Clear pricing, published up front.
We believe you should know what legal work costs before you commit. The information below covers the services for which the Solicitors Regulation Authority requires published pricing. For everything else, we'll give you a clear quote or estimate at our first conversation.
The prices below are guides. Because every matter is different, we give you a specific written quote or estimate — and confirm what's included — before any work begins. All prices are shown excluding VAT unless stated; VAT is charged at the prevailing rate (currently 20%).
Residential conveyancing
For clients buying or selling a home.
Our fees
We act on most residential sales and purchases for a fixed fee, agreed and confirmed in writing before we start. The fee depends on the value of the property and whether it is freehold or leasehold. Our fixed fees currently start from [fee to be confirmed] plus VAT; leasehold and higher-value or more complex matters are more, and we will always give you a written quote first.
What's included
- Taking your instructions and giving you initial advice
- Checking finances and dealing with your mortgage lender where relevant
- Carrying out searches and raising and answering enquiries
- Reviewing the contract and title, and reporting to you
- Exchange of contracts and completion
- Dealing with Stamp Duty Land Tax and registration at the Land Registry
Likely disbursements
Disbursements are costs payable to third parties, which we handle on your behalf. VAT applies to some of them. For your matter these typically include:
- Search fees (local authority, water and drainage, environmental) — typically [to be confirmed]
- Land Registry fees — set by the Land Registry and depending on the price
- HM Land Registry official copies and searches — small fixed amounts
- Stamp Duty Land Tax — depending on the price and your circumstances (calculate at gov.uk)
- Bank transfer fee — [to be confirmed] per transfer
Key stages
- Instructions taken and quote confirmed
- Searches, enquiries and contract review
- Report to you and signing
- Exchange of contracts (the point it becomes binding)
- Completion — keys and money change hands
- Post-completion: Stamp Duty and Land Registry
How long it takes
A straightforward freehold transaction typically takes 6 to 10 weeks from instruction to completion. Leasehold, chains and mortgage timing can extend this. We tell you promptly if anything threatens the timescale.
Probate & estate administration
For clients dealing with the estate of someone who has died (uncontested, assets in the UK).
Our fees
We can help with as much or as little as you need — from obtaining the grant of probate only, to administering the whole estate. We charge either a fixed fee for a defined piece of work, or on a time-spent basis at an hourly rate of [rate to be confirmed] plus VAT for full administration, with an estimate given at the outset. Grant-only applications typically cost from [fee to be confirmed] plus VAT.
What's included
- Identifying the legal personal representatives, beneficiaries and the type of grant needed
- Obtaining the date-of-death values of assets and liabilities
- Preparing the relevant HMRC inheritance tax forms and the probate application
- Applying for the grant of probate or letters of administration
- Collecting in the assets and settling debts and liabilities
- Distributing the estate and preparing estate accounts
Likely disbursements
Disbursements are costs payable to third parties, which we handle on your behalf. VAT applies to some of them. For your matter these typically include:
- Probate application fee — set by HM Courts & Tribunals Service
- Official copies of the grant — small fixed amount each
- Bankruptcy searches — small fixed amount per beneficiary
- Statutory notices to creditors (if placed) — [to be confirmed]
Key stages
- Initial meeting and scope agreed
- Valuing the estate and preparing HMRC forms
- Applying for the grant
- Collecting assets and paying debts and any inheritance tax
- Distributing to beneficiaries and preparing accounts
How long it takes
A typical estate is dealt with in 6 to 12 months. Obtaining the grant usually takes the first few months; collecting assets and distributing follows. More complex estates, or those with property to sell or inheritance tax to pay, can take longer.
Business debt recovery (up to £100,000)
For clients a business recovering an undisputed debt.
Our fees
For undisputed business debts we work to a clear, staged basis. A letter before action is charged as a fixed fee from [fee to be confirmed] plus VAT; issuing and pursuing a court claim is charged either as a fixed fee by claim value or on a time-spent basis at [rate to be confirmed] plus VAT, agreed with you before we act. We will always tell you the likely cost against the size of the debt first.
This pricing covers undisputed debts. If the debtor disputes the debt, it becomes a contested matter and we will give you separate advice and costs.
What's included
- Reviewing the debt and the paperwork behind it
- Sending a letter before action giving the debtor a deadline to pay
- Where needed, issuing a court claim and applying for judgment
- Advising on enforcement options if the debtor still does not pay
Likely disbursements
Disbursements are costs payable to third parties, which we handle on your behalf. VAT applies to some of them. For your matter these typically include:
- Court issue fee — set by HMCTS and depending on the amount claimed
- Enforcement fees (e.g. bailiffs, charging orders) — depending on the method used
- Barrister's fees — only if the matter becomes contested (we would advise first)
Key stages
- Review and letter before action
- Court claim issued (if unpaid)
- Judgment obtained
- Enforcement, if required
How long it takes
Many debts are paid at the letter-before-action stage, within 2 to 4 weeks. If a claim has to be issued and isn't defended, judgment typically follows within a few weeks; enforcement adds more time. A disputed debt is a different matter and priced separately.
Employment tribunal claims (unfair & wrongful dismissal)
For clients an employer or employee in an unfair or wrongful dismissal claim.
Our fees
We act on a time-spent basis at an hourly rate of [rate to be confirmed] plus VAT, and give you an estimate at the start and updates as the matter develops. As a broad guide, our fees for bringing or defending a claim are typically in the range of [range to be confirmed] plus VAT for a simple case, more for complex matters, and depend heavily on how far the case goes.
The number of hours, and therefore the cost, depends on the stage at which the case is resolved. Many cases settle before a hearing, which reduces the fee.
What's included
- Taking your initial instructions and reviewing the papers, and advising on the merits and likely compensation
- Entering into pre-claim conciliation (Acas) where appropriate
- Preparing the claim or response
- Exchanging documents and preparing witness statements
- Preparing for and attending the final hearing
Likely disbursements
Disbursements are costs payable to third parties, which we handle on your behalf. VAT applies to some of them. For your matter these typically include:
- Barrister's (counsel's) fees — where a barrister is instructed for advice or the hearing, typically [to be confirmed] depending on experience and the length of hearing
Key stages
- Advice on merits and Acas early conciliation
- Claim or response filed
- Disclosure of documents and witness statements
- Preparation for hearing
- Final hearing
How long it takes
The time it takes depends on whether the claim settles and how busy the tribunal is. Cases that settle at conciliation may resolve in weeks; cases that run to a final hearing commonly take 6 to 12 months, sometimes longer.
Who will carry out your work
Your matter will be handled by one of our solicitors and supervised by Robert Festenstein, Head of Legal, a solicitor with more than two decades' experience across commercial, dispute, property and private-client work. You'll be told at the outset who is dealing with your matter and who supervises them. Our solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
How we charge
Depending on the matter, we work to a fixed fee agreed in advance, or on a time-spent basis at an agreed hourly rate with an estimate given at the start and kept under review. Whichever applies, you'll have it in writing before we begin, and we'll tell you promptly if anything is likely to change it.
Want a quote for your matter?
Tell us what you need and we'll give you a clear price or estimate — with no obligation.