Employment Tribunal: Pricing

Our service

Whether you are an employer or an employee, we are able to advise you on any claims as well as guide you through the dispute resolution process.

What we charge?

Our pricing for bringing and defending claims is as follows:

  • Low complexity case: £10,000 to £20,000
  • Medium complexity case: £20,000 to £40,000
  • High complexity case: over £40,000 – £60,000

Each matter is unique, and a bespoke quote will be provided once we are better acquainted with the specifics of your case.

Factors that could make a case more complex:
  • if it is necessary to make or defend applications to amend claims or providing further information about an existing claim
  • defending claims brought by litigants in person
  • making or defending a costs application
  • complex preliminary issues
  • number of witnesses and documents
  • where there is an automatic unfair dismissal claim
  • allegations of discrimination linked to the dismissal
  • multiple claims or complex factual issues.
What is included?

The fees set out above cover the work in relation to the following key stages of a claim:

  • taking initial instructions, reviewing documents and advising on the merits of the claim, and likely compensation
  • entering into pre-claim conciliation where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached
  • preparing a claim or response
  • reviewing and advising on a claim or response from the 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
  • preparing and drafting statements with witnesses
  • preparing bundle of documents for use at the hearing
  • 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

If some of the stages above are not required, fees will be adjusted accordingly. Where you may wish to handle the claim yourself, seeking advice for only some of the stages, this can be arranged.

Disbursements: these are ancillary costs relating to your matter that are paid to third parties. We handle these payments on your behalf which are later billed to you.

How long will the matter take?

This is largely dependent on the complexity of the case and the stage at which it is resolved. More accurate timescales can be given upon being further instructed.

The figures quoted are indicative only for a typical case and are not fixed prices.  We would discuss the likely costs of your case as part of our initial instructions and review this throughout the matter.

The figures indicated are exclusive of VAT at the rate of 20%.

Disbursements

“Disbursements are payments we make to third parties for expenses such as travel costs, counsel’s fees (Barrister fees), court fees and expert fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process but may require you to put us into funds in order to do so.”

Counsel’s fees will vary depending upon the experience of the advocate but for a one day hearing the fees may range between £1,000 to £2,000 plus VAT at 20% per day. If your case ultimately proceeds to an Employment Tribunal hearing, a barrister would usually be instructed to represent you. Barristers tend to charge a daily fee for appearing at the tribunal itself (£1000 – £3,000 + VAT at 20% per day, depending on experience), and an additional fee for preparing for the final hearing (£1,000 – £8,000 + VAT at 20%).

We will discuss all disbursements with you in advance of incurring any on your behalf.

How long will my matter take?

The time taken 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 4 – 8 weeks.

If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, it depends upon which Tribunal office will be dealing with the claim and the number of matters to be determined, but cases tend to take between 6 – 18 months.

This is just an estimate, and we will of course be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the matter progresses.

*Please note that while our pricing information seeks to ensure that you have the information you need to make an informed choice of legal services provider, including understanding what the likely costs may be, it is only indicative, and you will be provided with more precise and personalised costs information should you decide to instruct us

Carter Bond Hourly Rates
  • Fee Earner Rates
  • Partners £375 – £450
  • Solicitors £295 – £350
  • Barristers £350
  • Legal Consultants £300 – £350
  • Trainee Solicitors £175 to £195
  • Paralegals and Legal Assistants – £175
  • All hourly rates are exclusive of VAT at the rate of 20%

Unlike many law firms when we say a matter is partner or barrister led, we mean partner or barrister led. When clients work with us, they get constant access to the lead on their instruction. Yes, we also have a team of solicitors and juniors who provide support for some of the groundwork and necessary research required by our clients where it makes financial sense to the client for us to do this. We provide constant contact at no extra cost as part of our service as most of our lawyers have their own business, so they know first-hand how important having a proactive, responsible and trusted adviser on their side can be.

Details of the lawyers who undertake and supervise this work can be found here.