Employment Tribunal claims: Our Pricing

We act for both sides of the employment relationship: employees bringing unfair or wrongful dismissal claims, and employers defending them. This page explains how we charge, what your matter is likely to cost, and what is included, so you can decide with confidence before you instruct us.

The figures below are estimates based on our experience. Every case is different, so once we understand your situation we will give you a tailored estimate and keep you updated if anything changes.

How we charge

We charge for this work on the basis of the time we spend on it, at an hourly rate of between £360 and £400 plus VAT, depending on the complexity of the matter. VAT is currently charged at the standard rate of 20%. We will agree the applicable rate with you at the outset and confirm it in your engagement letter.  Where it is possible to offer a fixed fee for a particular stage we will discuss that with you.

Who will do your work

Your matter will be handled by Katie Selves, the solicitor and founder of New Road Legal. Katie is an experienced employment solicitor and a former General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer, who has advised both employees and employers throughout her career, so she understands how these disputes look from both sides of the table. As a solo practice, Katie carries out the work personally and supervises every matter herself.

If you are an employee bringing a claim

If you have lost your job and believe your dismissal was unfair or in breach of your contract, you may be able to bring a claim against your employer in the Employment Tribunal. The estimates below assume your claim runs all the way to a final hearing, although most claims settle before that point.

The estimates below are based on the complexity of the matter, which we will discuss with you at the outset:

  • Straightforward claims (facts largely agreed, limited documents, one or two witnesses). Estimated fees: £7,500 – £13,000 (excluding VAT and disbursement)

  • Moderately complex claims (some dispute over the facts, a preliminary hearing may be needed, more documents and witnesses). Estimated fees: £13,000 – £24,000 (excluding VAT and disbursement)

  • Complex claims (significant factual disputes, multiple or linked claims, several witnesses, or a multi-day hearing). Estimated fees: £24,000 – £45,000 (excluding VAT and disbursement)

The estimates above relate to unfair and wrongful dismissal claims.  If you have additional claims this will make your matter more complex, and will require additional time.  The most complex, multi-day cases can exceed the range above.  If yours is likely to, we will tell you and give you a more tailored estimate before you commit.  We will also provide strategic case support to ensure that the costs don’t outweigh the benefits of pursing a claim.

If you are an employer defending a claim

If an employee has brought, or is threatening, an unfair or wrongful dismissal claim against your business, we can defend it for you, from the response through to the final hearing. Defending costs are broadly comparable to those for bringing a claim and depend on the same complexity factors. As above, the estimates assume the matter runs to a final hearing, but most claims settle earlier.

The estimates below are based on the complexity of the matter, which we will discuss with you at the outset:

  • Straightforward claims (facts largely agreed, limited documents, one or two witnesses). Estimated fees: £8,000 – £15,000 (excluding VAT and disbursement)

  • Moderately complex claims (some dispute over the facts, a preliminary hearing may be needed, more documents and witnesses). Estimated fees: £15,000 – £28,000 (excluding VAT and disbursement)

  • Complex claims (significant factual disputes, multiple or linked claims, several witnesses, or a multi-day hearing). Estimated fees: £28,000 – £50,000 (excluding VAT and disbursement)

The estimates above relate to unfair and wrongful dismissal claims.  If you have to defend additional claims this will make your matter more complex, and will require additional time.  We will give you a more tailored estimate once we have seen the claim and discussed the background circumstances with you.  We will also provide strategic case support to ensure that the costs don’t outweigh the benefits of continuing to defend a claim.

What can make a matter more complex

All of the above costs may vary depending on the complexity of the case and the conduct of the proceedings, for example:

  • Disputes about whether the claim was brought in time, or other preliminary legal issues

  • Applications to amend the claim, for further information, or for costs (by either side)

  • A large volume of documents or a significant number of witnesses

  • Automatically unfair dismissal claims, for example following whistleblowing

  • Allegations of discrimination connected to the dismissal

  • A final hearing listed for more than two or three days

  • For businesses, where the other party is a litigant in person, which usually requires more time due to the lack of understanding of the law and the Tribunal process.

  • Unreasonable behaviour by the other party

What is included

Our fees cover all our work on the following key stages of a typical claim, whether we are acting for the employee or the employer:

  • Taking your instructions, reviewing the papers and advising on the merits and the likely range of compensation (kept under review as the matter develops)

  • Acas early conciliation, which is the mandatory step of exploring settlement before a claim proceeds

  • Preparing the claim (the ET1) or, for employers, the response (the ET3)

  • Reviewing and advising on the other side’s statement of case

  • Preparing the schedule of loss or, for employers, the counter-schedule

  • Preparing for and attending any preliminary hearing

  • Disclosure of documents and agreeing the hearing bundle

  • Preparing witness statements and reviewing the other side’s witness statements

  • Negotiating settlement at any stage where the opportunity arises

  • Preparing for and representing you at the final hearing (or instructing a barrister to do so - see disbursements below)

If some of these stages are not needed in your matter, this will impact total costs.

What is not included

  • Claims beyond unfair or wrongful dismissal, for example discrimination, whistleblowing or unlawful deduction of wages claims. These often overlap, and we will give you a separate estimate if they apply.

  • Advising on or negotiating a standalone settlement agreement where no Tribunal claim is brought.

  • Expert witnesses, if required.

  • Travel and accommodation, where necessary.

  • Any appeal to the Employment Appeal Tribunal.

  • Enforcing a Tribunal award (for employees) where the employer does not pay.

The Employment Tribunal is generally a “no costs” forum, which means each side usually pays its own legal costs whatever the outcome. You would not normally expect to recover your fees from the other party even if you succeed, and vice versa.

Disbursements (third-party costs)

Disbursements are costs payable to others in connection with your matter. For this type of work the main disbursement is usually a barrister’s (counsel’s) fee, if we instruct a barrister to advise or to represent you at a hearing:

  • Counsel’s fee for advice, a conference or drafting: typically £1,000 – £3,000 plus VAT, depending on seniority and the work involved.

  • Counsel’s fee for representation at a final hearing: typically £1,500 – £5,000 plus VAT per day, including preparation, depending on seniority and the length of the hearing.

Counsel’s fees attract VAT at the standard rate. Other disbursements may arise in some cases (for example an expert or medical report) and we will always discuss these with you, and their likely cost, in advance.

Because New Road Legal does not hold client money, we do not take funds on account into a client account. Instead, we will agree with you in advance how any disbursements are to be met, which will usually either by you settling the provider’s invoice directly, or by us invoicing you for disbursements we have incurred on your behalf.

How long will it take

How long a matter takes depends mostly on the stage at which it resolves:

  • If it settles during Acas early conciliation, it may be resolved in a matter of weeks.

  • If it proceeds to a final hearing, it is likely to take longer. Because of the current pressure on the Tribunal system, the time from issuing a claim to a final hearing is commonly 12 to 18 months, and sometimes much longer.

This is an estimate only. We will give you a clearer timescale once we know more, and keep you updated as the matter progresses.

Funding

We charge for this work on the time-spent basis set out above. We do not offer “no win, no fee” (conditional fee) or damages-based agreements for this type of work.  Some people have legal expenses cover through home or employment insurance and so you should check whether you have this. It may not cover all of your fees if we represent you, and we will have to negotiate with your insurer directly.

Complaints

We are committed to providing a high-quality service. If you are ever unhappy with our work or our charges, please tell us. Details of how to complain, and of your right to complain to the Legal Ombudsman and the Solicitors Regulation Authority, are set out in our Complaints Procedure.

Regulatory information

New Road Legal is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA number 8013367).