RE-MORTGAGE OF A RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY

Our fees cover all of the work required to complete the re-mortgage, including dealing with registration at the Land Registry.
The legal fees set out below are based upon matters proceedings in a normal manner. However, should any greater time have to be spent than is usual then this may be subject to additional charges relative to the extra time spent and any further disbursements incurred – should this occur then we shall notify you. If the matter does not proceed for any reason then a proportionate charge will be payable depending on the work already undertaken.

Conveyancer’s Fees and Disbursements
When re-mortgaging a property disbursements are payable in addition to the legal fees. Disbursements are costs payable to third parties and we make the payments on your behalf so as to facilitate matters.

Legal fees

The legal fees are dependant upon the value of the property. The legal fees are as follows:

Property Value between £0 and £250,000 - £350 plus vat of £70, total £420.00
Property Value between £250,001 and £500,000 - £450 plus vat of £90, total £540
Property Value between £500,001 and £750,000 - £550 plus vat of £110, total £660
Purchase Price between £750,001 and £1,000,000 - £650 plus vat of £130, total £780

Transactions attracting additional fees

Some matters are more complex and so attract an additional fee. Such matters are as follows:

Unregistered land – £80 plus vat of £16, total £96
Leasehold property - £200 plus vat of £40, total £240 (please see further below)
Freehold property subject to service charges - £80 plus vat of £16, total £96
New Build - £150 plus vat of £30, total £180
Fee for transferring monies
As part of the transaction we may need to transfer monies, for example, to complete a purchase.
Electronic money transfer fee - £30.00
VAT payable - £6.00
Total - £36.00 per transfer

Disbursements
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Land Registry fees, Local Search fees (enquiries of the local council) and Water and Drainage Search fee. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. In the course of an ordinary purchase the disbursements are likely to be as follows:
Fee for obtaining information from the Land Registry – a fee of £3.00 is payable for obtaining a copy of the Land Registry Entries together with an additional fee of £3.00 for obtaining a copy of the Land Registry Title Plan.  It may also be necessary to obtain additional documents from the Land Registry and the fee is usually £3.00 per additional document required. 

Local Search and Water and Drainage Search - The Local Search fee and Water and Drainage Search fee will vary from area to area. Details can be supplied upon request.
Flood Report – it is also advisable although not obligatory to undertake a flood report
Environmental Report – it is also advisable although not obligatory to undertake an environmental report
Pre-Completion Search fees – these are usually approximately £6.00 to £15.00 depending on the title of the property and the number of purchasers
HM Land Registry fee (payable for registering the new owner)

Value or amount	Apply by post	Apply using the portal or Business Gateway, for transfers of whole, charges of whole, transfers of charges and other applications of whole of registered titles	Apply using the portal or Business Gateway for registration of transfers of part, and all other Scale 2 applications that do not affect the whole of a registered title
0 to £100,000	£45	£20	£45
£100,001 to £200,000	£70	£30	£70
£200,001 to £500,000	£100	£45	£100
£500,001 to £1,000,000	£145	£65	£145
£1,000,001 and over	£305	£140	£305

Leasehold Properties - Additional Disbursements are ordinarily payable when re-mortgaging a Leasehold property. For example, fees may be payable to the Landlord – the sum payable will vary from property to property and depending upon the terms of the Lease. We can give you an accurate figure once we have had sight of the pre-contract documentation but generally each fee is in the region of £50 – 300 plus vat.
Management Packs – a fee may be payable for obtaining a Management Pack where the property to be sold is subject to a ground rent and/or service charge. The fee will vary from company to company but is usually in the region of £100 – 300.

Likely Timescale
This depends on a number of factors.  The average transaction takes between 4 - 6 weeks from our receiving the mortgage offer although the re-mortgage of a Leasehold Property is likely to take 6 – 10 weeks. 
It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain and their particular circumstances. 
Stages of the process
The precise stages involved in the re-mortgage of a residential property vary according to the circumstances.  Please see below some key stages that usually apply:

• Taking your instructions and giving you initial advice
• Obtaining proof of your identification
• Reviewing the title
• Carrying out searches
• Obtaining further planning/building regulations documentation if required
• Giving you advice on all documents and information received
• Going through conditions of mortgage offer with you
• Reporting to the mortgage lender and requesting the mortgage monies
• Undertaking pre-completion searches
• Completing the matter and redeeming the old mortgage
• Dealing with application for registration at Land Registry
• Reporting to you and the mortgage lender at the conclusion of the matter

PURCHASE OF A RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
Our fees cover all of the work required to complete the purchase of your new home, including dealing with registration at the Land Registry and dealing with the payment of Land Transaction Tax (Land Tax) if the property you wish to buy is in Wales or Stamp Duty Land Tax (Stamp Duty) if the property is in England.
The legal fees set out below are based upon matters proceedings in a normal manner. However, should any greater time have to be spent than is usual then this may be subject to additional charges relative to the extra time spent and any further disbursements incurred – should this occur then we shall notify you. If the matter does not proceed for any reason then a proportionate charge will be payable depending on the work already undertaken.

