Range of Costs:
Transparency in price and service 

We work in partnership with our clients. As a firm, we have been listening to what our clients have been saying about the cost of pursuing and defending employment claims and related disputes. Our research has revealed that clients want more than just the traditional hourly rate billing.

Unlike some of our competitors, we offer a range of funding options, including:

  • fixed fees

  • legal expenses insurance – you may be covered under the terms of your business, home or motor insurance policy;

  • hourly billing

  • in exceptional cases, we may consider acting for employees under a damages based agreement (previously known as a contingency – ‘no win no fee’ agreement);

  • crowdfunding, which allows you to raise funds online, using a special platform, from friends, family and others that may have an interest in the matter at stake.

We will advise you on your various funding options during your initial appointment with us.

We are fully transparent about costs and we provide certainty so there are no surprises for you.

The following costs information is provided in accordance with the SRA Transparency Rules and the Price and Service Transparency guidance issued by the Law Society. Those rules require us to provide costs information in relation to claims for wrongful dismissal (breach of contract) and unfair dismissal in the employment tribunal.

As stated above, Cole Khan Solicitors offer a range of funding options to pay for and to progress employment claims. There may be preferential and discounted rates for corporate clients, returning clients or for large pieces of work – whether private individuals or businesses, we are experienced at tailoring our services to suit clients’ budgets.

Each case is different and the work involved can vary significantly depending upon the circumstances and evidence. For example, the costs involved in a complex and high value automatic unfair dismissal claim for blowing the whistle at work will be higher compared to a straightforward unfair dismissal claim.

We have set out below guidance on the potential costs involved in bringing and defending a standard claim for unfair or wrongful dismissal to a hearing (not involving a whistleblowing disclosure or other type of automatic unfair dismissal claim). Please note that the information provided is for guidance purposes only. It is not an estimate or quote for a specific matter and any quote may need to be revised upwards if an unforeseen complexity arises or where the way in which a client asks us to proceed results in additional work. Our solicitors will of course work provide revised costs information and an accurate assessment of fees as the matter progresses.

Approximate cost of pursuing a claim for unfair or wrongful dismissal

Simple case: £10,000 to £15,000 plus VAT
Medium complexity case: £15,000 to £25,000 plus VAT
Highly complex case: £25,000 to £50,000plus VAT

It is important to note that many cases settle prior to a hearing and the pre-litigation costs for negotiating a settlement generally range from around £1,500-£7,500 plus VAT (depending on how matters progress).


This relates  to unfair/wrongful dismissal claims only.  It does not apply to complex discrimination, whistleblowing or High Court claims.  

Factors that could make a case more complex and result in additional fees include but are not limited to the following:

  • If it is necessary to make or defend applications to amend claims or to provide further information about an existing claim

  • Making or defending a costs application

  • Complex preliminary issues such as whether the claimant meets the Equality Act definition of disability (if this is not agreed by the parties) or whether the claimant is an employee

  • The number of witnesses and documents (a simple case will typically include up to 2 witnesses, plus the claimant and consist of no more than 300 pages of documents)

  • If it is an automatic unfair dismissal claim e.g. if you are dismissed for whistleblowing at work and/or for a health and safety related reason

  • Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal (and other claims being brought within the unfair/wrongful dismissal claim)

  • The value of the claim and whether there are complex losses claimed under a pension scheme, share scheme or other equity-based scheme.

  • There is personal injury element to a discrimination claim

Our usual hourly charge out rates are between £275 plus VAT to £500 plus VAT (depending on the complexity of your case and experience of the solicitor), as at 2 May 2021. Our rates may be increased each year and we may offer lower rates for some cases.

If we are instructed to attend a Tribunal Hearing then there will be an additional charge of between £1,000 – £2,000 per day (plus VAT) for a junior fee earner to attend.


Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees, barrister’s, expert’s fees and courier charges. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Barrister’s fees are generally estimated between £1,000 to £5,500 per day (plus VAT) (depending on the level of experience of the advocate) for providing representation at a Tribunal Hearing. For complex cases it may be advisable to instruct a more senior barrister and their fees will be higher.

Key Stages

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

Taking your initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising you on the merits and likely compensation (this is likely to be revisited throughout the matter and subject to change)

  • Entering into pre-claim conciliation where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached;

  • Preparing the claim form and Grounds of Claim setting out your case and the nature of the dispute or preparing the response form when a claim has been made against you

  • Reviewing and advising on the claim or the response from 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 List of Documents and copies with the other party and agreeing a bundle of documents

  • Taking witness statements, drafting statements and agreeing their content with witnesses

  • Preparing the bundle of documents for the Final 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 the Final Hearing, including preparing instructions to the barrister

The stages set out are an indication and if some of stages above are not required or are modified in any way, then the fee may 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 and budget.

How long will my matter take?
The time that it takes from 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 to 12 weeks.  This is just an estimate and we will of course be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information as the matter progresses.

Medium complexity case: £12,000 -£20,000 (plus VAT)
High complexity case: £20,000 – £35,000 (plus VAT)
It is important to note that many cases settle prior to a hearing and the pre-litigation costs for negotiating a settlement generally range from around £1,500-£7,500 plus VAT (depending on how matters progress).