Our Fees
We believe that our clients should be in control of what they pay, when they pay and how they pay for our legal services.
Rules introduced by the Solicitors Regulation Authority in December 2018 require us to publish information on our website relating to legal costs and services for certain types of legal work.
Information cannot be provided on our website for every type of matter where we will act, as each case is different. We will provide you with a written indication of the fees we anticipate will apply to your case after we receive from you all facts and documents relating to your specific matter.
Paying our professional fees is straightforward. We accept PayPal and all major credit cards, but if you would rather arrange a bank transfer, that is also fine.
New enquiries
We do not charge for reviewing a new enquiry, and we will confirm any fee before work begins. We will provide you with an initial indication of the options available, based on the level of service you prefer. Whether you are an individual or a business, you can contact us free of charge and your enquiry will be reviewed by one of our fee-earners.
VAT
All of our fees, including the hourly rates and fixed fees below, are exclusive of VAT. VAT is added at the standard rate, currently 20%. Disbursements, such as Home Office application fees, court fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge, are charged in addition.
Estimates and quotations
The majority of our immigration fees are provided on a fixed-fee basis, as indicated below, and are calculated by reference to the complexity of the matter. Our fixed fee is not dependent on the application being successful, and any disbursements or expenses in relation to your matter are payable by you in addition to our fees. If your instructions are withdrawn before the application is submitted, the fixed fee and any disbursements or expenses already incurred will remain payable in full.
For unforeseen circumstances or changes in your instructions, we will conduct the additional work on an hourly basis. The hourly rate charged depends on the expertise and seniority of the person undertaking the work. Our current hourly rates (plus VAT where applicable) are as follows:
We will provide you with an estimate of how many hours we expect to spend on your matter, and an estimate of our fees, before commencing work. Our estimates operate as a guide and are not fixed fees. Our time is recorded in six-minute units (0.1 of an hour).
Partner
£550 per hour
Solicitor
£300 – £400 per hour
Trainee solicitor
£150 per hour
Paralegals/support
£150 per hour
Debt recovery for business clients (claims up to £100,000)
These prices apply where we act for a business to recover an undisputed debt of up to £100,000 from a debtor in England and Wales. We act on debts of £10,000 and above. All fees are exclusive of VAT (currently 20%). Court fees are charged in addition.
| Stage | What it covers | Our fee (excluding VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Letter before action | Reviewing the contract, invoices and correspondence; a company or insolvency search on the debtor; a formal letter of claim and follow-up | £2,000 – £5,000 |
| Issue to default judgment | Drafting and issuing the claim; requesting default judgment if the debtor does not respond; a letter demanding payment of the judgment | £1,500 – £4,000 |
| Total, undefended claim to judgment | £3,500 – £9,000 |
Where a matter falls within these ranges depends on the number of invoices and documents, the complexity of the contract, and whether the debtor engages or negotiates.
Court fees (paid to HM Courts & Tribunals Service; no VAT): issuing a money claim costs £455 for a claim of £10,000, and 5% of the claim value for claims of £10,000.01–£100,000. Enforcement court fees include £96 for a County Court warrant of control, £82 for a High Court writ of control, £139 for a charging order, third party debt order or attachment of earnings order, and £69 for an order to obtain information. Source: HMCTS civil court fees (EX50).
Not included: defended claims and any hearing or trial; applications to set aside judgment; enforcement; insolvency proceedings; tracing agents; counsel's fees; and debtors outside England and Wales. This work is charged at our hourly rates above, and we will give you an estimate before it starts. If a claim is defended and goes to a full hearing, we will provide a separate estimate for that stage.
Key stages and timescales: we normally send the letter before action within 3–5 working days of receiving your instructions and documents. The debtor is usually given 14 days to pay, or 30 days where the debtor is an individual or sole trader (Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims). If the debt is not paid, we issue the claim, normally within 5 working days. The debtor then has 14 days after service to respond, or 28 days if it files an acknowledgment of service. Where there is no response, default judgment is usually obtained 4–8 weeks after the claim is issued. An undefended claim typically takes 2–4 months from instruction to judgment.
Who does the work: the work is carried out by a paralegal or trainee solicitor and is always supervised by a partner or solicitor. Details of our lawyers' qualifications and experience are on our team page.
Employment Tribunal claims for employees (unfair and wrongful dismissal)
We act for employees bringing claims for unfair dismissal and/or wrongful dismissal in the Employment Tribunal. We charge by the hour at the rates above. The ranges below cover the work from initial advice to the end of a final hearing on liability and remedy. All fees are exclusive of VAT (currently 20%).
| Complexity | Typical features | Our fees (excluding VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Simple | Unfair and/or wrongful dismissal only; up to 3 witnesses; limited documents; no contested preliminary issues; final hearing of 1–2 days | £20,000 – £35,000 |
| Medium | Several heads of claim or disputed facts; 4–6 witnesses; a preliminary hearing on a discrete issue; final hearing of 3–4 days | £35,000 – £70,000 |
| High | Automatically unfair dismissal (for example whistleblowing), linked discrimination allegations, disability as a preliminary issue, applications to amend, substantial disclosure, or a final hearing of 5 days or more | £70,000 – £130,000 |
Key stages (indicative fees for a simple claim):
- Initial advice and Acas early conciliation: £3,000 – £5,000
- Preparing and filing the claim form (ET1), schedule of loss and case management preliminary hearing: £4,000 – £7,000
- Disclosure, the hearing bundle and witness statements: £6,000 – £10,000
- Preparation for and attendance at the final hearing: £7,000 – £13,000
Disbursements: there is currently no fee to bring a claim in the Employment Tribunal. Counsel's fees (plus VAT) are typically £2,000 – £7,500 for the first day of a final hearing, including preparation, £1,500 – £4,000 for each further day, and £750 – £3,000 for a preliminary hearing. Expert reports, such as medical evidence, are charged at cost.