Conveyancer’s Fees and Disbursements
When purchasing a property disbursements are payable in addition to the legal fees. Disbursements are costs payable to third parties and we make the payments on your behalf so as to facilitate matters.

Legal fees

The legal fees are dependant upon the purchase price for the property and reflect the purchase price. The legal fees are as follows:

Purchase Price between £0 and £150,000 - £770.00 plus vat of £154.00, total £924
Purchase Price between £150,001 and £200,000 - £825.00 plus vat of £165.00, total £990.00
Purchase Price between £200,001 and £250,000 - £880.00 plus vat of £176.00, total £1,056.00
Purchase Price Between £250,001 and £300,000 - £990.00 plus vat of £198.00, total of £1,188.00
Purchase Price Between £300,001 and £350,000 - £1,045.00 plus vat of £209.00, total of £1,254.00 
Purchase Price Between £350,001 and £400,000 -£1,100 plus vat of £220.00, total of £1,320.00
Purchase Price Between £400,001 and £450,000 -  £1,155.00 plus vat of £231.00, total of £1,386.00 
Purchase Price Between £450,001 and £500,000 – £1,210.00 plus vat of £242.00, total of £1,452.00
Purchase Price Between £500,001 and £600,000 - £1,256.00 plus vat of £253.00, total of £1,518.00
Purchase Price Between £600,001 and £700,000 - £1,375.00 plus vat of £275.00, total of £1,650.00
Purchase Price Between £700,001 and £800,000 - £1,485.00 plus vat of £270.00, total of £1,620.00
Purchase Price Between £800,001 and £900,000 - £1,595.00 plus vat of £319.00, total of £1,914.00
Purchase Price Between £900,001 and £1,000,000 - £1,705.00 plus vat of £341.00, total of £2,046.00

Transactions attracting additional fees

Some matters are more complex and so attract an additional fee. Such matters are as follows:

Unregistered land – £80 plus vat of £16, total £96
Leasehold property - £200 plus vat of £40, total £240 (please see further below)
Freehold property subject to service charges - £80 plus vat of £16, total £96
Help to Buy ISA - £50.00 plus vat of £10, total £60
Help to Buy Wales mortgage - £300.00 plus vat of £60, total £360
New Build - £150 plus vat of £30, total £180
Fee for transferring monies
As part of the transaction we may need to transfer monies, for example, to complete a purchase.
Electronic money transfer fee - £16.00 per transfer

Disbursements
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Land Registry fees, Local Search fees (enquiries of the local council) and Water and Drainage Search fee. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. In the course of an ordinary purchase the disbursements are likely to be as follows:
Local Search and Water and Drainage Search - The Local Search fee and Water and Drainage Search fee will vary from area to area. Details can be supplied upon request.
Flood Report – it is also advisable although not obligatory to undertake a flood report
Environmental Report – it is also advisable although not obligatory to undertake an environmental report
Pre-Completion Search fees – these are usually approximately £6.00 to £15.00

depending on the title of the property and the number of purchasers

AML Search fees – £20 per person
Proof of Source of Funds - £15 per person
HM Land Registry fee (payable for registering the new owner)

Value or amount	Apply by post	Apply using the portal or Business Gateway, for transfers or surrenders which affect the whole of a registered title	Apply using the portal or Business Gateway, for registration of all leases and transfers or surrenders which affect part of a registered title
0 to £80,000	£45	£20	£45
£80,001 to £100,000	£95	£40	£95
£100,001 to £200,000	£230	£100	£230
£200,001 to £500,000	£330	£150	£330
£500,001 to £1,000,000	£655	£295	£655
£1,000,001 and over	£1,105	£500	£1,105

