PUNTER SOUTHALL LAW
Costs transparency information
Price & Service Information
1. In accordance with the SRA’s Transparency Rules, we set out below appropriate cost and service information relating to the provision of advice and representation to employees and employers in relation to the bringing or defending of claims before the Employment Tribunal for unfair dismissal and/or wrongful dismissal.
Costs Information
3. Most cases of unfair or wrongful dismissal do not end up in the Employment Tribunal on account of the following:
- the expense of litigation;
- ‘capped’ compensation;
- the duty to mitigate loss; and
- the fact that legal costs are rarely recoverable even if a party is successful.
- a meeting in person or telephone consultation to establish the facts and client’s objectives;
- written advice setting out the position and recommended action;
- written and/or verbal negotiation with the other party (often via their representative); and
- agreeing a Settlement Agreement.
6. Legal costs will be higher if a claim is issued in the Employment Tribunal. Although there are no Court issue fees in the Tribunal, costs are high. This is, in part, on account of the need for:
- formal legal documents to be drafted and served, for example, a Claim or Defence; and
- court attendance by legal representatives.
8. It can take around 6 months for a case to come to trial and considerable work is needed during that period. For example, the preparation of case statements (“pleadings”) to go before the court, the disclosure and consideration of relevant documents by both parties and the preparation of witness statements. We do not take on cases on a conditional fee or damages-based arrangement.
9. Prolonged litigation and trials are, on account of costs, very rare in cases of unfair or wrongful dismissal unless they form part of a case that also includes claims for discrimination and/or whistle-blowing.
10. Please Note: the information above relates to costs arising in the cases of unfair and/or wrongful dismissal only.
11. In the provision of other legal services, Punter Southall Law complies fully with its obligations under the SRA’s Code of Conduct, Chapter 1, Client Care:
- our clients receive the best possible information about the likely overall costs of their matter both at the time of engagement and when appropriate as their matter progresses; and
- if we enter into any fee arrangement with a client, we ensure that the agreement is legal and suitable for the client’s needs and takes into account the client’s best interests.