Not included: remedy-only or reconsideration hearings; interim relief applications; costs applications; appeals to the Employment Appeal Tribunal; enforcement of an award; standalone discrimination claims; and advice on a separate settlement agreement. Negotiating a settlement through Acas (a COT3 agreement) during the claim is included.
Settlement agreements: advising on a settlement agreement costs £500 – £2,000 (excluding VAT). Employers often contribute towards the employee's legal costs.
Funding: we do not offer conditional fee agreements ("no win, no fee") or damages-based agreements for employment claims.
Key stages and timescales: Acas early conciliation must normally be started before a claim is issued and can last up to 12 weeks; many claims settle at this stage. After the early conciliation certificate is issued, there is at least one month to bring the claim. A claim that proceeds to a final hearing typically takes 9–18 months from issue, depending on the tribunal region and its current workload.
Who does the work: the work is carried out by a paralegal or trainee solicitor and is always supervised by a partner or solicitor. Details of our lawyers' qualifications and experience are on our team page.
Employment Tribunal claims: defending claims for employers (unfair and wrongful dismissal)
We act for employers defending claims for unfair dismissal and/or wrongful dismissal in the Employment Tribunal. We charge by the hour at the rates above. The ranges below cover the work from initial advice on the claim to the end of a final hearing on liability and remedy. All fees are exclusive of VAT (currently 20%).
| Complexity | Typical features | Our fees (excluding VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Simple | Unfair and/or wrongful dismissal only; up to 3 witnesses; limited documents; no contested preliminary issues; final hearing of 1–2 days | £20,000 – £35,000 |
| Medium | Several heads of claim or disputed facts; 4–6 witnesses; a preliminary hearing on a discrete issue; final hearing of 3–4 days | £35,000 – £70,000 |
| High | Automatically unfair dismissal (for example whistleblowing), linked discrimination allegations, disability as a preliminary issue, applications to amend, substantial disclosure, or a final hearing of 5 days or more | £70,000 – £130,000 |
Key stages (indicative fees for a simple claim):
- Advice on the claim and Acas early conciliation: £3,000 – £5,000
- Preparing and filing the response (ET3) and grounds of resistance, and the case management preliminary hearing: £4,000 – £7,000
- Disclosure, the hearing bundle and witness statements: £7,000 – £12,000 (the employer usually prepares the hearing bundle and often has more witnesses)
- Preparation for and attendance at the final hearing: £7,000 – £13,000
Disbursements: there is currently no fee to bring or defend a claim in the Employment Tribunal. Counsel's fees (plus VAT) are typically £2,000 – £7,500 for the first day of a final hearing, including preparation, £1,500 – £4,000 for each further day, and £750 – £3,000 for a preliminary hearing. Expert reports are charged at cost.
Not included: HR advice before a claim is made; internal investigations; disciplinary and grievance procedures; remedy-only or reconsideration hearings; costs applications; appeals to the Employment Appeal Tribunal; claims other than unfair and wrongful dismissal; and a separate settlement agreement. This work is charged at our hourly rates, and we will give you an estimate before it starts. Negotiating a settlement through Acas (a COT3 agreement) during the claim is included.
Settlement agreements: preparing or negotiating a settlement agreement costs £500 – £2,000 (excluding VAT).
Funding: we do not offer conditional fee agreements or damages-based agreements for employment claims.
Key stages and timescales: a claim is normally preceded by Acas early conciliation, which can last up to 12 weeks; many claims settle at this stage. Once a claim is served, the employer has 28 days to file its response (ET3). A claim that proceeds to a final hearing typically takes 9–18 months from issue, depending on the tribunal region and its current workload.
Who does the work: the work is carried out by a paralegal or trainee solicitor and is always supervised by a partner or solicitor. Details of our lawyers' qualifications and experience are on our team page.
Guideline immigration fees
Innovator Founder visa (formerly the Innovator and Start-up routes; the Tier 1 (Innovator) route is closed to new applicants) Initial Application / Entry Clearance £10,000 – £15,000 Extension £10,000 – £15,000 Settlement Application £10,000 – £15,000
Skilled Worker visa / Global Business Mobility routes Initial Application / Entry Clearance from £3,500 Extension from £2,500 Settlement Application from £2,500
Spouse and civil partnership visa Initial Application / Entry Clearance £2,500 – £3,500 Extension £1,500 – £2,000 Settlement Application £2,000 – £2,500
Long residence (10-year route) Settlement Application £1,800 – £2,000
Marriage visitor / family visitor visa Family visitor Entry Clearance Application £1,000 – £1,500 Marriage visitor Entry Clearance Application £1,200 – £1,500
Adult dependant: £1,000; additional child dependants: £500 each.
Fees depend on the complexity of the matter and the number of dependants joining the application. Fees also depend on whether the Home Office's priority or super-priority service is available for the category in question. The figures above are indicative and may be reviewed from time to time; please contact us for a quotation specific to your matter.
(The Tier 1 (Investor) and Sole Representative of an Overseas Business routes are closed to new applicants. We continue to advise existing holders on extensions, settlement and related matters.)