Employment tribunal pricing for employees

We regularly advise employees at all levels and across a wide range of industries. Our advice includes dealing with employment tribunal claims, early conciliation and other options for resolving employment disputes – such as settlement agreements.

As an employee, you have legal rights which your employer must respect. If you believe that you have been unfairly treated at work then getting the right legal advice as soon as possible is vital. This will allow you to get a clear picture of whether you have grounds for a potential claim and what compensation you could be entitled to.

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.

Why Fishers?

We have an experienced team who can assist you with disputes at every level, from an initial grievance or disciplinary hearing, to negotiating a settlement and through to Employment Tribunal Hearings and Appeals.

We know that value for money and overall costs are important, so we will provide you with a range of estimates and keep you updated on costs at all times. This will allow you to budget appropriately and to be confident that we are handling your case in a cost-effective manner.

We will provide an honest assessment of the situation and -focused advice to make sure you are pursuing the best strategy for you.

Fixed Fees – Prior to a Tribunal Claim Being Made

Just because you have a dispute with your employer does not necessarily mean that you would make a formal claim to the Employment Tribunal. Resolving a dispute without the need for a formal claim to be made can often be the most efficient and cost-effective outcome for your business.

If your employer has suggested that you consider entering into a settlement agreement you are entitled to independent legal advice, which your employer has to make a contribution towards. We aim, where possible, to ensure that your legal fees are limited to those paid by your employer.

If a resolution is not possible by settlement agreement, we could act for you prior to the issue of a claim to the Tribunal based on the following fixed fees.

Pricing – Bringing A Tribunal Claim

The fees involved in bringing claims of unfair and/or wrongful dismissal are based on three bands, however it is not always possible to provide a fixed fee in this regard.

We will advise of the funding options available to you, for example, using any legal expenses insurance which you may be covered by.

There are various factors we will consider when deciding what pricing band your case falls into. We will make this assessment and inform you of the relevant fee estimate at the earliest opportunity.

Factors that may influence this may include the need for;

• 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.

It is important to be aware that these estimates are for our costs up to and including a final hearing. If settlement was reached before a final hearing then fees would be reduced accordingly.

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 estimated above. 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