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Preparing for changes to non-disclosure agreements from 1 October 2025
Andy Norris
Our employment solicitors act for a broad range of employers including entrepreneurial start-ups, well established public companies and professional services firms. We also focus our practice on representing senior executives and board directors, partners, entrepreneurs, high profile public figures, and high net worth individuals.
Whilst we are employment specialists, we regularly build cross departmental teams to deliver a seamless client service, for example in matters that require the involvement of Kingsley Napley’s immigration, corporate & commercial, criminal and regulatory teams.
Below are our key services, however, if you do not find what you are looking for, pick up the phone and give us a call, or email us. We will almost certainly have come across a similar issue to the one you face – and will have learnt from the experience.
Further Information
If you have any questions or require employment advice, please email our employment law team.
Most of our services are offered on an hourly rate basis and as many of our clients’ matters are complex and often involve multiple parties, there is rarely a typical case. Our clients are given an estimate of costs after our initial meeting or as part of the engagement process. There are some areas where we are able to be more indicative and, as in accordance with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) guidance on price transparency, we have published our price and service information where it is possible to be upfront about charges without knowing all the details of the matter.
The services we provide include both pursuing and defending employment tribunal claims and appeals. Most of the claims in which we act are complex claims involving not only claims of unfair and wrongful dismissal but also whistleblowing, discrimination, equal pay or other claims. Whilst we do straightforward claims from time to time it is always necessary to weigh up whether the potential outcome of the matter can justify the costs involved.
The key stages of a claim which are covered within our normal fees are as follows:
The key stages set out above are an indication. If some of stages are not required, the fee will be lower. 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 in accordance with your individual needs.
If there are additional stages the costs will be higher. Additional stages include:
We generally base our fees on hourly rates although on some work we are able to offer fixed fees. The current members of our team and their hourly rates are as follows:
These hourly rates do not include VAT (currently at 20%).
Disbursements are payable In addition to these charges. Disbursements are amounts we pay to third parties for expenses such as travel costs and counsel’s fees.
Every case is different and many of our cases are complex and involve multiple parties and claims and difficult legal issues. There is no such thing as a typical case. However, for convenience we have divided employment tribunal claims into three bands according to complexity.
An employment tribunal claim involving only claims of unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal will normally, but not always be a simple claim.
These figures are all based on the case continuing through to trial. In reality most cases are resolved before trial.
Cases of medium or high complexity may include claims of wrongful or unfair dismissal but will usually involve other claims as well. Typically high complexity cases will involve claims of discrimination or whistleblowing.
Each day of a tribunal hearing will incur a charge based on the time spent and the hourly rate of the lawyer. This will typically be over £2,000 (excluding VAT). These costs are included within the bands of fees outlined above. In addition counsel’s fees will be incurred each day that the hearing continues (see below).
Generally, we would expect a hearing lasting 1-2 days for a simple case, 2-4 days for a medium complexity case and 5 days or more for a high complexity case.
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as counsel’s fees, expert’s fees, travel expenses and court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
Counsel's fees vary according to the experience of the individual counsel. Fees for a hearing are usually based on a brief fee which covers the cost of preparation and the first day of the hearing and “refresher” or a daily rate which is payable for the second and each subsequent day of the hearing. Typical fees for counsel are as follows:
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 2-4 weeks. The aim of employment tribunals is to conclude all cases within 26 weeks of the claim starting but in reality it may take longer to conclude, often 40-60 weeks from the claim starting to the final hearing. This is an estimate and we will be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the matter progresses.
The team at Kingsley remained calm and supportive through the complex issues, enabling me and my team to feel at ease with the situation."
Chambers and Partners, 2025
They are focused on creating a seamless experience for the client. They are all responsive and helpful."
Chambers and Partners, 2025
It's a very attentive team which accommodates as much as possible."
Chambers and Partners, 2025
A lot of senior level involvement.’
The Legal 500, 2025
The team are clearly knowledgeable in their field, very approachable, and responsive. ’
The Legal 500, 2025
Teams who are thoughtfully put together to bring a complementary skillset and chemistry fit based on client culture.’
The Legal 500, 2025
Lots of legal firms say they bring a personal approach but KN truly deliver on this. They bring a sensitive, client-centric approach to each project.’
