Pricing

There are various items we will consider when deciding what pricing band the client’s case falls into. We will make this assessment and inform the client of the relevant fees at the earliest opportunity.

Factors that may influence this include the need for:

• Instructing counsel.
• Filling out and submitting a claim form outlining the client’s case to the Employment Tribunal.
• Reviewing the response to the claim.
• Reviewing documentation received setting out the factual and legal basis of the claim.
• Reviewing any Orders made by the Court.
• Making any further applications to a Tribunal on the client’s behalf.
• Whether an Employment Tribunal hearing is required.

Estimate of Costs

Factors that could make a case more complex

• If it is necessary to make or defend applications to amend claims or to provide further information about an existing claim.
• Defending claims that are brought by litigants in person.
• Making or defending a costs application.
• Complex preliminary issues such as whether the claimant is disabled (if this is not agreed by the parties).
• The number of witnesses and documents.
• If the claim relates to an automatic unfair dismissal claim e.g. if an employee claims they were dismissed after blowing the whistle on the client’s business.
• Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal.

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to the client’s matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on the client’s behalf to ensure a smoother process. Counsel’s fees estimated between £2,500 to £5,000 per day plus VAT (depending on experience of the counsel) for attending a Tribunal Hearing (including preparation).

Key Stages

The fees set out above cover all of the work in relation to the following key stages of a claim:

• Taking initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising the client on merits (this is likely to be revisited throughout the matter and subject to change);
• Entering into pre-claim conciliation where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached;
• Preparing claim or response in consultation with counsel;
• Reviewing and advising on claim or defence from other party;
• Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process;
• Preparing or considering a schedule of loss;
• Preparing for (and attending) a preliminary hearing;
• Exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle of documents;
• Taking witness statements, drafting statements and agreeing their content with witnesses;
• Preparing bundle of documents;
• Reviewing and advising on the other party’s witness statements;
• Preparation and attendance at Final Hearing, including Instructions to Counsel.

We also provide a Settlement Agreement Service. The costs of approving a straightforward Settlement Agreement are normally between £350 - £500 plus VAT.

Buying a house or any other property transaction can be a stressful experience. Our property conveyancing team have the experience and legal and technical expertise to help the client through the process, guiding the client through each step of the client’s transaction and offering a service that takes the worry out of the transaction. We will assign a dedicated conveyancer to the client who will be contactable by telephone, mobile and email address. We believe in complete and easy to understand pricing transparency. Our fees are based on average house prices, they vary according to the property price.

Residential Property Fees

This work will be undertaken by members of our property team and will be supervised by a partner.

Sale of a residential property

Our fees cover all of the work normally required to complete the sale of land or property in England. Our standard rates are as follows:

The figures quoted above apply where the work is handled by one of our experienced solicitors. However, where the matter is being dealt with by one of our partners or consultants, costs will be provided on application. This is because the hourly rates applicable will be higher. The figures quoted assume that the matter is not complicated. If the matter does become complex or protracted then there may be additional fees payable.

Examples of common issues include (but are not limited to):

• Where title is unregistered.
• Where there is a breach of a restriction.
• Where there is a defect in title.
• Where the property lacks the rights required for ordinary use and enjoyment.
• Expedited transactions. i.e. less than 3 weeks from receipt of papers to exchange.
• Where a lock out or exclusivity agreement is required or there is a contract race.

In the case of leasehold property this might include:

• Where the client’s sale includes the sale of a share of the freehold.
• Where a lease extension is involved.
• Where freeholder consent for any reason may be required.
• Missing or absentee landlords.
• Where the lease is defective e.g. lack of repairing covenants covering each part of the building.

