Using this Guide
We review our prices several times a year in order to remain competitive so it is always best to contact us for a quotation or fee and expense estimate.
This is a guide only. Every case is different. Features of individual cases can affect the price of the work and the expenses which will be incurred.
The information on fees and expenses in this section is correct as at 1st December 2018. All of our fees attract VAT at the prevailing rate which is currently 20%. Some expenses attract VAT and some do not.
Personal injuries and Medical Negligence
First appointment fees
We offer a first appointment free for injured claimants and in most cases can offer a no win no fee agreement. However, sometimes, in certain types of case where a lot of work has to be done before we can offer a no win no fee agreement, we may charge a reviewing fee of £1,000 to £2,000 +VAT.
This is only likely to be in social services negligence cases and in some clinical negligence cases because the amount of paperwork to consider, which can be very time consuming.
Cases worth less than £25,000
In many personal injury cases worth less than £25,000 our fees are likely to be between £2,000 and £10,000 +VAT and we would probably not charge any success fee in such cases.
A client would be expected to recover a proportion of those fees because fixed recoverable costs apply in these cases and they are unlikely to cover all of the fees incurred. The shortfall would have to be made up from the compensation.
Cases worth more than £25,000
In personal cases worth more than £25,000 our fees can be between £4,000 and £50,000 +VAT and sometimes more. We would probably not charge any success fee unless the case was of an unusual level of risk or the claim went to trial.
For cases worth between £25,000 and £100,000 we would expect to recover a proportion of our fees from the opponent based on fixed recoverable costs applying in the intermediate track and dependent upon the complexity band applicable to the case. A client may may be expected to make up the shortfall.
For cases worth over £100,000, there are no fixed recoverable costs and we aim to recover our fees through cost negotiation. We would expect to recover most but not all of the fees in the event of a successful outcome. A client may be expected to make up the shortfall.
Medical negligence cases
In medical negligence cases our fees can be between £10,000 and £50,000 +VAT and sometimes more. We would probably in such cases charge a success fee between 20% to 40% of all lawyers’ fees capped by law at 25% of the compensation.
We would expect to recover most but not all of the legal fees in the event of a successful outcome; a client may be expected to make up the shortfall. We would not be able to recover from the opponent the success fee if one is charged.
Further information
- There would be expenses to fund but we would provide an interest free personal injury loan but you would only repay this at the end of the case
- In non-medical negligence cases, a client would need to take out an insurance policy to support the no win no fee agreement the costs of which vary. The insurance is “no win no premium to pay” and in the event of success the premium for the insurance is funded from the compensation. Insurance premiums attract Government imposed Insurance Premium Tax currently at 12%;
- In medical negligence cases, a client would need to take out an insurance policy to support the no win no fee agreement the costs of which vary. The insurance is “no win no premium to pay” and in the event of success about one quarter of the premium for the insurance is funded from the compensation, the rest recoverable from the opponent. Insurance premiums attract Government imposed Insurance Premium Tax currently at 12%;
Family Law
A simple divorce can be £700 +VAT. There is also a court fee to pay of £550. This is if you start the divorce.
A simple divorce as a Respondent (if you are the other party) costs £500 +VAT.
Finances and children disputes are bespoke arrangements and we can either quote a likely fee or work to a set budget. We can offer fixed fees if you have agreed a financial settlement and wish to have a consent order drafted. Please call us to discuss.
Residential Conveyancing - Sales
Overview
We charge a fixed fee for most residential property sale matters. This is dependent upon the value of the property being sold and the degree of complexity of the transaction.
The legal work involved in a typical residential conveyancing sale includes disclosing the title to the property and dealing with enquiries raised by the solicitors acting for the purchaser; drafting the contract for sale and approving the transfer deed to be lodged with the Land Registry; communicating with any instructed estate agents in respect of the transaction and with a mortgage company if a legal charge is to be repaid from the proceeds of sale; exchanging contracts upon the seller’s instruction and agreeing a completion date.
The timescale to complete a residential conveyancing sale is variable and is dependent to a significant extent upon others involved in the transaction and in the chain of sales and purchases which may be linked but as a general indication conveyancing sales may take between 4 to 12 weeks to be completed from the date of original instructions being received by us.
As no two conveyancing transactions are the same and different issues can arise in each individual case the information provided here is indicative only and it is always preferable to contact us for an accurate costs estimate and to provide us with details of any specific requirements to allow an accurate costs estimate specific to your transaction.
We set out below our current range of costs and disbursements:
Freehold Sale - Price Transparency
| Transaction Price Range | Fees (plus VAT @20%) |
| £0 to £60,000 | £525.00 |
| £60,001 to £100,000 | £580.00 |
| £100,001 to £150,000 | £610.00 |
| £150,001 to £200,000 | £650.00 |
| £200,001 to £250,000 | £725.00 |
| £250,001 to £300,000 | £775.00 |
| £300,001 to £350,000 | £825.00 |
| £350,001 to £450,000 | £875.00 |
| £450,001 to £550,000 | £950.00 |
| £550,001 to £650,000 | £995.00 |
| £650,001 to £750,000 £750,001 to £900,000 £900,001 and above |
£1075.00 £1175.00 0.25% Sale Price |
The current rate of VAT is 20% – VAT will be added to our fee in each property transaction.
