Start My Claim vs a solicitor vs Citizens Advice: employment tribunal help compared
For most people the first steps are free: Acas early conciliation is required before most claims, and Citizens Advice, law centres and trade unions give free advice. A solicitor is the right choice when the claim is complex, high value or you want someone to speak for you at the hearing. Start My Claim sits in between: fixed-price software to help you prepare your own claim, not legal advice.
Is Citizens Advice or a solicitor better for an employment tribunal claim?
They do different jobs. Citizens Advice gives free, independent advice about your rights and next steps. A solicitor can advise on the strength and value of your specific claim and represent you at the hearing, but charges for it. Many people start with Citizens Advice or Acas and pay for a solicitor only if the case is complex or high value.
How much does an employment solicitor cost?
Each firm sets its own prices. Under the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Transparency Rules, firms that offer to bring unfair or wrongful dismissal claims for employees must publish cost information on their website, including the total cost or a range and what is included. That makes it possible to compare firms before you contact them.
Is there a cap on no win no fee in employment claims?
Yes, for damages-based agreements, where the solicitor takes a share of what you recover. Regulation 7 of the Damages-Based Agreements Regulations 2013 caps the payment in an employment matter at 35% of the sums ultimately recovered, including VAT. Other no win no fee arrangements work differently, so ask the firm to explain exactly what you would pay.
Can I bring an employment tribunal claim without a solicitor?
Yes. You do not need a lawyer to bring a claim, and depending on the data source 31–59% of UK employment tribunal claimants have no solicitor at the hearing (MoJ hearing survey 2018; HMCTS case records 2023–25). Doing it yourself means doing the preparation yourself, so get advice early if you are unsure.
Is Start My Claim legal advice?
No. Start My Claim is not a law firm and does not give legal advice or represent you. It helps you organise and prepare your own claim. If you need advice on your particular situation, speak to a solicitor, a law centre, your union or Citizens Advice.
Employment tribunal options
Employment Tribunal · Compare your options
Start My Claim vs a solicitor vs Citizens Advice: employment tribunal help compared
What does each option do, and what does it cost?
When is a solicitor the better choice?
Consider paying for a solicitor, or asking a law centre or your union, if any of these apply:
- the claim is worth a lot, for example long service, high pay or career-ending loss;
- it involves discrimination with medical evidence, whistleblowing, or several linked claims;
- your employer has made a strike-out application or threatened you with costs;
- you are unsure whether you are in time, or you may have missed a deadline;
- you want someone to negotiate a settlement and speak for you at the hearing;
- you are thinking about an appeal to the Employment Appeal Tribunal, which is only on a point of law.
Before you pay anyone, check whether any insurance policy you hold, such as home insurance, includes legal expenses cover.
What Start My Claim does, and does not, do
Start My Claim helps you understand the process, keep your evidence and dates in one place, work out your losses and draft your documents, including the ET1 claim form, schedule of loss and witness statement. Prices are fixed and published: Build is £299 and Full Case is £399, one-off per case. We do not take a share of any award.
It does not give legal advice about your individual case, does not check your claim as a lawyer would, and does not represent you or speak for you at a hearing. If you need those things, use one of the other options above.
Questions people ask
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