EMPLOYMENT

We can assist with employment issues in recruitment, immigration, business reorganisations, collective consultation, transfers of undertakings, discipline and grievance, outsourcing, settlement agreements and severance packages.

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We give clear, concise employment advice in the following areas:

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Employment dispute resolution

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Our work includes high value and sensitive commercial disputes, unfair dismissal, whistle blowing, discrimination, boardroom and shareholder disputes and obtaining or defending applications for injunctions in relation to restrictive covenants, confidential information and intellectual property. We represent clients in mediations, employment tribunals and the Courts.

 

Employment transactions and support

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We advise on the employment implications of the termination of commercial contracts, and the transfer of undertakings as well as a full menu of HR support to manage employees and any risks associated with employing staff in the UK whether you are a start-up or a well established business.

 

Employee support

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We help employees deal with difficult situations that they might face in the workplace and consider how best to negotiate a "best case" outcome.

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We can provide template contracts, policies and employee handbooks which can be stored centrally and can guide businesses through necessary updates as the law develops in various areas affecting the employment relationship.

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We can advise you on the terms of any new contract, including any post termination restrictions your employer is looking to impose. We can help you to negotiate a contract which is in more favourable terms.

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Assist with Settlement agreements that have to be signed by a solicitor to be legally binding, an employer will usually make a contribution to the cost of you seeking advice on an agreement which wants to terminate the working relationship. 

We can also advise on redundancy situations and claims for discrimination and whistleblowing.

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The SRA obliges us to display on our website details about costs of bringing or defending claims in the employment tribunal, either a claim for unfair dismissal or wrongful dismissal (breach of contract).

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Unfortunately, employment tribunal claims are not a ‘one size fits all’ therefore pricing varies significantly depending on so many different factors.

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However, what we set out below is based on our experience. Given the backlog in the tribunal process it is also impossible at the current time to give timescales for when each aspect of the process will take place as this will depend on complexity, the number of days of hearing and hearing length.

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Estimated total costs (including VAT charged at 20%)
 

• Simple case: ~£15,000 – £25,000

• Medium complexity: ~£30,000 – £60,000

• High complexity: ~£75,000 – £125,000
   

Factors that increase costs
 

• More witnesses or documents

• Complex legal issues (e.g. discrimination, whistleblowing)

• Applications, amendments, or preliminary hearings

• Dealing with unrepresented opponents
   

How fees are charged
 

• Charged hourly, in 6-minute units.

• Typical hourly rates: Partners: £300 + VAT at 20% / Assistant solicitors: £200 + VAT at 20%
   

Key stages in a tribunal case

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Typical process includes:

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1. Initial advice and case assessment

2. Early conciliation (ACAS)

3. Preparing claim/defence

4. Evidence gathering (documents, witness statements)

5. Hearings (preliminary + final)

6. Negotiation/settlement throughout
    

Timescales

Timing depends on complexity, tribunal delays, and cooperation of parties.
 

• Early settlement: 1–6 weeks

• Full tribunal process: 12–24 months
   

Example stage costs

Final cost depends heavily on how the case develops.

(Some typical ranges)

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• Claim preparation: £2,250 – £4,500 + VAT at 20%

• Preliminary hearing: £4,950 – £9,450 + VAT at 20%

• Full case (1–2 day hearing overall): £24,750 – £49,050 + VAT at 20%
   

Other costs (disbursements)

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• Barrister (counsel) fees if used: 

  • Junior: ~£5,000–£25,000 brief fee

  • Senior: ~£10,000–£50,000 brief fee

  • Plus 20% for barrister fees