Even these claims are often complex. The amount of time it takes to bring such a claim to a resolution will depend on the issues involved, the number or witnesses and the amount of documentation.
Our services in acting on such cases may include:
- Taking your instructions and reviewing the papers
- Advising you on the merits and the likely outcome
- Entering into pre claim conciliation where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached
- Preparing a response to a claim
- Reviewing and advising on a claim or response from another party
- Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process
- Preparing or considering a Schedule of Loss
- Preparing for (and attending) a preliminary hearing
- Exchanging documents with other parties and agreeing a bundle of documents
- Taking witness statements, drafting statements and agreeing their content with witnesses
- Preparing bundles of documents
- Reviewing and advising on the other parties' witness statements
- Agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and/or cast list
- Preparation and attendance at the final hearing, including Instructions to Counsel.
Not all the stages outlined above will be required on any particular matter.
The overall cost will depend on which of these services we are instructed to do and the overall complexity of the matter and the particular details of the case. For example, preparing a defence may cost anywhere between £10,000 and £50,000.
Taking advantage of the full range of services including taking your instructions through to the preparation and attendance at a final hearing may cost between £20,000 and £150,000.
In addition, you may have to pay additional expenses, known as disbursements. These might include Counsel's fees and Court fees for any applications.
The range of prices featured above is an indication of potential price and are not actual prices. We will discuss costs with you on an individual basis and provide you with an estimate once we have further information.
Our fees and disbursements are subject to VAT at 20% unless an exemption applies.
Disbursements
In addition, you may have to pay additional expenses, known as disbursements. These might include Barristers fees, Court fees, Expert fees, translation costs and charges for copying.
Barristers' fees
In some cases, it may be necessary to instruct a barrister to represent you. We negotiate the fees of a barrister for you once it has been decided that a barrister needs to be involved in the case. Barristers' fees will depend on the complexity of the task and the level of their experience and expertise. Barristers will charge VAT in addition to any quoted fees.
Such fees can range between £500 for a junior barrister to conduct a short preliminary hearing (1 – 2 hours) and up to £40,000 for a senior barrister (or a "KC" or "Silk") who would charge a fee for preparation of a complex or valuable case.
In determining the fee, the factors that will influence the cost of a barrister include:
- the barrister's seniority, expertise and reputation;
- their hourly rate;
- whether or not the opponent is legally represented;
- where in the country the hearing is taking place;
- the length of the hearing and whether it is a preliminary or full merits hearing;
- the complexity of the issues;
- the value of the claim or its reputational implications;
- the volume of documentation involved;
- the number of witnesses;
- the financial resources of the client.
Expert witnesses
We may also need the services of an expert witness, for example to provide medical evidence. The costs of instructing the expert are an example of an expense that you would have to meet in addition to our legal fees. The expert's costs will vary according to the complexity of the report they are asked to prepare and how involved they become with the case.
The range of fees might start as at little as £300 for a short report or letter, ranging upwards of £5,000 if the expert has to give evidence during Tribunal proceedings. The figure could be higher if the expert has very specific expertise or is required to be involved in multiple days of the hearing.
Other disbursements may be translation costs, which can from £500 and will depend how many document s require translating, copying fees in the event that bundles of documents need to be prepared for a Tribunal hearing.
Our Employment Team provides its services through three offices in the UK – London, Birmingham and Manchester. Our team's bios detail their experience and qualifications.