Our Fees

Services include
  • Taking instructions from you at an initial meeting.
  • Deciding the most appropriate course of action, based on your circumstances.
  • Preparing the necessary forms for IHT and the application for probate.
  • Obtaining grant of probate and copies and providing these to the executor.

Typical Costs

Our typical costs for uncontested probate matters would be circa £5,000 plus VAT at 20%. This is based on the assumptions that:

The deceased was based in England and Wales only, there are sufficient assets in the estate to meet any IHT or other liability, the matter is not contentious (there is no disputes over the validity of the Will) and the personal representatives provide us with all necessary and requested information, including valuations, promptly. 


Hourly Rates
Partner £525 plus VAT (approx.)
Solicitor or in-house Barrister £395 plus VAT (approx.)
Paralegal or Legal Trainee £255 plus VAT (approx.)

On average drafting IHT forms and submitting the application can take around 4 weeks to conclude. The application for probate is likely to take between 8 to 12 weeks, provided the probate office require no further information about the estate. The full administration of an estate can take around 6 months, depending on whether third parties are involved. The exact duration of your case may vary depending on the circumstances.

In this matter, a qualified solicitor will be assigned to the case or alternatively a trainee with supervision from a partner.


Additional Costs
  • Court fees – an updated list can be found at https://www.gov.uk/court-fees-what-they-are;
  • London Gazette advertisements – £150 plus VAT at 20% (approx.);
  • Probate fee is typically £155 with each copy being an additional £1.50. Copies attract VAT but the probate fee itself will not
  • HM Land Registry fees (typically £3 plus VAT each) , 
  • Relevant searches (such as a bankruptcy search, £2 plus VAT each) may be required.
  • Third party fees may be incurred in obtaining additional information and these will vary

We will let you know at the earliest opportunity if any of these costs are applicable.

Please note these rates apply from July 2021 and will be reviewed annually.

Services Include
  • Taking instructions from you at an initial meeting.
  • Deciding the most appropriate course of action, based on your circumstances.
  • Keeping all parties informed throughout the process.
  • Drafting initial pleadings (statement of case or defence).
  • Preparing basic schedules of loss.
  • Working ahead of hearings, producing bundles and drafting witness statements.
  • Instructing and liaising with barristers, if necessary.

Typical Costs
Advising and assisting with ACAS pre-action conciliation and/or negotiations is likely to cost between £2,000 to £3,500 plus VAT depending on the nature of the claim and number of issues raised.  The drafting of the claim form and stage up to a preliminary hearing, if required, is likely to cost between £2,000 and £4,000 plus VAT.  Work done from then on up to the final hearing is likely to cost between £3,000 and £5,000 plus VAT, which includes the collation of documents, disclosure, drafting any witness statements and finalising the hearing bundle.
Dealing with any settlement proposal is likely to cost between £750 to £1,500 plus VAT

Hourly Rates
Partner £525 plus VAT (approx.)
Solicitor or in-house Barrister £395 plus VAT (approx.)
Paralegal or Legal Trainee £255 plus VAT (approx.)

If settlement is reached at the ACAS pre-action stage, then the case is likely to conclude within 4 to 6 weeks, If the case proceeds to a final hearing, then on average these cases can take  6 months to conclude. The exact duration of your case may vary depending on the circumstances.

In this matter, a qualified solicitor will be assigned to the case or alternatively a trainee with supervision from a partner.


Additional Costs
  • Barristers’ fees for hearings can range from £500-£2500 plus VAT at 20% (approx.);
  • Other expenses as required, such as for travel or copying documents. These will attract VAT at 20%

We will let you know at the earliest opportunity if any of these costs are applicable.

Please note these rates apply from July 2021 and will be reviewed annually.

Services Included
  • Taking instructions from you at an initial meeting.
  • Deciding the most appropriate course of action, based on your circumstances.
  • Sending a letter before action to the other parties involved.
  • Making a claim to recover the debt in question.

Typical Costs

Typical costs for these matters are between £2,000 and £5,000 plus VAT but could be in excess of this dependant on:

Whether the debt is disputed or admitted, whether there is any counter-claim or claim for set-off made, nature of the debt dispute, and how responsive both parties are in responding to correspondence and documentation.

