Price Transparency

You will always receive the best estimate of costs at outset of your matter, and we will keep you updated on an ongoing basis. Where possible, we may agree to act on your behalf on a fixed fee basis. However, in other cases, we may charge on an hourly rate basis or even a blended version of a fixed fee and hourly rate basis.

Whatever the position, we will be transparent with you about the overall costs of your matter. If we give an estimate, we will inform you if we believe that the estimate given is likely to be exceeded. In many cases, due the nature of the work (such as a contested litigation matter where the legal issues may not be entirely clear at the outset) or terms agreed (e.g. in transactional matters), we can only provide a broad estimate of the likely costs which may need to be reviewed as progress is made.

Bringing and defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal – pricing information

Simple case: £5,000 – £10,000 (excluding VAT)

Medium complexity case: £12,000 – £15,000 (excluding VAT)

High complexity case: £15,000 – £25,000 (excluding VAT)

The above estimates are for guidance purposes only and do not represent fixed fees or blanket estimates. The costs of each case will depend on its particular facts and circumstances. Once we have assessed your case, we will provide you with a tailored estimate of the costs involved.

Please note: disbursements (expenses incurred on your behalf) such as barrister’s or court fees are not included within the above rough estimates.

Factors that could make a case more complex include:

• if it is necessary to make or defend applications to amend claims or to provide information about an existing claim;

• defending claims that are brought by litigants in person;

• making or defending a costs application;

• a hearing is postponed or re-listed at your request, or at the request of another party or the Tribunal;

• complex preliminary issues such as whether the client is disabled, if this is not agreed by the parties (note, however, that discrimination claims are excluded from the published pricing information);

• 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.

Please note: you may have legal expenses insurance in place to cover the costs of bringing or defending the claim.

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Counsel’s fees estimated between £1,000 – 2,500 (excluding VAT) per day (depending on experience of the advocate) for attending a Tribunal Hearing (including preparation).

Key stages

The fees set out above cover all of the work in relation to the 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);

• entering into pre-claim conciliation where this is mandatory 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 for and considering a schedule of loss;

• preparing for (and attending) a Preliminary Hearing;

• exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle of documents;

• taking witness statements, drafting statements and agreeing their content with witnesses;

• preparing bundle of documents;

• reviewing and advising on the other party’s witness statements;

• agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and/or cast list;

• preparation and attendance at Final Hearing, including instructions to Counsel.

The stages set out above are an indication and if some of the 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 on your individual needs.

How long will my case take?

The time that it takes from taking your initial instructions to the final resolution of your matter depends largely on the stage at which your case is resolved. If a settlement is reached during pre-claim conciliation, your case is likely to take 4 – 8 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing (assuming this will last for one day), your case is likely to take 6 – 18 months, but the actual timescale may vary depending on how the case progresses and when your case is listed for hearing by the Tribunal. 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.

Debt recovery (business-to-business debt that is disputes) – pricing information

Court claims

These costs apply where your claim is in relation to an unpaid invoice which is not disputed and enforcement action is not needed. If the other party disputes your claim at any point, we will discuss any further work required and provide you with revised advice about costs if necessary, which could be on a fixed fee (e.g. if a one-off letter is required), or an hourly rate if more extensive work is needed.

*The above estimates are for guidance purposes only and do not represent fixed fees or blanket estimates. The costs of each case will depend on its particular facts and circumstances. Once we have assessed your case, we will provide you with a tailored estimate of the costs involved.

Anyone wishing to proceed with a claim should note that:

• the VAT element of our fee cannot be reclaimed from your debtor;

• interest and compensation may take the debt into a higher banding, with a higher cost;

• the costs quoted above are not for matters where enforcement action, such as the bailiff, is needed to collect your debt.

Our fee includes:

• taking your instructions and reviewing documentation;

• undertaking appropriate searches;

• sending a letter before action;

• receiving payment and sending onto you, or if the debt is not paid, drafting and issuing claim;

• where no Acknowledgement of Service or Defence is received, applying to the court to enter Judgement in default;

• when Judgement in default is received, write to the other side to request payment;

• if payment is not received within the specified timeframe, providing you with advice on next steps and likely costs.

Matters usually take 4 – 8 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 Judgement in default. If enforcement action is needed, the matter will take longer to resolve.