If you are contemplating pursuing an Employment Law claim in the Employment, what is the most cost-effective way to do so?
It is very common for my clients to ask me how they are going to fund their Employment Tribunal claim. Especially so as some of my clients have recently lost their jobs and with it, their salary. It is understandable to be concerned by the cost of litigation but the good news is there are various options to assist you and some options which actually make pursuing your claim free.
Free Ways To Fund Your Employment Tribunal Claim
Legal Expenses Insurance
I cannot tell you how many times I have asked my clients if they have this type of insurance and their first response is ‘no’ to only comeback to me and confirm they do actually have it.
This is the best way to fund representation for your Employment Tribunal claim. It is not well known but this type of insurance is often included in insurance policies such as house insurance, car insurance or even attached to your bank account. You will usually see reference to ‘Legal Expenses Insurance’ or ‘Family Legal Protection’ and if you check the small print, it can cover for Employment Law disputes. If you have this insurance, they may potentially cover all of your legal fees at the point of submitting your claim to the Employment Tribunal, so long as your insurer agrees you have more chance of succeeding in your claim than not (i.e. over 51% prospects of success).
I regularly assist my clients in obtaining Legal Expenses Insurance through their insurer. A great benefit is that my client can instruct me to represent them, but their Legal Expenses Insurer pay Lincs Law directly, meaning my client’s claim is free. It really is as good as it sounds.
Damages Based Agreement (No Win No Fee)
Many people have heard of a “No Win No Fee”‘ agreement and it is something we can offer to clients for Employment Tribunal representation, in certain circumstances. However, we would firstly need to carry out a full assessment of your case. For us to carry out a full assessment, you will need to arrange a Fixed Fee Consultation which is our initial appointment. More on this can be accessed from a link I have put at the end of my blog.
What Other Options Are There To Fund Your Employment Tribunal Claim?
Conditional Fee Agreement
If you do not have the benefit of Legal Expenses Insurance, it may be that we could offer you a Conditional Fee Agreement for your Employment Tribunal representation. Under this type of funding, you pay a significantly reduced rate in terms of our hourly fees. Essentially, we ‘split the risk’ with you in terms of fees. In the event you achieve a settlement, or you win your claim, then we would charge a pre-agreed success fee. If your claim is not successful, then no success fee would be applied. For us to offer a Conditional Fee Agreement it will be necessary for us carry out a full assessment of your case.
Privately Paying
It is always possible to fund representation for your claim on a privately paying basis. This may include:
- Fixed fees for particular items of work, for example, drafting an Employment Tribunal Claim Form. As the name suggests, the fee is fixed no matter how long the work takes.
- Capped fees where there are some variables as to how much time the work might take, for example, negotiating during ACAS Early Conciliation. With a capped fee, you might pay less, but will never pay more, than the agreed cap.
- Full estimates for work where clients simply want to “pay as they go”.
Represent Yourself
You can represent yourself in the Employment Tribunal and it is free to do so.
Lincs Law Employment Solicitors Can Help You
If you are contemplating an Employment Tribunal Claim, it is recommended you obtain independent legal advice as soon as possible. If you would like to have a free, no obligation, initial telephone consultation just contact us. Simply use the contact form, engage in a web chat, email contactus@lincslaw.com or call us on 01522 440512 and we’ll be happy to help. You can also visit the following page to learn more of how to fund your Employment Tribunal Claim; https://lincslaw.co.uk/fees/employees/
Lucy Stones
Employment Law Solicitor
Lincs Law Employment Solicitors
Tags: employment law solicitor employment solicitor employment tribunal claim free employment tribunal claim Free Legal Representation funding your employment tribunal claim legal expenses insurance lincs law solicitors lucy stones
