Our Fees

A conditional fee agreement, also known as no-win-no-fee, means that if your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t be charged. In some cases, there may be additional costs, known as disbursements, on your behalf which are necessary to progress your case.

We promise complete transparency will keep you informed of any costs which you may be liable for so you don’t have to worry about any unwelcome surprises.

Costs will be claimed from the opposition but under the Conditional Fee Agreement we enter into with you, a percentage of your compensation will be allocated to cover our fees. Known as the “success fee”, it will never exceed a maximum of 25% plus VAT of the compensation you are awarded and will only be applied to the element of the compensation award specifically relating to your injuries. The success fee applied to your case will be made clear from the very beginning of your case.

If your instruct us, we will explain every detail of the agreement with you and keep you informed about your case every step of the way. Our team of experts will always be available to answer your questions and support you through any difficulties you encounter.

Costs will vary based on type of case claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal

Simple case: £2,000-£5,000 (excluding VAT, charged at 20%)

Medium complexity case: £5,000-£10,000 (excluding VAT, charged at 20%)

High complexity case: £10,000-£25,000 (excluding VAT, charged at 20%)

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 per day (excluding VAT, charged at 20%). Generally, we would allow 1-3 days depending on the complexity of your case.

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 estimated between £1,000 to £2,500 (plus VAT) per day (depending on experience of the advocate) for attending a Tribunal Hearing (including preparation)

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 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.

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 6-12 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take 26-52 weeks. 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.

During your free initial consultation, we will assess your case, evaluate the work involved and explain the relevant charges.

We offer competitive pricing and most of our immigration services, are provided on a fixed fee basis.  A set fixed pricing for services means that you will know exactly what you’re paying for and allow you to make price comparisons.

Certain complex cases fall outside the scope of the fixed fee pricing structure and the advice and representation will have to be charged on an hourly basis*.  You will be provided with a full breakdown and explanation, an estimate at the outset and at regular intervals during your case.

Please note that our fees below exclude VAT charged at 20% unless specifically stated. Charging VAT in relation to immigration matters may depend on where you live and what immigration permission you have. We will confirm whether VAT (at a rate of 20%) is payable when you instruct us and we can work out if VAT is properly chargeable.

Work conducted outside the scope of the Agreement will only be chargeable once we have explained and obtained your express to instructions to proceed.

Please note that where applicable the above fees include:

• Considering documents
• Client appointments as necessary

• discussing your circumstances in detail and advising on the Immigration Rules and your eligibility in relation to the relevant application

• Taking instructions and providing advice
• providing you with a comprehensive checklist outlining what documents are required in support of your application
• considering whether any other options are available to you
• completing the application documentation
• Preparing and submitting application and supporting documents
• Advising you on timelines and the outcome of your application

The costs quoted here do not include:

• VAT
• Any Home Office fees for making the application. You will pay this to the Home Office directly as part of the application process.
• Where the Home Office refuse your application, advice and assistance in relation to any appeal

Disbursements

The fixed fees quoted above do not include disbursements.   

All disbursements will need to be paid for separately in addition to the fees for our services. Examples of disbursements include barrister fees, home office/visa application fees, court application fees, postage, interpreting/translation services, medical reports fees, expert report fees, mileage/travel expenses etc. This is not an exhaustive list and is meant purely as a guide.

How long will my application take?

We will normally be able to submit most types of application within 2 weeks of instruction provided we have received all the necessary documentation, however in urgent cases we can make an application more quickly. 

We cannot guarantee how long the Home Office will take to process your application. However, the current processing times can be found on the Home Office website. 

Please note the anticipated number of hours and fees are estimates based the average cost in previous cases we have dealt with. 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.

We have outlined below the costs and fees involved at each stage of the debt collection process. Please be aware that invoices are issued to you at the end of the month for all work carried out in that month. Our terms are 14 days. VAT is not included in any of the amounts set out below. Court fees are not subject to VAT but VAT is payable on our fees and any other costs set out.

FIRST STAGE

To begin the debt collection process where the debtor is a limited company or a firm (partnership) we can send either a Letter Before Action to the debtor, which requests payment from the debtor within seven days or alternatively a Late Payment Demand, which not only claims your basic debt but also claims interest, compensation and your reasonable debt collection costs under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, provided both parties were acting in the course of business.

Letter Before Action only £25.00 (+ VAT)

Suing individuals

To begin the debt collection process where the debtor is an individual the new Pre-action Protocol for Debt Claims is applicable from 1 October 2017. It will only affect you when your debtor is an individual. Our charge is £50 plus VAT and is applicable to letters containing up to 16 printed sheets of A4 paper and postage.

Please note that if the debt is paid at this stage, you will not be charged any of the costs or fees listed below.

SECOND STAGE

Court Actions in England and Wales

 All claims under £100,000 are issued through the County Court Business Centre. VAT is charged on costs, not fees and is not recoverable from the Debtor, but can be reclaimed by you if VAT registered (unless exceptionally you operate under the VAT Flat Rate Scheme).

* of the claim value.

The Total column is the amount you pay regardless of whether the debt has been paid at this stage. The Debtor Pays column is the amount the Debtor pays when an action is successful, this may be after our invoice. The Court calculate the fee on the total of the debt plus interest, which  may put the Court fees and costs into the higher band. You will not recover the sum in the Non-Recoverable column for a standard LBA. There are very exceptional circumstances where we are able to cancel the court action on the day of processing. Where we are able to do so, a cancellation charge of no more than the equivalent non-recoverable costs element will apply, otherwise the total costs and fees will be payable.

Anyone wishing to proceed with a claim should note that:

• 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 21 days, providing you with advice on next steps and likely costs

Timescales

It usually takes the court about 10 working days to enter judgment following receipt of a request to enter judgment.  However, matters usually take 4-6 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.

THIRD STAGE

Judgment & Enforcement in England and Wales

The courts calculate the Enforcement Fee on the Judgment total, which may put the fee into the higher band (if the enforcement is NOT issued through the Northampton County Court Business Centre the court fee is increased by £33). If the debtor files an Acknowledgement of Service the costs increase by £3 for debts up to £5,000 and by £5 on debts over £5,000. The HCEO will collect their charges from the debtor direct. However, in the event of the HCEO being unsuccessful there will be an abortive fee, which is generally £75 plus VAT. We will automatically instruct the Enforcement Officer (HCEO) in every case over £600.00. Stage 3 costs are based on default proceedings where the High Court Enforcement Officer (HCEO) or Bailiff is instructed. Judgment Costs are calculated on the total of the balance of the debt plus the fixed costs and fees on issue plus interest.

Matters referred to our litigation department may be charged at £227 plus VAT per hour.

In some cases, a success fee may be applied based on the complexity of the matter.  This can vary between 10% to 25% plus VAT and would only become payable if we succeed in recovering your debt.  If we are unsuccessful, you are only liable to pay the fixed fees set out above

Some aspects of our work falls outside the scope of the pricing structure we have provided.  In those cases, we will offer our services chargeable on a standard hourly rate.

It is not always easy to estimate exactly how many hours will be required on a case and will depend on the unique circumstances of each case, or how but proceeds – for example, a matter which proceeds all the way to trial will require a lot more time to prepare for court and attend the hearing than a dispute which settles in the stages.

We will provide you with a cost estimate at the outset, if costs look likely to go over this amount, we will warn you.

Our hourly rate are as follows:

For work charged on an hourly basis, the fees will depend on the experience and qualifications of the individual carrying out the work.  Please visit the About Us section for full details of all members of our team and of their supervisors. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like further information.