Leasehold Sale - Price Transparency
| Transaction Price Range | Fees (plus VAT@ 20%) |
| £0 to £60,000 | £690.00 |
| £60,001 to £100,000 | £725.00 |
| £100,001 to £150,000 | £750.00 |
| £150,001 to £200,000 | £795.00 |
| £200,001 to £250,000 | £825.00 |
| £250,001 to £300,000 | £895.00 |
| £300,001 to £350,000 | £925.00 |
| £350,001 to £450,000 | £975.00 |
| £450,001 to £550,000 | £1025.00 |
| £550,001 to £650,000 | £1075.00 |
| £650,001 to £750,000 £750,001 to £900,000 £900,001 and above |
£1125.00 £1195.00 0.25% sale price |
The current rate of VAT is 20% – VAT will be added to our fee in each property transaction.
Additional expenses for Sales
The additional fees which are likely to be incurred and payable as third party disbursements are as follows:-
- Official copies of title deeds £6.00-£20.00
- Bank Transfer fees to redeem legal charge £30.00
- Management information pack (leasehold transactions only) typically £150.00-£300.00 as charged by landlord or managing agents
- Electronic Identity checks from £17.94 inc VAT per person
- Electronic money transfer charges £30 +VAT each
All third party payments are inclusive of VAT where appropriate.
Typical Timescale - Sales
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Up to Exchange of Contracts | 8 to 10 weeks |
| From Exchange to Completion | 1 to 7 days |
Residential Conveyancing - Purchases
Overview
We charge a fixed fee for most residential property purchase matters. This is dependent upon the value of the property and the degree of complexity of the transaction.
The legal work involved in a typical residential property purchase will be to examine and verify the title documents provided by the seller’s solicitors, obtain searches from the local authority, drainage authority, environmental agency and coal authority together with any other appropriate searches and to report to you and your mortgage lender in respect of the contents thereof; to raise enquiries of the solicitors acting for the seller of the property in respect of the information provided by them and from the searches obtained and review the responses provided and report to you as appropriate; to agree the wording of the contract for sale and draft the transfer of land which will then be forwarded to HM Land Registry upon completion of the transaction; if a mortgage is being obtained we advise in respect of the contents of the mortgage offer and report to the mortgage lender any matters which affect the legal title or valuation assumptions in respect of the property; once a completion date has been agreed we request funds from the mortgage lender and provide a completion statement to enable all monies to be paid over on the date of completion; final searches with the Land Registry and a bankruptcy search are undertaken if required and following completion we submit a Stamp Duty Land Tax form to the Inland Revenue and pay over any duty before applying to HM Land Registry to register the transaction.
The timescale to complete a residential conveyancing purchase is variable and is dependent to a significant extent upon others involved in the transaction and in the chain of sales and purchases which may be linked but as a general indication conveyancing purchases may take between 4 to 12 weeks to be completed from the date of original instructions being received by us and between 1 to 18 months for the Land Registry to update the title deeds and to complete the land registration process.
Freehold Purchase - Price Transparency
| Transaction Price Range | Fees (plus VAT@ 20%) |
| £0 to £60,000 | £690.00 |
| £60,001 to £100,000 | £725.00 |
| £100,001 to £150,000 | £750.00 |
| £150,001 to £200,000 | £795.00 |
| £200,001 to £250,000 | £825.00 |
| £250,001 to £300,000 | £895.00 |
| £300,001 to £350,000 | £925.00 |
| £350,001 to £450,000 | £975.00 |
| £450,001 to £550,000 | £1025.00 |
| £550,001 to £650,000 | £1075.00 |
| £650,001 to £750,000 £750,001 to £900,000 £900,001 and above |
£1125.00 £1195.00 0.25% sale price |
The current rate of VAT is 20% – VAT will be added to our fee in each property transaction.
Leasehold Purchase - Price Transparency
| Transaction Price Range | Fees (plus VAT@ 20%) |
| £0 to £60,000 | £690.00 |
| £60,001 to £100,000 | £725.00 |
| £100,001 to £150,000 | £750.00 |
| £150,001 to £200,000 | £795.00 |
| £200,001 to £250,000 | £825.00 |
| £250,001 to £300,000 | £895.00 |
| £300,001 to £350,000 | £925.00 |
| £350,001 to £450,000 | £975.00 |
| £450,001 to £550,000 | £1025.00 |
| £550,001 to £650,000 | £1075.00 |
| £650,001 to £750,000 £750,001 to £900,000 £900,001 and above |
£1125.00 £1195.00 0.25% sale price |
The current rate of VAT is 20% – VAT will be added to our fee in each property transaction.
Additional Expenses for Purchases
The additional fees which are likely to be incurred and payable as third party disbursements are as follows:-
- Residential search pack £202.00
- Land Registry search £3.00 (£4.00 from 1/12/24)
- Bankruptcy search £2.00 per name
- Bank transfer fee £30.00
- Land Registry registration fee – Dependent on value of property
- Stamp Duty Land Tax – Dependent on value of property
- Electronic Identity checks from £17.94 inc VAT per person
All third party payments are inclusive of VAT where appropriate.
