Service Standards and Fees
The prices listed below are for guidance only. We will give you an accurate quote reflecting the complexity and urgency of your case in advance of any work undertaken.
Probate (Uncontested) - All Prices are subject to VAT @ 20%
Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets
We anticipate this will take between 10 and 20 hours of work at an average of £220 per hour, depending on the complexity of your case and who works on it. Our legal costs are estimated to be between £2,000 and £4,500.
No two estates are the same; the exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of your matter. An estate in which there is only one beneficiary and there is no property would incur costs at the lower end of the scale. However, if there are several beneficiaries, property, bank accounts and other assets, the costs would be at the higher end of the scale.
In each circumstance, we would prefer to talk to you about what you need us to do and then we can agree on what work we would carry out and what would be required of you. In this way we can look as setting out a clear and informed budget from the outset. Of course, events may take place during the administration of the estate and adjustments to the work that may subsequently be required, and additional fees, would be discussed with you. At all times we would aim to administer the estate in accordance with your instructions.
The estimated legal fees (above) are for estates where:
• There is a valid will
• There are no unusual funeral requests in the will
• The executors are willing and able to act in the administration of the will
• There are no claims against the estate by relatives, creditors or others and no caveats lodged at the Court
• There is no more than one property
• There are no more than 6 bank or building society accounts
• There are no shareholdings (stocks and bonds) in the estate
• There are no other intangible assets
• There are no more than 10 beneficiaries
• There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs
• There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC
• If your case is more complex than the above example, we can give you a more accurate estimate of these costs once we have more information
• The estate is solvent
If the scope of the work required is beyond what is listed above, we would seek to provide you with an estimate after you have provided more information to us.
Additional likely expenses (for all estates) - All Prices are subject to VAT @ 20%
• Probate application fee of £273 plus 1.50p per copy for any additional copies of the grant required.
• £5 for the swearing of the oath (per executor), plus £2 for each will and codicil.
• Between £100 – £150 for placing an advert in The London Gazette and a local newspaper.
• Between £200 -£500 for valuation fees.
These additional expenses are costs related to your matter that may be payable to third parties, such as court fees.
Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included but we do offer a Conveyancing service and so can help you with this.
Time frames
On average, estates that fall within the above range are dealt with within 6 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 12-20 weeks.
Collecting in the majority of the assets (i.e. closing bank accounts and selling shares) generally takes up to 12 weeks after obtaining the Grant of Probate.
After all the liabilities of the estate have been paid and any cash legacies distributed (provided we are not awaiting clearance from HMRC for either IHT or income tax) we are usually in a position to distribute the estate within 10-15 weeks of collecting in the assets of the estate.
Immigration - All Prices are subject to VAT @ 20%
Our overall fees vary depending on the complexity of your case and the services you require. For a free quote specifically tailored to your circumstances, please call 02085729867. We would be more than happy to discuss your case.
To provide you with an understanding of how we charge and to comply with SRA transparency rules, we have outlined below details of our typical hourly rates and fees.
Our charges consist of:
a. Our fees for the legal work.
b. Disbursements – costs related to your matter payable to third parties, such as barristers' fees, Home Office fees, expert fees, etc. We handle the payment of disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
Where VAT is referred to below, please note that this will be charged at the applicable rate, currently 20%.
Our Fees
Our fees will either be agreed upon with you as a fixed sum at the start of your case or based on the time it takes to handle your case.
If we charge based on an hourly rate, our standard hourly rates are:
- Partners: £350 per hour plus VAT
- Solicitor with over 4 years’ experience: £265 plus VAT
- Solicitors with less than 4 years’ experience: £225 plus VAT
- Trainee solicitor and paralegals: £165 per hour plus VAT
Fixed fees would typically fall within these ballpark estimates as well.
On average, an immigration application takes between 4-10 hours to complete, depending on the complexity of the matter. This means that, on average, costs range from £650 to £3500 plus VAT.
