Our Charges
Probate: Range of costs (with fixed fee for additional work) and fixed fee
Service Description
Probate – estate administration
Likely Timescales
Uncertain and dependent upon size and complexity of estate and whether there is an inheritance tax liability. Usual range of between 3 months to 12 months
Likely Disbursements
Court fee of £526 plus £2 for each additional sealed copy Grant.
Disbursements in addition to this fee:
- Bankruptcy – only searches
- £109.20 post in the London Gazette – protects against claim from unknown creditors
- £310.52 post in a local newspaper (quote given is for the Harrogate Advertiser) – this also helps to protect against unexpected claims.
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.
Experience and Qualifications of individuals
Elaine Lightfoot – Partner and head of Private Client department. Elaine has more than 22 years post qualification experience in private client work, specialising in Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and probate/estate administration.
Victoria Fawcett – Private Client Executive who deals with Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and estate administration.
Basis of Charge (Hourly rate/fixed fee)
Hourly rate of £350 plus VAT (VAT is £70 - total £420) - Elaine Lightfoot
Hourly rate of £250 plus VAT - (VAT is £50 - total £300) - Victoria Fawcett
VAT is a tax currently 20% in addition to our fees for legal work and some other expenses.
Total Costs or Likely Average Costs
Uncertain and dependent on size and complexity of estate including spread and nature of assets but estimates as follows:
- £1,200 - £1,500 plus VAT (see above) and disbursements for Grant of Probate/Grant of Letters of Administration ONLY where the estate value is less than £325,000 or £650,000 and can claim transfer nil rate band
- £3,000 plus VAT (see above) and disbursements for Grant of Probate/Grant of Letters of Administration ONLY where the estate value is over £325,000 and there is inheritance tax to pay
In respect of both fixed fees above we will complete the relevant documentation (Executors Statement/Personal Representatives and the relevant HMRC forms) on receipt of details of all assets and liabilities. Once all documentation is approved and signed by you, we will submit all relevant papers to HMRC, if necessary, and the Probate Registry in order to obtain the Grant of Probate/Grant of Letters of Administration.
£3,000 plus VAT (see above) upwards and disbursements for full estate administration on non-taxable estates to include not only obtaining Grant but also obtaining valuations of assets & liabilities along with eventual distribution to beneficiaries. Charges depend upon the size, complexity and nature of the estate. £5,000 plus VAT upwards for full administration on taxable estates.
Dealing with the sale or transfer of the property in the estate is not included but quotes can be obtained from our conveyancing department.
For full estate administration we anticipate work to take between 10 and 50 hours with work being charged at £350 per hour plus VAT (see above) for work undertaken by Elaine Lightfoot and £250 plus VAT (see above) for work undertaken by Victoria Fawcett. In addition, there will be disbursements (third party costs) as per the disbursement column in the table. The exact cost of dealing with the full administration of an estate will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter. For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property, costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and multiple bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end.
We will handle the full process for you if you so require but please note our fixed fee quotes guidance if you only wish us to assist you with obtaining the Grant of Probate/Grant of Letters of Administration. This quote is for estates where:
- There is a valid will.
- There is no more than one property.
- There are no more than 10 bank or building society accounts.
- There are no other intangible assets.
- There are no more than 4 beneficiaries
- There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs.
- There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC
- There are no claims made against the estate
Potential additional costs
- If there is no will or the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds) there is likely to be additional costs that could range significantly depending on the estate and how it is to be dealt with. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
- If any additional copies of the grant are required, they will cost £2 (1 copy per asset it usual).
- Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.
On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 3-6 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 8 weeks once details of all assets and liabilities have been obtained. Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 3-6 weeks on average. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, the timing of which ranges depending on the variety of assets held and the number of beneficiaries.
Conveyancing: Table of Costs Plus a Bespoke Quote Generator
Conveyancing: Buying and Selling Residential Property
Click below to download a PDF of our full table of charges for all transactions
Our Fees When You Purchase Your New Home:
Our fees cover all of the work legal work needed to complete the purchase of your new home*, including dealing with registration at the Land Registry and dealing with the payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (Stamp Duty) if the property is in England (or Land Transaction Tax (Land Tax) if the property you wish to buy is in Wales). The precise stages involved vary according to circumstances but here is a list of the key stages by way of a guideline for purchase transactions:
- Take your instructions and give you initial advice
- Check finances are in place to fund purchase and contact lender's solicitors if needed
- Receive and advise on contract documents
- Carry out searches
- Make any necessary enquiries of seller's solicitor and obtain further documentation if required
- Give you advice on all documents and information received
- Go through conditions of mortgage offer
- Send final contract to you for signature
- Agree completion date (date from which you own the property)
- Draft a Transfer Deed
- Advise you on joint ownership (if applicable)
- Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
- Obtain pre-completion searches
- Liaise with the lender and with you for all monies needed to be received
- Complete your purchase
- Deal with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax
- Deal with application for registration at Land Registry
- Deal with necessary Notices if the property is Leasehold
- Advise when VAT is payable. This is a tax currently 20% in addition to legal fees and some expenses
* Sometimes additional fees are necessary because of additional legal services being provided. For example, the purchase of a leasehold property involves us spending more time in progressing your matter, as does dealing with a management company for a freehold property or where there are no estate agents or the estate agents are ‘online’. Another example is additional time being spent in dealing with a Help To Buy ISA
Please do not hesitate to telephone the Residential Property Team who will be happy to clarify any queries you may have.