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to the client’s matter that are payable to third parties, e.g. the Land Registry. We handle the payment of these disbursements on the client’s behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Potential disbursements include:

• Management Pack Fees: With leasehold properties there will usually be a management pack which we will need to pay for. Costs vary considerably but would ordinarily be between £250 and £600. Depending on what the client’s lease says, there can also be fees for a Licence to Assign or Compliance Certificate. These fees vary from property to property and can vary significantly. We can give the client an accurate figure once we have been informed of the cost of the management pack.
• Notice of transfer fee: This fee if chargeable is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £0 – £250 plus VAT.
• Notice of charge fee:(if the property is to be mortgaged) – This fee is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £0 – £250 plus VAT
• Deed of covenant fee:This fee is provided by the management company for the property and can be difficult to estimate. Often it is between £0 – £250 plus VAT
• Certificate of compliance fee:To be confirmed upon receipt of the lease, as can range between £0 – £250 plus VAT

How long will my transaction take?

Please note that the average transaction time from instruction to completion is generally regarded as 8-12 weeks. It can be quicker than that as long as all other parties in the transaction co-operate. Common delaying factors will be delays in issue of the buyer’s mortgage offer, local authority search delays and (if the property is leasehold) delays in obtaining management and service charge information).

Stages of the process

The precise stages involved in the sale of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, below these are the key stages in a normal transaction:

• Taking the client’s instructions and giving the client initial advice.
• Preparing contract documents and obtaining standard information from the client which the buyer will require.
• Answering enquiries raised by the buyer’s solicitor.
• iaising with the clien’s lender regarding repayment of the mortgage.
• Obtaining signature of key documents e.g. contract.
• Agreeing a completion date (i.e. the date on which the client will vacate the property).
• Exchanging contracts and notifying the client that this has happened.
• Completing the sale.

Our fees cover all of the work normally required to complete the purchase of land or property in England, including dealing with registration at the Land Registry and the payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (Stamp Duty).

The following figures apply where the client work is handled by one of our experienced solicitors. However, where the matter is being dealt with by one of our partners or consultants, costs will be provided on application. This is because the hourly rates applicable will be higher

The fees do not include the following items which will require additional fees to be paid as below:

The figures quoted above assume that the matter is not drawn out or complicated. If the matter does become complex or protracted then there may be additional fees payable.

Examples of common issues include (but are not limited to):

• Where title is unregistered.
• Where the client’s mortgage lender instructs it’s own solicitor
• Where the property is newly built or in the course of construction.
• Where there is a breach of a restriction e.g. preventing alterations or change of use of the property.
• Where there is a defect in title.
• Where the property lacks the rights required for ordinary use and enjoyment, e.g. access or the usual services.
• If the client is buying with the assistance of the Government’s Help to Buy scheme.
• Expedited transactions i.e. less than 3 weeks from receipt of papers to exchange.
• Where a lock out or exclusivity agreement is required or there is a contract race.

In the case of leasehold property this might include:

• Where the client’s lease purchase includes the purchase of a share of the freehold.
• Where a lease extension is involved
• Where freeholder consent for any reason may be required
• Shared ownership transactions
• Missing or absentee landlords
• Where the lease is defective e.g lack of repairing covenants covering each part of the building

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to the client’s matter that are payable to third parties, e.g. search providers and the Land Registry. We handle the payment of these disbursements on the client’s behalf to ensure a smoother process.

These will vary depending on where the property is located but as a guide these will be within the following range:

• Local Authority Search , Drainage Search, Chancel Search, and Environmental Searches: £300-500 (incl. VAT)
• Land Registry fee: £20- £900 (no VAT). Here is a link to the Land Registry fee calculator https://landregistry.data.gov.uk/fees-calculator.html
• Telegraphic Transfer Fee £30.00 per transaction
• With leasehold properties there can also be fees for a Licence to Assign or a Deed of Covenant or Compliance Certificate. These fees vary from property to property and can vary significantly. We can give the client an accurate figure once we have sight of the Landlord’s management pack
• Stamp Duty is payable in bands according to the purchase price. Here is a link to the HMRC Stamp duty calculator https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/calculate-stamp-duty-land-tax/#/intro

How long will my transaction take?