The exact time spent and fees charged will depend on the circumstances of your case, such as:
- How straightforward your case is in terms of the law
- Whether it is necessary to appeal
- The amount of supporting evidence that we need to consider
- The languages you speak
- Whether you are applying with other dependants
If you can provide enough evidence early in the case, and it is evident that you meet the legal tests for your immigration application, then the cost is likely to be at the lower end of the price range given above. If the case is more complex and proceeds to an appeal, the costs of your case will likely exceed this price range.
Our estimated legal fee range for services provided in Immigration Law is outlined below (depending on complexity).
Service/Applications
• Initial consultation (up to 15 minutes)- No charge
British citizenship
• Adult Naturalisation or Child Registration (under 18)- £600- £1,000
• British Overseas- £800- £1,200
• UK born stateless person- £1,200- £1,500
• Leave to remain as a Partner or Parent
• UK in-country- £1,500- £1,800
• Abroad- Entry Clearance- £1,500- £1,800
Leave to remain under other categories
• Family or private life route- £1,200- £1,500
• Child of a person who is settled in the UK/has limited leave to remain- £1,200- £1,500
• UK-born stateless person (not eligible for British nationality)- £1,200- £1,500
• Outside the immigration rules applications- £1,500- £1,800
• Skilled Worker visa- £1,500- £2,000
Entry Clearance under other categories
• UK visitor visa- £1,000-£1,500
• Adult Dependant Relative- £1,500- £1,800
• Returning Resident (who has indefinite leave to remain in the UK)- £1,200- £1,500
• Child of a person who is settled in the UK/has limited leave to remain- £1,200- £1,500
Indefinite leave to remain
• Partner or Parent (5-year route)- £1,200- £1,500
• 10 years’ long residence- £1,500- £1,800
• Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa- £1,500- £1,800
• Tier 2 (General) Migrant visa- £1,500- £1,800
Attendance at a one-day Premium Service appointment at the Home Office (based on eligibility) – £500 plus travel expenses
EEA Applications
• Unmarried Partner of an EEA national- £1,200- £1,500
• Spouse of an EEA national- £1,200- £1,500
• Retained rights of residence- £1,400- £1,600
• Registration Certificate as an EEA national- £1,000- £1,200
• Permanent residence for EEA/Non-EEA nationals- £1,500- £1,800
Appeals
• Lodging initial grounds of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal- £600
• Representation at the First-tier Tribunal- £1,500- £2,000
• Lodging grounds to the Upper Tribunal- £600
• Representation to the Upper Tribunal- £1,000-£1,500
• Representation at Case Management Review Hearing- £600
Judicial Review
• Lodging a Judicial Review claim at the Upper Tribunal- £2,500- £,3,500
• Representation at a Judicial Review Permission Hearing at the Upper Tribunal- £1,000- £1,500
• Lodging a Judicial Review claim at the High Court- £1,200- £1,500
• Representation at a Judicial Review Permission Hearing at the High Court- £1,500- £2,000
• Judicial Review Injunction to prevent removal directions- £1,500- £2,000
Other Applications
• Temporary Admission request- £600
• Bail application to the First-tier Tribunal- £1,000
• Representation at a bail hearing- £600
• Deportation appeal- £1,500- £2,000
• Administrative review- £800- £1,200
Disbursements
In addition to our costs, you will need to cover 'disbursements.' In immigration matters, common disbursements often relate to counsel fees, which are separate from our fees outlined above. It is challeng-ing to estimate overall counsel's fees without knowing the details of your case, so please contact us for more information.
In most cases, we may not need to instruct a barrister (specialist in attending and arguing at Court) on your behalf. However, if required, the hourly rate is likely to vary depending on the barrister's experi-ence. Immigration applications typically require between 3-6 hours of the Barrister's time (if applicable), depending on the case's complexi-ty.
The typical disbursement for requiring a barrister may include:
Representation at Court, covering briefing the barrister, CMR, First-tier Tribunal hearings, and Upper Tribunal hearings. If a barrister is need-ed, fees typically range from £350 to £2500 plus VAT.
