Employment solicitors offer legal services to support employees and employers alike. From unfair dismissal to tribunal representation, solicitors with extensive experience in employment law can provide invaluable advice to ensure that the outcome is fair and that the process is as stress-free as possible.
But what does it cost to hire a top employment solicitor to handle your case? Before you contact a law firm, it’s helpful to understand the likely fees and payment structures your lawyer may require. It’s also important to know if any legal aid is available to help you cover those all-important costs.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at how much employment solicitors charge and the costs you can expect when you appoint one of our helpful solicitors in North Wales.
How much do employment solicitors charge by the hour?
For many services, employment solicitors charge an hourly rate. The exact amount varies quite significantly, depending on several factors:
- Whether you’re an individual or a company: Are you an employer or an employee? Legal services for businesses usually involve higher hourly rates than those for individuals.
- The law firm’s geographical location: Where you are in the UK may influence the cost of legal fees. For example, in London, you may be charged up to £500 or more per hour for legal support from an employment solicitor. In North Wales, costs tend to be lower, averaging between £150 and £300 per hour.
- The solicitor’s experience level: You can expect to pay a senior solicitor or partner a higher rate than a junior solicitor due to their experience level.
- The complexity of the case: A more complicated case that involves tribunals will likely cost more per hour than straightforward legal services.
- The type of service provided: Linked to case complexity, the types of tasks your solicitor will carry out can influence their hourly rate. Some services navigate higher risks, requiring careful, highly-skilled work.
How much do employment solicitors charge for an initial consultation?
Initial consultation fees vary depending on the law firm and solicitor. Some firms may charge their usual hourly rate, while others will offer a discounted appointment.
At Winrow Solicitors, we charge a £50 initial consultation — this is a fixed fee, no matter the case at hand. During your initial consultation, we can provide you with a clearer idea of our fees to take on your case.
Do employment solicitors offer fixed-fee services?
As with hourly rates, many solicitors offer services on a fixed-fee basis. This means they will provide a quote covering their work for all services and time undertaken.
To come up with a quote, the solicitor will determine which services they will need to provide, the hours they will spend on the work, and how complex the case is.
See our Employee and Employer Tribunal services as examples:
Pricing starts at £5,000 per month (based on a rate of £190-£195 per hour), covering a range of services, including:
- Advising you on your likely compensation amount
- Preparing your claim
- Reviewing and advising the other party’s response
- Negotiating the settlement
- Exchanging documents with the other party
- Taking witness statements
- Preparation and attendance at the Final Hearing
Please see our pricing for more details on exactly what’s included and any factors that may lead to additional costs. We pride ourselves on being transparent with our fees, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions regarding these prices.
Is VAT included in employment law fees?
Some law firms are VAT-registered while others are not — this will affect whether they charge you VAT.
At Winrow Solicitors, we do not charge VAT. We are committed to informing clients if we believe this will change in the near future. The prices we quote will always be as accurate and clear as possible.
What financial support is available to help with employment solicitor fees?
We recognise that covering legal costs when facing an issue at work can be challenging. Offering affordable, accessible advice is at the heart of the Winrow Solicitors ethos, and we are keen to support individuals in Bangor, Rhyl, Caernarfon, and across Gwynedd and North Wales.
Legal aid is not available for most employment law services. However, if you are an employee who has suffered discrimination in the workplace, you may be able to get financial support to cover legal fees.
Fair, affordable legal services from expert employment solicitors
The team at Winrow Solicitors aims to provide fairly priced legal services to support individuals and businesses in all areas of employment law.
Our employment solicitors can offer a comprehensive range of services, from helping employees get the settlement they deserve to helping employers draft watertight contracts and get fair tribunal representation.
Learn more about our employment law services, and don’t hesitate to get in touch to see how we can help you.
