Pricing & Fees
Clear, transparent guidance on our fees — fixed fees where we can, honest hourly-rate estimates where we can't, across every service we offer.
At Diligent Law Solicitors, we believe in clear and transparent pricing. We understand that legal costs can be a concern, which is why we aim to provide straightforward information about our fees wherever possible. Some matters can be dealt with on a fixed-fee basis, while others require an estimate based on the likely time, complexity and work involved.
The prices below are intended to give you a helpful guide to our likely fees. If your matter is unusual, urgent, complex, high value, document-heavy or time-sensitive, we will discuss this with you before any further costs are incurred.
Unless stated otherwise, all fees exclude VAT and disbursements (third party costs) such as court fees, Land Registry application fees, HMRC fees, search fees, medical or expert report fees, statutory notice fees and barrister’s fees.
How We Charge
We charge for our services in two ways: either by a fixed fee or by an hourly rate.
For fixed-fee work, we will agree a fixed price with you before we begin work on your matter.
For hourly-rate work, we will provide you with an estimate of our charges. Our estimates are given in good faith, but they are estimates only and are not fixed or binding unless we expressly agree otherwise in writing.
For hourly-rate matters, our charges are based on the time our Team spends working on your matter. This may include meetings, telephone calls, letters, emails, reviewing documents, preparing documents, considering correspondence, research, travel, waiting time, attending hearings, and dealing with agents or third parties on your behalf.
We charge hourly rates based on the level of seniority and experience of the fee earner completing work on your file. Time is recorded and charged in 6 minute units, e.g. 12 minutes would be 2 units (0.2 hours) and 60 minutes would be 10 units (1.0 hour).
Hourly Rates
| Fee Earner Level | Experience | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Rate A Fee Earner | Solicitors, legal executives and other fee earners with over 8 years of legal experience | £325 plus VAT |
| Rate B Fee Earner | Solicitors, legal executives and other fee earners with 4 to 8 years of legal experience | £275 plus VAT |
| Rate C Fee Earner | Solicitors, legal executives and other fee earners with up to 4 years of legal experience | £220 plus VAT |
| Rate D Fee Earner | Trainee Solicitors, legal assistants and other junior fee earners | £155 plus VAT |
Our usual hourly rate range is £155 to £325 plus VAT.
In exceptional circumstances, a higher hourly rate may apply where a matter is particularly high value or complex. For example, this may apply to a bespoke Land Registry application involving a property worth more than £1 million and owned by an overseas trust, or Estate Planning and Inheritance Tax mitigation for an estate worth £10 million. If this applies, we will discuss and agree the rate with you before work begins.
Important Information About Our Fees
Unless stated otherwise:
- All fees are exclusive of VAT.
- Disbursements are not included.
- Disbursements may include court fees, Land Registry application fees, HMRC fees, medical report fees, search fees, statutory notice fees, barrister’s fees, expert fees or other third-party costs.
- Fixed fees apply only where the work falls within the agreed scope.
- Estimated fees are based on the likely time required to complete the work.
- Complex, urgent, high-value or document-heavy matters may require a bespoke quote.
- If additional work is required, we will explain this to you and provide a further estimate or quote where appropriate.
Who Will Carry Out the Work?
Work is carried out by our Team, including Solicitors, Trainee Solicitors, Legal Assistants and other fee earners, under the supervision of Sean Burton, Managing Director.
The Fee Earner working on your matter will depend on the nature, complexity and urgency of the work required.
Additional Charges
We may charge additional administration costs in certain circumstances, including:
- £10 if you send us documents with insufficient postage and Royal Mail applies a surcharge;
- charges for special delivery or tracked post;
- £35 for CHAPS payments, declined cheques or bank transfers, or special clearance of cheques;
- a charge if you ask us to retrieve a file from storage.
We are required to prepare and retain notes of telephone calls and meetings. Where we give advice or receive instructions, it may also be prudent for us to confirm the position in writing. This helps reduce misunderstandings and assists colleagues in dealing with your matter if your usual File Handler is unavailable. Time spent preparing notes and written confirmations will be charged to your file unless included within an agreed fixed fee.
