Davis Blank Furniss provide employment law advice at both our Manchester city centre and Glossop offices.  Our experienced solicitors provide a personal service tailored to each individual client.

PRICING

We have set out a range of our charges and fees which we believe to be competitive.  However, we are always happy to discuss costs on an individual basis and therefore we are always open to an initial discussion to give you a better steer on costs.

Examples of the team’s hourly rates are set out below:

Shiva Shadi (Partner) £231 plus VAT per hour
Trainee Solicitors £130 plus VAT per hour

Unfair dismissal claims for Respondents

Taking your initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising on merits and likely compensation (this is likely to be revisited throughout the matter and subject to change) £231 – £700 plus VAT.

ACAS Early Conciliation procedure £231 – £1,000 plus VAT.

Response Form (ET3 Form) setting out your defence £800 – £2,000 plus VAT.

Preparing for and attending a Preliminary Hearing £500 – £800 plus VAT.

Drafting witness statements (per statement) £800 – £2,000 plus VAT.

Agreeing a list of issues and a chronology £231 – £700 plus VAT.

Drafting COT3 Agreement (if the claim settles) £400 – £500 plus VAT.

Defending Tribunal claims will also include exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process, exchanging documents and reviewing the other parties’ documents and agreeing a bundle of documents, reviewing the other side’s witness statements, and schedule of loss, preparing a bundle of documents, preparation and attendance at the final hearing including Instructions to Counsel, conferences with Counsel, cost warning letters, and general correspondence advice, all of which will be charged at our normal hourly rate and will be in the range of £5,000 – £7,000 plus VAT.

Disbursements

Conference with Counsel (various depending on seniority of Counsel).

Counsel’s fees for hearing  (various depending on seniority of Counsel).

Costs for an unfair dismissal claim (based on a one day Tribunal hearing) would be in the region of £10,000 – £15,000 plus VAT for our fees, plus Counsel’s fees).

Wrongful dismissal for Respondents

This relates to failure by an employer to pay notice pay.

Taking initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising you on the merits and likely compensation (this is likely to be revisited throughout the matter and subject to change) £231 – £700 plus VAT.

Defence Form (ET3 Form) outlining your defence £500 – £900 plus VAT.

Preparation of witness statements (per statement) £800 – £1,800 plus VAT.

Attendance at the Tribunal per day £1,400 plus VAT.

Defending Tribunal claims will also include exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process, exchanging documents and reviewing the other parties’ documents and agreeing a bundle of documents, reviewing the other side’s witness statements, preparing a bundle of documents, preparation and attendance at the final hearing including Instructions to Counsel, conferences with Counsel, cost warning letters, and general correspondence advice, all of which will be charged at our normal hourly rate and will be in the region of between £1,500 – £4,000 plus VAT.

Disbursements

Conference with Counsel (various depending on seniority of Counsel).

Counsel’s fees for hearing (various depending on seniority of Counsel).

Costs for an wrongful dismissal claim (based on a one day Tribunal hearing) would be in the region of £6,000 – £9,000 plus VAT for our fees, plus Counsel’s fees).

Please note that the above are estimates and our fees can vary depending on the complexity of each particular matter.  Factors that could make a case more complex are:

  • If it is necessary to make or defend applications to amend claims or provide further information about an existing claim.
  • Attending more than one Preliminary Hearing.
  • Defending claims that are brought by litigants in person.
  • Complex preliminary issues such as whether an individual is out of time for pursuing a claim or has the status of “employee” in order to pursue a claim.
  • Complex preliminary issues such as whether a Claimant is disabled (if this is disputed by the parties).
  • Making or defending Costs Applications.
  • The number of documents.
  • If it is an automatic unfair dismissal case, e.g. if you are dismissed after blowing the whistle on your employer.
  • If the dismissal is related to a TUPE transfer.
  • Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal.

How long will the matter take?