Our hourly rates are as below:

Partner £525 plus VAT (approx.)
Solicitor or in-house Barrister £395 plus VAT (approx.)
Paralegal or Legal Trainee £255 plus VAT (approx.)

On average these cases can take 8-12 weeks to conclude if the debt is not disputed and a payment plan is required. If the matter proceeds to the claim court, then drafting the claim documentation can take between 2-4 weeks. The defence will then have the opportunity to respond, and this could take a further month. Case management directions typically occur within 3 to 6 months later. The timescale for the whole matter can take between 12-18 months. If the statutory demand route is taken, and bankruptcy of the opposing party sought, then then is likely to take between 6  – 9 months, unless the matter is contested, in which case this could take between 9 -12 months. The exact duration of your case may vary depending on the circumstances.

In this matter, a qualified solicitor will be assigned to the case or alternatively a trainee with supervision from a partner.


Additional Costs
  • Third party costs such as those of counsel (which is likely to attract VAT at 20%) 
  • Court fees (which do not attract VAT) will vary based on the value of the claim, and whether the claim is brought online or on paper;
  • Other expenses to third parties where applicable
  • Travel or copy of documents.

We will let you know at the earliest opportunity if any of these costs are applicable.

Please note these rates apply from July 2021 and will be reviewed annually.

Services Include
  • Taking instructions from you at an initial meeting.
  • Deciding the most appropriate course of action, based on your circumstances.
  • Preparing the application.
  • Instructing and liaising with the surveyor, if necessary.

Typical Costs

Typical costs for these matters are between £1000 and £3,000 plus VAT but could be in excess of this.


Hourly Rates
Partner £525 plus VAT (approx.)
Solicitor or in-house Barrister £395 plus VAT (approx.)
Paralegal or Legal Trainee £255 plus VAT (approx.)

On average these cases can take 3 months to conclude. The exact duration of your case may vary depending on the circumstances and whether the authorised body raises any objections.

In this matter,  a trainee with supervision from a partner will be assigned to this case.


Additional Costs
  • Application fees. These can vary from £100 to £1,095 depending on the rateable value of the premises and whether alcohol is invovled;
  • Surveyor fees (if applicable) VAT will be charged on these fees at the rate of 20%
  • Travel or copying documents.

We will let you know at the earliest opportunity if any of these costs are applicable.

Please note these rates apply from July 2021 and will be reviewed annually.

Services Include
  • Taking instructions from you at an initial meeting.
  • Deciding the most appropriate course of action, based on your circumstances.
  • Preparing the application.
  • Instructing and liaising with the Barrister, if necessary.

Typical Costs

Our typical costs for these matters are between £1000 and £4,000 plus VAT but could be in excess of this.


Hourly Rates
Partner £525 plus VAT (approx.)
Solicitor or in-house Barrister £395 plus VAT (approx.)
Paralegal or Legal Trainee £255 plus VAT (approx.)

The timescale will vary depending on the nature of the application: applications for permanent leave to remain will take longer than visas or other applications for short stays as the volume of paperwork for the application differs greatly. For longer-stay application, we estimate that it will take between 8-12 weeks to collate and submit the paperwork, and for shorter-stay, between 4-8 weeks.  The exact duration of your case may vary depending on the circumstances and Home Office guidance (which is subject to change). Once the applications have been submitted, we would expect a response within 3- 6 months for longer-stay applications and within 1 -2 months for shorter-stay. 

In this matter, a qualified solicitor will be assigned to the case or alternatively a trainee with supervision from a partner.


Additional Costs
  • Application fees (these incur VAT) which are available to view at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table These are updated regularly.
  • Health Surcharge fees (if applicable);
  • Court fees (if applicable);
  • Barrister fees (if applicable) plus VAT @ 20%;
  • Travel (to meet the client) or copying documents. VAT will be charged in addition to these is applicable)

We will let you know at the earliest opportunity if any of these costs are applicable.

Please note these rates apply from July 2021 and will be reviewed annually.

Services Include
  • Taking instructions from you at an initial meeting.
  • Deciding the most appropriate course of action, based on your circumstances.
  • Liaising with the respective authorities.
  • Instructing and liaising with barristers, if necessary.

Typical Costs

Typical costs for these matters are between £1,500 and £5,000 plus VAT at 20%. 