Please note that the national average transaction time from instruction to completion is generally regarded as 8-12 weeks. It can be quicker than that as long as all other parties in the chain co-operate. Common delaying factors will be delays in issue of the client’s mortgage offer, local search delays in certain areas and (if the property is leasehold) delays in obtaining management and service charge information). Unfortunately, the timescale is normally governed by the slowest party involved in the transaction.

Stages of the process

The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, below these are the key stages in a normal transaction:

• Taking client instructions and giving initial advice.
• Checking finances are in place including the source of funds.
• Carry out Identification and Money Laundering checks.
• Obtain full details of the transaction from the client and any estate agent/introducer.
• Obtain contract documentation and report in detail on all relevant aspects.
• Make all relevant enquiries on the title to the property.
• Carrying out searches.
• Advising on all documents and information received.
• Going through conditions of mortgage offer with the client.
• Obtaining signature of key documents e.g. contract and mortgage.
• Agreeing a completion date (i.e. the date from which the client will own the property).
• Advising on joint ownership issues.
• Exchanging contracts and notifying the client that this has happened.
• Arranging for payment of all monies needed to complete the purchase by the client and the client’s lender.
• Prepare financial statement showing monies required from the client.
• Supervise completion arrangements, release of keys, transfer of funds.
• Attend to payment of any Stamp Duty Land Tax together with preparation of Returns to HMRC.
• Attend to registration of the property title at HM Land Registry and forward copy documentation to the client and, where applicable, the lender.
• Dealing with application for registration at the Land Registry.

What We Don’t Do

• Advise on tax as this is a specialist area;
• Advise on insolvency matters;
• Advise on any other matter without first agreeing the fee with the client.

Business immigration related areas that our immigration lawyers advise employers on include:

Business immigration related areas that our immigration lawyers advise employers on include:

If we do not provide you with a fixed fee quote, or if we do additional work for you which is outside our fixed fee quote, please note that our hourly rates (exclusive of VAT) for each type of solicitor or other team member who may be involved in your transaction, are as follows:

The fee range stated above reflects the work that we would expect to carry out in respect of a typical application, and would include:

• considering documents
• attending on you, the client
• taking your instructions and advising you
• assisting with the preparation and submission of your application
• advising you on timelines and the outcome of your application.

Business Immigration

Initial Consultation for maximum one hour: £300 + VAT

Personal immigration related areas that our immigration lawyers advise on include:

What our service involves:

We offer a professional service with very reasonable fees and flexible payment terms for all of our clients. Our agreed fee covers all work relating to the client’s matter including;

• Taking initial instructions.
• Providing advice on which documents would be needed for the type of application.
• Checking the support documents for the application / appeal.
• Preparing the necessary application/appeal forms on the client’s behalf.
• Preparing grounds of appeal.
• Preparing representations in support of the client’s application.
• Sending the application form, representations and support evidence to the Home Office.
• Representing the client at the tribunal hearings / appeals.
• All communication between the Home Office and other agencies concerning the client’s application/appeal until we receive a written decision in the client matter.

Please be advised that we will not issue any refund if the client withdraws instructions. Furthermore, please note that the prices quoted do not include the Home Office fee. Clients will be responsible for paying the Home Office fees/appeal fees.

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as interpreters, barristers, Home Office fees, Experts fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Normally, interpreters’ fees are charged at £100 to £150 per hour plus VAT. Barristers’ fees are generally charged at £250 to £350 per hour plus VAT, depending on the experience of the barrister. Disbursements shall be charged in addition to our fees as set out above.

Who will be dealing with the client’s application

Your application will typically be handled by a solicitor in our Immigration team, supported as necessary by our trainees/paralegals. We will always ensure that the solicitor acting for you has the requisite level of experience to handle your case competently. In any event, all work will be supervised by a Partner, being the most senior member of the team allocated to you.

Time Estimate

It is difficult to estimate how long it will take before the Home Office can reach a decision in the matter as this will depend on a case and a caseworker dealing with the application. However, we can only give a rough estimate that most straight forward cases can takes between 3 to 6 months for the Home Office to provide a decision, and complicated cases can take between 3 to 12 months for the Home Office to reach a decision.