Additional fees such as skeleton arguments and grounds of appeal, which can range from £450 to £1500 plus VAT.
If you need a highly experienced barrister, the cost may be higher. Additional charges, such as travel costs for us to attend meetings and hearings, may also apply.
If there is an interview with immigration authorities and you ask us to attend with you, further disbursements for our travel costs will be incurred.
Other costs to consider
Home Office fees (subject to change)
Interpreter fees at the interpreter's hourly rate, typically ranging from £50 to £75 + VAT, plus any travel costs if required.
Advice and assistance for any appeal if your application is refused. Fees can vary, with standard grounds ranging from £500 to £1000, and additional charges for complex matters.
Medical report/expert report costs, ranging from £500 to £3000, if incurred.
Key stages of your case
The costs outlined cover all work related to key stages of an immigration application, including,
- Discuss your circumstances and options throughout the process.
- Providing advice about the Immigration Rules and criteria.
- Overcoming criteria challenges if needed.
- Reviewing and obtaining supporting evidence.
- Assisting in obtaining further evidence, including statements from wit-nesses.
Preparing and submitting your application.
Providing advice on the application outcome and any further steps.
While these costs generally cover all necessary work, we can provide a more tailored quote for your specific case once we have details about your circumstances.
How long will my case take?
We do not have control over the Home Office processing times, which can be viewed online. Submitting your application to the Home Office typically takes 1-4 weeks from the date of your instruction, depending on the matter's complexity and any applicable timeframes or dead-lines.
Who will be dealing with my case?
Your case will be handled by a trusted member of our experienced team, which includes qualified lawyers and experienced trainees specializing in immigration law. Once we assign someone to your case, we will introduce you to them, providing full details of their background and qualifications. You can find comprehensive details about our team's experience and qualifications, including the types of work normally undertaken, on our website. Regardless of who is working on your case, it will be supervised by one of our partners."
Time frames
• The Home Office publish time scales for outside the UK applications on the UKVI website - “Visa Processing Times”. Other application time scales vary; they change depending on where the Home Office happen to be concentrating their staff resources. We advise on these time scales from recent experience before applications are made.
• We make our applications promptly once our instructions are complete.
Employment - All Prices are subject to VAT @ 20%
Our pricing for bringing and defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal, based on our hourly rate ranges from £165 per hour to £350 per hour (plus VAT). depending on the seniority of the solicitor dealing with your case. In some limited cases, we can offer a fixed fee once we have reviewed your circumstances. This means that we will charge you a fixed amount, even it the work on your matter takes longer than anticipated, provided that there are no unforeseen complications or significant changes to your instructions.
All fees quoted are estimates and are dependent on the particular circumstances of your case.
Simple case: 4-8 hours so £1000-£2000 (excluding VAT)
Medium complexity case: 8-12 hours so £2000-£3000 (excluding VAT)
High complexity case: 12-20 hours so £3000-£6000 (excluding VAT)
It is very difficult to estimate the total costs for bringing and defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal as this can vary greatly depending on the complexity of the case. In our experience, the total cost for these claims ranges upwards of £6000 (excluding VAT & disbursements).
Following an initial consultation and review of any paperwork that you have relating to your case, our solicitors will be able to provide you with a detailed estimate of how much your particular case is likely to cost. 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 cost 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 it is an automatic unfair dismissal claim e.g. if you are dismissed after blowing the whistle on your employer
- Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal
There will be an additional charge for attending a Tribunal Hearing of £750 per day (excluding
VAT). Generally, we would allow 1-3 days depending on the complexity of your case.
Disbursements - All Prices are subject to VAT @ 20%
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees.
We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
Counsel’s fees are estimated between £500 to £1500 plus VAT 20% per day (depending on the experience of the advocate) for attending a Tribunal Hearing (including preparation) and to the Court (initially £154, no VAT). Fees paid to the Home Office do not attract VAT; these are usually paid directly by the client. They can be found on the UKVI website under “Visa Fees”.
