Our Fees - Example of our costs

What fee information are you looking for?

• Business to business debt that is undisputed
• Employment: Example of costs
• Court of Protection
• Advice on business or Contract Disputes
• Defence of Medical Professionals

Business to business debt that is undisputed

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 if more extensive work is needed.

Please note the following:

• The VAT element of our fee cannot 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.

Our fee includes:

• Taking your instructions and reviewing documentation
• Undertaking appropriate searches
• Sending a letter before action
• Receiving payment and sending onto you, or if the debt is not paid, drafting and issuing claim
• Where no Acknowledgment of Service or Defence is received, applying to the court to enter Judgement in default
• When Judgement in default in received, write to the other side to request payment
• If payment is not received within 90 days, providing you with advice on next steps and likely costs

How long will the process take?

Matters usually take 10-12 weeks from receipt of instructions from you to receipt of payment from the other side, depending on whether or not 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.

Employment: Example of our Costs

As a part from dealing with the matter on a fixed fee or hourly rate basis, we may, in some circumstances be prepared to deal with the matter on  a contingency  fee basis. This means that you do not have to pay our fees upfront but in the event that you are awarded a monetary award, we will then be entitled to a pre-agreed percentage of that award. However, if you lose, then you will not have to pay our fees.

Our Hourly Rates

Estimates

These costs estimates apply to the bringing and defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal only.

• Simple case: £8,000.00 - £10,000.00 (excluding VAT)
• Medium complexity case: £10,000.00 - £20,000.00 (excluding VAT)
• High complexity case: £20,000.00 – £50,000.00 (excluding VAT)

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

There will be an additional charge for attending a Tribunal Hearing of £750.00 per day (excluding VAT). Generally, we would allow 1 -10 days depending on the complexity of your case.

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.

Counsel's fees are estimated between £3,000.00 - £8,000.00 per day (depending on experience of the advocate) for attending a Tribunal Hearing (including preparation).

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 only an indication f the work required to be completed and if some of stages above are not required, the fee will be reduced. 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 on your individual needs.

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 10-12 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take 12-18 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.

Court of Protection: Obtaining a Deputyship Order

We offer a fixed price service for drafting an application for a deputyship order or for drafting and lodging an application:

 The work involved in drafting the application for deputyship orders includes:

• Completion of the application forms confirming details of personal and financial affairs

The additional work involved in lodging the application and obtaining the orders includes:

• Obtaining medical evidence that your loved one or friend no longer has capacity
• Making the application to the Court
• Notifying close relatives that the application has been issued

You may be exempt from paying the court fee if:

• You only have a small amount of savings or investments
• and you receive certain benefits
• or, you are on a low income

More information about fee remissions can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-help-with-court-of-protection-fees-form-cop44a

Cost of additional work if the application becomes contested or a hearing is required

If the application becomes contested or involves a Court hearing then there will be additional costs and disbursements and we will provide a separate estimate for these costs.

Timescale

In most cases an order can be obtained within 6 months but this will be longer if the application is contested or a hearing is required.

Advice on Business or Contract Disputes

Fixed Fee Service

In some cases we are able to offer a limited fixed fee service for providing advice in relation to pre-litigation business or contract disputes with a value of less than £25,000.00 that have occurred in and are subject to the laws of England and Wales.

This service will include:

• A review of your dispute and supporting documentation (maximum of 2 hours)
• A report on prospects of success, any potential defence and advice for recommended next steps
• If appropriate, an estimate of costs for any legal action you may wish to pursue in relation to the matter

Cost

Fixed fee service including a 1 hour consultation £500.00 plus VAT

Fixed fee service without a 1 hour consultation £250.00 plus VAT

If the amount in dispute is more than £25,0000.00, involves a large volume of documentation to be reviewed, or is already litigated then our hourly rates will apply for all work and we will be happy to provide you with an estimate of our costs for undertaking the work on an hourly rate basis.

Hourly rates:

Note: Our hourly rates are subject to review each January.

Defence of Medical Professionals

Fixed Fee 30 minute Initial Consultation only: £75.00 plus VAT

Fixed Fee Consultation, review and report: £650.00 plus VAT

This service will include:

• 1 hour consultation
• A review of allegations and documentation (maximum of 2 hours)
• A report on prospects of success, any potential defence and advice for recommended next steps
• If appropriate, an estimate of costs for any further legal work required

Any additional work, including preparation of documents, advice and representation at any disciplinary or criminal proceedings would be undertaken on an hourly basis at the following rates:

Hourly rates:

Note: Our hourly rates are subject to review each January.