If we give you advice that you do not understand, or if anything is unclear, please let us know straightaway and we will clarify matters for you.
If we ask you for information, please respond promptly to avoid unnecessary additional costs, such as time spent chasing information or getting back up to speed if your file has been dormant.
For limited companies, we may require a director and/or controlling shareholder to sign a Personal Guarantee in respect of our costs. If such a request is refused, we may stop acting and our costs will become immediately payable.
We review our rates for implementation on 1 January each year and will give you at least 5 business days’ notice of any increase.
Services We Do Not Currently Offer
We only offer the services listed on our website.
We do not currently offer Employment Tribunal representation. Our employment-related services are limited to the services listed on our website, including Settlement Agreements, employment contracts, HR policies and procedures, and employment-related advice where appropriate.
We do not provide a full residential conveyancing sale or purchase service. Our Property Law services focus on specific property-related legal advice and applications, including Transfers of Equity, Assents, Declarations of Trust, Legal Charges, Land Registry applications and related advice.
We do not currently offer Immigration Law services.
Initial Advice Appointments
Our Initial Advice Appointments are designed to provide clear, practical and useful advice at the outset of a matter. They are intended to help you discuss the background, understand your options and consider strategy before deciding whether to proceed further.
Initial Advice Appointments are not available for the duration of an ongoing case. If you ask us to carry out further work after the appointment, we will need to open a formal legal retainer.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Initial Advice Appointment without document review | £220 to £325 per hour plus VAT |
| Initial Advice Appointment with document review | Bespoke quote after receiving the documents |
| Written advice following an Initial Advice Appointment | £220 to £325 per hour plus VAT |
Initial Advice Appointments involving document review are charged at the same hourly rate range of £220 to £325 plus VAT, depending on the Fee Earner completing the work. If the documents are voluminous, we may require you to sign a legal retainer before we begin reviewing your documents.
Disability Support Services
Our Disability Support Services are charged at the hourly rates shown above. The time required will depend on the benefit, the complexity of the application, the supporting evidence available and whether the matter involves a challenge or appeal.
| Service | Likely Time | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Benefit application | 3 to 6 hours | £660 to £1,320 plus VAT |
| Mandatory Reconsideration | A further 3 to 6 hours | A further £660 to £1,320 plus VAT |
| Appeal | A further 10 to 20 hours | A further £2,200 to £4,400 plus VAT |
These estimates apply to the following Applications:
- Attendance Allowance
- Blue Badge applications
- Universal Credit
- Disability Living Allowance for Children
- Personal Independence Payment
- New Style Employment and Support Allowance
- Access to Work
If your matter is urgent, complex, evidence-heavy or already at appeal stage, we may need to provide a bespoke quote.
Wills, Letters of Wishes and Related Services
Wills
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single Will — standard complexity | £450 plus VAT |
| Single Will — medium complexity, including one trust | £650 plus VAT |
| Single Will — high complexity | Bespoke quote |
| Mirror Wills — standard complexity | £750 plus VAT |
| Mirror Wills — medium complexity, including one trust | £900 plus VAT |
| Mirror Wills — high complexity | Bespoke quote |
Business Wills
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Business Will — standard complexity | £750 plus VAT |
| Business Will — medium complexity | £1,095 plus VAT |
| Business Will — high complexity | Bespoke quote |
Letters of Wishes
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single Letter of Wishes — standard complexity | £225 plus VAT |
| Single Letter of Wishes — medium complexity | £330 plus VAT |
| Single Letter of Wishes — high complexity | Bespoke quote |
| Mirror Letters of Wishes — standard complexity | £300 plus VAT |
