Employment Fee Details
Oracle Law Global advises both employers and employees across the full range of workplace matters, from day-to-day advisory work to complex Employment Tribunal litigation. The team provides clear and commercially sound advice, tailored to the specific circumstances of each instruction.
All fees are quoted exclusive of VAT at the current standard rate of 20%. Where a range is given, the upper limit reflects the most complex category of matter of that type.
This page applies to instructions for unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal claims before the Employment Tribunal, and to advisory and transactional employment work including settlement agreements. If your matter falls outside these categories, please contact us to discuss costs.
The majority of employment work is charged on a time-spent basis, at the hourly rate of the fee earner responsible for the relevant stage of the matter.
Hourly Rates
| Grade and Role | Hourly Rate (excl. VAT) | VAT (20%) | Total Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partner / Head of Department | £420 | £84 | £504 |
| Senior Solicitor (4+ years' PQE) | £310 | £62 | £372 |
| Solicitor / Associate (0–4 years' PQE) | £260 | £52 | £312 |
| Trainee Solicitor / Paralegal | £150 | £30 | £180 |
Fixed fees may be offered for matters where the scope of work is clearly defined at the outset, including settlement agreements, contract reviews, and straightforward advisory instructions. Where a fixed fee is agreed, the fee, applicable VAT, and total payable will be set out in writing in the client care letter.
Indicative Costs — Employment Tribunal Claims
The overall cost of an Employment Tribunal matter depends significantly on its complexity and whether it proceeds to a final hearing. A tailored estimate will be provided at the outset of each matter.
| Type of Matter | Estimated Hours | Estimated Fee (excl. VAT) | VAT (20%) | Total (indicative upper limit) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple unfair / wrongful dismissal (to settlement or Early Conciliation) | 15–30 hrs | £4,500–£9,000 | £900–£1,800 | £5,400–£10,800 |
| Medium complexity (to final hearing, no discrimination) | 40–70 hrs | £11,000–£21,000 | £2,200–£4,200 | £13,200–£25,200 |
| High complexity (discrimination, whistleblowing, or multi-day hearing) | 70–120 hrs | £21,000–£42,000 | £4,200–£8,400 | £25,200–£50,400 |
| Settlement agreement (employee) | 3–6 hrs | £900–£1,800 | £180–£360 | £1,080–£2,160 |
As a general guide, fees for bringing or defending an Employment Tribunal claim are typically in the region of £15,000–£25,000 for a one-day hearing, increasing by approximately £5,000–£8,000 for each additional day.
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs incurred in connection with your matter that are payable to third parties. Each disbursement will be identified and quantified before it is incurred. You will always be consulted in advance and your approval obtained before any disbursement is incurred.
| Disbursement | Estimated Cost (excl. VAT) | VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Counsel's fees (barrister brief fee — hearing) | £1,500–£5,000 per day / £250–£400 per hour | +20% |
| Counsel's fees (advisory / drafting) | £750–£2,500 | +20% |
| Expert witness fees (e.g. medical / occupational health reports) | £500–£2,500 | +20% |
| Hearing bundle preparation / copying | £150–£500 | +20% |
| Travel costs | Variable | Where applicable |
Key Stages and Timescales
The time your matter takes depends largely on the stage at which it is resolved. If a settlement is reached during pre-claim conciliation, your case is likely to take between 2 and 16 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a final hearing, it may take between 12 and 24 months, depending on the tribunal's listing availability and the complexity of the matter.
- Initial instruction and document review — Review of contracts, correspondence, and relevant documentation; advice on prospects and strategy.
- Early Conciliation (ACAS) — Mandatory pre-claim conciliation process. Many matters resolve at this stage.
- Claim or Response — Preparation and submission of the ET1 (claimant) or ET3 (respondent) to the Tribunal.
- Case management and disclosure — Compliance with Tribunal orders; exchange of witness statements; preparation of the hearing bundle.
- Preliminary hearing (if applicable) — Determination of jurisdictional or strike-out issues.
- Final hearing and outcome — Attendance at Tribunal; or settlement negotiations leading to a concluded agreement at any stage.
Factors That May Increase Cost
Additional charges may arise where a matter involves discrimination or whistleblowing allegations, applications to amend claims, litigants in person, late disclosure of material evidence, preliminary hearings on jurisdictional issues, or medical evidence that is contested or requires expert analysis. Any revised cost estimate will be provided in writing before additional costs are incurred.
What is VAT?
VAT (Value Added Tax) is a tax added to goods and services supplied by VAT-registered businesses in the UK. It applies to our legal services at the standard rate of 20%. All fees on this page are quoted exclusive of VAT, with the VAT element identified separately so you can see the total amount payable. Where VAT applies to any disbursement, you will be informed of this before the cost is incurred.
