Employment claims

We have extensive experience advising employees, and senior executives in particular, across many sectors, professions and levels of management — including on complex issues such as settlement agreements.

We understand the emotion and sensitivity involved in employment cases. Whatever your problem, we give professional, efficient advice that is practical, personal and vigorously protects your interests, with the clear communication that helps ease the stress and anxiety these matters bring.

Employment law changes constantly. We help employers keep robust, compliant policies and procedures in place and provide proactive advice focused on commercial solutions — many clients consider us the equivalent of stakeholders in their business.

Working with a team of consultants and specialist barristers, we support HR departments day to day, advise on tactics and settlement negotiations, draft ET1 and ET3 forms, and provide strategic advice on redundancies, reorganisations and TUPE. We also draft contractual documentation including directors' service agreements, staff handbooks, and policies and procedures.

Because the employer–employee relationship matters, we also offer employer mediation — helping repair working relationships before problems escalate, or brokering an amicable resolution once they have.

Every case varies, but pre-claim conciliation typically takes four to six weeks. Cases that proceed to a final hearing take between six and eighteen months depending on the tribunal's resources, and a case listed for multiple hearing days can take longer.

Fees and timescales depend on complexity, the documents involved and the issues in dispute. The stages below are illustrative of the work involved:

• Taking initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising on merits and likely compensation — reviewed continuously throughout
• Preparing the claim or response, and reviewing and advising on the opponent's case
• Keeping an open mind at every stage about a negotiated settlement
• Preparing or considering a schedule of loss
• Preparing for and attending preliminary hearings, or instructing barristers to attend
• Exchanging disclosure documents and agreeing the hearing bundle
• Meeting witnesses and preparing witness statements; reviewing the opponent's statements
• Identifying and narrowing the issues and preparing a chronology
• Preparation and attendance at the final hearing, including instructions to barristers

• Unfair and wrongful dismissal
• Discrimination
• Breach of contract and restrictive covenants
• Redundancies and business reorganisations
• Contracts of employment and related documents
• Settlement agreements (formerly compromise agreements)
• Stress at work
• TUPE transfers
• Employer services — policies, HR support and employer mediation

Our fees for issuing or defending Employment Tribunal claims are published in line with the SRA Transparency Rules. All figures exclude VAT and disbursements; where a case is exceptionally serious we will give a specific quote for the issues involved.

Disbursements are costs payable to third parties, such as court fees, which we handle on your behalf for a smoother process. Barristers' fees for advice, witness statements or conferences are quoted case by case at the point of need.

ISSUING OR DEFENDING A TRIBUNAL CLAIM

• Straightforward cases: £2,000 – £5,000 + VAT & disbursements
• Medium-complexity cases: £5,000 – £15,000 + VAT & disbursements
• High-complexity cases: £20,000 – £40,000 + VAT & disbursements

HEARING ATTENDANCE

• Attending a Tribunal hearing: £500 – £2,500 per day + VAT & disbursements
• Barristers — preparation including first day in Tribunal: £1,200 – £40,000, depending on experience
• Barristers — each additional hearing day (refreshers): £600 – £6,000 per day