Stamp Duty or Land Transaction Tax – the amount payable depends on the purchase price of the property and various other factors, including whether the property will be the only property that you own upon completion. 
You can calculate the amount you will need to pay the Welsh Revenue Authority’s website or by using HMRC’s website if the property is located in England.
Leasehold Properties - Additional Disbursements are ordinarily payable when purchasing a Leasehold property. For example, a Notice of Transfer fee, Deed of Covenants fee, Notice of Charge fee or Certificate of Compliance fee may be payable to the Landlord – the sum payable will vary from property to property and depending upon the terms of the Lease. We can give you an accurate figure once we have had sight of the pre-contract documentation but generally each fee is in the region of £50 – 300 plus vat.
When purchasing a Leasehold, ground rent and service charges are usually payable throughout your ownership of the property. We will confirm the current amounts payable once we have had sight of the pre-contract documentation.
Likely Timescale
This depends on a number of factors.  The average transaction takes between 6 - 12 weeks from our receiving the pre-contract documentation to the date of completion. 
It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain and their particular circumstances. 
Stages of the process
The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances.  Please see below some key stages that usually apply:

• Taking your instructions and giving you initial advice
• Checking finances are in place to fund purchase and contact lender’s solicitors if needed
• Obtaining proof of your identification and proof of source of funds e.g. deposit
• Receiving and advising on contract documents
• Carrying out searches
• Obtaining further planning/building regulations documentation if required
• Making any necessary enquiries of seller’s solicitor
• Giving you advice on all documents and information received
• Going through conditions of mortgage offer with you
• Obtaining your signature to the final contract
• Obtaining the deposit from you (a deposit is payable upon exchange of contracts)
• Agreeing completion date (date from which you own the property)
• Exchanging contracts and notifying you that this has happened
• Arranging for all monies required to complete the purchase to be received from lender and you
• Drafting Transfer
• Undertaking pre-completion searches
• Completing purchase
• Dealing with payment of Land Tax/Stamp Duty
• Dealing with application for registration at Land Registry
• Reporting to you at the conclusion of the matter and, where relevant, the mortgage lender

Sale of a Residential Property

Our fees cover all of the work required to complete the sale of your property.

The legal fees set out below are based upon matters proceeding in a normal manner.  However, should any greater time have to be spent than is usual then this may be subject to additional charges relative to the extra time spent and any further disbursements incurred – should this occur then we shall notify you.  If the matter does not proceed for any reason then a proportionate charge will be payable depending upon the work already undertaken.

Legal Fees

The legal fees are dependent upon the sale price for the property and reflect the sale price.  The legal fees are as follows:

Sale price between £0 and £150,000   -     £715.00 plus VAT of £142.40, total of £857.40
Sale price between £150,001 and £200,000   -     £770.00 plus VAT of £154.00, total of £924.00
Sale price between £200,001 and £250,000   -     £825.00 plus VAT of £165.00, total of £990.00
Sale price between £250,001 and £300,000   -    £880.00 plus VAT of £176.00, total of  £1,056.00
Sale price between £300,001 and £350,000   -     £935.00 plus VAT of £187.00, total of £1,122.00
Sale price between £350,001 and £400,000   -     £990.00 plus VAT of £198.00, total of £1,188.00
Sale price between £400,001 and £450,000   -     £1,045.00 plus VAT of £209.00, total of £1,254.00
Sale price between £450,001 and £500,000   -     £1,100.00 plus VAT of £220.00, total of £1,320.00
Sale price between £500,001 and £600,000   -     £1,155.00 plus VAT of £231.00, total of £1,386.00
Sale price between £600,001 and £700,000   -     £1,265.00 plus VAT of £253.00, total of £1,518.00
Sale price between £700,001 and £800,000   -     £1,375.00 plus VAT of £275.00, total of £1,650.00
Sale price between £800,001 and £900,000   -     £1,485.00 plus VAT of £297.00, total of £1,782.00
Sale price between £900,001 and £1,000,000 -   £1,595.00 plus VAT of £319.00, total of £1,914.00

Transactions Attracting Additional Fees

Some matters are more complex and so attract an additional fee.  Such matters are as follows:

Unregistered Property – £80 plus vat of £16, total £96
Leasehold Property - £150.00 plus VAT of £30.00, total of £180.00
New Build - £200.00 plus VAT of £40.00, total of £240.00
Freehold Property subject to a service charge - £80 plus vat of £16, total £96
Preparation of Statutory Declaration - £50 plus vat of £10, total £60

