Fees and the first meeting
What happens before we start, what it costs, and what you get in writing. Prices exclude VAT at 20%.
Before the first call: the conflict check
Before the first call: the conflict check
We cannot act for you if we already act for the other side. When you book, we ask for the name of the person or company your matter is about and check it against our records, usually the same working day. Please do not send us confidential details until we have confirmed we can act.
We cannot act for you if we already act for the other side. When you book, we ask for the name of the person or company your matter is about and check it against our records, usually the same working day. Please do not send us confidential details until we have confirmed we can act.
The first call
The first call
Twenty minutes, free, with the solicitor who would run your matter, by phone, by video or at our office. You tell us what has happened. We tell you whether we can help, what the first step would be, who would do it and what it would cost. There is no obligation to instruct us.
Twenty minutes, free, with the solicitor who would run your matter, by phone, by video or at our office. You tell us what has happened. We tell you whether we can help, what the first step would be, who would do it and what it would cost. There is no obligation to instruct us.
The engagement letter
The engagement letter
If you decide to go ahead, you receive an engagement letter within two working days. It sets out:
If you decide to go ahead, you receive an engagement letter within two working days. It sets out:
who is on your matter, and their charging rates;
who is on your matter, and their charging rates;
what we will do, and what is not included;
what we will do, and what is not included;
the fixed fee, or our estimate and how we will tell you if it changes;
the fixed fee, or our estimate and how we will tell you if it changes;
expenses we expect to pay on your behalf, such as court fees;
expenses we expect to pay on your behalf, such as court fees;
how and when we invoice;
how and when we invoice;
how to raise a concern or complaint.
how to raise a concern or complaint.
We also check your identity and, for a company, who owns and controls it, as the money laundering regulations require. We start work when you have signed and returned the letter.
We also check your identity and, for a company, who owns and controls it, as the money laundering regulations require. We start work when you have signed and returned the letter.
Fixed fees or hourly rates
Fixed fees or hourly rates
A fixed fee is agreed before we start and does not change unless the work changes. If it does change, we tell you in writing before doing the extra work, with the new fee. Hourly work is charged in six-minute units at the rates below, with an estimate for each stage. You receive an update when we reach 75% of an estimate.
A fixed fee is agreed before we start and does not change unless the work changes. If it does change, we tell you in writing before doing the extra work, with the new fee. Hourly work is charged in six-minute units at the rates below, with an estimate for each stage. You receive an update when we reach 75% of an estimate.
Partner
Partner
Per hour
£295
£295
£295
Solicitor
Solicitor
Per hour
£220
£220
£220
Trainee solicitor
Trainee solicitor
Per hour
£120
£120
£120
Published prices
Published prices
Contract review, up to 20 pages
Contract review, up to 20 pages
Commercial contracts. Review and negotiation from £1,500, fixed, quoted after the first call.
from £650
from £650
from £650
Lease review for a tenant
Lease review for a tenant
Property. Unopposed lease renewal through to completion from £2,400.
from £950
from £950
from £950
Settlement agreement, employer side
Settlement agreement, employer side
Employment. For a standard agreement.
from £750
from £750
from £750
Employment tribunal: defending a claim for unfair or wrongful dismissal
Employment tribunal: defending a claim for unfair or wrongful dismissal
Fixed fees by stage:
Fixed fees by stage:
Stage 1
Stage 1
Response to the claim and advice on merits and value.
£2,400
£2,400
£2,400
Stage 2
Stage 2
Disclosure, witness statements and preparation for the hearing.
£4,800
£4,800
£4,800
Stage 3
Stage 3
A final hearing of up to three days, plus a barrister’s fee if one is used, quoted before you decide.
£3,600
£3,600
£3,600
Most claims settle before stage 3. Timescales depend on the tribunal: from claim to hearing is often between six months and a year.
Most claims settle before stage 3. Timescales depend on the tribunal: from claim to hearing is often between six months and a year.
Debt recovery from businesses, claims up to £100,000
Debt recovery from businesses, claims up to £100,000
Letter before claim
Letter before claim
Fixed.
£180
£180
£180
Issuing a claim to judgment, if undefended
Issuing a claim to judgment, if undefended
Fixed, plus the court fee.
£650
£650
£650
Defended claims
Defended claims
With an estimate for each stage.
Hourly
Hourly
Hourly
Expenses we pay on your behalf, such as court fees, Land Registry fees and searches, are passed on at cost and listed in your engagement letter.
Expenses we pay on your behalf, such as court fees, Land Registry fees and searches, are passed on at cost and listed in your engagement letter.
Invoices and payment
Invoices and payment
Fixed fees are invoiced at the end of each stage. Hourly work is invoiced monthly. Invoices are payable within 14 days.
Fixed fees are invoiced at the end of each stage. Hourly work is invoiced monthly. Invoices are payable within 14 days.