Employment – Pricing

In keeping with our approach to fees, we always aim to be open and transparent and we only charge for our work undertaken on a time spent basis applying the following hourly rates:

David Carr – Solicitor – £360 plus VAT (at the current rate of 20%)

The details of the experience and qualifications of the person who will assist you are detailed here:

https://www.carterbells.co.uk/team/

Following an initial telephone call to obtain details of your dispute or enquiry we will offer a quotation of likely fees appropriate to the case.

To help you better understand the costs associated with our services, we have detailed below estimates of average costs for the following:

Settlement Agreements

Our Employment Law team has extensive experience of drafting, negotiating and advising on settlement agreements which are regularly used by employers to settle possible employment claims and provide a clean break for the parties.  These are sometimes associated with termination of employment and again offer a clean break.  These types of agreement require legal advice from a qualified professional.

The cost of this service depends on the length of the settlement agreement.  The review of a Settlement Agreement plus an advice letter will generally amount to 1 – 3 hours of work plus VAT.

Other work

For other categories of work such as Ad hoc employment law advice we charge for time spent using an hourly rate so clients are only charged for the work we undertake.  This would also apply to more complex cases, where an initial estimate of fees would be provided.  Additionally, we bill regularly for the work undertaken.

Employment claims (fees for employees and employers)

For Employment claims – whether representing an employer or acting for an employee brining a claims involving wrongful dismissal, unfair dismissal, discrimination, breach of contract and unlawful deduction from wages.  The information set out below sets out an indication of likely fees.  These figures are estimates and exclude VAT and do not include disbursements such as Court fees or counsel’s fees.

Claim type

Wrongful Dismissal

Simple Case                                           £10,000 - £14,000 – 0.5 day hearing

Medium Complexity                            £14,000 - £16,000 – 0.5 day hearing

High Complexity                                   £16,000 - £20,000 – 1 day hearing

Unfair Dismissal

Simple Case                                       £15,000 - £20,000 – 1 day hearing

Medium Complexity                            £18,000 - £25,000 – 1-2 day hearing

High Complexity                                 £20,000 - £35,000 – 3-5 day hearing

 Discrimination claims

Simple Case                                       £15,000 - £25,000 – 1 day hearing

Medium Complexity                           £20,000 - £30,000 – 1-2 day hearing

High Complexity                                £25,000 - £35,000 – 3-5 day hearing

Breach of Contract claims / unlawful deduction of wages

Simple Case                                      £8,000 - £12,000 – 0.5 day hearing

Medium Complexity                           £10,000 - £14,000 – 0.5 day hearing

High Complexity                                £14,000 - £20,000 – 1 day hearing

If multiple types of claims are being brought, we will be able to provide you with a more detailed estimate and advise of the issues involved.

For cases that are listed for a hearing of one day or less, we would expect proceedings to take 6 – 12 months.

For cases that are listed for a hearing greater than one day, we would expect proceedings to take 10 – 16 months.

If settlement is agreed before the commencement of any proceedings, the case may be concluded within 3 months.

If proceedings are required, offers/settlement discussions can take place at any time but if the matter proceedings to a final hearing, then may settle:

The above may require several more months if a further hearing is required.

The above fees do not include disbursements such as Counsel’s fees or Court fees.  The Court issue fee can be found by clicking on the below link to the Court fee calculator page.

Make a court claim for money: Court fees - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Key stages of case

• Instructions taken out the outset and a review of papers/documents.
• Drafting of any early correspondence and early negotiation if possible.
• Preparing Claim Forms or a Defence as well as a review of the other party’s case/defence.
• Preparation of any schedule of loss or reviewing the other party’s schedule of loss.
• Further settlement discussions if possible.
• Preparing for disclosure, preparations for witness statements and attending any witnesses (the preparation of witness evidence may begin at the outset of the claim also).
• Preparation for a hearing, including preparing hearing bundles and lists of issues in dispute.
• Following this the employment hearing and ruling noting the outcome of the hearing.