Typical Timescale – Purchases
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Up to Exchange of Contracts | 8 to 10 weeks |
| From Exchange to Completion | 1 to 7 days |
| Land Registration | 2 weeks to 2 years |
Re-mortgages & Transfers of Property
General pricing
We offer a discount scheme so it is always better to call for an accurate price but in a typical transaction our basic fees are;
| Type | Amount |
| Re-mortgages | £450 +VAT |
| Transfers | £450 +VAT |
| Re-mortgages & transfers | £850 +VAT |
Additional expenses
In addition, a typical re-mortgage transaction will involve expenses similar to those expenses incurred in a purchase, above. In a transfer the likely expenses are;
| Type | Amount |
| Electronic Identity checks | £ 17.94 inc VAT per person |
| Electronic money transfer | £ 30 + VAT per transaction |
| Land Registry Search | £ 3 |
| Bankruptcy Check | £ 2 per person |
| Land Registry Search | £9 per title |
| Land Registry fees | £ 20 to 910 |
Uncontested Probate Cases
Probate and Administration of Estates Pricing ( October 2024)
Our fees are firstly calculated by reference to a fixed fee in respect of the application for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration and secondly on an hourly rate by reference to other work involved in respect of the administration of the estate.
The administration of an estate will usually involve three phases as outlined below:-
Phase 1 – The Application For Grant Of Probate Or Grant Of Letters Of Administration
The Grant of Probate is a Court document which gives the executors the legal right to administer the deceased’s estate. Where there is no Will the deceased’s next of kin are able to apply for a Grant of Letters of Administration which will give them similar rights to administer the estate. We charge a fixed fee of £850.00 plus VAT @20% to obtain the Grant; in addition there is a Court fee payable of £306.00 to enable the application to be processed – no VAT is payable in respect of the Court fee.
The work undertaken will include reading the Will if appropriate, investigating the value and composition of the deceased’s estate including correspondence where required with banks, building societies, insurance firms and registrars in respect of shareholdings, completing a Statement of Truth for signature by the executors or administrators and lodging the form with the
Court.
The process of preparing the Statement of Truth to enable the Grant to be obtained can take between 1 to 6 months in a typical case and the Court timescale for the Grant to be issued is typically between 2 to 8 months.
Phase 2 – Completion Of The Estate Tax Return
If it is necessary to complete a tax return due to inheritance tax being payable in respect of the value of an estate the work undertaken will be charged at an hourly rate of £270.00 plus VAT at 20%. The preparation of an estate tax return will be undertaken in conjunction with the work carried out to apply for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration as referred to above. Once the estate tax return is forwarded to HM Revenue & Customs it is typically processed within 1 – 2 months.
Phase 3 – Administering The Estate And Making Distribution Of The Assets
Once instructed we will begin the process of administering the estate. This will include liquidation of the deceased’s assets, preparation of any estate accounts and confirming the balance due to the beneficiaries after any debts and liabilities of the estate have been paid. We will also serve the Trustee Act Notice in the local newspaper if required and place a notice in the
Law Society Gazette if there is any doubt as to whether there are any unknown creditors of the deceased or if the whereabouts of any potential beneficiaries is unknown.
Our legal fees are charged in addition to the fixed fee referred to in Phase 1 above in relation to the obtaining of the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration.
For a simple estate we charge £235 per hour plus VAT at 20% and the administration may take 2 – 14 hours of work to be concluded. The administration of an average simple estate would therefore cost about £2115 plus VAT at 20% together with any disbursements assuming a mid-range of 9 hours work is required to complete the administration.
A more complex estate may be charged at £272.00 per hour plus VAT at 20% and can take between 15 – 70 hours of work to be completed. The administration of a more complex estate would therefore cost about £11,424 plus VAT at 20% together with any disbursements assuming a mid-range of 42 hours work is required to complete the administration.
Matters which can make the administration of an estate more complex include the number of beneficiaries, the size of the estate, the number of assets and the location of any unknown creditors or beneficiaries. This process can take between 1 – 12 months from the completion of Phase 1 as referred to above. This service does not include dealing with the sale of any freehold or leasehold property which forms part of the deceased’s estate – conveyancing costs will be charged separately by way of a fixed fee for which a separate costs estimate will be supplied.
Disbursements that may be incurred in respect of the administration of the estate are as follows:-
Bankruptcy only Land Charges Department search – £2.00 per beneficiary
Notice charge in the Law Society Gazette – £119.15 (price quoted as at 2024)
VAT is charged on the bill of costs rendered at the rate of 20%.
No VAT is payable in respect of third party disbursements.
Wills and Testamentary Documents
A typical will is about £240 +VAT for a single will and about £350 +VAT for two wills for a family couple. We do not charge for the secure storage of the will.
We do not generally attend a hospital or care home in order to prepare a will since to do so would require two staff members and a significant multiplication of the costs involved.
