We can provide employees with assistance in relation to, amongst other things:-
- Grievance and disciplinary procedures;
- Unfair dismissal;
- Redundancy;
- Deduction of wages;
- Contractual issues;
- Tribunal cases;
- Settlement Agreements.
A GUIDE TO PRH EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL SERVICES AND FEES:
Introduction
Whilst it can be difficult to estimate fees in relation to Employment Tribunal Claims we have noted below the basis of our charges and estimates of likely costs for certain claims. Please note that these estimates apply to advise prior to or claims before an Employment Tribunal. They do not apply to any claim which requires to be filed in Court (for example breach of contract claims in excess of £25,000).
For information in relation to our costs for Settlement Agreements, please see the separate information page.
Work carried out on your behalf in relation to an Employment enquiry or Tribunal claim will be charged at our hourly rate of £200.00 per hour plus VAT (total £240.00). Full detail of our charging structure is available in our Terms and Conditions of Business.
In some circumstances we may be able to discuss carrying out some, or all, of your work on a fixed fee basis. This means that we may be able to agree the total cost in advance and that is the price which you pay, regardless of the work required.
Unfair Dismissal Claims
For Employment Tribunal Claims of unfair dismissal we would estimate that the total work carried out on your file will be between 25 and 50 hours from beginning to end. This does not include any work in connection with an appeal. We would therefore estimate that the total cost of such a claim is likely to be in the region of £5,000 - £10,000 plus VAT (£6,000 - £12,000).
Wrongful Dismissal Claims
Wrongful dismissal claims are likely to take between 15 and 30 hours from beginning to end. This does not include any work in connection with an appeal. We would therefore estimate that the total cost of such a claim is likely to be in the region of £3,000 to £6,000 plus VAT (£3,600 to £7,200).
Key Stages
The fees set out above in relation to unfair and wrongful dismissal claims cover all 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 on the claim or response from the other party;
- Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process;
- Preparing or considering a Schedule of Loss;
- Exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle of documents;
- Taking instructions and drafting witness statements and agreeing their contents with witnesses;
- Reviewing and advising on the other party’s witness statements;
- Preparing the bundle of documents for the Tribunal Hearing;
- Agreeing a list of issues and chronology and/or case list;
- Preparation for Final Hearing including drafting Instructions to Counsel.
Please note it is our practice to instruct Counsel to represent clients at Tribunal Hearings. The cost of this would be in excess of the broadbrush costs given above. Counsel usually charges between £1,500 and £2,500 per day plus VAT (£1,800 and £3,000).
Where your claim is more complicated or requires a hearing before an Employment Tribunal in excess of one day, the costs may exceed the above estimates. These are guide prices to assist you as to the likely costs of any claim.
Disbursements
Counsel’s fees are detailed above.
Expert accountants are notoriously expensive and the fees for obtaining a report in relation to complex losses would be in the region of £3,000 to £10,000 plus VAT (£3,600 and £12,000).
Another potential disbursement may be the cost of obtaining an employment report if, for example, you are in an unusual area of work where there are few possibilities for quick or replacement employment without retraining. Again, such reports are quite expensive and the costs may be between £1,000 and £5,000 plus VAT (£1,200 and £6,000).
Another potential cost may be incurred in obtaining your medical records and then instructing an expert to prepare a report on your medical condition, if you are, for instance, wishing to claim for a stress related injury as part of your unfair or wrongful dismissal claim. The fees for obtaining your medical notes would be in the region of £50 to £150 plus VAT (£60 and £180) the additional fees for obtaining a report would be between £500 and £1500 plus VAT (£600 and £1800).
How long will the matter take?
The time taken from initial instructions to the final resolution of your matter depends largely on whether or not your case resolves before the Final Hearing. If settlement is reached during pre-claim conciliation, your case is likely to settle in 2 or 3 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your claim may take a number of months.
Other relevant information
We do not undertake employment claims on a No Win No Fee basis, although your insurance provider may cover legal advice in relation to such a claim.
Please note: Whilst there are no fees payable to the Employment Tribunal for filing a claim it is also very unusual for costs to be awarded in favour of either party. This will only happen in exceptional circumstances where the Tribunal considers the claim, or response, to be very weak or the conduct of one of the parties during the proceedings has been particularly unreasonable.
We are happy to discuss your requirements and your feeing options during our first consultation.
