Our pricing for bringing and defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal (all prices are exclusive of VAT)

Simple case: £6,000 – £8,000

Medium complexity case: £8,000 – £10,000

High complexity case: £10,000-£12,000

There are a number of factors which could make a case more complex and we set out some examples below by way of illustration.  We would identify any complicating factors as early as possible in the course of litigation and provide you with an ongoing cost/benefit analysis.

• 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 by litigants in person
• Making or defending a costs application
• Complex preliminary issues which are in dispute between the parties, such as whether the claimant is disabled
• 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
• Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal

In addition to our fees, we may also require you to pay disbursements.  Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Counsel’s fees.  We handle the payments of disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.  If Counsel is instructed to represent you at a hearing their costs would be estimated in the region of £800-£1,250 excluding VAT per day (depending on the experience of the advocate and including preparation).  Generally we would allow 1-3 days for a final hearing depending on the complexity of your case.

What the fees cover

The fees set out above cover 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 an ongoing basis on merits and the likely compensation
• Entering into pre-claim conciliation 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 side and agreeing a bundle of documents
• Taking witness and drafting witness statements
• 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 and attendance at Final hearing, including instructions to Counsel

Please bear in mind that many cases of this nature settle prior to a final hearing.  The stages set out above are an indication and may not all be required.  In these circumstances the fee would 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 is possible that you may have other funding options available, for example cover under an insurance policy, and we will check that with you at your first appointment.  It is possible that we may be able to take on your case on a no win no fee basis either under a conditional fee agreement (CFA) or a damages-based agreement (DBA).  This means we would only receive payment if your case was successful.  However, you may still be required to pay any disbursements regardless of the outcome, for example Counsel’s fees.  If your case appeared suitable for a no win no fee funding arrangement we would need to carry out an assessment of your case prior to accepting instructions and would generally expect this to take no more than 14 days.  Depending on the stage of proceedings and the amount of documentation it is unlikely that we would charge you for carrying out this assessment.

How long the claims process is likely to take

The time between taking your initial instructions to the final resolution of your matter will depend largely on the stage at which your case in resolved.  If a settlement is reached during pre-claim conciliation, your case is likely to take 4-6 weeks.  If the claim proceeds to a final hearing, it may take as long as 12 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.