Employment

Rich & Carr Solicitors have extensive experience in this area and have built a reputation that is second to none in the field of employment law.

As one of the firm’s specialist areas we have a track record that covers most types of company dispute ranging from unfair dismissal claims to harassment, discrimination and breach of contract cases.

Our advice is based on experience built up over many years of success with our lawyers representing both employers and employees. Although this gives us an invaluable, rounded view of the process, we find that most of our clients are employers, many of whom also use our solicitors in other business related areas.

Given the sensitivity of employment tribunal cases and their potential capacity for inflicting severe public relations damage on companies, we believe it is essential that clients take the most informed advice available at the earliest opportunity.

EMPLOYMENT DISPUTES

Employment Disputes can be very distressing and could potentially have a significant impact on your future. Rich & Carr Solicitors are highly specialist in this area having developed expertise in dealing with employment legal matters that are second to none in Leicester.

The firm has a wealth of experience in representing clients at employment tribunals. Indeed, ACAS, the Law Society and the Employment Tribunals themselves have all referred individuals who were seeking advice and representation to the firm.

If you are facing dismissal, have problems with your contract of employment or maybe in need of guidance on discrimination issues you need to be confident that the advice and representation you are receiving from our solicitors is the strongest and mindful of your personal circumstances.

COSTS INFORMATION

The process:With Employment Tribunal cases, any claim must be submitted within three months from the effective date of termination of a contract for example in unfair dismissal cases or within three months from the last act complained of in discrimination cases although further time can be obtained when engaging compulsorily with ACAS as part of the early ACAS conciliation service.Thereafter, once the case has been filed, the Tribunal will serve the papers upon the Respondent who then will have up to 28 days to reply. The Tribunal will then give directions for the rest for the case which will include time to deal with disclosure and witness statements. The average case can take at between 9 months to 2 years depending on the complexity of the issues.
Costs:Once the case is assessed a costs estimate to the conclusion of the case will be provided but it will be subject to change as the case develops. In some cases, subject to prior agreement, a fixed fee is possible of up to £100.00 per hour plus VAT. Also in some cases, an initial half hour free consultation will be offered. Secretarial service and internal administration work is not charged separately.In Damages Based Agreement used in Employment Tribunal cases, no legal fees will be payable by you if your claim is successfulIn that eventuality the fee will be capped at 35% of any award or settlement inclusive of VAT.If the client ends the agreement the client is liable to pay the costs at the hourly rate of £225.00 per hour plus VAT. The same applies if we end the agreement if for example the client breaches his / her responsibilities set out in the agreement for example if the client fails to co-operate or fails to give truthful information.In both scenarios disbursements as set out below will be payable.Each case is different but will be assessed on an hourly rate of £225.00 per hour plus VAT plus the estimate of the costs of expected disbursements. The hourly rate is based on the fee earner’s level of experience and seniority as a Grade A fee earner / senior solicitor.
Disbursements – potential fees payable to third parties by the client:In an employment Tribunal case, Tribunal fees have been abolished.However other disbursements could include the need to obtain medical records which can cost £50.00 on average and where necessary the requirement to obtain a medical report for example in a disability case which can cost between £500.00 and £2,500.00 depending on the type of expert required.In some cases there is an exemption of the Court fee if you receive qualifying benefits.If Counsel (a barrister) is instructed, Counsel’s fees will be payable. The amount Counsel charge varies depending on the year of call of Counsel and the level of seniority / experience.
Level of service provided:For the quoted price, we provide a professional legal service including representing the client’s interests in all aspects of the case, including all procedural and legal issues, collating information for example the preparation of witness statements, documentary evidence and often advocacy in the Tribunal or instructions are sent to Counsel to represent the client’ interests. The service includes negotiations with other parties, meetings, travelling to Court / Tribunal / meetings.
Qualification and experience of Mario Anastasiades:

Law Degree : LLB ( Hons) from the University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk.Qualified as a Solicitor on 2nd May 1988 hence in excess of 30 years post qualification experience.Past President of the Leicester Medico-legal Society and current Council MemberFormer HM Deputy Coroner for Leicester City and South Leicestershire.Past President of the East Midlands Coroners Society.Former member of the Law Society Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence PanelsSenior Solicitor with the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers