Private Charging Rates
If we are to act for clients who are private paying we require payment in advance for the work we are undertaking. If your case is a long running case or matter then we may well agree to accept payments by instalments as the case or matter progresses. These payments can be arranged on a standing order basis.
If you do not agree to pay in advance then generally we will decline to act for you.
Hourly rates and Fixed fees
As a general rule we charge clients an hourly rate for the work we undertake. This hourly rate then determines the amount that we charge for letters and telephone calls faxes e mails etc. The standard is to charge these at the rate of 1/10th of the hourly rate.
Our private hourly rates are fixed annually (changing on 1st April in each year). The rates charged vary according to the experience of the fee earner conducting each clients particular case or matter. It may be that you will be charged different rates for your matter depending on who has carried out the work on your matter.
Fixed Fees
We offer an initial appointment service at a fixed fee, currently £50 plus VAT, (payable in advance of the appointment) for an initial appointment lasting 40 minutes. If you wish to consult us again about the same matter then this has to be charged on the hourly charging rates for the particular fee earner.
Public Funding Appointments
For those who can prove that they are eligible for public funding (legal aid) ie are in receipt of a low income or in receipt of certain benefits we are able to offer an appointment for what is known as legal help, this is free to the client.
However you, the client, MUST produce proof of benefit at the initial interview and if requested proof of income and outgoings such as rent etc. This enables us to prove to the Legal Services Commission that we have checked that you are eligible for the free service.
Unfortunately the proof of benefit etc has to be dated within the 3 months prior to the first appointment to be valid.
Free Initial Appointments (for selected matters only)
We offer a free appointment to clients who wish to consult us about a possible road traffic or personal injury claim. These are intended as an opportunity to discuss the case generally and indicate whether or not there is a potential claim. It cannot be an in depth discussion and therefore is limited to 45 minutes.
Estimates
Generally we will provide an estimate of our charges for your particular matter based on our estimate of the likely costs involved in your matter. This estimate will be revised from time to time according to how your matter progresses.
Quotes
This only applies to Conveyancing matters, when we are either requested to provide a quote or are instructed by you. We will ask for various general details from you about the property you are selling and/or buying (such as price area, type of property particularly if freehold or leasehold, whether you have an existing mortgage, or require a mortgage).
This general information allows us to provide you with an approximate quotation based on our experience of the likely work involved in a matter of that nature. Any written quote provided is based on the information you have provided. We specifically make it clear that if your matter becomes more complex or involves more work than such a transaction usually does then we reserve the right to charge you a higher fee (or supplement) to reflect the unexpected complexity or amount of work actually carried out. Our quotation is based on the average number of letters telephone calls and time engaged, we therefore encourage clients to be aware of the cost of the work involved in making and receiving telephone calls. We aim to provide details of the amount of the extra work involved and the costs involved as early as possible.
Fixed Fees
Sometimes we can offer to undertake specific work for a fixed fee.
Hourly Charging Rates
Each individual fee earner has a specific charging rate for their time.
Costs to date
At any time during the course of your particular matter you can request that we provide you with details of the costs incurred to a particular date. Our computerised time recording system provides us with up to date real time details of the amount of our time costs to date. This does NOT include details of the amount of any Disbursements which have been incurred, which may or may not have been paid.
Criminal Representation Orders
Generally for clients who are facing criminal prosecution in the Courts we seek to apply to represent them under a Representation Order (formally legal aid). However this is now means tested and as such frequently clients are not assessed as eligible. The current provisions state that even if the clients is acquitted of any charges brought against them they will not recover the full extent of the costs of defending themselves. This is because the rates allowed in criminal courts are now limited to legal aid rates rather than the higher private client rates. (As at the beginning of 2010 this provision is the subject of a legal challenge by various bodies).
Means Testing
If you are working then in order to determine if you are eligible you must complete and sign the necessary application forms and also produce in support of this proof of your income and outgoings (and also that of your partner who has to sign the forms and produce proof of their income and outgoings).
If you are in receipt of a state benefit then you must complete and sign the necessary application forms but you may well be automatically eligible for representation subject to your entitlement being confirmed via the courts checking system. Your partner will be required to sign the forms and consent to checking the details that they provide.
If your case is before the Crown Court then generally you will be granted legal aid without consideration of your means before this is granted, although the subject of means testing in the Crown Court is the subject of review and being piloted in various areas as at the beginning of 2010.