Employment Tribunal for Employees

It can be useful to obtain advice before your employment has ended, as this can assist in trying to negotiate an amicable settlement with your employer.

Our expert employment lawyers can guide you through each step of the process of dealing with an employment dispute, while removing as much stress and uncertainty from the situation as possible. We can help you to secure the best available outcome for you and our transparent pricing will allow you to be confident that you are getting good value for money.

Pricing 

Having a dispute with your employer does not always mean that a formal claim needs to be made to the Employment Tribunal. In many cases, resolving matters at an early stage - without issuing a claim - can be the most efficient and cost-effective approach.

Where your employer proposes a settlement agreement, you are legally entitled to independent legal advice. Your employer is required to contribute towards the cost of this advice, and where possible, we aim to ensure that your legal fees are covered by that contribution.

If a resolution cannot be reached by way of settlement, we can represent you prior to the issue of an Employment Tribunal claim on an hourly rate starting from £320 + VAT.

We will also advise you on available funding options, including whether you may be covered by legal expenses insurance.

Our fees may be influenced by the nature and complexity of the work required, which can include:

• Responding to a claim which has been made against you
• Reviewing documents
• Compliance with Orders made by the Tribunal
• Attending preliminary hearings
• Making applications to the Tribunal on your behalf or responding to applications made by the other side.

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Counsel’s fees. If Counsel is required to attend a final hearing then fee estimates will be obtained prior to fees being incurred. The level of Counsel’s fees will depend upon the complexity of the issues and the seniority of Counsel required.

Exclusions

There may be factors which would typically increase the cost of the fees. Where there is likely to be any additional cost, we will make sure you are informed of this at the earliest opportunity and a clear estimate of those extra costs will be provided.

Factors that may lead to an increase in cost include:

• If it is necessary to make or defend applications to amend claims or to provide further information about an existing claim 
• The issues become more complex than first claimed ·If high levels of witness evidence are required 
• If high levels of documents need to be reviewed
• If a claim involves allegations of harassment / bullying / victimisation / discrimination / whistle blowing

Time scales

The time that it takes from your initial instructions to the final resolution of your matter depends upon the stage at which the case is resolved.

If a settlement was reached via a settlement agreement then this could be achieved within 2 to 3 weeks of the dispute. If ACAS early conciliation was required then this process can take up to 4 weeks from the point that ACAS is contacted.

If it is necessary to bring a Tribunal claim then it may take 12 months or longer to reach a final hearing. This will largely depend upon the complexity of the case.

Key milestones

With every transaction there are key milestones; our fee will include these milestones and may be as follows:

• Taking your instructions
• Reviewing documents and advising you on the merits of the claim being brought against you
• Advising upon the potential value of any claim
• Advising on a settlement agreement (where appropriate)
• Entering into ACAS early conciliation
• Advising upon the response to your claim
• Negotiating settlement via ACAS
• Attending a preliminary hearing
• Exchanging documents with the employer
• Preparing witness evidence
• Agreeing a list of issues and/or chronology
• Preparation for and attendance at a final hearing, including drafting instructions to Counsel where appropriate