We have experience in acting for individuals at all levels.
We understand problems at work can be upsetting and demoralising for employees.
Our aim is to make high quality employment law advice accessible and we are, therefore, focused on finding practical and cost effective solutions for individuals who find themselves in such situations.
We will always seek to understand your position and find out what outcome you would ultimately like to achieve, taking into consideration the costs involved. We will then use our expertise to seek to achieve those outcomes on your behalf.
We can offer you advice in relation to
unfair and constructive dismissal
discrimination, harassment and victimisation
bullying in the workplace
settlement agreements
contractual queries (including changes to terms and conditions of employment)
restructures and redundancies
disciplinary and/or grievance procedures
employment status
whistleblowing
TUPE
employment tribunal claims and representation
Fees
Legal advice is expensive but we will always do what we can to make sure our high quality advice is affordable for individuals.
We will be clear and transparent with our fees, so you know where you stand.
We provide you with as much information on the potential likely costs of using our services as we can and will keep you regularly updated.
Where appropriate, and possible we will also be flexible with regard to payment of our fees, to help you manage your finances.
Hourly Rates/Fixed Fees
The hourly rates we offer reflect our expertise and experience in the field of employment law. We are more than happy to cap our fees, and agree limitations to the work involved, if necessary.
Depending on the type of work, we may also be able to work on a fixed fee basis.
Contribution to Legal Fees by an Employer
If your employer wants you to sign a settlement agreement, because you are required to take legal advice, it should usually pay a contribution towards your legal fees. The level of contribution will depend on your employer and the complexity of the settlement agreement itself. We will always try and negotiate your employer covering all your legal fees, although this may not always be possible.
Legal Expenses Insurance
It is always useful to check your household or other insurance policies to see whether you are covered for legal expenses.
If you are lodging a claim at an employment tribunal you have the right to select an independent solicitor of your choice to act on your behalf, rather than using the insurance company’s own panel solicitor.
Provided you have a 51% chance of success you will have cover for your employment tribunal claim but it will not cover advice and guidance received prior to submitting any claim. This would include advice received during the ACAS early conciliation process. We will be required to carry out an assessment of your prospects of success before any cover is granted, and we will have an ongoing obligation to assess prospects at various stages.
If cover is not granted or is withdrawn following any further assessment, and you still wish to pursue a claim, fees will be calculated on an hourly rate basis.
Employment Tribunal Fees
Commencing legal proceedings and issuing a claim at the Employment Tribunal, where you are not covered by legal expenses insurance, is not something to take lightly. It can impact you both from a financial perspective, but also from an emotional well-being perspective in terms of the length of time it may take to resolve matters.
In general, the cost of us advising and representing individuals is based on the hourly rate of £180 plus VAT.
Although it is difficult to provide exact figures, by way of an estimate, the costs involved could be:
|
Type of Case
|
Hours |
Cost Estimate |
|
Simple case |
20 – 30 hours |
£3,600 - £5,400 plus VAT |
|
Medium complexity case |
30 – 50 hours |
£5,400 - £9,000 plus VAT |
|
High complexity case |
50 - 80 hours |
£9,000 to £14,400 plus VAT |
Please be aware, these are estimates and more specific costings will be provided once we have further information about your personal circumstances.
Disbursements
These are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties. This may include:
|
Type of disbursement |
Reason |
Typical Cost Estimate (subject to quotations) |
|
Counsel’s Opinion |
For complex cases, which may include conference with Counsel, if appropriate |
£1,000 - £2,500 plus VAT |
|
Counsel’s Fees |
For preparation and attendance at any Tribunal hearing, depending on seniority and experience of the barrister |
£1,000 - £2,500 plus VAT per day |
|
Expert Report |
E.g. Medical report where issue of disability is disputed |
£750 - £2,000 plus VAT |
There are currently no issue or hearing fees payable in respect of bring a claim at the Employment Tribunal.
Stages of Work
It’s worth remembering that there are various stages to bringing an Employment Tribunal claim, and throughout the proceedings there is always the opportunity to negotiate a settlement.
The stages set out below are the minimum stages required in a simple case. Where the case is complex there may be additional stages involved, for example, requiring further preliminary hearings following receipt of any further and better particulars, or any expert reports. This will invariably lengthen the overall timescales involved.
|
Work |
Timescales |
|
Pre-Claim Assessment: Taking instructions Reviewing documentation Advice on merits (this will be revisited throughout the matter, particularly once documents have been disclosed) |
1 – 2 weeks |
|
Early Conciliation (if required): Assistance with negotiations through ACAS If settlement is reached, drafting COT3 Agreement |
ACAS Early Conciliation process usually takes 1 month, depending on the approach taken by the Employer |
|
Issuing Claim: Drafting and submission of the ET1 Claim Form and Particulars of Claim (setting out details and the basis for your claim)
|
1 - 2 weeks, depending on the when the deadline for submission of claims to the Employment Tribunal |
|
Preliminary Case Management Hearing: Reviewing the ET3 Response Form Consideration of issues notified by the Employment Tribunal to be discussed at any Preliminary Case Management Hearing Attendance at Preliminary Case Management Hearing (usually by telephone for simple cases)
|
The Employer will have 1 month to respond to the claim form. We will be guided by the date set by the Tribunal for any Preliminary Case Management Hearing. The Tribunal will usually set out a timetable for work required prior to attendance at any final hearing. |
|
Document Disclosure Preparation of Schedule of Loss Exchanging documents with the Employer/Employer’s representative Preparation of an Agreed Bundle of Documents for use at the Tribunal Hearing
|
This will be set out in the Tribunal Order* 8 - 12 weeks *This can always be varied by agreement with the Employer/Employer’s representative |
|
Witness Statements Taking statements for each witness, drafting and agreeing its contents with the witness Exchanging witness statements with the Employer/Employer’s representative |
This will be set out in the Tribunal Order* Once the Bundle has been finalised, 1 – 2 weeks. *This can always be varied by agreement with the Employer/Employer’s representative |
|
Final Hearing Preparation of Instruction to Counsel Drafting and agreeing a Chronology and List of Issues for the Tribunal’s use Advising you and your witnesses on the process of the hearing itself Attendance at hearing (if required)
|
Simple case hearings will usually be listed for 1 – 2 days Medium case hearings can be listed for 2 – 3 days High complexity case hearings could be listed for 5 days and over. |
In terms of overall timescales, it depends on the approach taken by the parties, the complexity of the case, and ultimately the Tribunal’s capacity for listing hearings. From the start to attending a final hearing, it could therefore take anywhere between 6 and 18 months.
Please note we do not carry out work on a ‘no win, no fee’, conditional or contingency fee basis. Also, unfortunately, there is no legal aid available for employment law advice.
Get in touch
If you would like more information please call 01823 282 291 or fill out the enquiry form on our contact page.