The prices listed below are for guidance only. We will give you an accurate quote reflecting the complexity and urgency of your case in advance of any work undertaken. All fees are subject to VAT. Vat number 341077718. Disbursements may vary should VAT be applicable or not.
BASIS OF CHARGING
We generally base our fees on hourly rates although on some work we are able to offer fixed fees. The current members of our team and their hourly rates are as follows:
Where pleading guilty – £750 PLUS VAT
Based on the presumption that you have entered a not guilty plea and have a date for your hearing – £4,000 PLUS VAT
Our Grant only service can be a cost effective way to obtain a Grant of Probate for a simple estate. Using this service, AV Law Solicitors will draft a Grant of Probate (or Grant of Letters of Administration) using information provided by the family. The Grant only service is only available where no inheritance tax is due. The family will be responsible for dealing with the estate once the Grant has been received.
Our Grant only fees are:
Where a simplified estate form (IHT205) is submitted £2000 plus VAT
Where a full estate form (IHT400) is submitted £3,300 plus VAT
These additional expenses are costs related to your matter that may be payable to third parties, such as court fees.
Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included but we do offer a Conveyancing service and so can help you with this.
On average, estates that fall within the above range are dealt with within 6 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 12-20 weeks.
Collecting in the majority of the assets (i.e. closing bank accounts and selling shares) generally takes up to 12 weeks after obtaining the Grant of Probate.
After all the liabilities of the estate have been paid and any cash legacies distributed (provided we are not awaiting clearance from HMRC for either IHT or income tax) we are usually in a position to distribute the estate within 10-15 weeks of collecting in the assets of the estate.
Please note that the above disbursements table does not contain an exhaustive list. Additional fees and disbursements will depend on the type of transaction.
*Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
We have a dedicated team of highly skilled and client focused solicitors, each supported by an exceptional team of devoted support staff. Our conveyancing team is not only technically excellent and knowledgeable, but also sensitive and empathetic to help guide you through the process as smoothly as possible. We pride ourselves on our availability to talk to you or your estate agent, whenever necessary, you will not get our answer phones over the lunch hour!
Whether you are buying or selling a property, it is most likely to be one of the biggest financial transactions you will enter into. Whilst our Conveyancing team have the necessary expertise to ensure that you transaction proceeds smoothly to a successful completion, occasionally transactions can become complicated. To help give you piece of mind, AV Law Solicitors offer a fixed legal fee from the offset, you will not find any hourly charges or hidden rates at our firm.
Leasehold Sales or Purchases £1000 Plus Disbursements (on or around £100 - £200)
Sale of Property £1000 Plus Disbursements (on or around £100- £200)
Our fees cover all of the work required to complete the purchase of your property, including dealing with registration at the Land Registry and dealing with the payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (“SDLT”) if the property is in England, or Land Transaction Tax (Land Tax) if the property you wish to buy is in Wales.
| Purchase Price | Freehold Purchase | Freehold New Build | Leasehold Purchase | Leasehold New build | Remortgages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £0-£999,000 | £1,200 - £2,500 | £2,000 - £,3000 | £1,200 to £2,500 | £2,500 - £,3500 | £950 |
The fees quoted above are exclusive of Value Added Tax (“VAT”) and disbursements. VAT at 20% is charged on all transactions.
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as search fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Bank Charges | £25.00 |
| Official Copy of Register Title | £6.00 |
| Land Registry Title Plan | £3.00 |
| OS1 Search | £12.00 |
| ID Check | £12.00 |
| Searches | The cost will be between £350 to £700 + VAT. These fees vary due to where the property is located (for instance the local authority fees are different for each local authority and we may need to do a specific search for your property due to its location). We can give you an accurate figure once we have sight of your specific documents and know the location of your property. |
| Land Registry Fees | The cost will be between £20 to £910 + VAT. These fees vary and are based on the purchase price of the property. We can give you an accurate figure once we know the purchase price of the property. |
| Stamp Duty Land Tax | See link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hm-land-registry- registration-services-fees This depends on the purchase price of your property. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC's website. |
Please note that the above additional fees and disbursements table does not contain an exhaustive list. Additional fees and disbursements will depend on the type of transaction.
If you are buying a leasehold property there are certain disbursements which will be set out in the individual lease relating to the Property. The additional leasehold disbursements which we anticipate will apply are set out separately below. This list is not exhaustive and other disbursements may apply depending on the term of the lease. We will update you on the specific fees upon receipt and review of the lease from the seller's solicitors.
These fees vary from property to property and can on occasion be significantly more than the ranges given above. We can give you an accurate figure once we have sight of your specific documents.
This depends on the purchase price of your property. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC's website or if the property is located in Wales by using the Welsh Revenue Authority's website.
The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances – the key stages are as follows;
How long it will take depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 8 – 12 weeks.
It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are a first time buyer, purchasing a freehold house with a mortgage in principle, it could take 8 – 10 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property with a Management Company it can take from 12 – 16 weeks especially if there is a chain.