How We Can Help
In addition to Employment Tribunal representation, we offer advice and assistance across the full range of employment law matters for both employers and employees. Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your specific situation and how we can assist.
Our Fees
Oracle Law Global advises both employers and employees across the full range of workplace matters, from day-to-day advisory work to complex Employment Tribunal litigation. The team provides clear and commercially sound advice, tailored to the specific circumstances of each instruction.
All fees are quoted exclusive of VAT at the current standard rate of 20%. Where a range is given, the upper limit reflects the most complex category of matter of that type.
This page applies to instructions for unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal claims before the Employment Tribunal, and to advisory and transactional employment work including settlement agreements. If your matter falls outside these categories, please contact us to discuss costs.
The majority of employment work is charged on a time-spent basis, at the hourly rate of the fee earner responsible for the relevant stage of the matter.
Hourly Rates
Grade and Role |
Hourly Rate (excl. VAT) |
VAT (20%) |
Total Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Partner / Head of Department |
£420 |
£84 |
£504 |
|
Senior Solicitor (4+ years' PQE) |
£310 |
£62 |
£372 |
|
Solicitor / Associate (0–4 years' PQE) |
£260 |
£52 |
£312 |
|
Trainee Solicitor / Paralegal |
£150 |
£30 |
£180 |
Fixed fees may be offered for matters where the scope of work is clearly defined at the outset, including settlement agreements, contract reviews, and straightforward advisory instructions. Where a fixed fee is agreed, the fee, applicable VAT, and total payable will be set out in writing in the client care letter.
Indicative Costs — Employment Tribunal Claims
The overall cost of an Employment Tribunal matter depends significantly on its complexity and whether it proceeds to a final hearing. A tailored estimate will be provided at the outset of each matter.
Type of Matter |
Estimated Hours |
Estimated Fee (excl. VAT) |
VAT (20%) |
Total (indicative upper limit) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Simple unfair / wrongful dismissal (to settlement or Early Conciliation) |
15–30 hrs |
£4,500–£9,000 |
£900–£1,800 |
£5,400–£10,800 |
|
Medium complexity (to final hearing, no discrimination) |
40–70 hrs |
£11,000–£21,000 |
£2,200–£4,200 |
£13,200–£25,200 |
|
High complexity (discrimination, whistleblowing, or multi-day hearing) |
70–120 hrs |
£21,000–£42,000 |
£4,200–£8,400 |
£25,200–£50,400 |
|
Settlement agreement (employee) |
3–6 hrs |
£900–£1,800 |
£180–£360 |
£1,080–£2,160 |
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs incurred in connection with your matter that are payable to third parties. Each disbursement will be identified and quantified before it is incurred.
Disbursement |
Estimated Cost (excl. VAT) |
VAT |
|---|---|---|
|
Counsel's fees (barrister brief fee — hearing) |
£1,500–£5,000 per day |
+20% |
|
Counsel's fees (advisory / drafting) |
£750–£2,500 |
+20% |
|
Expert witness fees (e.g. medical / occupational health reports) |
£500–£2,500 |
+20% |
|
Hearing bundle preparation / copying |
£150–£500 |
+20% |
Key Stages and Timescales
A straightforward settlement through Early Conciliation may be concluded within four to eight weeks of instruction. A fully contested claim proceeding to a multi-day final hearing may take between twelve and twenty-four months, depending on the tribunal’s listing availability.
- Initial instruction and document review — Review of contracts, correspondence, and relevant documentation; advice on prospects and strategy.
- Early Conciliation (ACAS) — Mandatory pre-claim conciliation process. Many matters resolve at this stage.
- Claim or Response — Preparation and submission of the ET1 (claimant) or ET3 (respondent) to the Tribunal.
- Case management and disclosure — Compliance with Tribunal orders; exchange of witness statements; preparation of the hearing bundle.
- Preliminary hearing (if applicable) — Determination of jurisdictional or strike-out issues.
- Final hearing and outcome — Attendance at Tribunal; or settlement negotiations leading to a concluded agreement at any stage.
Factors That May Increase Cost
Additional charges may arise where a matter involves discrimination or whistleblowing allegations, applications to amend claims, litigants in person, late disclosure of material evidence, preliminary hearings on jurisdictional issues, or medical evidence that is contested or requires expert analysis. Any revised cost estimate will be provided in writing before additional costs are incurred.
What is VAT?
VAT (Value Added Tax) is a tax added to goods and services supplied by VAT-registered businesses in the UK. It applies to our legal services at the standard rate of 20%. All fees on this page are quoted exclusive of VAT, with the VAT element identified separately so you can see the total amount payable. Where VAT applies to any disbursement, you will be informed of this before the cost is incurred.
How We Can Help
In addition to Employment Tribunal representation, we offer advice and assistance across the full range of employment law matters for both employers and employees. Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your specific situation and how we can assist.