Our Fees When You Sell Your Residential Property:
Our fees cover all of the work legal work needed to complete the sale residential property*, including checking your title documents and preparing a contract package to be sent to the buyer’s legal representative. The precise stages involved vary according to circumstances but here is a list of the key stages by way of a guideline for purchase transactions:
- Take your instructions and give you initial advice
- Check your title documents
- Send the contract papers to the buyer’s conveyancer
- Deal with appropriate enquiries received from the buyer’s conveyancer and obtain further documentation if required
- Send final contract to you for signature
- Agree completion date (date from which you hand over the keys)
- Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
- Liaise with the lender to arrange to repay your secured loans
- Complete your sale and send you the net sale proceeds
* Sometimes additional fees are necessary because of additional legal services being provided. For example, the sale of a leasehold property involves us spending more time in progressing your matter, as does dealing with a management company for a freehold property or where there are no estate agents or the estate agents are ‘online’
Please do not hesitate to telephone the Residential Property Team who will be happy to clarify any queries you may have.
Our fees assume that:
- This is a standard transaction and that no unforeseen matters arise including, for example, (but not limited to) a defect in title which requires remedying prior to completion or the preparation of additional documents ancillary to the main transaction
- The transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complications arise
- The title to the property is registered in full with the Land Registry
- If leasehold, it is an existing Lease rather than a new Lease
- All parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation
- No indemnity policies are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required
- The property is not being sold or purchased at auction
- The property is not part of a shared-ownership scheme
- You have provided correct information and documents and that your requirements do not change significantly
Please do not hesitate to telephone the Residential Property Team who will be happy to clarify any queries you may have.
Disbursements:
Disbursements are costs relating to your matter which are payable to third parties, such as Land Registry fees and Stamp Duty. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process
Stamp Duty:
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
Disbursements When Buying a Leasehold Property:
If you are buying a leasehold property some additional disbursements will be set out in the lease. Some examples of these leasehold disbursements which may apply are set out separately below:
- Notice of Transfer fee – this fee (if any) is set out in the Lease or will be notified as part of the conveyancing process. Often the fee is between £50 to £150
- Notice of Charge fee (if the property is to be mortgaged) – this fee (if any) is set out in the Lease or will be notified as part of the conveyancing process. Often the fee is between £50 to £150
- Deed of Covenant fee – this fee (if any) will be notified by the management company or freeholder and can be difficult to estimate. Often the fee is between £150 to £250. (Sometimes the management company or freeholder will ask us to prepare the Deed of Covenant document for which we would charge in the region of £200 plus VAT dependent upon the Lease provisions)
- Certificate of Compliance fee – this fee (if any) will be notified by the management company or freeholder as part of the conveyancing process. Often the fee is between £50 to £150
This list is not exhaustive and other disbursements may apply depending on the terms of the lease. We will update you on the specific fees when the information is available from the seller's solicitors
Please do not hesitate to telephone the Residential Property Team who will be happy to clarify any queries you may have.
Disbursements When Selling a Leasehold Property:
If you are selling a leasehold property some additional disbursements will be set out in the lease. Some examples of these leasehold disbursements which may apply are set out separately below:
- Purchaser Information Pack (sometimes called LPE1) – this fee (if any) will be notified by the management company or freeholder and can be difficult to estimate. Often the fee is between £150 to £250
- Contingency Fee – this fee (if any) is set out in the Lease and will be confirmed by the management company or the freeholder as part of the conveyancing process. Often the fee is a percentage pf the sale price
This list is not exhaustive and other disbursements may apply depending on the terms of the lease. We will update you on the specific fees when the information is available from the management company or freeholder
Please do not hesitate to telephone the Residential Property Team who will be happy to clarify any queries you may have.
How Long Will It Take?
If you are buying, how long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move in to your house will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between six to eight 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 vacant property with a mortgage in principle, it could take five weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take between two and three months and may incur additional charges. Similarly, if you are selling your property these time constraints will apply.
Please do not hesitate to telephone the Residential Property Team who will be happy to clarify any queries you may have.