Our fees cover all of the work required to complete the sale of your property, including dealing with registration at the Land Registry and dealing with the payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (“SDLT”) if the property is in England, or Land Transaction Tax (Land Tax) if the property you wish to buy is in Wales.
| Sale Price | Freehold Sale | Leasehold Sale |
|---|---|---|
| £0-£999,000 | £1,200 - £2,500 | £1,200 to £2,500 |
| £1,000,000 or above | ASK FOR A QUOTE or up to 0.4% of the purchase price | |
The fees quoted above are exclusive of Value Added Tax (“VAT”) and disbursements. VAT at 20% is charged on all transactions.
Administration Charges: Between £50.00 - £100.00 + VAT
Bank Charges Administration: £37.50 + VAT (£7.50)
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Bank Charges | £25.00 |
| ID Check | £20.00 + VAT (£4.00) |
| Land Registry Fees | The cost will be between £3 to £12. These fees vary on what documents we need to obtain from the Land Registry. We can give you an accurate figure once we know the purchase price. See link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hm-land-registry- registration-services-fees |
Please note that the above additional fees and disbursements table does not contain an exhaustive list. Additional fees and disbursements will depend on the type of transaction.
There are certain disbursements which will be set out in the individual lease relating to the Property. The disbursements which we anticipate will apply are set out separately below. This list is not exhaustive and other disbursements may apply depending on the term of the lease. We will update you on the specific fees upon receipt and review of the lease from the seller's solicitors.
These fees vary from property to property.
The precise stages involved in the sale of a residential freehold and leasehold property vary according to the circumstances. The stages for selling a freehold or leasehold property and our scope of work includes:
How long it will take from the offer being accepted until the sale completes will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 6-12 weeks.
It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain.
Types of Application/Claim (Excluding Appeals & Advocacy)**
Level 1 Applications:
Travel Documents
Level 2 Applications:
Visit Visa
Level 3 Applications:
Level 4 Applications:
Level 5 Applications:
Level 6 Applications:
All other applications including
Level 7 Applications:
Appeals
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as search fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
The disbursements listed below do not attract VAT.
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Home Office Application fees | Please see link for UK visa application fees charges by the Home Office: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £470 per year for a student or Youth Mobility Scheme visa £470 per year for visa and immigration applicants who are under the age of 18 at time of application £624 per year for all other visa and immigration applications |
| Biometric enrolment | £19.20 |
Please note that the above additional fees and disbursements table does not contain an exhaustive list. Additional fees and disbursements will depend on the type of transaction.
Your matter will always be supervised by the principle solicitor. Work will be completed by lawyers of varying experience. The estimated fee quotes are premised on the work being completed by lawyers across a range of levels, with time estimates using an average hourly rate to reflect the involvement of different lawyers. The time spent by lawyers at different levels will vary depending on a number of factors including the complexity and nature of the matter. The quotes assume that each stage of the work is conducted by an appropriate level of lawyer, if client preference dictates work be completed at a higher level, this will of course impact fee estimates.re this is applicable.
This fee quote assumes you meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules, EEA Regulations or British Nationality Act 1981 (as applicable) without requiring discretion to be exercised.
It also assumes there are no other factors which make the application more complex such as a criminal record or a history of non-compliance with UK immigration.
The work will involve:
The costs quoted here do not include any disbursements related to your matter. Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as visa fees. We handle the payment of disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
The processing times for your application will vary depending on the application service you select and where the application is being made. We cannot guarantee how long the Home Office will take to process your application but we can give further information on the application options and likely time frames as part of the advice we will provide to you if instructed.
Please note the anticipated number of hours and fees are an estimate. All applications are likely to vary and of course we can give you a more accurate estimate once we have more information about your specific case.
Every case is different and many of our cases are complex and involve multiple parties and claims and difficult legal issues. There is no such thing as a typical case. However, for convenience we have divided employment tribunal claims into three bands according to complexity.
An employment tribunal claim involving only claims of unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal will normally, but not always be a simple claim.
The services we provide include both pursuing and defending employment tribunal claims and appeals. Most of the claims in which we act are complex claims involving not only claims of unfair and wrongful dismissal but also whistleblowing, discrimination, equal pay or other claims. Whilst we do straightforward claims from time to time it is always necessary to weigh up whether the potential outcome of the matter can justify the costs involved
These figures are all based on the case continuing through to trial. In reality most cases are resolved before trial.
Cases of medium or high complexity may include claims of wrongful or unfair dismissal but will usually involve other claims as well. Typically high complexity cases will involve claims of discrimination or whistleblowing.
Each day of a tribunal hearing will incur a charge based on the time spent and the hourly rate of the lawyer. This will typically be over £2000 (excluding VAT). In addition counsel’s fees
will be incurred each day that the hearing continues (see below). These costs are included within the bands of fees outlined above.
Generally, we would expect a hearing lasting 1-2 days for a simple case, 2-4 days for a medium complexity case and 5 days or more for a high complexity case.
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as counsel’s fees, expert’s fees, travel expenses and court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
Counsel's fees vary according to the experience of the individual counsel. Fees for a hearing are usually based on a brief fee which covers the cost of preparation and the first day of the hearing and “refresher” or a daily rate which is payable for the second and each subsequent day of the hearing. Typical fees for counsel are as follows:
The key stages of a claim which are covered within our normal fees are as follows:
The key stages set out above are an indication. If some of stages are not required, the fee will be lower. You may wish to handle the claim yourself and only have our advice in relation to some of the stages. This can also be arranged in accordance with your individual needs.