AML Search fees – £20 per person
Proof of Source of Funds - £15 per person

Fee for Transferring Monies
As part of the transaction we may need to transfer monies, for example, to complete a purchase.
Electronic money transfer fee - £16.00 per transfer

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs relating to your matter which are payable to third parties, for example obtaining proof of your ownership of the property and proof of Title from the Land Registry.  In the course of an ordinary sale the disbursements are likely to be as follows:

Fee for obtaining information from the Land Registry – a fee of £3.00 is payable for obtaining a copy of the Land Registry Entries together with an additional fee of £3.00 for obtaining a copy of the Land Registry Title Plan.  It may also be necessary to obtain additional documents from the Land Registry and the fee is usually £3.00 per additional document required. 

Indemnity Policies – it is often the case that an indemnity police needs to be supplied upon selling a property, for example owing to the lack of a Building Regulations Certificate.  The nature and cost of any indemnity policy required will vary according to the sale price, the nature of the policy obtained and the particular circumstances of the transaction. 

Management Packs – a fee may be payable for obtaining a Management Pack where the property to be sold is subject to a ground rent and/or service charge. The fee will vary from company to company but is usually in the region of £100 – 300.

Likely Timescale

This depends on a number of factors.  The average transaction takes between 6 to 12 weeks from our sending out the pre-contract documentation to the date of completion.

It can be quicker, or slower, depending on the parties in the chain and their particular circumstances. 

Stages of the Process

The precise stages involved in the sale of a residential property vary according to the circumstances.  Please see below some key stages that usually apply:

• Taking your instructions and giving you initial advice
• Obtaining proof of your identification and information relating to any mortgage that you may have in relation to the property
• Obtaining and checking proof of your ownership of the property
• Preparing and issuing the draft contract
• Arranging for you to complete forms that form part of the pre-contract documentation
• Dealing with any enquiries raised by the purchaser’s solicitors, usually in consultation with you
• Obtaining your signature to the final contract
• Agreeing the completion date (date on which you sell the property), exchanging contracts and notifying you that this has happened
• Obtaining a redemption statement from your mortgage lender and an invoice from an estate agent if applicable
• Approving Transfer and replying to pre-completion enquiries
• Completing purchase
• Redeeming any mortgage secured upon the property utilising the sale proceeds and paying the estate agent’s fees
• Providing the purchaser’s solicitors with the Transfer and any other documents as relevant  

Legal Costs

We can help you through this difficult process by obtaining the Grant of Probate on your behalf. We will also undertake the collecting and distributing of assets.
The costs estimate in applying for the Grant, collecting and distributing the assets is from £500.00 plus vat at 20% of £100.00 total £600.00 to £7,500 plus vat at 20% of £1,500 total £9,000.00.
The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter.  For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property, costs will be at the lower end of the range.  If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and multiple bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end.
We will handle the full process for you.  This quote is for estates where:

• There is a valid will
• There is no more than one property
• There are no more than 3 banks or building societies holding accounts or investments
• There are no other intangible assets
• There are no more than 4 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
• All the assets are held within the UK

The costs estimate covers:

• Providing you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor to work on your matter
• Identifying the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
• Accurately identifying the type of Probate application you will require
• Obtaining the relevant documents/information required to make the application
• Completing the Probate Application and the relevant HMRC forms
• Drafting a legal oath for you to swear
• Making the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
• Obtaining the Probate and sending copies to you
• Collecting and distributing all assets in the estate

Potential additional costs

• If there is no will or the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds) there is likely to be additional costs that could range significantly depending in the estate and how it is to be dealt with.  We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information
• Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included
• Depending on the full circumstances of the matter we may also charge a value element of 0.5 – 1% of the gross estate

Disbursements
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.
Disbursements typically include the following:

• Probate application fee of £300.00 and fee for official copies of the Probate once issued £1.50 per copy
• £7.00 swearing of the Oath (per executor)
• Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£2.00 per beneficiary)
• Fee for posting a Trustee Act Notice in the London Gazette – protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors – approximately £100
• Fee for posting a Trustee Act Notice in a local newspaper – this also help to protect against unexpected claims – approximately £100
• Fee for valuation of property and/or investments

Please note that Inheritance Tax may be payable depending in the nature and value of the estate. Guidance is available on the HMRC website.

Likely timescale
On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 5 -10 months.  Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 2 – 3 months or 4 – 6 months where Inheritance Tax forms need to be completed.  Collecting assets then follows, which can take an additional 2 months.  Once this has been done, we can prepare the estate accounts and once these have been authorised we can distribute the assets; these steps normally take an additional 1 – 2 months.

