Employment Law
We believe in being transparent and commercially pragmatic about our fees from the outset. Below is a guide to our typical pricing for employment law services.
Fixed Price Work
If you instruct us, we should be able to discuss your individual situation and requirements and a more accurate estimate of costs could be provided which will be confirmed in writing.
We cannot provide a binding quotation for employment litigation costs because we cannot predict all outcomes. However, if we are instructed to do a fixed piece of work for you such as assisting with preparing an appeal letter, reviewing a contract, or advising on restrictive covenants, this can usually be agreed based on the hourly rate and anticipated time.
Settlement Agreement – Fixed Fee (usually employer funded)
Settlement agreements usually contain a clause whereby the employer pays your legal fees.
For straightforward matters, fees are typically:
- £350 – £750 + VAT
In most cases, this fee is paid by the employer.
If negotiation of terms is required, we will agree any additional fees in advance.
Employment Tribunal Claims – Unfair & Wrongful Dismissal
Our standard hourly rates are:
- Partners: £295 + VAT
- Senior Solicitors: £265 + VAT
- Paralegals & Trainees: £165 + VAT
Our employment law work is carried out by Asad Rana, who has over 15 years’ experience in advising both employers and employees in contentious and non-contentious matters.
Estimated Costs – Tribunal Claims
As a very rough guide, costs may be estimated by multiplying the anticipated hearing length (in days) by:
- £4,500 + VAT and disbursements
Key Stages
The fees above typically cover:
- Initial instructions and merits advice
- Pre-claim conciliation (ACAS)
- Drafting claim or response
- Reviewing other party’s case
- Settlement negotiations
- Schedule of loss preparation
- Preliminary hearings
- Disclosure and document bundle preparation
- Witness statements
- Final hearing preparation and attendance
- Instructing counsel
Timescales
Employment tribunal claims typically take:
- 3 to 18 months (or longer) depending on complexity
Short hearings (wrongful dismissal) may take 1 day. Unfair dismissal cases often take 2–5 days. Complex discrimination or whistleblowing cases may take 3 weeks or more.
Complicating Factors
Costs may increase if:
- Claims involve discrimination or whistleblowing
- Applications to amend claims are required
- Litigants in person are involved
- Preliminary legal issues arise (e.g. time limits)
- There are multiple witnesses or large document volumes
- The hearing is lengthy
- Postponements occur
These costs do not include appeals or challenges to tribunal decisions.
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs payable to third parties, such as:
- Barrister fees
- Expert reports
- Court or tribunal fees
We may request funds on account before incurring disbursements.
Legal Expenses Insurance
You may already have insurance cover (e.g. through home or motor insurance). If so, we can liaise with your insurer to explore funding your case under that policy.
For all Civil Magistrates fees please refer to the Magistrates’ Courts fees order www.legislation.gov.uk
For more information please contact Simon Braun on 01582 466163 – email: s.braun@pmsolicitors.co.uk. Please see “Our People” for information on Simon Braun.