Price Transparency
We provide a tailored service, building close personal connections with clients to understand and achieve their specific needs. We do not try to provide one-size-fits-all solutions because we know they rarely work.
When you work with us, you receive a genuine partner-led service: that means you always get the benefit of our extensive experience in resolving our clients’ most complex issues.
We always strive to provide value and to charge fairly for the work we do for you. We generally charge by reference to the time we spend working for you, taking account of factors such as the complexity of the issues, the size and value of your transaction, the risks, outcome and benefits achieved. We are, though, very flexible and willing to offer other options such as fixed fees and/or monthly retainer arrangements. Let us know what works for you and we are happy to explore the options with you.
From the outset we will endeavour to give you clear information on our charges and, wherever possible, we will provide estimates for the agreed scope of work. We can help you to manage our charges by setting thresholds for specific tasks or phases of a transaction and we will update you throughout the life cycle of your transaction so that you know where you stand.
We are required to publish pricing information for certain services. Because of the personalised nature of the services we provide, the information below should be viewed as a guide. If you choose to work with us, we will provide you with information on how we propose to charge you for the work you need us to do and provide estimates of the likely costs involved, so that you can make informed decisions.
Residential conveyancing
The amount we charge for helping you with a sale, purchase or mortgage of a residential property will vary depending on factors including the nature, value and complexity of the transaction. We are always willing to give you clearer guidance on our charges for your specific transaction before you commit to working with us.
Cost of our service
Indicative guidelines for straightforward transactions are below.
Our charges reflect the value of the property and amount of work involved in completing your transaction (which may be influenced by the factors addressed below).
Where you ask us to handle a sale and a purchase they are treated as two separate transactions (although we will ensure that the two transactions are seamlessly coordinated).
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is payable when purchasing property. The amount will depend on the value of the property and your circumstances.
Search fees will vary depending on the local authority and which searches need to be carried out. They may exceed the typical range indicated above considerably in more complex transactions.
VAT is chargeable at 20% on certain fees. An indication of where VAT is chargeable is included in the tables above.
Assumptions
The guidelines above assume the transaction is straightforward, all parties are cooperative, and everything proceeds in a timely manner and without unforeseen complications.
Transactions which do not meet those assumptions, or which involve any of the following, are likely to entail higher fees:
unregistered property
defects in title
planning breaches
off plan / new build properties
listed buildings
any indemnity policy
grant of a new lease
a shared ownership scheme
help to Buy scheme
right to buy legislation
transfer without vacant possession
a repossessed property
a flying freehold
an auction sale
finance otherwise than from a high-street lender
your mortgagee has separate solicitors
urgency
corporate structures
enhanced due diligence
The key stages involved
The precise stages involved will depend on nature of your transactions and the specific circumstances. A general indication of typical key stages is below:
Purchase
taking your instructions
anti-money laundering due diligence
checking finances are in place
reviewing and advising on contract
conducting searches
obtaining planning documentation (where needed)
enquiries of seller
advice and report on title
explaining mortgage conditions to you
dealing with draft transfer
agreeing exchange/completion timescales
arranging for your signature of contract
exchange contracts
pre-completion searches
arrangements to receive funds
completing purchase
dealing with payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax
sending post-completion notices
applying for registration at Land Registry
Sale
taking your instructions
anti-money laundering due diligence
getting your input on standard property questionnaires
producing draft contract and sales pack
responding to enquiries from the purchaser
negotiate the contract and transfer
agreeing exchange/completion timescales
arranging for your signature of contract
exchange contracts
arranging for your signature of transfer
completing sale
prepare completion statement
dealing with redemption of mortgage
settling agents’ fees
transferring balance of sale proceed to you
Re-mortgage
taking your instructions
anti-money laundering due diligence
reporting on terms of new mortgage
conducting searches
obtaining land registry, planning and other documentation as required by your lender
reviewing lease (if applicable) and advising lender whether any deed of variation is required
reporting to you and your lender on adverse matters
providing your lender with a certificate of title
registering new mortgage at Land Registry
serving notice of change on your landlord (if applicable)
Timescales
Typically, the time between you instructing us and the conclusion of the transaction may be within the range of 8-12 weeks, with 6-8 weeks to exchange of contracts and 2-4 weeks between exchange and completion being the norm. It may be possible to conclude the transaction within a shorter timescale, but it can also take longer, depending on factors including whether or not there is a chain, how long searches take, whether mortgage finance is involved and whether any of the complicating factors noted above are involved.