| Mirror Letters of Wishes — medium complexity | £440 plus VAT |
| Mirror Letters of Wishes — high complexity | Bespoke quote |
Amendments to Wills and Letters of Wishes
| Service | Hourly Rate / Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard complexity amendments | £155 plus VAT per hour |
| Medium complexity amendments | £220 plus VAT per hour |
| High complexity amendments | £325 plus VAT per hour and bespoke quote required |
| Single Will amendment — standard complexity | £310 to £465 plus VAT |
| Single Will and Letter of Wishes amendment — standard complexity | £465 to £620 plus VAT |
| Mirror Wills amendment — standard complexity | £465 to £620 plus VAT |
| Mirror Wills and Letters of Wishes amendment — standard complexity | £620 to £775 plus VAT |
| Single Will amendment — medium complexity | £465 to £620 plus VAT |
| Single Will and Letter of Wishes amendment — medium complexity | £620 to £930 plus VAT |
| Mirror Wills amendment — medium complexity | £620 to £775 plus VAT |
| Mirror Wills and Letters of Wishes amendment — medium complexity | £775 to £1,085 plus VAT |
| High complexity Will, Letter of Wishes or amendment | Bespoke quote |
Additional Will Services
| Service | Our Fee | Disbursement |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of Will or Letter of Wishes | £20 plus VAT per copy | Not applicable |
| Will registration | £25 plus VAT per registration | Not applicable |
| Will Register Search | £220 plus VAT | £65 |
| Combined Will Register Search | £220 plus VAT | £140 |
| London Gazette Statutory Notice | £220 plus VAT | £125 |
| Local Newspaper Statutory Notice | £220 plus VAT | £300 |
| Witnessing up to 8 documents | £325 plus VAT | Not applicable |
Lasting Powers of Attorney
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single Lasting Power of Attorney — either Health & Welfare or Property & Financial Affairs | £450 plus VAT |
| Single client — both Health & Welfare and Property & Financial Affairs Lasting Powers of Attorney | £750 plus VAT |
| Mirror Lasting Powers of Attorney — Health & Welfare or Property & Financial Affairs | £750 plus VAT |
| Mirror Lasting Powers of Attorney — Health & Welfare and Property & Financial Affairs | £1,150 plus VAT |
Commercial Lasting Powers of Attorney
Commercial Lasting Powers of Attorney are for Property & Financial Affairs only.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Commercial Lasting Power of Attorney — standard complexity | £750 plus VAT |
| Commercial Lasting Power of Attorney — medium complexity | £1,095 plus VAT |
| Commercial Lasting Power of Attorney — high complexity | Bespoke quote |
Estate Planning, Inheritance Tax Planning and Trusts
Estate Planning and Inheritance Tax Planning
Estate Planning and Inheritance Tax Planning & Mitigation are usually quoted based on the complexity of your circumstances.
| Service | Initial Estimate |
|---|---|
| Estate Planning | £1,000 to £3,000 plus VAT |
| Inheritance Tax Planning & Mitigation | £1,000 to £3,000 plus VAT |
More complex matters may require input from other professionals, such as accountants, financial advisers or tax advisers. Their fees are separate and will not be included in our estimate unless expressly stated.
Trusts
| Service | Likely Time | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime Trust / Vulnerable Person’s Trust / Disabled Person’s Trust | 5 to 10 hours | £1,625 to £3,250 plus VAT |
| Charitable Trust | 10 to 20 hours | £3,250 to £6,500 plus VAT |
| Trust Deed | Not applicable | £975 to £1,950 plus VAT |
| Deed of Appointment | Not applicable | £975 to £1,950 plus VAT |
| Deed of Variation | Not applicable | £975 to £1,950 plus VAT |
| Deed of Assignment | Not applicable | £975 to £1,950 plus VAT |
| Deed of Advancement | Not applicable | £975 to £1,950 plus VAT |
| Deed of Retirement and/or Appointment of Trustees | Not applicable | £975 to £1,950 plus VAT |
Complex trust drafting and arrangements may require a bespoke quote.
Professional Executor, Attorney or Deputy Services
Where we are appointed as Professional Executor, Professional Attorney or Professional Deputy, our fees will be charged on a time-spent basis in accordance with the hourly rates shown above. Estate administration fees will apply where we are acting in the administration of an estate.
Ongoing Legal Advice & Support
Our ongoing Legal Advice & Support Service is charged on a time-spent basis in accordance with the hourly rates shown above. We will agree the scope of support with you before work begins.