Legal Costs

We charge a fixed fee of £450 plus vat of £90, total of £540, for dealing with a guilty plea to a summary only motoring offence under Part I of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and s89 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (e.g. a Drink driving offence)

This fee includes:

• 2 hours attendance/preparation
  
• Considering evidence
  
• Taking your instructions
  
• Providing advice on likely sentence
  
• Attendance and representation at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court

The fee does not include:

• Instruction to any expert witnesses
  
• Taking statements from any witnesses
  
• Advice and assistance in relation to a special reasons hearing or an exceptional hardship argument
• Advice or assistance in relation to any appeal

Key Stages

The key stagesof your matter are based on the presumption that you have entered a guilty plea and have a date set for your hearing. The key stages are likely to be as follows:

• Meeting with the solicitor to provide instructions on what happened
  
• We will consider initial disclosure, and any other evidence and provide advice
  
• Arranging to take any witness statements if necessary - this will have an additional cost of £100 plus vat, total £120
  
• We will explain the court procedure to you so you know what to expect on the day of your hearing, and the sentencing options available to the court.
  
• We will conduct any further preparatory work, obtain further instructions from you if necessary and answer any follow up queries you have.
  
• We cannot provide a timescale of when your hearing will take place, as this depends on the court listing for that day.
  
• We will attend court on the day and meet with you before going before the court. We anticipate being at court for half a day.
  
• We will discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.

Applications & Variations

Our estimated fees (excluding VAT)

New Licence Application - £800 -1200.00
Personal Licence Application - £200 - 300.00
Application for TEN - £150.00
Variation - £600.00 - £2000.00 *
Transfer of Licence - £150 - 250.00
Review and advise on Current Licence £ 300.00 – 500.00

*The cost for a Variation depends on the complexity of the case, depending on the type of variation sought, together with other factors such as potential objections, Local Authority policies and the type of premises.

The fees payable to the Local Authority depend on the rateable value of the premises

Band	A	B	C	D	E
Non-domestic rateable value	£0 - £4,300	£4,301 - £33,000	£33,001 - £87,000	£87,001 - £125,000	£125,001 and over
Fee	£100	£190	£315	£450	£635

Some premises have no rateable value so are calculated as – a Greenfield site – Band A or a Construction site with construction commenced – Band C

A Multiplier is used for Band D and E premises – Band D x 2, Band E x 3

Annual Fees for Premises and Club Premises Licences

Band	A	B	C	D	E
Fee	£70	£180	£295	£320	£350

Again, a Multiplier is used for Band D and E premises

Other Fees

TENS - £21.00
Grant/Renewal of Personal Licence - £37.00
Loss of Premises Licence - £10.50
Provisional Statement - £315.00
Change of name (or details) of Premises Licence Holder) - £10.50
Variation of Designated Premises Supervisor - £23.00
Transfer of Premises Licence - £23.00
Interim Authority - £23.00
Change of Name (or of Club Rules) - £10.50
Change of Registered Address of Club - £10.50
Fee for enquiry agent to display notices - £100.00
Special Delivery fee to serve application - £15.00

For new Premises Licence applications there is an additional fee to advertise the application in a local newspaper of approximately £200

For new Personal Licence applications there is also a fee for the DBS check

* These fees vary depending on the individual premises and where it is located. The fees can on occasion be higher than the ranges given above. We will give you an accurate figure for each item as soon as we are able to do so.

Our Fees include:

• Taking your instructions and advising you as to how you can promote the licensing objectives within your application
  
• Advising you as to the type of plans you are required to submit with your application
  
• Completing the application form for a new premises licence (including the operating schedule) in accordance with your instructions and submitting this to the local licensing authority alongside suitable plans. You must provide suitable plans.
  
• Provide guidance on the fee levels payable to the licensing authority
  
• Preparing copies of the premises licence application on the responsible authorities
  
• Drafting the notices advertising the premises licensing application and submitting the notice to the local newspaper
  
• Arranging with you for you to display the notices/s advertising the premises licence application and advising as to where and how this should be done by you in order to comply with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003
  
• Providing a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) consent form for signature by a personal licence holder proposed by yourself
  
• Checking the licence once granted and correcting any errors with the licensing authority.
  

