive dismissal scheduled to be heard over three or more days could take 18 months or more. Timescales have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, with cases typically taking longer to finalise.
This is illustrative only and we can give more accurate timescales when we have more information and as the matter progresses.
Funding options
You may have an insurance policy under which your insurer is liable to cover your legal costs in this matter. We can discuss this with you at the start of a matter.
Experience and qualifications of those carrying out the work
We have over 100 experienced Employment lawyers who deal with Employment Tribunal claims in Great Britain. Most are solicitors admitted to the roll in England and Wales and/or Scotland; some are barristers or legal executives. All are supported by paralegals, trainees and apprentices.
The wide range of qualifications and experience within our Employment team means we can ensure the right people do the right level of work for you. Our supervision policy ensures all legal advisors and the work that they carry out is appropriately supervised in accordance with the SRA Code of Conduct.
The experience and qualifications of those carrying out the work on any particular case will depend on matters such as the complexity and value of the case and whether any special knowledge is desirable or required. Such matters are discussed and agreed with you on a case-by-case basis.
You can find these lawyers on our people page by following this link .
Debt recovery up to the value of £100,000
We offer a service to corporate clients, utilities and financial institutions to recover unsecured debts through litigation and insolvency. We do not generally accept instructions from individuals or SMEs.
For unsecured and undisputed debt collection within the UK where the client has multiple debts, we will typically be able to offer a fixed fee service. Example fixed fees for the different stages of an unsecured and undisputed debt collection action of less than £100,000 are set out in the example of fixed fees and hourly rates, linked below. The actual fixed fees for your matter could be more or less than this, depending on the nature of the debt, volume of work and service level required. We will agree the fixed fees with you at the start of our engagement.
We do not generally accept one off instructions from clients for debt collection of less than £100,000. Where we do, or if a claim we have issued is disputed, we will generally charge hourly rates. Our standard hourly rates are set out in the document linked below. However, we also offer preferential rates for larger clients who are able to offer volume work.
Where a claim we have issued becomes disputed, we will discuss any further work required as well as the applicable hourly rates. In addition to our hourly rates, we operate a number of alternative charging structures for some clients including fixed fees, damages based agreements and retainer models (where a fixed fee is paid each month). We also offer preferential rates for larger clients who are able to offer volume work which would allow us to deliver efficiency savings based on economies of scale.
For all work done on hourly rates we provide a fully scoped cost estimate of our fees and disbursements at the start of our engagement and keep you updated on costs. If the scope of work changes at all and means additional work/cost, we inform you of this and provide a revised cost estimate.
Example fixed fees and hourly rates
Download an example of fixed fees and hourly rates for debt recovery up to the value of £100,000. .
Likely timescales
Matters usually take 12 weeks from receipt of instructions from you to receipt of payment from the other side, depending on whether or not it is necessary to issue a claim. This is on the basis that the other side pays promptly on receipt of judgment in default. If enforcement action is needed, the matter will take longer to resolve.
Experience and qualifications of those carrying out the work
Our experienced Unsecured Debt Recovery team for debts under £100,000 is led by Steve Perry and is staffed by paralegals. Nick Rundle, is the partner with ultimate responsibility for the unsecured debt recovery work that we undertake.
The wide range of qualifications and experience within our Debt Recovery team means we can ensure the right people do the right level of work. Our supervision policy ensures all legal advisors and the work that they carry out is appropriately supervised in accordance with the SRA Code of Conduct.