What is and what is not included?
The key stages above are included in the indicative costs of our services.
The costs outlined above do not include:
additional work involved where any of the complicating factors noted above are present
tax advice
planning advice
advice on specialist environmental matters
construction advice
financial advice or negotiating finance terms
advice relating to neighbouring properties
lock out / exclusivity agreements
co-habitation agreements / trust deeds
supplemental documents such as tenancies, licences, deeds of variation
We can help with these matters and we are happy to provide information on our fees.
Bringing and defending claims for unfair
or wrongful dismissal in the employment tribunal
The amount we charge for helping employers and individuals pursue and defend claims, including for unfair and wrongful dismissal, in the Employment Tribunal will vary depending on factors including those explained below. We are always willing to give you clearer guidance on our charges for your specific circumstances before you commit to working with us.
Cost of our service and associated expenses
Our charges for pursuing or defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal in the Employment Tribunal reflect the time we spend supporting you (which may be influenced by the factors addressed below). You will be represented by an expert and experienced Employment law partner. Our usual hourly rates are: Partner - £360 plus VAT and Consultant Solicitor - £285 plus VAT.
Typically, we would expect total fees in the range between £15,000 plus VAT for a straightforward claim and £40,000 plus VAT for a moderately complex claim.
That range includes allowance for the typical expenses we may incur on your behalf and which you will need to pay in addition to our fees.
The main expenses we would expect to incur include:
barristers fees: if the matter proceeds to a main hearing it is common practice to instruct a barrister who will present your case to the Employment Tribunal. The amount a barrister charges will depend on the barrister’s seniority, the volume of documentation and the length of the hearing. Barristers’ fees typically fall within the range of £2,000 plus VAT for a straightforward claim to £10,000 plus VAT for a moderately complex claim plus the costs of travel and/or accommodation
copying charges (e.g. to produce bundles of documents for use at the Tribunal)
travel costs
Assumptions
The guidelines above assume the case entails only unfair or wrongful dismissal, is straightforward or of moderate complexity, and everything proceeds in a timely manner and without unforeseen complications.
Cases which do not meet those assumptions, or which involve any of the following, are likely to entail higher fees:
complex claims
complex facts
multiple witnesses
additional claims such as whistleblowing, discrimination or TUPE
voluminous documentation
any hearing prior to the main hearing (e.g. an application seeking further information or to amend the claims)
your opponent is a litigant in person
a need to make or defend claims for costs
longer than average hearings
The key stages involved
The precise stages involved will depend on the specific circumstances of your case. A general indication of typical key stages is below:
taking your initial instructions
advice on the merits of the case and the likely level of any award of compensation
pre-claim conciliation to explore settlement (where required)
preparing the claim or response (as applicable)
considering your opponent’s claim or response (as applicable) and providing advice
instructing and working with your barrister
keeping under review the scope for settlement and associated advice and negotiations
preparing a schedule of loss
exchanging documents with your opponent
agreeing and (if necessary) preparing the bundle for main hearing
interviewing witnesses and preparing witness statements
considering and advising on your opponent’s witness statements
preparing for and attending the final hearing
Timescales
Claims can typically take between six and eighteen months to reach a resolution. Simple claims which settle quickly may be resolved sooner; complex claims which proceed to a final hearing may take longer. When an employer receives a claim, it must respond within 28 days. Once the respond is provided, the Employment Tribunal will usually set a timetable for the steps the parties must take to prepare for the final hearing. The Employment Tribunal may ask the parties to attend a Preliminary Hearing at which it will set the timetable. Much may ultimately depend on the Employment Tribunal and how busy it is.