Deputyship and Court of Protection
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Deputyship application — forms only, per application | £975 to £1,950 plus VAT |
| Deputyship trustee appointment — forms only, per application | £975 to £1,950 plus VAT |
| Deputyship — whole process, standard complexity | £3,250 to £6,500 plus VAT |
| Deputyship — whole process, medium complexity | £6,500 to £13,000 plus VAT |
| Deputyship — high complexity | Bespoke quote |
Court fees, medical assessment fees and other third-party costs are payable separately.
Probate and Estate Administration
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Probate — Grant only, no Inheritance Tax | £975 to £1,300 plus VAT |
| Probate — Grant only, liable to Inheritance Tax | £1,300 to £2,600 plus VAT |
| Probate — standard complexity | £4,000 to £9,000 plus VAT |
| Probate — medium complexity | £9,000 to £13,000 plus VAT |
| Probate — high complexity | Bespoke quote |
| Probate — no Grant required | £1,000 to £3,000 plus VAT |
Probate fees depend on the complexity of the estate, the number and type of assets, whether Inheritance Tax is payable, the number of beneficiaries, whether there are disputes or missing information, and the level of support required from our Team.
Grant-Only Probate Service
Grant-Only Probate Service — what's included, key stages & timescales
Our Grant-only probate service is designed for clients who need help applying for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, but who do not require us to administer the full estate.
What Is Included
Our Grant-only probate service usually includes:
- taking your initial instructions;
- liaising with you for details of the estate assets and liabilities;
- preparing the probate application;
- preparing the relevant Inheritance Tax forms, where required for the application;
- lodging the probate application;
- dealing with routine correspondence from the Probate Registry about the application.
Important Limitation
For Grant-only applications, we rely on the information and figures provided to us by the client.
We do not verify the information, asset values or liability figures provided unless we are specifically instructed to do so. If you ask us to verify information, obtain valuations, investigate assets or liaise with third parties, this will increase the costs and we will discuss this with you before carrying out the additional work.
What Is Not Included
Unless expressly agreed, our Grant-only service does not include:
- collecting in estate assets;
- paying estate liabilities;
- administering the estate;
- preparing full estate accounts;
- distributing the estate;
- resolving disputes between executors, administrators or beneficiaries;
- tracing missing beneficiaries;
- dealing with foreign assets;
- dealing with business assets;
- dealing with complex trusts;
- tax planning;
- preparing Deeds of Variation;
- selling or transferring property;
- verifying asset values or liability figures;
- dealing with contested probate or inheritance disputes.
Key Stages
The key stages of a Grant-only matter are usually:
- taking your instructions;
- gathering estate information from you;
- preparing the probate application and any required tax forms;
- sending the application to you for review and approval;
- lodging the probate application;
- dealing with routine Probate Registry queries;
- receiving the Grant and sending it to you.
Typical Timescale
A Grant-only probate matter usually takes 3 to 6 months. This is a realistic estimate and depends on factors such as how quickly information is provided, whether Inheritance Tax forms are required, Probate Registry timescales and whether any queries are raised.
Full Estate Administration
Full Estate Administration — what's included, key stages & timescales
Full estate administration is more detailed than a Grant-only application and involves assisting with the administration of the estate after the Grant has been obtained.
What Is Included
Depending on the scope agreed with you, full estate administration may include:
- taking instructions from the executors or administrators;
- reviewing the Will or intestacy position;
- identifying estate assets and liabilities;
- corresponding with banks, financial institutions and other organisations;
- obtaining date of death balances and other relevant information;
- preparing the probate application and Inheritance Tax forms;
- applying for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration;
- collecting in estate assets;
- paying estate liabilities;
- preparing estate accounts;
- corresponding with beneficiaries;
- distributing the estate.
What Is Not Included
Unless expressly agreed, full estate administration does not include:
- contested probate disputes;
- claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975;
- disputes between executors, administrators or beneficiaries;
- complex trust advice;
- foreign assets;
- business sales or restructuring;
- property conveyancing;
- tax planning beyond the agreed estate administration work;
- preparing Deeds of Variation;
- litigation;
- advice from third-party professionals.