The fee does not include:

• Obtaining suitable plans
  
• Attending pre-consultation meetings with the Licensing Authority or Responsible Authorities, nor their fee for this meeting
  
• Dealing with or advising you in relation to queries or representations received from either the responsible authorities or other interested parties
  
• Advising on varying the licence
  
• Attendance and representation at a licensing sub-committee hearing of the responsible authority. If representations are received and attendance and representation at licensing sub-committee is required then we will provide a separate fee estimate for this work which will be charged at an hourly rate

How long will my application take?

Matters usually take eight weeks from receipt of full instructions from you depending on the type of application. This is on the basis of the application being relatively straightforward and you being able to provide all the necessary documents promptly. If your matter is more complex, for example, if there is substantial opposition from interested parties, or if there is a delay in receiving the documents we need, it may take longer.

Range of Fees
The costs for recovering a debt owed to you will vary depending on the type of debt and the amount owed. Some matters can be quite straight forward where we write letters requesting that the amount owed is paid, the amount is not disputed and that amount is received. Other matters involve issuing a claim with the Court and, depending on the amount claimed, may involve payment of Court fees, increased legal costs and, in more complex matters, Expert Reports and Counsel involvement.

Claims not involving Court
The costs set out below apply where your claim is in relation to an unpaid invoice which is not disputed and enforcement action is not needed. If the other party disputes your claim at any point we will discuss any further work required and provide you with revised advice about costs if necessary, which could be on a fixed fee, e.g. if a one-off letter is required, or an hourly rate if more extensive work is needed.

Debt Value	Our Fee	VAT	Total
Up to £5,000	£300.00	£60.00	£360.00
£5,001 - £10,000	£500.00	£100.00	£600.00
£10,001 - £50,000	£750.00	£150.00	£900.00

Our fee includes:

• Taking your instructions and reviewing documentation
  
• Undertaking appropriate searches
  
• Sending a letter before action
  
• Receiving payment and sending on to you

Matters usually take six to ten weeks from receipt of instructions from you to receipt of payment from the other side. This is on the basis that the other side pays promptly. If Court and/or enforcement action is needed, the matter will take longer to resolve.

If the debt is not paid then we suggest an appointment to “Take Stock”. This involves discussing with you the merits of your case and the potential costs if the other side defends the claim (and potentially makes a Counter-Claim) and the matter proceeds to Trial. The cost of this appointment is £100 plus VAT.

Claims that proceed to Court
The fees that are charged by the Court for dealing with your claim are set out below:

Debt Value	Court Issue fee	Court Hearing Fee
Up to £5,000	£205.00	Between £25 - £355
£5,001 - £10,000	£455.00	£545 - £1090
£10,001 - £50,000	5% value of the claim	£545 -£1090

If the matter proceeds through the Court then this will involve more extensive work and the legal costs will be charged at an hourly rate. The hourly rate charged will depend on the experience of the solicitor. The total cost will depend on how long the matter takes to resolve and whether or not the matter proceeds to a final defended hearing.

Hourly Rates

£180 - £250 per hour plus VAT

Anyone wishing to proceed with a claim should note that:

• In the Small Claims Court (which mainly deals with claims up to £10,000) you cannot reclaim your legal costs from the Debtor apart from a small fixed amount
  
• Interest is added to the initial debt pursuant to Section 69 of the County Court Act 1984 at the rate of 8% per annum or alternatively the interest rate set out in your Terms of Business.
  
• The costs quoted above are not for matters where enforcement action, such as the bailiff, is needed to collect your debt
  
• The VAT element of our fee cannot be reclaimed from your debtor
  
• Interest and compensation may take the debt into a higher banding, with a higher cost

Typically, where the matter proceeds through the Court the following steps would need to be taken:

• Taking your instructions and reviewing documentation
  
• Undertaking appropriate searches
  
• Sending a final letter before action
  
• Drafting and issuing claim
  
• Where no Acknowledgement of Service or Defence is received, applying to the court to enter Judgement in default
  
• When Judgement in default is received, write to the other side to request payment
  
• If the claim is defended, dealing with the Court and the debtor’s solicitor as the claim progresses through the Court system

Matters can take up to a year to resolve from receipt of instructions from you to resolution of the matter, depending on the size of the claim and whether the matter proceeds to a final contested Court hearing. If enforcement action is needed, the matter will take longer to resolve.

Unfortunately we do not currently offer representation at Employment Tribunals although we do offer advice and representation in relation to Settlement Agreements.

Unfortunately we do not currently offer advice or assistance in relation to this area of law.