As a law firm regulated by the SRA, we publish information about our pricing for certain services that we provide to the public and to businesses. This pricing information relates to advice we provide on immigration (excluding asylum), employment tribunals (claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal) and motoring offences.

Unless we agree otherwise, we charge an agreed fee for specific work.

In certain circumstances, we can agree on a fixed fee with a client in all our areas of practice. Our fixed fee starts from £600 plus VAT (where VAT is applicable), depending on the nature of work. In employment law cases, we may also be able to offer a conditional fee arrangement if following an initial assessment, we decide that there are merits to pursue a case. However, the discretion to offer this type of arrangement solely lies on the firm.  In very exceptional cases, we may be able to accept fees lower than the minimum fees indicated in our Pricing Guide.

Initial Consultation

We offer an initial no obligation consultation which can either be in person or remotely via telephone, skype, zoom or any other agreed online platform. The cost of this service is between £100-£250 per hour excluding VAT depending on the year of experience of the solicitor or caseworker handling the matter.

VAT

EcoM Solicitors is registered with HMRC for VAT purposes and our VAT registration number is 315853009.

All the prices quoted exclude VAT. This is charged at the prevailing rate and is payable on our fees and on most expenses which we are likely to incur on your behalf.

VAT is payable subject to your immigration status in the United Kingdom.

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to a client’s matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees, Home Office fees, or Barrister’s fees and they are borne by clients. We will notify you of any disbursements and request that the funds are  paid into the firm’s account. Once we have received funds from you to cover the cost of any disbursements, we will handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process except the client instructs otherwise.

It is difficult to ascertain the fee that will be incurred for each employment matter as each case is unique. Therefore, the following factors are to be taken into consideration (including but not limited to):

Whether there is a dispute as to whether the claimant is disabled

• The amount of documents
• The number of witnesses
• Any allegations of dismissal
• If the dismissal occurred as result of whistle blowing
• Initiating or defending a costs application

Our fees are based on the following and on the assumption that the parties and any third parties instructed to undertake work will do so in a timely manner:

• Obtaining initial instructions of case, perusing, and considering the papers and employment manuals, reviewing the contracts of employment before advising you on the merits of the case and possible compensation. Please note that this is likely to change and therefore will be reviewed throughout the case.
• Drafting and considering letter before action
• Collate and review medical records
• Commence pre-claim reconciliation with ACAS (to discuss settlement before issuing proceedings)
• Draft claim or defence
• Considering and advising on claim or response from other party
• Negotiations on settlement
• Drafting and considering a schedule of loss in the case
• Preparations for attending a Preliminary Hearing
• Exchange of documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle (document)
• Obtaining instructions for witness statements, drafting statements and confirming same with witnesses
• Preparing and collating documents for the preliminary hearing, final hearing or remedy hearing
• Considering and advising on the other party’s witness statements
• Preparations for, and attendance at a Preliminary Hearing
• Agreeing a list of matters, a chronology and/or witness list
• Arranging conference with barristers if necessary
• Considering and reviewing barrister’s notes, arguments and opinions
• Make necessary preparation, attend preliminary hearings, final hearings or remedy hearings
• Receive payment/compensation
• Finally, negotiate terms of settlement

How much will it cost to issue or defend a claim?

We charge an hourly rate between £138-£301 plus VAT (Head of Employment Department)

There is an initial consultation fee of £100-£250 to obtain instructions and ascertain the merits of your case depending on the year of experience.

A defended Employment Tribunal claim could cost between £10,000 to £50,000 (inclusive of vat) depending on the merit, length, and complexity of the matter.

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs due to third parties regarding your case, such as:

• Medical and Occupational Health reports
• Company search fees

Clients will be informed of the Mediators fees (if the parties agree to settle through mediation)

Please note that the above fee does not include barristers’ fees. This can range from £1,200 to £3,500 (inclusive of VAT) per day (depending on experience of the barrister and the complexity of the issues involved) for attending a tribunal, preliminary, final or remedy hearing (including, perusal, advice, drafting and preparation of documents).

Duration of case

The duration of case depends on the stage at which the parties reach an agreement. This is also dependent on when the case is allocated by the Employment Tribunal. Therefore, if an agreement is reached by the parties during conciliation stages, your case may take 2-3 months (this is only an estimate).
In the event that it proceeds to a final hearing, the case may take between one year to 19 months. Further information on the time scale will be available upon receipt of instructions and as the case progresses.

Conduct of your case

Your file will be dealt with by an experienced caseworker. At the start of your case, you will be provided with the details of the caseworker with conduct of your matter and his/her supervisor solicitor.

Motoring Offences (summary only motoring offences under Part I of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and s89 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984)

Fixed fee of £1000.00 plus VAT.

Fees include:
2 hours attendance/preparation

• considering evidence
• taking your instructions, and
• providing advice on likely sentence

Attendance and representation at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court

The fee does not include

• Instruction of any expert witnesses
• Taking statements from any witnesses
• Advice and assistance in relation to a special reason hearing
• Advice or assistance in relation to any appeal

The key stages of your matter are based on the presumption that you have entered a guilty plea and have a date for your hearing.

• Meet with your solicitor to provide instructions on what happened.
• We will consider initial disclosure, and any other evidence and provide advice.
• Arranging to take any witness statements if necessary. This will have an additional cost of £150 plus VAT per hour.
• We will explain the court procedure to you, so you know what to expect on the day of your hearing, and the sentencing options available to the court.
• We will conduct any further preparatory work, obtain further instructions from you if necessary and answer any follow up queries you have.
• We cannot provide a time-scale of when your hearing will take place, as this depends on the court listing for that day.
• We will attend court on the day and meet with you before going into the court room. We anticipate being at court for half a day.
• We will discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.

Any additional hearing will attract a hearing fee of £650.00 plus VAT.