Fees

Initial Consultation

I offer all clients an unlimited initial consultation for a fixed fee of £95.00. We will meet in person, over Skype or Zoom, or by telephone, whichever suits you best, to assess your case. There is nothing worse than feeling that you have to rush what is probably an extremely important issue. It takes as long as it takes. I ask for payment of the £95.00 +VAT (£114.00) in advance and may ask you to email me ahead of the consultation a summary of the matter and any vital documents that you may need to refer to.

Following that meeting we will agree a way forward and I will then set out any further costs and the likely time your matter will take. Currently, due to the impact of Covid-19 on the courts, I cannot be definite on likely court dates, but where possible, I will try to find alternative solutions to court, such as mediation, arbitration, or just trying to sort it out through correspondence.

Hourly Rate

My hourly rate is £255.00 per hour + VAT. I will always give you an estimate of costs and likely timescale at the start of a matter, and update you regularly if this changes.

I will also undertake certain types of work at an agreed fixed fee. For example, I can represent you at a court hearing for an agreed fee, or assist you in drafting a document at a fixed fee. In this way, you may be able to keep costs down by doing parts of the case yourself.

Invoicing

If we proceed with your case, I invoice clients once a month and payment is due within 14 days of that invoice. In certain cases, I will ask for some money on account at the start of a case, or for example before a court hearing. 

Third Party Fees

As a ‘freelance’ solicitor I am only authorised to handle money that is for payment of my fees, i.e. what you pay directly to me. Therefore, payment of third-party fees will have to be done directly by yourself as a separate arrangement, for example, a payment to a barrister representing you or payment of a court fee to the court. Equally, a settlement in a civil or matrimonial dispute would be paid directly to you the client. What I cannot do is handle ‘client money’ – i.e. your money. I will explain this in more detail if you instruct me.