Employment Tribunal Pricing

As one of the most complex and fast-moving areas of law, costs for legal fees and disbursements can vary. However, we work to provide a service bespoke to your needs where costs are explained fully to ensure both businesses and individuals are aware of how much cases are likely to cost.

Price guide for bringing and defending typical claims up to but excluding final hearing:

• Simple case: £10,000 (excluding VAT)
• Medium complexity case: £20,000 (excluding VAT)
• High complexity case: up to £30,000+ (excluding VAT)

What factors could make a case more complex?

• If it is necessary to make or defend applications to amend claims or to 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 you are dismissed after blowing the whistle on your employer;
• Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal.

What is included in my cost?

For most cases, 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 may 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 or 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 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 also be arranged on your individual needs and a bespoke price can be quoted upon request.

How long will my matter 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 one to eight weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case it can take up to nine months at present. This is just an estimate and a more accurate timescale will be provided once we have more information and as the matter progresses.

What additional costs should I expect?

As well as our legal fees, please be aware that you may also have to pay other disbursement costs to third parties. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. These can include:

• Counsel's fees estimated between £750 and £2000 per day (depending on experience of the advocate)
• An additional fee for attending a Tribunal Hearing of up to £1000 per day (excluding VAT). Generally, we would allow one to two days depending on the complexity of your case.

Please be aware that our pricing is subject to revision. To receive a fully personalised quote, please complete our 'How Can We Help' form to the right of this page, call your nearest office or email contact@duttongregory.co.uk 

We charge an administration fee of £25 plus VAT for carrying out an online search to obtain evidence of your identity and address.