Legal fees
In most settlement agreement cases, the answer is yes. It is standard practice for employers to contribute towards your legal costs, and that contribution often covers our fee entirely.
When an employer offers a settlement agreement, they almost always include a contribution towards the employee's legal costs. This is because the agreement is only legally valid once you have received independent legal advice — so it is in the employer's interest to ensure you can access that advice easily.
The contribution is typically stated in the settlement agreement itself, in a clause referring to your "reasonable legal costs" or specifying a fixed sum. Common contributions range from £250 plus VAT to £750 plus VAT, with higher contributions offered in more complex cases or senior roles.
In most straightforward cases, the employer's contribution covers our fee in full, meaning you pay nothing. We will always confirm this before you instruct us.
If the agreement you have received is complex — for example, involving significant financial packages, multiple claims, or detailed restrictive covenants — or if the employer's contribution is below our fee, we will tell you the shortfall upfront before any work begins. There are no surprises.
Occasionally, employers present settlement agreements without offering a fee contribution, or the contribution offered is very low. This is unusual but does happen. In these situations we will quote you a fixed fee for the work required and give you a clear picture of the cost before you commit.
We do not charge by the hour for standard settlement agreement advice. Fixed fees mean you know exactly where you stand.
For employment tribunal claims, unfair dismissal, discrimination, or other contested matters, fees are agreed on a case-by-case basis depending on complexity. We offer a free initial assessment of your situation before discussing costs, so you can make an informed decision about whether to proceed.
In some employment cases, including discrimination and whistleblowing claims with strong prospects, we may be able to discuss conditional fee arrangements. This will be assessed during your initial consultation.
We do not believe in hidden costs or unexpected bills. Every client receives a clear fee estimate before we begin, and we confirm in writing what is and is not included. If the scope of work changes, we tell you immediately.
To find out exactly what your case would cost, call us on 020 3058 3365 or complete the form. We will give you a clear answer, usually within a few hours.
Free initial advice · SRA regulated · Employer-funded fees in most cases