Employment disputes
If your organisation is facing an employment tribunal claim, our specialists in employment disputes will defend your interests robustly.
We have seen a sharp increase in the number of tribunal claims being filed.
If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself faced with the prospect of litigating an employment dispute, it is vital that you entrust the matter to a legal team who can guide you through the process as smoothly and as cost effectively as possible.
Our expert team has an excellent track record in dealing with a variety of employment tribunal claims, including unfair dismissal, breach of contract, discrimination, confidentiality agreements, Restrictive Covenant Enforcement and whistleblowing. We guide employers through investigations and disciplinary and grievance processes to minimise the risk of claims.
Our approach
We provide strategic advice to both national and international clients. We navigate complex legal regulations, offer invaluable support and can secure the best possible commercial outcome for you.
A senior member of our team will be appointed as your case manager and will ensure everything runs smoothly and cost-effectively. Our solicitors work closely with several leading barristers’ chambers, so you will also benefit from access to specialist commercial and employment barristers at discounted rates.
We also work closely with our commercial dispute resolution team, which specialises in enforcing post-termination restrictions in the High Court.
Flexible and transparent cost
Tribunal claims vary in complexity, so we offer a range of flexible, transparent, costing options to fit your specific needs. One option for businesses looking to mitigate the risk of expensive claims, is to take out employment disputes insurance.
Talk to us about
Related services
Related sectors
Meet the team
Our employment disputes experience
Successfully represented a local authority in its defence of a complex whistleblowing and discrimination claim worth in excess of £500,000.
Advising a transport company on a complex long term sickness issue and achieving settlement of a claim under its PHI scheme.
How we made a difference
Related thinking
Sexual harassment: the new duty to prevent
Can we talk about mental health at work?
Proposed changes to employment law
Litigating sustainably – the Greener Litigation Pledge
Settlement Agreements – Avoiding the pitfalls
Post-termination restrictions – legal update
Should employers pay enhanced shared parental pay?
Employment tribunal costs for businesses
Advising a respondent in relation to defending an unfair dismissal claim in an employment tribunal is charged on a time spent basis.
The hourly rates for our team range from between £210 – £485 plus VAT.
The amount of time spent on each stage of the process will depend on the complexity of the matter, in particular the number of relevant documents and number of witnesses.
The information below sets out the likely range of our fees for each stage of the tribunal process.
| Type of Work | Range of fees |
| Reviewing relevant documents, drafting case assessment summary and advising on quantum | £1,400 – £1,700 |
| Drafting and filing the employers response form (ET3) | £2,000 – £3,500 |
| Preparing for and attending Preliminary Hearing (via telephone) | £1,400 – £1,700 |
| Considering the Claimant’s document setting out how much they want the tribunal to award them if they win their claim (known as a — -Schedule of Loss) and preparing a Counter-Schedule if appropriate | £750 – £1,500 |
| Dealing with disclosure / preparation of list of documents and considering documents disclosed by Claimant | £2,500 – £5,000 |
| Preparation of bundle of documents for final hearing | £1,000 – £2,000 |
| Preparation of witness statement for Respondent’s main witness (estimated cost per statement) | £2,500 – £5,000 |
| Preparation of additional witness statements (estimated cost per statement) | £950 – £2,500 |
| Briefing Counsel | £1,200 – £2,100 |
| Total estimated costs – to full hearing, assuming only 1 witness and excluding VAT | £13,700 – £25,000 |
The range of fees set out in the table above are based on the following assumptions:
- Our client provides us with all of the necessary information, documents, comment on documents and instructions we may need in a timely manner;
- Our client provides us with adequate instructions and information to allow us to prepare the ET3 form at least 10 working days before the
Tribunal deadline; - The Claimant acts reasonably throughout the process without excessive levels of communication;
- We are not required to attend a tribunal hearing;
- We are not involved in any protracted settlement negotiations;
- We are not required to make numerous applications to the Employment Tribunal;
- The work proceeds without any unforeseen or unusual complications.
If any of these assumptions are incorrect or change over time, the fees set out in the table above may increase.
Expenses and additional charges that the Claimant is likely to be required to pay include:
| Additional charge | Cost |
| Counsel’s fees | Between £3,000 – £12,000 plus VAT* for a one day hearing depending on seniority. |
| Fees for expert witnesses | Between £3,000 – £8,000 plus VAT* (per report) |
| Photocopying charges | £0 – £1,000 plus VAT* (depending on whether electronic or hard copies of documents are required) |
*VAT is charged at a rate of 20%.
The time it takes from your initial instructions to the final resolution of your matter depends largely on the stage at which the case is resolved. If a settlement is reached during pre-claim conciliation, your case is likely to take between 2-6 weeks. If the claim proceeds to a Final Hearing your case is likely to take between 6-12 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.
Contact us
If you have a question or need advice, please let us know how we can help.
