Transparent, salary-scaled fees — because access to proper defence shouldn’t depend on what you earn. Every fee is fixed, agreed in writing before any work begins, and all-inclusive. We are not VAT registered: the fee you see is the fee you pay. All hearing representation is delivered under your statutory right to be accompanied — read how representation works.
Fixed fees — no surprises
Agreed in writing upfront
Salary-scaled pricing
Typically 30–60% less than solicitor-led defence
How it works
Three steps. No commitment until the fee is agreed.
Free 15-minute consultation
Tell us what has happened. We tell you where you stand, plainly and in confidence.
No cost — no obligation
Your case is assessed
We confirm the appropriate service, your salary band, and your exact fixed fee — in writing.
Fee confirmed before you commit
Work begins — properly
On instruction, preparation starts immediately. Urgent hearings are prioritised.
Work starts same day
The full service range
Twelve services. One clear pathway.
From a first forensic review of the allegations to representation in the room, and — where it goes that far — the employment tribunal. Start where your case is; move only if you need to.
Fees are scaled to your annual gross salary. Select your band to see the exact fee that applies to your situation. Salary is self-declared and used only for fee calculation — no documentation required.
We are not VAT registered — no VAT is added to any fee. Birmingham hearings: no travel surcharge. West Midlands representation beyond the city boundary: mileage at £0.45/mile (HMRC approved rate), confirmed in your Engagement Letter.
The real cost comparison
£2,350 feels expensive. Until you see the alternative.
The scenario below is for a Band B client (salary £30,000–£39,999) requiring preparation, a written defence, and one-day hearing representation. This is the most common instruction profile.
Cost item
Zhan Associates
Typical solicitor
Initial case review
60–90 mins structured triage
£325
£350–£600(hourly, no written report)
Case preparation and written defence
Evidence review, strategy, written submissions
Included
£1,500–£2,500(5–8 hrs drafting)
Hearing representation — full day
Live advocacy, procedural challenge, presence in the room
Included
£1,000–£2,000(barrister or solicitor fee)
Emails, calls, admin, travel
The hidden costs that inflate solicitor bills
£0All-inclusive
£300–£800+(billed separately)
Total estimated cost
Band B — Full Hearing Defence
£2,350
£3,500–£5,500+
Your estimated saving
Compared to solicitor-led defence
£1,150–£3,15030–60% less expensive
Why solicitors cost more — solicitors billing by the hour charge separately for every email, every call, and every document review. A two-day disciplinary hearing can easily reach £10,000–£15,000. Our all-inclusive pricing means the fee you agree is the fee you pay, with nothing added afterwards. It is also worth knowing that solicitors have no statutory right to attend a disciplinary hearing: their attendance requires the employer’s advance permission. Representation under Section 10 of the Employment Relations Act 1999 does not.
Common questions
Questions people ask — and never voice on a call.
Disciplinary outcomes carry different financial and career consequences depending on what you earn. A dismissal for someone earning £80,000 has a materially different impact than the same outcome for someone earning £24,000. Our fees are proportionate to that exposure — it is not discounting, it is calibration. Every client gets the same quality of preparation and advocacy; the fee reflects what is at stake for them personally.
In most cases, significantly cheaper. An employment solicitor attending a disciplinary hearing — if granted permission by the employer — typically charges £220–£400 per hour, plus a separate barrister fee if they instruct counsel for the hearing room. For a one-day disciplinary, the total commonly reaches £5,000–£12,000. Our all-inclusive hearing packages cover preparation, submissions and hearing attendance from £1,150 — for the same room.
Only if the scope changes materially — for example, if a one-day hearing runs to a second day. In that situation, we explain clearly what has changed and agree any adjustment before continuing. We do not proceed beyond the agreed scope without your knowledge and consent. There are no surprise charges.
Not at all. The appropriate service depends on your stage and your situation. Many clients start with a Rapid Defence Review and make the decision from there — some need only strategic preparation, others proceed to representation. You are never required to commit to a higher tier before assessing whether it is necessary.
Yes. Band A is specifically designed for lower earners, with the Rapid Defence Review starting at £275. The salary-banded model exists precisely because we believe access to proper employment defence should not be limited to those who can afford solicitor rates. If your circumstances are unusual, speak to us — we assess every situation on its merits.
That is exactly what the Rapid Defence Review is for. In 60–90 minutes, we assess your allegations, identify procedural risks, give you an honest view of your prospects, and outline what — if anything — you should do next. Many clients find that alone changes their entire approach to the hearing. If you do not need anything more, you do not pay for anything more.
No service can guarantee outcomes — and any service that implies otherwise is misleading you. Our fees reflect the work required, not the result. Our role is to ensure your case is prepared properly, your procedural rights are protected, and your position is presented with clarity and authority. What happens after that is the employer's decision — but it will be an informed one.
HR processes are not neutral. In most disciplinary proceedings, the process, the preparation and the procedural challenge decide the outcome — not the allegation itself. An experienced HR team knows this. Independent representation levels the room: your evidence is properly tested, your rights are clearly asserted, and procedural failings are identified before — not after — the outcome is decided.
Confidential · Free 15-minute consultation
Don’t face your employer alone.
What’s said in the room matters. Tell us what has happened, and within one free call you will know where you stand, what it costs, and what happens next.