Transparency in Price and Service

EMPLOYMENT CLAIMS

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has published Transparency Rules to ensure consumers have the information they need to make an informed choice of legal services providers including understanding what the costs may be in relation to certain matters.

The principal of this firm, Henri Brandman, will always be happy to discuss what work is likely to be entailed and the potential associated costs when dealing with your employment law needs. Please feel free to contact him to explore in more detail.

Henri Brandman qualified as a solicitor in 1980, and after becoming a partner in a West End firm, opened Henri Brandman & Co. in 1989. He has worked in the area of employment law since qualification, has advised both companies and individuals and will have the conduct of the matter.

Our fees are reasonable. Henri Brandman charges less than his counterparts in large commercial firms.

Henri Brandman will inform you at an early stage as to the relevant hourly fees that will apply to your case. These figures are reviewed annually to reflect market rates.

By way of an estimate and in consideration of the relevant factors that have an impact on legal costs, our pricing for bringing or defending claims for unfair and/or wrongful dismissal claims are:-

Simple case: £2,000 - £4,000 (excluding VAT, charged at 20%).

Medium complexity case: £4,000 - £12,000 (excluding VAT, charged at 20%).

High complexity case: £12,000 - £20,000 (excluding VAT, charged at 20%).

Following an initial consultation and review of any paperwork that you have relating to your case, Henri Brandman will be able to provide you with a detailed estimate of how much your particular case is likely to cost.

There are factors that could make a case more complex including:

• If it is necessary to make or defend applications to amend claims or to provide further information about an existing claim.
• Defending claims that are brought by litigants in person.
• Making or defending a costs application.
• Complex preliminary issues (such as the employment status of the claimant or whether a claim has been brought within the applicable time-limits).
• The number of witnesses and documents.
• If it is an automatic unfair dismissal claim, e.g. if you are dismissed after blowing the whistle on your employer.
• Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal.
• The length of the Hearing.

DISBURSEMENTS

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as barristers and court fees. We handle the payment of disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

The fees associated with a barrister will depend on the specific barrister, their experience and the amount of work they need to undertake. Once again, please contact Henri Brandman to discuss the potential options and costs in this regard. Counsel's fees can vary between £500 to £20,000 per day excluding VAT, charged at 20% (depending on experience of the advocate) for attending a Tribunal Hearing (including preparation).

KEY STAGES

These stages may include:-

• Taking your initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising you on merits and likely compensation (this is likely to be revisited throughout the matter and subject to change).
• Entering into pre-claim conciliation where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached.
• Preparing claim or response.

• Reviewing and advising on claim or response from other 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 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.

HOW LONG WILL MY MATTER TAKE?

The time that it takes from taking your initial instructions to the final resolution of your matter depends largely on the particular details of your case and the stage at which your case is resolved. There are some matters outside of our control which may impact the time that your case takes to be resolved, such as how long it takes for your case to be listed by the court or Tribunal.

Henri Brandman will be able to give a more accurate timescale once he has more information and as the matter progresses.

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