Transparency in Price and Service

Two smiling women, one standing up, the other seat and holding a yellow mug
Home » Transparency in Price and Service
Employment Tribunal (Unfair / Wrongful Dismissal) – Range of Costs

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has published Transparency Rules to ensure consumers have the information they need to make an informed choice of legal service providers. We are required to publish information around the prices charged for defending or bringing a claim for unfair or wrongful dismissal in the Employment Tribunal.

Range of fees

We provide fee estimates on a case by case basis, depending on the relevant facts of the specific matter, however we would usually expect claims to fall within the following brackets below. This is for both bringing and defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal only and is estimated on the base your case progresses to a final hearing and judgment. However, if your claim settles early, fees will be less:

Simple case: £15,000-£35,000 (excluding VAT)

Medium complexity case: £35,000-£75,000 (excluding VAT)

High complexity case: £75,000-£200,000 (excluding VAT)

If you would also like us to attend a Tribunal Hearing, this will be an additional cost which is generally calculated using the hourly rate of the relevant fee earner.

The above does not include additional claims that may be brought alongside wrongful or unfair dismissal (such as those for whistleblowing detriment or discrimination), any appeal, or disbursements (see below).

What makes a case more complex?

There are several factors that can make a Tribunal case more complex, and these may not always be apparent until the matter progresses:

  • If it is necessary to make or respond to applications for early disclosure, or if there are data subject access requests made
  • If it is necessary to make or defend applications to amend claims or to provide further information about an existing claim
  • Defending claims that are brought by litigants in person
  • Making or defending a costs application
  • Complex preliminary issues such as whether the Tribunal has jurisdiction to hear the claim, whether the claimant is disabled (if this is not agreed by the parties)
  • The number of witnesses and documents
  • If it is an automatic unfair dismissal claim e.g. if you are dismissed after blowing the whistle on your employer
  • Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal
  • The length of the hearing
  • Multi-claimant/ multi-respondent matters
  • The seniority of lawyers working on your case
  • How involved you would like the team to be, including whether you would like to prepare initial documents, how you provide documents and information to us, and how you choose to approach the matter
  • The approach taken by your opponent.
Team details and experience

Our Employment team has over 30 years of collective experience in delivering high quality work in all matters relating to Employment Tribunal claims.

We have four members of the team who may work on your matter.

Regardless of who works on your matter, they will be supervised by Ross Meadows, Partner and Head of Employment.

Free earner Job role Experience and Qualifications Hourly Rate (2025)
Ross Meadows Partner
  • Admitted as a solicitor 15/09/06
  • BSc (Hons) PGDip Law
 £515
Jessica Bass Partner
  • Admitted as a solicitor 01/08/16
  • LLB, LLM
 £450
Isabella Mason Associate Solicitor
  • Admitted as a solicitor 04/07/23
  • BA (Hons)
 £330
Other Paralegal Trainee Solicitor
  • Various paralegals/ trainee solicitors may support your matter
 £215

 

Do these prices include VAT?

No, the fees and hourly rate is exclusive of VAT. Fees attract VAT at a rate of 20%. Most disbursements will also attract VAT at a rate of 20%.

Key stages

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

  • Taking your initial instructions, reviewing relevant papers and advising on merits and likely compensation (this is likely to be revisited throughout the matter and subject to change)
  • Entering into Early Conciliation via ACAS, where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached
  • Preparing claim or response documents
  • Reviewing and advising on claim or response from other party
  • Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process
  • Preparing or considering a schedule of loss and/or counter schedule of loss
  • Preparing for (and attending) one Preliminary Hearing
  • Exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle of documents, and producing this if needed
  • Taking witness statements, drafting statements and agreeing their content with witnesses
  • Reviewing and advising on the other party’s witness statements
  • Agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and/or cast list
  • Preparation for the Final Hearing, including briefing Counsel to attend

The stages set out above are an indication and if some of stages above are not required, the fee will be reduced. You may wish to handle the claim yourself and only have our advice in relation to some of the stages. This can also be arranged on your individual needs.

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as fees for a barrister, medical expert fees, and items such as fees to obtain your medical records from a GP. The above quotes exclude disbursements.

Counsel’s fees will be separate to our fees and dependent on experience of the advocate for attending a Tribunal Hearing (including preparation). We can provide details of Counsel’s fees dependent of the complexity of the matter, seniority of the barrister and the choice of chambers instructed. We will notify you of these fees before we instruct them on your behalf. We may require money on account of Counsel’s fees before we instruct them on your behalf.

Alternative charging models

We do not offer conditional fee or damages based agreements for unfair or wrongful dismissal claims.

How long will my matter take?

The time that it takes 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 or correspondence, your case is likely to be resolved within a few weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take 12 – 18 months, however this is dependent on the length of time required for your hearing, and the listing given by the relevant Tribunal. 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.

Complaints information

Our complaints information is set out here: Complaints – Oury Clark

Let us Introduce Ourselves

To find your nearest office or get in touch with one of our specialist advisors to see how we can help your business, please go to our contact page.

Contact us