Key Stages
The key stages of full estate administration are usually:
- taking instructions and reviewing the Will or intestacy position;
- identifying assets, liabilities and beneficiaries;
- preparing the probate and tax paperwork;
- applying for the Grant;
- collecting in assets;
- paying liabilities and expenses;
- preparing estate accounts;
- distributing the estate.
Typical Timescale
Full estate administration usually takes 12 to 24 months. The timescale will depend on the complexity of the estate, the number and type of assets, whether Inheritance Tax is payable, whether property is involved, whether beneficiaries respond promptly and whether any disputes or unexpected issues arise.
Probate Disbursements
Disbursements are third-party costs payable in addition to our fees. They may include:
| Disbursement | Likely Cost |
|---|---|
| Probate Registry application fee | £526 where the estate is over £5,000 |
| Extra official copies of the Grant | £16 per copy |
| Land Registry title documents | Usually a small fee per title document |
| Bankruptcy searches | Usually a small fee per beneficiary |
| London Gazette Statutory Notice | See Additional Will Services section |
| Local Newspaper Statutory Notice | See Additional Will Services section |
| Valuation fees | Depends on the asset and valuer |
| Inheritance Tax | Payable separately where due |
The exact disbursements will depend on the estate and the work required.
Property Services
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Declaration of Trust | £975 to £1,950 plus VAT |
| Property Transfer | £975 to £1,950 plus VAT |
| Assent | £975 to £1,950 plus VAT |
| Transfer of Equity | £975 to £1,950 plus VAT |
| Removal of deceased joint proprietor | £310 to £465 plus VAT |
| Severance of Joint Tenancy, per severance/property | £310 plus VAT |
Trust Registrations
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Trust Registration — whole process | Usually £750 plus VAT |
If the trust is complex, taxable, historic, document-heavy or requires additional advice, we may need to provide a bespoke quote.
Legal Charges, Property Loans and Independent Legal Advice
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Legal Charge advice | £1,300 to £2,600 plus VAT |
| Bridging Loan — advice only | £1,300 to £2,600 plus VAT |
| Bridging Loan — advice and representation | £1,950 to £3,250 plus VAT |
| Equity Release — advice only | £1,300 to £2,600 plus VAT |
| Equity Release — advice and representation | £1,950 to £3,250 plus VAT |
| Loan or Mortgage — advice only | £1,300 to £2,600 plus VAT |
| Loan or Mortgage — advice and representation | £1,950 to £3,250 plus VAT |
The final cost will depend on the documents involved, the lender’s requirements, the complexity of the advice, whether negotiations are needed, and whether we are advising only or also representing you through the transaction.
Occupiers’ Consents and Waivers
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Occupier’s Consent (each) | £325 plus VAT |
Restrictions, Expired Legal Charges and Land Registry Applications
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Removal of Legal Charge from Property Title, with consent from charge holder | £310 to £465 plus VAT |
| Removal of Restriction from Property Title, with consent | £975 to £1,950 plus VAT |
| Bespoke Land Registry Application | 5 to 15 hours at £325 plus VAT per hour, usually £1,625 to £4,875 plus VAT |
| Complex Land Registry Application | Bespoke quote |
| ID1 Form — Land Registry, per client/form | £325 plus VAT |
Land Registry Application Fees are payable separately as disbursements and are usually between £20 and £145.
Business Services
Our Business Services are charged in accordance with the hourly rates shown above.
Business Documents and Agreements
| Service | Likely Time | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Director’s Contract | 3 to 6 hours | £975 to £1,950 plus VAT |
| Partnership Agreement | 3 to 6 hours | £975 to £1,950 plus VAT |
| GDPR Policy | 3 to 6 hours | £975 to £1,950 plus VAT |
| Loan Agreement | 3 to 6 hours | £975 to £1,950 plus VAT |
| Non-Disclosure Agreement | 3 to 6 hours | £975 to £1,950 plus VAT |
| Shareholder Agreement | 6 to 9 hours | £1,950 to £2,925 plus VAT |
| Franchise Agreement | 10 to 15 hours | £3,250 to £4,875 plus VAT |
If a document is particularly complex, urgent or heavily negotiated, we may need to provide a bespoke quote.
