Legal Fees

We completely understand that one of the most worrying things about seeking advice from a solicitor or a lawyer are the associated legal fees.

Some of these concerns relate to:

hourly rates,
hidden costs,
fees getting out of control
large unexplained invoices

With this in mind we offer the following promise.

For certain types of legal work we offer fixed fees so that you know how much the total work will cost you.

If the claim is covered by legal indemnity insurance then we will explain clearly how this works and how the costs will be covered.

If we are charging an hourly rate we will provide a clear cost estimate at the beginning of the case.

We will stick to that cost estimate unless there are unforeseen developments or additional work or expenditure.
- If that is the case then we will contact you in good time to amend the cost estimate and discuss why the additional spend is required.
- At this point, you can decide whether or not you wish to proceed.
- No additional costs will be incurred without approval.

Regular updates will be provided on what work we are doing and how much it is costing.

We will discuss and agree the regularity of invoices.

Even if the overall case is based on an hourly rate there may still be elements of the costs that are based on fixed fees e.g.
- some types of court hearings,
- conferences,
- standard letters and
- telephone calls;

which means that the overall costs are kept down

Legal fee payments can be tailored so that you can choose to pay in advance, monthly or at other intervals that are agreeable to you and us.

If you need clarification about Legal Fees then you can call us on 01535 662644.

In accordance with the SRA's Transparency Rules we provide information on the legal fees associated with the following:

Debt Recovery.
Residential Conveyancing (Property Law).
Wills, Probate and Later Life Plannning.

The Transparency Rules were introduced to help people assess and compare legal services. If you need any further information concerning our fees, then please contact us on 01535 662644.

We also provide details relating to our fees as part of any intial meetings and as part of our client care letter which is accompanied by the company's terms & conditions.

In keeping with the SRA's Transparency Rules we are happy to provide further information concerning the costs of dealing with a debt collection matter.

Our fees are calculated on an hourly rate.

These rates range between £125.00 - £250.00 per hour plus VAT.
Before any work is carried out, we request a payment on account.
An estimate of the costs will be provided verbally and as part of our Client Care Letter.
Invoices our normally issued on a monthly basis.
Invoices include a full breakdown of any work undertaken.
If additional work is required, a revised costs estimate will be provided.
Any other costs including Court Fees (see below), Barrister Fees will need to paid by you. A detailed breakdown on these fees will be provided, if the need arises.

Value of your claim	Court issued claim	Filed via Money Claim Online (MCOL)
Up to £300	£35.00	£25.00
£301 - £500	£50.00	£35.00
£501 - £1000	£70.00	£60.00
£1001 -£1500	£80.00	£70.00
£1501 -£3000	£115.00	£105.00
£3001 - £5000	£205.00	£185.00
£5001 - £10,000	£455.00	£410.00
£10,001 - £200,000	5% of the value of the claim.	4.5% of the value of the claim.
£200,001	£10,000.00	N/A

Family Law Legal costs

We will always be up front about the costs involved in dealing with your matter.
A summary of the costs will be provided in writing.
If you require further clarification, please ask.

Please note:

Some costs will be estimated e.g. court proceedings, barrister (counsel) fees.
Higher levels of costs will be incurred where parties cannot agree e.g. financial settlements or childcare arrangements.
Complicated matters or those requiring court proceedings will incurr more expense.

Fee options:

Unbundled services mean that you can pick and choose what you want us to do for you. It is flexible and offers you a cost-effective way of paying for legal services. This might include:

- Representation at Court;
- Referral to mediation;
- Negotiation;
- Drafting legal documents;
- Checking documents drafted by a third party;
- Advice on settlement.

We may where appropriate help you on a fixed work or fixed fee basis.

A Fixed Fee is a payment for a defined fixed piece of work, typically this would be appropriate for a straight forward divorce i.e. undefended divorce proceedings. We will always set out clearly what work is included within the fee.

Pay as You Go services follow the Law Society's practice note and you would only see or speak to us if you felt our advice was required. You would represent yourself i.e.act in person and retain control of your case.

Flexible Pay as You Go services enable you to retain control and decide when it is appropriate to seek our advice.

Fixed Fees

Fixed Fee (Uncontested)	Court Fee	Legal Fees	Total
Fixed Fee: Judicial Separation	£402.00/£0.00 if exemption applies.	£245.00 plus VAT	£696.00
Fixed Fee: Divorce (sole)	£612.00/£0.00 if exemption applies.	£275.00 plus VAT	£923.00
Fixed Fee: Divorce (joint)	£612.00/£0.00 if exemption applies.	£300.00 plus VAT	£953.00
Fixed Fee: Financial Consent Order	£60.00/£0.00 if exemption applies.	£850.00 plus VAT	£1,078.00
Fixed Fee: Child Arrangements Order	£263.00/£0.00 if exemption applies.	£850.00 plus VAT	£1,275.00
Fixed Fee: Pre/Post Nuptial Agreement	£0.00	£850.00 plus VAT	£1,020.00
Fixed Fee: Deed of Cohabitation/Deed of Settlement	£0.00	£800.00 plus VAT	£960.00

Fixed Fee (Uncontested)	Timescales
Fixed Fee: Judicial Separation	6 – 9 months (this can be extended if for example there are delays with the court processing the application).
Fixed Fee: Divorce (sole)	28 weeks (this can be extended if for example there are delays with the court processing the application).
Fixed Fee: Divorce (joint)	28 weeks (this can be extended if for example there are delays with the court processing the application).
Fixed Fee: Financial Consent Order	4 – 7 months (this timescale may be extended if for example there are delays with the court processing the application).
Fixed Fee: Child Arrangements Order	4 – 6 months (this can be extended if for example there are delays with the court processing the application).
Fixed Fee: Pre/Post Nuptial Agreement	3 – 6 months (this timescale may be extended if for example there are delays with the other party).
Fixed Fee: Deed of Cohabitation/Deed of Settlement	2 – 4 months (this timescale may be extended if for example there are delays with the other party).

Am I eligible for a Fixed Fee?	Cases which are not straightforward and/or lack agreement are not eligible. Where a Fixed Fee is not applicable, or work is required beyond the scope of the Fixed Fee, our hourly rate will apply.
Do I need to go to court?	Contested proceedings are only required if an agreement is not possible. Over 85% of our cases are settled outside of court.

Please note:

We offer reasonably priced fixed fee packages, where applicable. However, we will not be able to offer fixed fee options for every matter. Where a fixed fee is not applicable, or work is required which is beyond the scope of the fixed fee, then an hourly rate will apply. To find out more please contact the Family Law team via 01535 662644.

In keeping with the SRA's Transparency Rules we are happy to provide further information concerning the costs of any residential property and conveyancing transactions. Details are provided on:

WTW Solicitors also provide guides explaining the legal process of:

For any commercial property transactions please call our Property Team on 01535 662644.

How would you like to talk to us?