Cases where liability is not in dispute (so only the issue of quantum remains) are likely to be at the lower end of the fee scale. Cases which involve both quantum and liability are likely to be at the higher end, and could exceed £5,000 plus VAT if proceeding are protracted and the case reached a final hearing.


Hourly Rates
Partner £525 plus VAT (approx.)
Solicitor or in-house Barrister £395 plus VAT (approx.)
Paralegal or Legal Trainee £255 plus VAT (approx.)

On average these cases can take 3 months to conclude if it is simply an issue of quantum. If both quantum and liability are in dispute, then initial stage (drafting the claim or defence) is likely to take 4-8 weeks if no expert medical assessment is required, but otherwise 8 weeks. A response from the opposing party is likely to take 1-2 months. Directions from the court will determine the timescale going forward, but it is estimated that the matter will take between 10-12 months to conclude. The exact duration of your case may vary depending on the circumstances.

In this matter, a qualified solicitor will be assigned to the case or alternatively a trainee with supervision from a partner.


Additional Costs
  • Barrister fees (if applicable) which will likely incur VAT;
  • Medical assessments (plus VAT) and other expert reports (such as vehicle reports, also incurs VAT)
  • Travel or copying documents (VAT will be charged where applicable)

We will let you know at the earliest opportunity if any of these costs are applicable.

Please note these rates apply from July 2021 and will be reviewed annually.


Services Included
  • Taking instructions from you at an initial meeting.
  • Deciding the most appropriate course of action, based on your circumstances.
  • Keeping all parties informed throughout the process.
  • Obtaining contract pack and raising pre-contract enquiries.
  • Reviewing replies to enquiries, searches and investigating title.
  • Reporting back to you on any findings made.
  • Exchanging contracts with the other side.
  • Preparing for completion, after which ownership of the property will formally change hands.
  • Carrying out post-completion steps, to ensure that all records are up to date and that you are supplied with new relevant documents.

Typical Costs

Our typical costs for residential conveyancing are given on a fixed fee basis below, however, should the matter appear more complex (such as containing multiple titles, breaches of covenants, complicated issues arising as a result of search) then additional fees may be applicable. You will be told in advance of what the issues, the likely additional cost and whether VAT is applicable to the additional cost.

 

Sale or Purchase Price

 

Freehold Fees

 

Leasehold, New Build or Unregistered Fees

 

Up to £250,000

 

£975 plus VAT

£1,050 plus VAT

£250,000 to £500,000

 

£1,275 plus VAT

£1,400 plus VAT

£500,000 to £750,000

 

£1,600 plus VAT

£1,750 plus VAT

£750,000 to £1,000,000

 

£1,950 plus VAT

£2,150 plus VAT

£1,000,000 to £1,500,000

 

£2,350 plus VAT

£2,600 plus VAT

On average these cases can take 8-12 weeks to conclude, depending on the extent of further enquiries and the responsiveness of the buyer/seller. The exact duration of your case may vary depending on the circumstances. New Build and Help to Buy purchases typically take longer, with freehold properties with no mortgage taking a shorter period of time.

In this matter, a qualified solicitor will be assigned to the case or alternatively a trainee with supervision from a partner.


Additional Costs
  • HM Land Registry fees are typically £3 plus VAT per Official Copy. 
  • Searches are typically £260 plus VAT (Local Authority searches, water searches, chancel indemnity. environmental (and flood search) but additional searches are also available if required which can vary from £50 to £300 plus VAT.
  • Indemnity policies may also be required. Policies will vary in cost depending on what type of indemnity insurance is required and the value of the Property.
  • For the sale of leaseholds, the cost of obtaining the management pack from the management company ranges between £110 – £200 plus VAT

We will let you know at the earliest opportunity if any of these costs are applicable.

Please note these rates apply from September 2021 and will be reviewed annually.

Damage Based Agreements are a type of ‘no win, no fee’ arrangement, but based on a percentage of the monetary award from the claim itself. 


When would they be suitable?

They are useful if you are seeking a financial remedy, such as with claims involving debt recovery or breach of contract.

They are only available to claimants and counterclaimants, and not defendants.


When would they not be suitable?

They are not appropriate for claims where the outcome sought is intangible, such as reinstatement of employment. DBAs are not available for family law cases nor for criminal case proceedings.


If we win

We would obtain a share of the damages (or settlement sum) you receive, and therefore our fees are directly dependent on achieving the best possible sum for you.