HR Policies and Procedures
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Individual HR policy or procedure | From £650 plus VAT |
| Large HR policy or procedure | Up to 8 hours at £325 plus VAT per hour, usually up to £2,600 plus VAT |
| Complex HR policies or procedures | Bespoke quote |
Business Continuity Planning
| Service | Initial Estimate |
|---|---|
| Business Continuity Planning | £1,000 to £3,000 plus VAT |
Business Finance Documents
| Service | Starting Fee |
|---|---|
| Debenture review/advice | From £975 plus VAT |
| Personal Guarantee review/advice | From £975 plus VAT |
| Legal Charge review/advice | From £975 plus VAT |
The final fee will depend on the number and complexity of documents, the number of pages to review, the lender’s requirements, whether negotiations are needed and the urgency of the matter. Voluminous business finance documents may take up to 10 to 12 hours to review, which would usually be £3,250 to £3,900 plus VAT. Complex business finance matters may require a bespoke quote.
Employment and Settlement Agreements
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Settlement Agreement — advice only, no other documents reviewed | £650 to £975 plus VAT |
| Settlement Agreement — advice and negotiations, including employment document review and figure checking | £1,000 to £3,000 plus VAT |
In many Settlement Agreement matters, the employer offers a contribution towards the employee’s legal fees. If the matter becomes more complex or requires negotiation, we will discuss any likely additional costs with you.
Dispute Resolution
Disputes vary significantly depending on the issues, evidence, value of the claim, number of parties, urgency and whether proceedings are required. Most disputes follow the same general pricing bands.
| Stage / Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Investigation stage | £1,000 to £3,000 plus VAT |
| Pre-litigation stage | A further £2,000 to £5,000 plus VAT |
| Litigated matter — Small Claims / standard complexity | A further £2,000 to £8,000 plus VAT |
| Litigated matter — Fast Track / medium complexity | A further £5,000 to £15,000 plus VAT |
| Litigated matter — Multi Track / high complexity | A further £5,000 to £25,000 plus VAT |
These pricing bands may apply to:
- contract disputes;
- property disputes;
- probate disputes;
- inheritance disputes;
- professional negligence claims;
- contentious trust, attorney, deputyship or capacity disputes;
- care fee disputes;
- commercial disputes;
- claims involving unpaid sums or disputed debts.
We will provide a costs estimate at the outset and update you as the matter progresses. Wherever possible, we will help you consider practical and cost-effective ways to resolve the dispute without unnecessary escalation.
Debt Recovery
Debt recovery work is priced in accordance with our general Dispute Resolution pricing bands.
We do not simply send standard template letters before claim. Where appropriate, we draft proper, considered and bespoke letters before claim based on the facts, documents and legal issues involved.
The cost will depend on the value of the debt, the evidence available, the complexity of the dispute, whether the debt is admitted or disputed, and whether court proceedings become necessary.
Debt Recovery — what's included, key stages, timescales & disbursements
What Is Included
Depending on the stage of the matter, our debt recovery service may include:
- taking your instructions;
- reviewing the background and documents;
- reviewing invoices, contracts, correspondence and payment history;
- advising on prospects, strategy and proportionality;
- preparing a bespoke Letter Before Claim;
- advising on any response received;
- attempting to resolve the matter without court proceedings where appropriate;
- preparing a claim if court proceedings are required;
- advising you as the matter progresses.
What Is Not Included
Unless expressly agreed, our debt recovery service does not include:
- defended court proceedings beyond the agreed stage;
- enforcement action;
- insolvency proceedings;
- tracing agents;
- process servers;
- barrister’s fees;
- expert evidence;
- mediation;
- settlement agreements;
- appeals;
- international debt recovery;
- recovery against individuals or businesses outside England and Wales.
If the debt is disputed, the matter may become more complex and additional costs are likely.
Key Stages
The key stages of a debt recovery matter are usually:
- initial review and advice;
- pre-action correspondence, including a bespoke Letter Before Claim where appropriate;
- reviewing and advising on the debtor’s response;
- issuing court proceedings if required;
- dealing with the claim, response or defence;
- settlement discussions where appropriate;
- hearing preparation and attendance if required;
- judgment;
- enforcement, if separately agreed.