Ground Rent and Service Charge:
If you are buying a leasehold property ground rent and service charges a likely to apply throughout your ownership. We will confirm the ground rent and anticipated service charge as soon as we receive this information
Please do not hesitate to telephone the Residential Property Team who will be happy to clarify any queries you may have Click Here
Employment tribunal: Range of costs
Our pricing for bringing and defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal
Simple case: £6,500-£14,000 (plus VAT) *
Medium complexity case: £14,000-£22,500 (plus VAT) *
High complexity case: £22,500-£50,000 (plus VAT) *
* VAT is a tax currently 20% in addition to our fees for legal work and some other payments on your behalf.
Factors that could make a case more complex:
- If it is necessary to make or defend applications to amend claims or to provide further information about an existing claim
- Defending claims that are brought by litigants in person
- Making or defending a costs application
- Complex preliminary issues such as whether the claimant is disabled (if this is not agreed by the parties)
- The number of witnesses and documents
- If it is an automatic unfair dismissal claim e.g. if you are dismissed after blowing the whistle on your employer
- Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal
Generally, we would allow 2-3 days for a Tribunal Hearing, depending on the complexity of your case although some cases can require longer hearings.
Disbursements
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. However, we will require money on account of these.
Counsel's fees estimated of between £3,600 to £5,400 (including VAT - see * above) (depending on experience of the advocate and the nature of the claim) for attending the first day of a Tribunal Hearing (including preparation). After this Counsel will charge a daily rate which will be notified to you.
Key stages
The fees set out above cover all of the work in relation to the following key stages of a claim:
- Taking your initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising you on merits and likely compensation (this is likely to be revisited throughout the matter and subject to change)
- Entering into pre-claim conciliation where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached;
- Preparing claim or response
- Reviewing and advising on claim or response from other party
- Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process
- Preparing or considering a schedule of loss
- Preparing for (and attending) a Preliminary Hearing
- Exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle of documents
- Taking witness statements, drafting statements and agreeing their content with witnesses
- Preparing bundle of documents
- Reviewing and advising on the other party's witness statements
- Agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and/or cast list
- Preparation and attendance at Final Hearing, including instructions to Counsel
The stages set out above are an indication and if some of stages above are not required, the fee may be reduced. You may wish to handle the claim yourself and obtain ad-hoc advice from us at various stages. This can be arranged, depending on your individual needs and the nature of the case.
If we instruct a barrister to attend a final hearing on your behalf, then we will charge a fixed daily rate of £750 plus VAT for our attendance.
Depending on the nature of the case, we do not normally attend the Employment Tribunal hearing if we instruct a Barrister.
How long will my matter take?
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 4 to 8 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take 6-12 months. This is just an estimate and we will of course be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the matter progresses. The timescale will amongst other things depend on which Tribunal office is dealing with your case.
Who will do my work and at what hourly rate?
The work will be carried out by Iain Jenkins. Iain has more than 30 years post qualification experience. Usually work will be carried out at an hourly rate of £380 per hour plus VAT.
Iain is also assisted by a Solicitor Apprentice Aisling McAuley, whose hourly rate is £210 plus VAT.
Range of fees for a business-to-business debt that is undisputed
Court Claims
These costs apply where your claim is in relation to an unpaid invoice which is not disputed, and enforcement action is not needed. If the other party disputes your claim at any point, we will discuss any further work required and provide you with revised advice about costs, if necessary, which could be on a fixed fee (e.g. if a one off letter is required), or an hourly rate basis if more extensive work is needed.
Standard Practice for an undisputed debt, is to issue a statutory demand on your behalf. These are carried out at a fixed fee of £900 + VAT. If the debt becomes contested, then further fees will apply, and these will be explained to you by the fee-earner working on your matter. We do accept and regularly undertake litigation matters for a range of disputes, and will happily discuss ranges of fees and options to you, upon enquiry.
| Work Undertaken | Our Estimated Fees: | Fees Include: |
| Statutory Demand | Fixed Fee: £900 + VAT* | Taking your instructions and reviewing documentation
Drafting the demand, arranging appropriate service of the demand on your behalf, together with forwarding on any response/remittance.
|
| Letter Before Claim | Between £750 – £2,000 * | Taking your instructions and reviewing documentation
Drafting the letter before claim and sending it to the debtor on your behalf, together with forwarding on any response/remittance.
|
| Issuing and obtaining default judgment | Between £750 – £2,000* | Where no Acknowledgment of Service or Defence is received, applying to the court to enter Judgement in default
When Judgement in default is received, writing to the other side to request payment
|
*These are fees purely in respect of drafting and non-contentious applications for monetary claims and do not apply to disputes or damages claims. Additionally, further fees and disbursements, may apply if the matter is subsequently disputed, or if the matter is complex.