Flexible funding - All Prices are subject to VAT @ 20%
For businesses and other organisations, we can offer a raft of flexible
funding arrangements, tailored to your needs. These range from fixed fees
to menu pricing to banded fee arrangements.
Key stages
The fees set out above cover all of the work in relation to the following key stages of a claim:
- Taking your initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising you on merits and likely compensation (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
- Reviewing and advising on claims or responses from another 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 on their content with witnesses
- Preparing bundle of documents
- Reviewing and advising on the other party’s witness statements
- Agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and/or cast list
- Preparation and attendance at the Final Hearing, including instructions to Counsel
The stages set out above are an indication and if some of the stages above are not required, the fee
will be reduced. You may wish to handle the claim yourself and only have our advice in relation to some of the stages. This can also be arranged on your individual needs.
How long will my matter take?
The time that it takes from taking your initial instructions to the final resolution of your matter
depends largely on the stage at which your case is resolved. If a settlement is reached during pre-
claim conciliation, your case is likely to take 2-4 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final
Hearing, your case is likely to take 2-6 months. This is just an estimate and we will of course be
able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the matter
progresses.
Conveyancing (Residential) - All Prices are subject to VAT @ 20%
| Property price (for Sale and Purchase) | Freehold | Leasehold |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £250,000 | £650.00 | £950.00 |
| £250,000 to £500,000 | £750.00 | £1250.00 |
| £500,000 to £750,000 | £950.00 | £1,400.00 |
| £750,000 to One Million | £1,200.00 | £2,250.00 |
| Transfer of Equity | £400.00 | £750.00 |
| Re-Mortgage/Mortgage | £650.00 | £950.00 |
| Transfer and Re-Mortgage | £700.00 | £850.00 |
All pricing is estimated and excludes disbursements.
For purchases, disbursements include search and Land Registry fees. Some costs vary according to the purchase price of a property. On average these amount to around £600.
If you are both buying and selling a property, charges will apply for both the sale and the purchase. Additionally, please note that a 20% VAT charge applies to all our fees for legal work.
At any point during the transaction, if money needs to be sent by telegraphic transfer, a fee of £25 excluding VAT will be charged, this does not include CHAPS or banks transfer fee, if applicable,
Stamp Duty Land Tax
is payable at a variable rate, which also depends on the purchase price of the property and your own personal circumstances. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC’s website.
These figures are purely for illustration based on recent instructions. Actual pricing will differ and depend on your needs. Please contact us to discuss your requirements so that we may prepare a detailed quotation.
How long it will take for your offer to be accepted until you can move into your house will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 6-8 weeks. It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are a first-time buyer, purchasing a new build property with a mortgage in principle, it could take 1 year. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 3 to 6 months. In such a situation, additional charges would apply.
Our fee assumes that:
- this is a standard transaction and no unforeseen matters arise including for example (but not limited to) a defect in title which requires remedying before completion or the preparation of additional documents ancillary to the main transaction
- this is the assignment of an existing lease and is not the grant of a new lease
- the transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complications arise
- all parties to the transaction are cooperative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation
- no indemnity policies are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required.
- Whether the property is Leasehold and/or share of Freehold.
- Whether the property is a new build.
- Whether there is a defect in title or indemnity insurance is required.
- Whether there is a service charge payable on a Freehold property and/or a resident’s company.
- Whether there is more than one seller.
- Whether there is more than one mortgage to be redeemed.
- Whether a mortgage company or lender is separately represented.
- Whether the title is unregistered.
- Whether a Licence to assign is required.
- Whether the property is comprised of a single title or not.
Key Stages
• Initial instructions: we gather information about your requirements to help us plan. We must also comply with all legal formalities and you will be asked to provide identification.
• Legal process: this involves a thorough inspection of the legal documents and liaison with the other person’s conveyancer and any mortgage lender. If buying a property, we will prepare a detailed report containing all the information you need to proceed with your purchase.
• Exchange of contracts: the completion date is agreed and everybody is legally required to proceed. Buyers are usually required to pay a deposit of 10% of the purchase price but this can be less by agreement.