The Legal 500, 2025
All members of the team were supportive, understanding and most importantly readily available for all inquiries and questions I had.’
The Legal 500, 2025
They are professional and their attention to detail made them a trustworthy partner in my unique retirement and redundancy package.’
The Legal 500, 2025
Great team to work with.’
The Legal 500, 2025
It really is about the relationship that Corinne and the team build here. They have an ability to do this quickly, keeping conversations to a reasonable length, whilst at the same time creating the influence they need to make me as a client feel ever so supported.'
The Legal 500, 2025
They understand our culture and give us very sound advice and option. They are easy to do business with.’
The Legal 500, 2025
There is a professional relationship built from respect and alignment with our company culture. They have people who specialise in various areas that we are able to tap into.’
The Legal 500, 2025
I use KN to support me on complex employment issues in the UK. I think what makes them unique is the pragmatic, business focused advice we get.'
The Legal 500, 2025
Kingsley Napley understand our business very well to the extent that their advice is not just about how to solve a specific legal issue, but also how to think about it more broadly so there isn't any additional commercial impact."
Chambers and Partners, Global Guide 2024
The firm provide excellent, timely advice that is always on point and commercially relevant."
Chambers and Partners, Global Guide 2024
They are empathetic and aware of the challenging nature of the employment issues we deal with and advise us on how to manage the human aspects of these cases as well as the procedural."
Chambers and Partners, Global Guide 2024
Kingsley Napley have a wide breadth of knowledge and specialisms including complex disciplinary and regulatory matters. The team provides extremely strong advice on commercial awareness and how to manage this."
Chambers and Partners, Global Guide 2024
Kingsley Napley work with our business as a true partner, which has greatly assisted us in considering options when dealing with more complex cases."
Chambers and Partners, Global Guide 2024
Top quality private client department and employment lawyers at affordable prices. They are hidden gems."
The Legal 500, 2024
The team is easy to deal with, very accessible and quick to understand the details of the situation/case."
The Legal 500, 2024
A good team spanning employment and partnership disputes. They have good experience of dealing with senior executives and partners."
The Legal 500, 2024
My experience is of the team working well together with a seamless service."
The Legal 500, 2024
The level of care and attention, in addition to the all-important superb knowledge and technical skills, was invaluable."
The Legal 500, 2024
The team’s professionalism and knowledge of the field was very strong."
The Legal 500, 2024
They have many subject matter experts who easily weigh in on various topics: employment law and contracts, policies. They provide great legal and compliance updates needed to keep up with every evolving legislation."
The Legal 500, 2024
They are very easy to work with and accessible. They make the best of efforts and respond to our sense of urgency."
The Legal 500, 2024
The team provides a great service. They work collaboratively with us to ensure the best result for the business. They are always very well prepared with the highest standard of professionalism, managing our expectations at the same time as finding creative solutions to complex issues."
The Legal 500, 2024
The team at Kingsley Napley have a really good grasp of higher education and the challenges we are facing. They have also taken time to really get to know us as an organisation."
The Legal 500, 2024
I have found that all of the team at Kingsley Napley use easy-to-understand language when giving us advice even when this may relate to quite complex legal issues."
The Legal 500, 2024
Very hands-on and pragmatic advice, a good understanding of the clients’ needs, and solution-oriented. Excellent value for money and very responsive."
The Legal 500, 2024
Very high quality and reliable team."
The Legal 500, 2024
I have used Kingsley Napley LLP for my personal employment matters when joining and leaving high profile PLC and Private Equity roles. I have been immensely impressed with their knowledge and service. At these sensitive times I have felt comforted and reassured that they have my best interests at heart. I deal with one partner who has a knowledgeable team around them, and can pull in specialist resources when needed. They have responded to my inevitably short deadlines without delay and have impressed my employers with their professionalism and knowledge."
Legal 500 UK, 2023
In the league in which Kingsley Napley compete, an expert team is a given. To my mind what makes them unique is their common sense and sense of humanity about litigation."
Legal 500 UK, 2023
They were smart, thought outside of the box and were sensitive to what we needed rather than just box-ticking."
Legal 500 UK, 2023
The lawyers offer good, strong and practical advice, with a pragmatic and very responsive approach to their clients."
Chambers and Partners, 2022
They stand out for their sector expertise, pragmatic approach and exceptional client service."
Chambers and Partners, 2022
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