If there are additional stages the costs will be higher. Additional stages include:
The time that it takes from taking your initial instructions to the final resolution of your matter depends largely on the stage at which your case is resolved. If a settlement is reached during pre-claim conciliation, your case is likely to take 2-4 weeks. The aim of employment tribunals is to conclude all cases within 26 weeks of the claim starting but in reality it may take longer to conclude, often 40-60 weeks from the claim starting to the final hearing. This is an estimate and we will be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the matter progresses.
| Initial Consultation | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £100 - £150 | ||||
| Undefended Divorce | Defended Divorce | Financial Settlement | ||
| £750 | Hourly rate of the executives | Negotiated Fixed fee based on complexity | Hourly Rates of the executives | Negotiated Fixed fee based on complexity |
* Admin costs will be added after consultation based on the anticipated volume of documents to be dealt with. It ranges between £30 - £100.
*Capped at solicitors hourly rates / advocates daily rate for full length of the hearing
If the matter becomes disputed, any additional work engaged by us over and above the normal steps identified above, will be charged at an hourly rate. A fee earner of the appropriate level of experience will be allocated to the disputed matter, in dealing with your case. The current rates are set out below.
Details of any additional costs will be provided to you once it becomes clear if any additional work will be necessary.
It may be necessary to appoint a barrister to attend a hearing on your behalf, this will result in an additional charge. We will notify and agree the likely cost with you.
For all other fixed fee quotes please enquire within or call -0208 561 5559 or 077 99 29 29 10
Should you be unhappy with any aspect of your matter, feel free to raise the issue with the relevant person dealing with your matter. Should you not be able to resolve the matter between yourselves, you are welcome to contact Mr Amit Pal Verma ,the Principal in charge of client care. We endeavour to ensure that matters are dealt with both discreetly and promptly.
If you do make a complaint it will be acknowledged by us within 7 working days. In that acknowledgement we will indicate the likely timescale for a definitive response to your complaint which in any event will be within an 8 week period. If we are unable to resolve the matter then you could consider making a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman. Their address is as follows:
Legal Ombudsman，PO Box 15870，Birmingham，B30 9EB
Tel: 0300 5550333 (helpline)
+44 121 2453050 (overseas)
Minicom: 0300 555 1777
Email: enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk
Information about complaints against solicitors can be found on the Legal Ombudsman website at www.legalombudsman.org.uk. A complaint must be referred to the Legal Ombudsman within a 6 month period which runs from the earlier of the expiry of that 8 week period or the definitive response received from the firm.
You should also be aware that you are entitled to question or complain about any invoice that we send to you. In the first instance we request that you contact the person dealing with your work and if you are still not satisfied that you contact your client care representative. In the event that you are not satisfied after the involvement of the client care representative you may have the right to object to the bill by making a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman and/or by applying to the court for an assessment of the bill under Part III of the Solicitors' Act 1974. If you would like any further information concerning your rights please request a copy of our complaints procedure. You should be aware that where a bill is unpaid or partially paid we are entitled to rely and enforce condition 4.3
Normally, you will need to bring a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman within six months of receiving a final written response from us about your complaint or within six years of the act or omission about which you are complaining occurring or if outside of this period, within three years of when you should reasonably have been aware of it.
The SRA work with solicitors, firms, other types of lawyers and non-lawyers to make sure that we comply with their principles, to make sure we behave independently, fairly and with integrity to best serve the interest of our client and the public interest.
Kindly note that the SRA do not deal with issues of poor service. If your complaint is in relation to poor service you would need to exhaust our internal complaints procedure. If you are still not satisfied you have a right to bring a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman.
When can you make a complaint to the SRA
The SRA deal with cases where firms or those who are regulated have breached SRA Principles You should report the matter directly to the SRA if you think we or anyone regulated by the SRA has breached an SRA Principle.
There are seven Principles that all people and law firms we regulate must meet. This means that they must act:
You can also report a firm or someone regulated by the SRA for non-payment of professional fees (such as agent or expert fees) if:
The SRA has stopped authorising solicitors who wish to act as an Insolvency Practitioner .If your complaint is in connection with the solicitor's appointment under the Insolvency Act 1986 please contact the Recognised Professional Body that is now authorising the individual. If the solicitor has taken an appointment and is not authorised by a Recognised Professional Body then he or she may be committing a criminal offence.
To make a report against a solicitor or firm please click on the link below, which will enable you to download / print the SRA Report Form and also have the relevant details of where to send your report.
https://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/problems/report-solicitor/
The SRA will aim to acknowledge all initial reports of information within 20-30 working days. Their acknowledgement will include: thanking you for providing them with the information, and it will also confirm how they will handle your information.
Should the SRA need to contact you again, it may be for you to provide further information to either take action or where you may required to act as a witness or to provide a witness statement.
For more information on the SRA's approach to handling information that you send to them and about different regulatory outcomes, click on the above link.