Our fee includes:
Matters usually take 2 - 18 months from receipt of instructions from you to receipt of payment from the other side, depending on whether it is necessary to issue a claim. This is on the basis that the other side pays promptly on receipt of Judgement in default. If enforcement action is needed, the matter will take longer to resolve.
All fees depend on the complexity of the matter, volume of documents and general work required. We would be happy to quote on your matter upon receiving your enquiry.
* VAT is a tax currently 20% in addition to our fees for legal work and some other expenses.
Disbursements which may also be required in addition are:
- Counsel’s fees may apply should a Default Judgment hearing be listed, with parties required to attend. These could range from £500 plus VAT to £2,000 plus VAT) subject to the complexity of the Judgment hearing. All fees are proposed to you for approval prior to being incurred.
- Land Registry search fees between £7 to £50.
- Tracing Agent fees to locate your debtor of up to £150 plus VAT (* - see above).
- Process Server Fees: Between £125 - £225 + VAT
Anyone wishing to proceed with a claim should note that:
- The VAT element (* - see above) of our fee cannot always be reclaimed from your debtor.
- Interest and compensation may take the debt into a higher banding, with a higher cost.
- The costs quoted above are not for matters where enforcement action, such as the bailiff, is needed to collect your debt.
Enforcing a judgment
| Work Undertaken : | Our Estimated Fees: |
| Applying and obtaining an order for a Judgment Debtor to Attend Court for Financial Questioning
|
Between £750 – £2,000* |
| Obtaining a warrant/writ of control and instructing the relevant agents on your behalf
|
Between £750 – £2,000* |
| Applying and obtaining an Attachment of Earnings Order
|
Between £900– £2,800* |
| Applying and obtaining a Third-Party Debt Order
|
Between £1,000 – £3,200* |
| Applying and obtaining a Charging Order
|
Between £1,000 – £3,200* |
*These are fees purely in respect of drafting and applying for the enforcement action. Further applies, and disbursements, may apply if the matter is disputed, or if the matter is complex.
Who will do my work and at what rate?
The work will be carried out by:
David Birks - Partner and Head of Commercial and Sports Litigation Department [Click Here to view David Birks's profile]. Work will be carried out on an hourly rate of £400 plus VAT.
Lana Wilks - A Trainee Solicitor within the Commercial and Sports Litigation Department. [Click Here to view Lana Wilks' profile]. Work will be carried out on an hourly rate of £250 plus VAT.
Aliyah Ricketts – A Litigation Executive within the Commercial and Sports Litigation Department. [Click Here to view Aliyah Ricketts' profile]. Work will be carried out on an hourly rate of £210 plus VAT.
These rates are reviewed periodically, and may be increased in time, but any changes will be notified to you as a client, before they are implemented.
All work will be ultimately supervised by David Birks.
Fixed Fee for Guilty Plea at Magistrates Court for Driving Matters such as drink drive and drive without due care and attention – Fixed Fee £500 plus VAT of £100 (total £600) For exceptional hardship driving cases the range is £1,000 plus VAT for straightforward cases. More complex cases will be charged at an hourly rate.
Fee Includes:
- 2 hours attendance and preparation, attendance and representation at a single hearing at the magistrates court;
- Considering evidence;
- Considering instructions;
- Providing advice on likely sentence;
- VAT a tax currently charged at 20% of the fee for our legal work
The fee does not include:
- Instruction of any expert witnesses;
- Taking statements from any witnesses;
- Advice and assistance in relation to special reasons, exceptional hardship hearings, advice and assistance in relation to any appeal;
The Key stage between matters are based on the presumption that you will be entering a guilty plea and have a date for your hearing.
- Meet with your solicitor to provide instructions on what happened;
- Will consider the initial disclosure and any other evidence provided;
- Arranging to take any witness statements if necessary (this will be an additional cost at an hourly rate depending on the fee earner conducting your matter);
- We will explain the court procedure so that you know what to expect on the day of your hearing, and the sentencing options available to the court;
- We will conduct any further preparatory work, obtain further instructions from you, if necessary and answer any follow up queries you have;
- We cannot provide timescale for when your hearing will take place, this will depend on the court listings for the day;
- We will attend court on the day and meet with you before going to court, you can anticipate being at court for half a day, but this depends on the court listings;
- We will discuss the outcome with you and if advice is required on appeal we will carry out this at an additional cost (this is to be carried out at the hourly rate of the fee earner conducting your matter)
Please note that this fixed fee is for work conducted at Harrogate Magistrates Court. We are more than happy to conduct work at any magistrates court, however this will incur additional travel costs. We shall discuss this with you and agree a fee for our travel costs before we conduct any work on your behalf.
Work on these set matters will be conducted by:
Any work carried out on an hourly rate basis will be between £250 and £400.
All work will be ultimately supervised by Peter Minnikin.