Important information Employment Tribunal - Costs

  1. Important information
  2. Employment Tribunal - Costs
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We are required to publish guidance prices in respect of Employment Tribunal claims (wrongful dismissal/unfair dismissal).

Our usual hourly rate is £150 per hour. We are not currently registered for VAT.

We would usually offer a daily rate of £750 for attendance at the Employment Tribunal (in addition to any barrister’s fees).

The number of chargeable hours it takes to deal with a case generally depends upon:

  • whether the case settles before a hearing and, if so, at what stage
  • the complexity of any legal issues and/or the need for specialist advice
  • the number of parties
  • the attitude of the parties (unfortunately, it is easy for one party to run up costs)
  • the complexity of the factual background and the amount of evidence on both sides – the number of witnesses and the detail of their evidence, the number of documents etc (and the length of a hearing)

The parties are also in the hands of the Employment Tribunal and can encounter unexpected demands on time and/or delays that inflate the costs

Subject to that:

  • a very simple case could cost say £5,000 plus disbursements but such claims rarely reach a hearing
  • a more typical case might cost between £5,000 and £30,000 plus disbursements

Anyone considering an employment claim should also have in mind the risks and potential costs of an appeal.

Disbursements

Disbursements payable to third parties (in addition to our costs) commonly include:

  • Counsel’s fees to advise and/or attend a Tribunal hearing (including preparation)
  • Mediation costs
  • Copying charges

General

If not resolved, and by way of guidance only, an employment claim can involve some or all these steps:

  • Initial correspondence and mediation
  • Preparing a formal claim or response
  • Reviewing and advising on claim or response from other party
  • Preparing or considering a schedule of loss
  • Preparing for (and attending) a preliminary hearing
  • Exchanging documents with the other party
  • Reviewing and advising on the other party's documents
  • Taking witness statements
  • Agreeing a bundle of documents with copies as appropriate
  • Exchanging witness statements; reviewing and advising on the other party's witness statements
  • Agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and/or case list
  • Preparation and attendance at Final Hearing, including instructions to Counsel

We would normally estimate 6 to 12 months but there are currently delays in the system.