Typical Timescales
The likely timescale depends on whether the debt is admitted, disputed, paid after a Letter Before Claim, or requires court proceedings. As a general guide:
| Stage | Typical Timescale |
|---|---|
| Initial review and bespoke Letter Before Claim | Usually 1 to 4 weeks |
| Pre-action response period | Usually 14 to 30 days |
| Undefended court claim | Usually 2 to 6 months |
| Defended claim | Usually 6 to 18 months or longer |
Court availability, the debtor’s response, the complexity of the dispute and whether enforcement is needed can all affect the timescale.
Debt Recovery Disbursements
Disbursements are third-party costs payable in addition to our fees. They may include:
| Disbursement | Likely Cost |
|---|---|
| Court issue fee | Depends on the claim value |
| Hearing fee | Depends on the claim value and court track |
| Application fee | Depends on the application |
| Enforcement fee | Depends on the enforcement method |
| Process server fee | Usually quoted by the process server |
| Tracing agent fee | Usually quoted by the tracing agent |
| Barrister’s fees | Usually quoted separately |
| Expert fees | Usually quoted separately |
| Company search / Land Registry search fees | Usually a small third-party fee |
For money claims, the court issue fee is based on the amount claimed, plus interest. We will confirm the likely court fee before issuing proceedings.
Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence
Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence matters are private funding only. We will provide a bespoke quote after an initial assessment.
We do not offer “No Win, No Fee” arrangements, Damages Based Agreements, Contingency Fee Agreements or Conditional Fee Agreements.
Change of Name
| Service | Fee / Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Checking service | £325 plus VAT |
| Unenrolled Deed Poll | £325 plus VAT |
| Enrolled Deed Poll — adult | £975 to £1,300 plus VAT |
| Enrolled Deed Poll — child | £1,300 to £1,625 plus VAT |
Additional third-party fees may apply, including court fees.
Certified Copies, AML/ID/Compliance Checks and Verification
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of Will / Letter of Wishes / document up to 10 pages in length | £20 plus VAT per copy |
| Certified copy of Lasting Power of Attorney / document up to 20 pages in length | £35 plus VAT per copy |
| Certified copy — large / voluminous or complex document/s | Bespoke quote |
| Personal AML/ID/Compliance Check — England & Wales | £50 plus VAT |
| Personal AML/ID/Compliance Check — international | £75 plus VAT |
| Company AML/ID/Compliance Check — England & Wales | £75 plus VAT |
Document Storage and Release
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Document storage — annual, per client | £20 plus VAT |
| Document storage — lifetime, per client | £60 plus VAT |
| Document release — original documents from storage | £75 plus VAT |
| Document release — electronic copies | £45 plus VAT |
Expedited Priority Services
Where available, we may be able to offer an expedited priority service.
| Service | Additional Fee |
|---|---|
| Single Will or Lasting Power of Attorney — within 5 business days | £155 plus VAT |
| Mirror Wills or 2 Lasting Powers of Attorney — within 5 business days | £255 plus VAT |
| Mirror Wills or 4 Lasting Powers of Attorney — within 5 business days | £325 plus VAT |
| Deeds or Transfers — within 5 business days | £325 plus VAT |
Priority services are subject to availability and may not be suitable for every matter.
SRA Transparency Information
For the areas of work where transparency information is required or helpful, we aim to provide clear information about:
- our fees;
- whether VAT applies;
- likely disbursements;
- what is included;
- what is excluded;
- key stages;
- likely timescales;
- who will carry out and supervise the work.
If your matter does not fit neatly into the examples given, or if it is urgent, complex, high value or document-heavy, we will provide a bespoke estimate or quote where appropriate.
Contact Us About Pricing
If you are unsure which fee applies, or if your matter does not fit neatly into one of the categories above, please contact a member of our Team.
We will be happy to discuss your circumstances and provide an estimate or bespoke quote where appropriate.
Ready to discuss your legal needs?
Whether you have a specific issue in mind or simply need advice, our friendly team is here to help. Get in touch, or book an Initial Advice Appointment to discuss your needs.
Book an Initial Advice Appointment