Primus Solicitors is a national law firm. We act for clients across the UK from our Manchester office, by phone, video or in person. We represent employees and workers at employment tribunals across England and Wales, and act for small employers responding to claims.
The stages
- Advice on merits and value at the first consultation, with a written estimate for the next stage.
- Acas early conciliation, which must happen before a claim and pauses the time limit. We negotiate for you.
- The claim (ET1) or response (ET3), drafted so that every head of claim is properly pleaded.
- Case management: the tribunal's orders, lists of issues and any preliminary hearing on time limits, employment status or strike-out.
- Disclosure and bundle: exchanging documents and agreeing the hearing bundle.
- Witness statements and the schedule of loss.
- Settlement negotiations, which continue throughout; most cases settle before the hearing.
- The final hearing: preparation, representation by a solicitor or barrister, and advice on any judgment, remedy hearing or appeal.
Time limits and fees
Claims must be started within six months less one day of the act complained of (problems arising on or after 1 October 2026; three months for earlier ones), after Acas early conciliation. There is no tribunal fee to bring a claim at present. Each side normally pays its own legal costs whatever the result; costs orders against a party are unusual.
What it costs
Our costs for bringing or defending unfair or wrongful dismissal claims, by complexity, with what is included and the typical barrister's fees, are on the fees page. You can keep costs down by doing some of the preparation yourself with our guidance; we agree at the start which stages we handle.
Questions people ask
Can I represent myself?
Yes, and tribunals are used to it. Most people instruct a solicitor for the claim form and witness statements and a barrister for the hearing, because those are the stages where mistakes cost most.
How long until the hearing?
Final hearings are often listed a year or more after the claim is issued, longer for multi-day discrimination cases. Preliminary hearings come sooner.
Will the hearing be in person?
Many hearings are by video. The tribunal decides; we tell you what to expect either way.
Ask a question
Not sure where you stand? Ask a solicitor and we will reply by phone or email, or send an enquiry for a free initial assessment.