Legal fees for most types of claim are subject to a 50% cap on all ‘sums ultimately recovered’. Therefore, we would never take more than 50% of any settlement or sum awarded by the court, even if we can recover some costs from the other side.

This cap is inclusive of VAT and counsel (barrister) fees (where the latter is a disbursement incurred by us) but not other disbursements.

For employment tribunal claims however, the cap at which we can charge is 35% of sums obtained, which is inclusive of VAT. However, it does not include any disbursements at all, which would mean counsel fees and other expenses are additional.

Furthermore, for personal injury claims, the cap is 25% and is inclusive of VAT and counsel fees. This applies only to damages excluding future pecuniary loss i.e. future loss of earnings. 


If you lose

If you lose, then we will not receive any payment. However, you will still be expected to cover non-counsel disbursements.

You will still be liable for adverse costs in the case of a claim failing, meaning you could still be obliged to pay some, or all, of the successful defendant’s costs.


Variations

It is possible to have a staged DBA, whereby the percentage payable varies on the stage which the case is successfully resolved. The longer the case runs on for, the higher the percentage under the DBA (subject to the relevant cap). This reflects the increased workload we would carry out on your behalf as the litigation progresses.


Going forward

If you are interested in arranging either a CFA or DBA with us, please do not hesitate to contact our offices, where a member of our team will be happy to advise you. admin@audleychaucer.com or call 01372 303444.

Conditional Fee Arrangements are just that – conditional on a certain event. This means that a client will pay different amounts for legal services depending on the outcome of a case.


When would they be suitable?

CFAs can be used for most types of contentious work and is available for both claimants and defendants.


When would they not be suitable?

In cases where there is no ‘win’ or ‘lose’ on either side, such as conveyancing, we would not recommend a CFA.


If we win

If we win, you will pay all of our fees and expenses as well as an additional ‘success fee’. This fee is a percentage uplift on the amount payable if there were no CFA in place, and this can vary from anywhere between 25% to 100%.

Unless the claim is in respect of a certain few types of claim, none of this success fee is recoverable from your opponent and is payable by yourselves.

A ‘win’ is usually defined as either achieving a successful outcome for you in court, or reaching a settlement agreement with the other side. We would discuss the ‘win’ condition with you in advance.


If we lose

In the unfortunate event that we lose the case, then the level of fee is reduced. It may mean that you are not liable for any fees and any expenses at all. It could also mean that you only pay a discounted rate, or just the expenses incurred to date. It is therefore either ‘no win, no fee’ or ‘no win, low fee’. However, it is also likely that you will be required to pay a contribution to the winning party’s costs.


How do we calculate the success fee?

Before quoting a success fee, we take the time to evaluate your case thoroughly and fully. We look at the risk of losing the litigation (the ‘risk’ element) as well as our costs incurred in assisting with the litigation before the conclusion of the case (the ‘postponement’ element).

We look at the core documentation of your case, the preliminary evidence, and discuss the case fully with you. In particularly complex cases, where all the issues in play may not be obvious at first glance, it may be advisable to obtain an opinion from counsel (a barrister).

Before entering into an agreement with you, we are happy to explain our success fee and how we reached our figure. We will not change this success fee at a later date without your written agreement.


Are there any upfront fees?

We may require you to pay for disbursement and expenses, such as court fees, obtaining expert reports and barrister fees, before the case has concluded. This is in line with usual non-CFA arrangements.

We will never incur any costs which we require you to pay upfront without first agreeing this with you.


Discounted CFA

This is where we are paid a discounted rate during the progression of the matter, and we would bill at interim periods. In the event of a win, then we would recover our fees at our normal rates as well as the success fee. If we lose, then we simply retain the sums paid to us at the discounted rate.

The discounted rate will be set out clearly to you in advance.


Going forward

If you are interested in arranging either a CFA or DBA with us, please do not hesitate to contact our offices, where a member of our team will be happy to advise you. admin@audleychaucer.com or call 01372 303444.

All costs and charges are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate. Additional charges will apply to the total bill including a charge for miscellaneous costs including travel, postage, telephone and other charges at the rate of 0.05% of the fees and costs (excluding disbursements) subject to a minimum sum of £85 plus VAT. An additional sum of 9.83% of fees and costs (excluding disbursements) will be charged as a contribution towards our professional indemnity insurance.