Fees
What it costs
Most matters have a fixed fee or a clear range. Every fee below is for a typical matter; we confirm yours in writing before any work starts.
1
— Businesses
For businesses
Commercial contracts
from £850 + VAT
Review of one contract up to 20 pages. Drafting from £1,600.
A read of the contract against your aims, a marked-up copy, a short note of the risks in plain English and one call to talk it through.
5–10 working days
Shareholders’ agreements
from £2,400 + VAT
Up to four shareholders on standard terms. Changes to the articles from £600.
A call to understand the business, a first draft, two rounds of changes, and a signing pack for every shareholder.
2–4 weeks
Employment advice for employers
£260–£380 an hour + VAT
Estimate first. Contract and handbook packages from £1,200 fixed.
Advice by phone and email, document drafting, and step-by-step plans for disciplinaries, grievances and redundancies.
Same-day replies on urgent calls
Commercial leases
from £1,950 + VAT
Tenant side, a new lease of one property. Renewals from £1,500.
A review of the heads of terms and the lease, negotiation with the landlord’s solicitor, a report on the key terms, and completion.
4–8 weeks
Business disputes
£260–£380 an hour + VAT
We start with a fixed-fee case assessment of £650.
A case assessment, a strategy with likely costs at each stage, letters before action, negotiation and, if needed, court proceedings.
Weeks to months, depending on the other side
2
— Private clients
For private clients
Wills
£540 fixed incl. VAT
For a single will. Mirror wills for couples £840.
A meeting, a draft in plain English, one round of changes, signing with us, and free storage of the original.
2–3 weeks
Lasting powers of attorney
£660 fixed incl. VAT
Per person, for both types. The Office of the Public Guardian charges a registration fee on top.
Advice on choosing attorneys, both documents prepared, guidance for your certificate provider, and registration.
2 weeks, then months to register
Probate
£2,220 fixed incl. VAT
Grant only, for an estate with no inheritance tax to pay. Full administration from £4,200.
Valuing the estate, the inheritance tax forms, the probate application, and a call at each stage.
8–16 weeks
Buying a home
from £1,740 incl. VAT
Freehold, up to £750,000. Leasehold adds £420. Search and Land Registry fees on top.
Contract review, searches, enquiries, a report on the property, mortgage work, exchange, completion and registration.
8–12 weeks
Settlement agreements
£540 fixed incl. VAT
Employers usually pay towards this; we invoice them directly when they agree.
A review of the agreement, a call to explain your rights and options, negotiation of minor terms, and the adviser’s certificate.
2–5 working days
Separation agreements
from £1,440 incl. VAT
For terms you’ve broadly agreed. Advice on a disputed split is charged by the hour.
A call about what you’ve agreed, a draft, one round of changes, and advice on getting it signed.
3–6 weeks
3
— Hourly rates
Hourly rates
Where a fixed fee isn’t possible, we work at these rates and give you an estimate first. We tell you before an estimate is exceeded. For private clients, every estimate includes VAT.
Partner
£380 an hour + VAT
Senior associate
£320 an hour + VAT
Associate
£260 an hour + VAT
4
— Changes
What can change a fee
The matter turns out bigger than described, for example a second property or an extra party.
4.2
The other side doesn’t respond or takes an unusual position.
4.3
You ask for work outside the agreed scope.
4.4
In every case we tell you first and agree any change in writing.
5
— VAT
Disbursements and VAT
Fees for businesses are shown without VAT, which we add at 20%. Fees for private clients include VAT. Disbursements are costs we pay to others on your behalf, such as court fees, search fees or Land Registry fees. We pass them on at cost and list the likely ones in your engagement letter.
6
— Questions
Questions about fees
Tell us what’s happening.
We’ll reply within one working day with whether we can help, and what it would cost.