Employment Costs Guidance

WOODROFFES

• Counsel’s fees, which typically range from £2,000 to £7,500; and
• photocopying charges, which typically range from £300 to £750.

The above charges are inclusive of VAT at 20%.;

For complex or unusual claims we may charge fees that are higher than the top of the range given above.  Factors that may result in a claim being more complex or unusual include but are not limited to where;

• the client requires a high degree of advice, care or attention;
• the claim is factually complex or document-heavy;
• the claim falls within one of the categories of automatically unfair dismissal eg. whistleblowing;
• the claim is combined with other legal claims, such as discrimination;
• a number of preliminary hearings are required;
• unexpected delays or postponements occur; or
• the conduct  of the claim by another party is unusual or unreasonable;

 

Advice and representation to employers in relation in defending claims before the Employment Tribunal brought by an employee for unfair dismissal or wrongful dismissal  

• Our charges typically range from £5,000 to £20,000;

This does not include:

• Counsel’s fees, which typically range from £5,000 to £7,000 in total; and”
• photocopying charges, which typically range from £300 to £750

The above charges are exclusive of VAT at 20%

For complex or unusual claims we may charge fees that are higher than the top of the range given above.  Factors that may result in a claim being more complex or unusual include but are not limited to where:

 

• the client requires a high degree of advice, care and attention;
• the claim is factually complex or document heavy;
• The claim falls within one of the categories of automatically unfair dismissal e.g. whistleblowing;
• the claim is combined with other legal claims, such as discrimination;
• a number of preliminary hearings are required;
• unexpected delays or postponements occur;
• the conduct of the claim by another party is unusual or unreasonable; or
• the claimant is representing himself or herself, or does not have a legally-qualified representative.

General

The fee ranges set out above are based on hourly rate charges of £190-£375 per hour (exclusive of VAT at 20%), depending on the level of the fee-earner involved.  They include advice on the typical stages of a claim.

• taking initial instructions, reviewing the papers 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 the claim or response;
• reviewing and advising on the claim or response from other party;
• preparing or considering a schedule of loss;
• preparing for (and attending) one Preliminary Hearing and instructing Counsel to appear;
• exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle of documents;
• taking witness statements, drafting statements and agreeing their content with witnesses; preparing bundle of documents;
•  reviewing and advising on the other party’s witness statements;
• agreeing a list of issues, a chronology  and/or cast list; and
• preparation and attendance at the Final Hearing, including preparing instructions to Counsel.

They do not include advice on other stages of, or events during or related to, a claim, for example: applications for specific disclosure of documents; data subject access requests; applications   for costs or costs assessments; advice on negotiating settlement or entering into a settlement agreement; any appeals or applications for the review or reconsideration of any decision; travel and accommodation expenses.

The likely timescale for each stage referred to above will vary according to a number of factors, including case management orders made by the Tribunal and the nature of the claim.  A Tribunal claim will typically take six to twelve months to complete, but the timescale is highly dependent on the caseload of the Tribunal system.

 

Who will carry out the work

Your work may primarily be carried out by any of the Solicitors or Trainee Solicitors in the Employment Team and under partner supervision.