Employment Law Services – Pricing & Service Information
Overview
We advise and represent both employees and employers in a wide range of employment law matters, including unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal, redundancy, discrimination, breach of contract, and settlement agreements.
Our fee:
Diplock Solicitors offers fixed fee, hourly rate and Conditional Fee (CFA) arrangements, Damaged Based Agreements (DBA) in employment matters.
Fixed Fee: The specific fee agreement will be determined in consultation with the client, based on an evaluation of the individual case, the scope of work involved, and the time and resources required to meet the client’s legal needs. Please note that the fixed fees do not include disbursements, such as court fees or barrister costs
Hourly Rate: Our fees are based on the hourly rate of the fee earner handling your matter. This includes time spent on case preparation, file management, meetings, telephone calls, and any other work necessary for your case. A breakdown of our initial rates for employment matters is provided below. All fees are tailored to the specific circumstances of your case, and a detailed estimate will be provided during your consultation. Please note that the fees listed do not include disbursements, such as court fees or barrister costs.
Conditional Fee Agreements (CFA) / Damages Based Agreement (DBA): A Conditional Fee Agreement / Damages Based Agreement will be an agreement that is on the whole, similar to hourly rates. However, the distinction is that the hourly fees quoted will be lower that the fees that are usually charged. We will provide you with a discount on the usual fees of up to 15% per hour and if you choose to instruct us under this agreement, you shall only pay the hourly fee for the work done. We shall also provide an estimate of these fees before the agreement commences. If you are able to get a successful outcome you will pay a success fee and what constitutes a success, and a payment will be decided by yourself and the solicitor and formalised within your fee agreement prior to work being carried out.
Please note that all the above fee arrangements can be tailored to suit the specific circumstances of your case. VAT is chargeable at the standard rate of 20%.
Initial Consultation
Fixed fee: £150 + VAT
For a one-hour consultation to assess your case and provide initial advice.
Straightforward case: £3,000 – £6,000 + VAT (e.g., single-day hearing, limited documentation, one or two witnesses)
Medium complexity: £6,000 – £10,000 + VAT (e.g., multiple witnesses, more documents, preliminary issues)
High complexity: £10,000 – £20,000 + VAT (e.g., multi-day hearings, discrimination, complex facts or law)
Disbursements (not included in above fees):
Barrister’s fees for representation at hearing: typically, £1,000 – £3,000 + VAT per day
Expert reports (if required): quoted separately
Tribunal fees: currently there are no fees for bringing or defending a claim.
What Our Fee Includes
Taking your instructions and reviewing relevant documents
Advising you on the merits and likely compensation
Drafting and submitting claim or response
Preparing witness statements and collating evidence
Correspondence with the tribunal, the other party, and witnesses
Representation at preliminary and final hearings (where included)
Regular updates and advice throughout your case
What is not included:
Appeals to the Employment Appeal Tribunal
Costs of any settlement negotiations outside the standard process
Additional hearings (e.g., remedy hearings, costs hearings)
Barrister’s or expert’s fees (unless stated above)
Timescales
Initial assessment and advice: within 5 working days of your enquiry
Preparation and submission of claim/response: within 10–15 working days of receiving all information. However, these timescales are dependent on how quickly we receive information and how quickly your ex-employer responds.
Employment Tribunal process: Typically, 6–12 months from claim submission to final hearing, depending on tribunal availability and case complexity
Who Will Handle Your Case
Your matter will be handled by our Employment Law Team. Typically, your case will be managed by solicitor or paralegal under the supervision of a qualified solicitor with at least 5 years’ experience in employment law.
Additional Information
All our fees are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate (currently 20%).
We will always provide a clear estimate of likely costs before commencing work and keep you informed of any changes.
For a bespoke quote or to discuss your specific requirements, please contact us
Our Hourly Rates
At Diplock Solicitors, our fees may be charged on an hourly basis, depending on the complexity and nature of your matter. All hourly rates are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate (currently 20%).
Fee Earner Level | Hourly Rate (excl. VAT) | Hourly Rate (incl. VAT) |
Senior Solicitors @ legal executive (8+ years PQE) | £282 | £338.40 |
Senior Solicitor (4+ years PQE) | £232 | £278 |
Other solicitors or legal executive and fee earner of equivalent experience | £222 | £240 |
Trainee Solicitor / Paralegal and other fee earner | £129 | £154.80 |