• Completion: this is when the property changes hands. Buyers are required to pay all remaining sums on his time.
What to do if you are unhappy with us
The Solicitors Regulation Authority can help if you are concerned about our behaviour. This could be for things like dishonesty or treating you unfairly because of your age, a disability or other characteristics. Visit their website to see how you can raise your concerns with the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Complaints Handling Procedure Our Complaints Policy
We are committed to providing a high-quality legal service to all our clients. When something goes wrong, we need you to tell us about it. This will help us improve our standards.
Our Complaints Procedure
If you have a complaint, please contact us with the details.
What will happen next?
1. We will send you a letter acknowledging receipt of your complaint within seven days of receiving it, enclosing a copy of this procedure.
2. We will then investigate your complaint. This will normally involve passing your complaint to Muhammad Asim Suleman, who will review your matter and speak to the member of staff/fee earner who acted for you. If your complaint is against Muhammad Asim Suleman then another senior partner will investigate your complaint.
3. Depending on the nature of the complaint you may invited to a meeting to discuss and hopefully resolve your complaint, if it is considered that such a meeting is in the best interests of both parties, and will facilitate a resolution. If appropriate you will be invited to attend a meeting within 14 days of sending you the acknowledgement letter.
4. Should a meeting take place, then within seven days of the meeting, we will write to you to confirm what took place and any solutions that have been agreed with you.
5. If a meeting is not considered appropriate then we will explain why we do not believe a meeting is necessary. In these circumstances, we will send you a detailed written reply to your complaint, including suggestions for resolving the matter, within 21 days of sending you the acknowledgement letter.
6. At this stage, if you are still not satisfied, you should contact us again and we will arrange to review the decision. Someone unconnected with the matter at the Firm will review it.
7. We will write to you within 14 days of receiving your request for a review, confirming our final position on your complaint and explaining our reasons.
8. If you are still not satisfied, you can then contact the Legal Ombudsman at PO Box 6167, Slough, SL1 0EH about your complaint. Any complaint to the Legal Ombudsman must be made within six months of you receiving a final response from us.
A complaint to the Legal Ombudsman must be made:
• Within six months of receiving our final response to your complaint
• No more than one year from the date of the act or omission being complained about; or
• No more than one year from the date when you should reasonably have known that there was cause for complaint.
If you do not follow these timeframes, the Legal Ombudsman may not be able to investigate your complaint. For further information, you should contact The Legal Ombudsman on telephone number, 0300 555 0333 or at www.legalombudsman.org.uk
9. Where any complaint relates to our bill then you may also have a right to object to the bill by making a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman or by applying to the Court for an assessment of the bill under the Solicitors Act 1974 however, the Legal Ombudsman may not consider a complaint about our bill if you have applied to the Court for an assessment.
10. If we have to change any of the timescales above, we will let you know and explain why.
11. The EU Directive on Consumer Alternative Dispute Resolution (the ADR Directive) allows for certain Approved Bodies to mediate between you and our firm in an attempt to resolve the issues of your complaint if our own internal process has been unsuccessful.
We agree to use the services of ProMediate (www.promediate.co.uk) if both you and the Firm agree that this is an appropriate course of action to take.
12. If we are unable to resolve the complaint and it relates to a contract that the firm has entered into with you online, or by other electronic means, for example client care letter and terms of business were emailed to you, you may also be able to submit their complaint to a certified alternative dispute resolution (ADR) provider in the UK via the EU ‘ODR platform’.
The ODR platform is an interactive website offering a single point of entry for disputes between consumers and traders relating to online contracts.
The ODR platform is available to consumer clients only.
The website address for the ODR platform is http://ec.europa.eu
13. The firm will not charge for handling the complaint. The Legal Ombudsman service is free of charge to the complainant. The ODR platform itself is free to use, but the ADR entity to which the complaint is transmitted may charge for its services.
Legal Ombudsman Limitation Data Information
The Legal Ombudsman expects complaints to be made to them within one year of the date of the act or omission about which you are concerned or within one year of you realising there was a concern.
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