Fees charged by Dawson Radford Solicitors

Factors that affect the complexity of a case

• If it is necessary to defend applications to amend claims or to provide further information about an existing claim.
• If we defend claims that are brought by litigants in person.
• If we defend a costs application.
• If there are complex preliminary issues such as whether the claimant is disabled (if this is not agreed by the parties).
• The number of witnesses and documents.
• If there is an automatic unfair dismissal claim e.g. if the person has been dismissed after blowing the whistle on their employer.
• If there are allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal.
• If there is more than one person making a claim.
• If a separate hearing is required to assess remedy following the liability hearing.

We will be able to give you an idea of which case type you are likely to have once we receive details of your case from you.

The above fee estimates do not include attendance at any final hearing. To attend a final hearing the cost would be £1,500 + VAT (£1,800) per day with most claims for unfair dismissal lasting 1 – 2 days. Depending on the complexity of the case, a longer hearing may be listed by the Employment Tribunal.

Fees payable to third parties (‘disbursements’)

The term ‘disbursements’ refers to costs payable to third parties in your case. In Employment Tribunal cases, these may include expert reports, the cost of a barrister to represent you at the final hearing, and possibly travel and accommodation for your solicitor/barrister.

Generally, the cost of a barrister to represent you will cost £750 – £2,500 + VAT (£900 – £3,000) for the first day and then £650 – £1,500 + VAT (£780 – £1,800) for any days thereafter. The cost will depend on the experience of the barrister and the complexity of the claim. We would obtain quotes for different barristers for you to choose from ahead of any hearing.

Depending on the location of the hearing, there may also be travel and accommodation costs. Accommodation costs are likely to cost approximately £70.00 – £120.00 per night per person inclusive of VAT charged at 20%.

Work included and key stages          

The precise work and stages involved in defending an unfair or wrongful dismissal claim vary according to the circumstances. However, we have set out the key stages involved in a typical claim:

• Taking your initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising you on merits and likely compensation.
• Entering into pre-claim conciliation where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached.
• Preparing your response.
• Reviewing and advising on the claim from the other party.
• Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process.
• Considering a schedule of loss.
• Preparing for a Preliminary Hearing.
• Exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle of documents.
• Taking witness statements, drafting statements and agreeing their content with witnesses.
• Preparing bundle of documents.
• 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 Final Hearing, including instructions to Counsel – subject to additional fees set out above.

   

  Services excluded

   

  Our services (within the scope of this costs information) will not include any of the following:

   

  • Advice or assistance in relation to any appeal.

   

  Approximate/ average timescales

   

  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 2 – 6 weeks. If the claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take 6 – 18 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 your case progresses.

   

  Qualifications and experience of our team

   

  Your matter will be dealt with by Liam Kenealy. Liam is a Solicitor and Head of our Employment department. Liam qualified as a Solicitor in 2007 and has worked in Head of Department roles since 2015. Liam has represented clients ranging from small companies of 4 employees to large national companies employing in excess of 10,000 people. Liam has previously spent 5 years working on a government funded service advising on discrimination matters and so has particular experience in handling this type of issue.

   

  Regardless of who works on your matter, they will be supervised by Joanna Dawson, Managing Director.