The time it takes from taking your initial instructions to final resolution of your matter depends largely on the stage at which your case is resolved.  If a settlement is reached during the pre-claim conciliation (ACAS Early Conciliation) your case is likely to take 2 – 4 weeks.

If your case proceeds to a final hearing the case is likely to take 6 – 12 months, depending on Tribunal listing times.  This is just an estimate and we will of course be able to give you more accurate time scales once we have information and as the matter progresses.

Why choose Davis Blank Furniss?

Merit Icon Founded in 1877
Team members icon 60+ experienced employees
Apartment block icon Offices in Manchester & Glossop
Law Scales Full service law firm

Testimonials

Read what our clients have to say...

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Excellent experience start to finish – always very responsive to any queries and the turnaround on the property I was buying was very quick, even in the busy time leading up to stamp duty deadline. Jenny was always very helpful and went above and beyond to close on a short timescale.

Ben Armitage

“Very approachable, practical solutions to problems, but most of all very responsive which I personally think is very important because if you need help, you need it quickly, or at least to know someone is looking at it for you”.

Joanne Rowe, Finance Director, Greater Manchester Chamber

“Always able to contact, very approachable, friendly and professional”

Nives Feely, JAM Recruitment

“I believe I have been able to establish a professional working relationship with everyone I have come into contact. Importantly, I sense the relationships which have been established give me the confidence that I can make contact with Davis Blank Furniss at any time and on any matter. I would also like to express my thanks to the very impressive “gatekeepers” who work in reception, not only for making me very welcome, but also for their professionalism”

Bill Pryke, CEO, Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors

“Thank you for your efficient and friendly help throughout this process. We have had it easy but your approach has been part of that”.

Robert Amsbury (Conveyancing Client)

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you personally for the ongoing support and assistance the firm has offered to our parents over the years. I hope also that we may be able to call on you if necessary in the future.”

Valerie Fisher (Probate Client)

“Jo always provides great service, understands our needs and delivers on her promises. Our needs are relatively simple but the complexity arises out of the volume of work and short time frames, Jo always delivers.”

Peter Fernandez, Corporate Director at Royal Bank of Scotland

“A big thank you to all who dealt with my wife’s claim… We would not hesitate to recommend Davis Blank Furniss to anyone that may be in a situation like we have been…”

Anon (Personal Injury client)

“Before putting my case in Kirsty (Morbey)’s capable hands I’ve met a couple of other solicitors. None of them listen to me as intently as Kirsty and showed me as much empathy and understanding as she did. Simultaneously she was able to look at my case from legal perspective, explain all the options and follow each of our meetings with written summary of the discussed matters (in timely manner). Her advice was invaluable and led me to successfully ending the case matter (hopeful for good). I’m forever grateful for he work and would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for reliable, knowledgeable and committed solicitor”.

Anon (Family client)
5 star service

Our Manchester office is rated 5 stars on Google

How can we help?

Get expert legal advice.

If you need any legal advice or assistance with regards to personal or family law, contact the Davis Blank Furniss team now.

Get expert legal advice.

If you need any legal advice or assistance with regards to personal or family law, contact the Davis Blank Furniss team now.








    Manchester Office

    If you need any legal advice or assistance from our Manchester office, contact the Davis Blank Furniss team now.

    Glossop Office

    If you need any legal advice or assistance from our Glossop office, contact the Davis Blank Furniss team now.

    Richard Hamilton

    Richard Hamilton

    Managing Partner
    Kate Oldfield

    Kate Oldfield

    Senior Partner
    Andrew Ryan

    Andrew Ryan

    Partner
    Sonio Singh

    Sonio Singh

    Partner
    Andy McNish

    Andy McNish

    Partner
    Shiva Shadi

    Shiva Shadi

    Partner
    Debra Kelly

    Debra Kelly

    Partner
    Seán Hackett

    Seán Hackett

    Partner
    Susan Bann

    Susan Bann

    Partner
    Kirsty Morbey

    Kirsty Morbey

    Partner
    Jennifer Smith

    Jennifer Smith

    Partner