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Home / Employment

Employment

Cost information for employment matters

The SRA's 2018 Transparency Rules require all regulated law firms, who publish as part of their usual business that they offer certain services, to supply information on the prices they charge. For pricing on other types of work, we can provide an estimate upon request.

The basis of our fees

Our work in this area is undertaken on an hourly rate basis – we will invoice the time on the clock monthly or at the conclusion of a matter.

On the basis of certain assumptions and our experience of similar transactions we will outline estimates of what our fees may be for each stage. The names and hourly rates of those who undertake this work will be set out in the engagement documents that we will provide to you which shall include a fee estimate for the scope of the work that we are asked to perform. Our hourly rates are as follows:

Status Hourly rate
Partner £275 to £450 plus VAT
Senior Associate £240 to £270 plus VAT
Associate £190 to £235 plus VAT
Solicitor £155 to £185 plus VAT
Trainee Solicitor & paralegal £130 to £150 plus VAT

Average fees

Our average fees for work within an unfair or wrongful dismissal case are as follows:

– Simple case: £6,000 – £12,000 plus VAT

– Medium complecity case: £12,000 – £24,000 plus VAT

– High complexity case: over £24,000 plus VAT

Please note that any reference to VAT is at the rate applicable at the time of your matter, currently 20%, unless otherwise stated.

Key Stages

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 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 a claim or response.

– Reviewing and advising a on claim or response from the 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 party and agreeing their content with the 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 of Final Hearing.

Factors that make a case more complex:

  • If it is necessary to make or defend applications, amend claims or 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 documents
  •  If it is an automatic unfair dismissal claim e.g. if the employee is dismissed after blowing the whistle on their employer
  • Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. The Employment Tribunal does not levy a fee. Another example is Counsel’s fees. Counsel’s fees for attending a Final Hearing (including preparation) generally vary between £1,250 to £2,250 + VAT per day depending on their experience. We do not use Counsel for Preliminary Hearings but on your instruction, or where more cost effective, we will use Counsel for a Final Hearing.

We handle the payment of disbursements on your behalf which ensures a smoother process

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who will do the work for me?

    David MCrum. Please view the following link to view David McCrum’s profile which details his experience and qualification: https://www.maitlandwalker.com/our-lawyers/david.php.

    The stages set out above are an indication and if some of the stages are not required, the fee will be reduced. You may wish to handle the claim yourself and only have our advice in relation to some of the stages. This can be arranged on your individual needs.

  • How long will my matter take?

    The time that it takes from taking your initial instructions to the final resolution of you 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 2-3 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take between 3 months and a year. 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.

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