Pricing

*post qualification experience

Chargeable rates may vary depending on complexity, value and urgency of instruction

In contentious matters, our charges are based on the time we spend dealing with a case. Time spent on your matter will include meetings with you and perhaps others, any time spent travelling, considering, preparing and working on papers, correspondence and making and receiving telephone calls. It is not only good practice but also a professional obligation to keep you fully informed, in writing, as to the progress of your matter on a regular basis.

Our charging rate in this matter will be an hourly rate + VAT, depending on the fee-earner acting. This takes into account a number of factors which include the complexity of the issues, the expertise or specialist knowledge that the case requires and on the basis of the information currently available. The rates may be higher if, for example, the matter becomes more complex or urgent than expected in which event we will notify you. In the event of a charging rate per hour, routine letters that we write and routine telephone calls that we make and receive will be charged as units of one tenth of an hour (6 minute units). Routine letters received are not charged for. Other letters and calls will be charged on a time basis, calculated in 6 minute units. Routine letters that we write and routine telephone calls that we make and receive will be charged as units of one tenth of an hour (6 minute units). Routine letters received are not charged for. Other letters and calls will be charged on a time basis, calculated in 6 minute units. Generally, hours worked outside normal office hours are charged at the same rate but in the event that we are obliged to work regularly outside office hours, we reserve the right to increase the level of the hourly rate. However, you will be notified in advance of any such intention.

In litigation matters, the amount of our costs which you will have to pay may be greater than the amount you can recover from another party to the case.

We will add Value Added Tax to our charges at the rate that applies when the work is done. The present Value Added Tax is 20%. In addition, all out of pocket expenses including in particular fares and telephones will be charged and other expenses which we are likely to pay.

Details of other expenses which you are likely to have to pay, when they are likely to become due and an estimate of their costs will be given to you by the person in charge of your case as soon as possible.

Generally in contentious matters it is often hard, in the first instance, to provide a sensible estimate of the likely overall costs. Nevertheless we try where possible to give estimates for the overall costs of the matter concerned and more particularly, we will endeavour to give you estimates for each stage of the matter as it proceeds.

You may set a limit on the charges and expenses to be incurred which means that you will be responsible for paying those charges up to the agreed limit without our having to refer back to you. In such an event, we will inform you as soon as it appears that the limit may be exceeded. Please bear in mind, however, that in such situations your instructions may be needed urgently so as to avoid a delay in dealing with your matter which can, in some circumstances, result in orders for costs being made against you.

NOTE, an estimate is not intended to be a fixed or guaranteed figure. It represents our view of the likely cost up to a particular stage or point in time and it will usually be on the basis that the matter proceeds smoothly.

It is normal practice to ask clients to pay sums of money from time to time on account of charges and expenses which are expected in the following weeks or months. We may request further payments on account as the matter progresses. When we put these payments towards your bill, we will send you a receipted bill. We will off-set any such payments against your next bill but it is important that you understand that your total charges and expenses may be greater than any advance payments.

To help you budget in matters charged out on an hourly rate, we will send you a bill for our charges and expenses on a regular basis