Markel Law pricing

• Employment Tribunal
• Debt Recovery Services
• Motoring Offences

We deliver a personal, quality service but, let's face it, you also want our pricing to be good value. We are committed to providing a clear, upfront explanation about the price and scope of our services.

Our teams work closely to offer a full suite of legal expertise. Where appropriate, we can offer flexible fee structures and fixed – fee services. We develop and implement bespoke solutions to suit your needs. Below you'll find examples of our typical fees or fee ranges.

Please note that the price information provided below is for indicative purposes only. We will be able to provide you with more accurate costs information once we are in possession of the full facts and all information in relation to your matter.

Employment Tribunal (range of costs)

Our pricing for bringing and defending claims in the Employment Tribunal.

• Simple case: £4,500-£8,000 (excluding VAT)
• More complex case: £7,500-£16,000 (excluding VAT)

Factors that could make a case more complex:

• Allegations of discrimination or whistleblowing
• Multiple parties
• Constructive Dismissal claims with large numbers of grievances
• Defending a case where a Response has not been entered in time
• Dismissals linked to the sale or transfer of a business
• Cases which are likely to require multiple preliminary hearings to determine issues such as whether a claimant is disabled (if this is not agreed by the parties)
• 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
• The number of witnesses and documents
• New/additional information or evidence
• Large numbers of witnesses or significant volumes of evidence

We assume a reasonable amount of time obtaining your instructions and dealing with third parties.

There will be an additional charge for attending a Tribunal Hearing of £1,500 per day (excluding VAT) and travel costs. Generally, we would allow 1-5 days depending on the complexity of your case.

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

Counsel's fees estimated between £1,000 to £2,000 per day (depending on experience of the advocate) for attending a Tribunal Hearing (including preparation). Counsel fees must be negotiated and agreed at the time and are not set by us.

Key stages
The fees set out above cover all of the work in relation to the following key stages of a claim:

• 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

The stages set out above are an indication and if some of stages above are not required, the fee will be reduced. You may wish to handle the claim yourself and only have our advice in relation to some of the stages. This can also be arranged on your individual needs.

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 stage at which your case is resolved. If a settlement is reached during pre-claim conciliation, your case is likely to take 1-6 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take 35-52 weeks. This is just an estimate and we will of course be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the matter progresses.

Debt Recovery Services

Example (range of fixed fees) for a business to business debt that is undisputed.

Court claims
These costs apply where your claim is in relation to an unpaid invoice which is not disputed and enforcement action is not needed. If the other party disputes your claim at any point, we will discuss any further work required and provide you with revised advice about costs if necessary, which could be on a fixed fee (e.g. if a one off letter is required), or an hourly rate if more extensive work is needed.

Anyone wishing to proceed with a claim should note that:

• The VAT element of our fee cannot be reclaimed from your debtor.
• Interest and compensation may take the debt into a higher banding, with a higher cost.
• The costs above are not for matters where enforcement action, such as the bailiff, is needed to collect your debt.

Our fee includes:

• Taking your instructions and reviewing documentation
• Undertaking appropriate searches
• Sending a letter before action
• Receiving payment and sending onto you, or if the debt is not paid, drafting and issuing claim
• Where no Acknowledgment of Service or Defence is received, applying to the court to enter Judgement in default
• When Judgement in default in received, write to the other side to request payment
• If payment is not received following Judgement, providing you with advice on next steps and likely costs

How long will my matter take?
Matters usually take 7 to 8 weeks from receipt of instructions from you to receipt of payment from the other side, depending on whether or not it is necessary to issue a claim. This is on the basis that the other side pays promptly on receipt of Judgement in default. If enforcement action is needed, the matter will take longer to resolve.

Motoring Offences

Drink driving offence, guilty plea – fixed fee £750 + VAT, exclusive of travel costs and time.

Fee includes:
2 hours attendance/preparation:

• Considering evidence
• Taking your instructions
• 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 reasons hearing
• Advice or assistance in relation to any appeal
• Travel costs and travel time

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 may incur an additional cost, dependant on volume and time taken).
• 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 timescale 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 before the court. 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.