Expertise
TRANSPARENCY
FAIR PRICING
At Harding Mitchell, we operate a very transparent fees structure and provide our client with full details at the outset. In general terms, our fees are structured as follows:
FIXED FEE
In certain circumstances we can agree a fixed fee at the outset of your case. Generally speaking this is done in circumstances where the scope and extent of the work is known at the outset.
HOURLY RATE
The charge out rates of the solicitors of the firm are based upon the complexity and urgency of the case and the experience of the solicitor dealing with your matter. This firm’s categories of staff and their current charge out rates are as follows:
Partners and Solicitors with over 8 years’ experience: £250 – £350 per hour Plus VAT
Partners and Solicitors with over 8 years’ experience: £185 – £200 per hour Plus VAT
Assistant Solicitors with over 4 years’ experience: £150 – £185 per hour Plus VAT
Trainees/Paralegals/Legal Assistants: £135 per hour
CONDITIONAL FEE AGREEMENT
Generally referred to as No Win No Fee. If the Claim is Lost, the Client will have no liability to pay any of the Solicitor’s charges except for disbursements. However, subject to the provisions set out in the no win no fee agreement, if the Client wins, and damages, interest or any other sum is paid by or on behalf of the Opponent in settlement of the Claim or in satisfaction of any judgment against the Opponent, we get paid a percentage of the sum recovered as per the no win no fee agreement
LEGAL AID
We have been recognised for our legal aid services. This means our solicitors have the authority to grant emergency legal aid for certain areas of law. Whether you qualify for legal aid depends firstly on the nature of your case and secondly on your financial situation, If the nature of your case qualifies for legal aid you will then be required to provide evidence of all your finances.
OUR PRICING PLAN
Services
We provide and charge for the following services:
• Receiving initial instructions, attending the client, reviewing papers and documents, and providing advice at the outset.
• Preparing visa or other immigration applications and collating and correctly organizing relevant documents.
• Dealing with UK Visas and Immigration and answering any questions they may have concerning your application or documents.
• Advising on timelines and the outcome of the client’s application.
• Informing you of your immigration law decision and advising you on next steps (for example, an immigration appeal if your application is refused.
• In the case of Sponsor Licence applications, personally visiting your workplace premises, reviewing your HR policies and procedures, advising on any improvements that must be made, and conducting mock Home Office compliance audits.
• In the case of Sponsor Licence compliance, administering the Sponsor Management System on your behalf and advising you on new changes in the law.
Costs and timescales
Each case is unique, and in our initial consultation, we will provide an estimate of the services we will need to provide to achieve the result you want.
Our hourly rates for all matters (including immigration and asylum) are set out below. On average, most immigration applications take between 10 to 20 hours to complete, depending on which application we lodge on your behalf.
The exact number of hours it will take will depend on the circumstances of your case, such as:
• The amount of supporting evidence we need to establish you are eligible to be granted a visa/leave to remain.
• The language you speak and how familiar you are with the various items and processes.
• Whether you are applying with dependents.
If you are able to provide sufficient evidence at our first meeting and clearly meet the applicable laws under the current UK immigration laws, the cost is likely to be at the lower end of the above range.
The costs quoted here do not include:
• Any Home Office fees for making the application or the Immigration Health Charge. You will pay these to the Home Office and the NHS directly as part of the application process.
• Where the Home Office refuses your application, advice and assistance in relation to any appeal.
Immigration Law fees
These are our professional fees in Immigration cases.
Our fees for assisting individuals or businesses with their immigration or visa applications are calculated hourly or by way of a fixed fee (in certain circumstances only). Our fees are as follows:
Hourly rate:
The charge out rates of the solicitors of the firm are based upon the complexity and urgency of the case and the experience of the solicitor dealing with your matter. This firm’s categories of staff and their current charge out rates are as follows:
• Partners and solicitors with over 10 years’ experience: £250 – £350 per hour plus VAT
• Partners and solicitors with over eight years’ experience: £185 – £200 per hour plus VAT
• Assistant solicitors with over four years’ experience: £150 – £185 per hour plus VAT
• Trainees/paralegals/legal assistants: £135 per hour plus VAT
If we are charging you on an hourly rate basis, we will give you a realistic estimate of our fees plus disbursements and VAT if applicable at the outset.
Fixed fees:
We charge for the following services
Entry Clearance Visa/Leave to Remain Services: On average, this type of work takes between 5-10 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are between £1,250- £2,500 plus VAT and disbursements
Immigration Appeal: On average, this type of work takes between 10-15 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £2,500-£3,750 plus VAT and disbursements
Immigration Judicial Review: On average, this type of work takes between 10-30 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £2,500- £7,500 Plus VAT and disbursements
Administrative Review: On average, this type of work takes between 4-5 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £1,000-£1,250 plus VAT and disbursements
Indefinite Leave to Remain: On average, this type of work takes about 10 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £2,500 plus VAT and disbursements
Permanent residency: On average, this type of work takes between 5-6 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £1,500 plus VAT and disbursements
10 Year Settlement Applications: On average, this type of work takes about 10 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £2,500 plus VAT and disbursements
Other Long Residence Applications: On average, this type of work takes between 10-15 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £2,500-£3,750 plus VAT and disbursements
Human Rights Applications: On average, this type of work takes between 10-15 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £2,500-£3750 plus VAT and disbursements
Fiancée/Spouse Visa Application: On average, this type of work takes between 10-15 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £2,500-£3750 plus VAT and disbursements
Private and Family Life Applications – :On average, this type of work takes between 7-10 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £1,750-£2,500 plus VAT and disbursements
Parent Settlement Application: On average, this type of work takes between 7-10 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £1,750-£2500 plus VAT and disbursements
Domestic Violence Visa Application: On average, this type of work takes between 7-10 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £1,750-£2,500 plus VAT and disbursements
Tourist Visit Visas: On average, this type of work takes between 5-10 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £1,250-£2500 plus VAT if applicable and disbursements
Start-up Visa Application and Review (This category is now closed to new applicants from July 2023): On average, this type of work takes between 15-20 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £3,750-£5,000 plus VAT and disbursements
Skilled Worker and Skilled Occupation Application and Review: On average, this type of work takes between 7-10 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £1,750-£2,500 plus VAT and disbursements
Intra Company Route Visas and Review: On average, this type of work takes between 10-15 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £2,500- £3,750 plus VAT and disbursements
Sports Person Visas and Review: On average, this type of work takes between 15-20 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £3,750-£5,000 plus VAT and disbursements
Student Visa Application and Graduate Route: On average, this type of work takes between 7-10 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £1,750-£2,500 plus VAT and disbursements
Asylum and Human Rights Application: On average, this type of work takes between 15-20 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £3,750-£5,000 plus VAT and disbursements
British Citizenship: On average, this type of work takes between 5-7 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £1,250-£1,750 plus VAT and disbursements
British Passport Applications: On average, this type of work takes between 1-1.5 hours to complete. This means that on average costs are around £350 plus VAT and disbursements
Deportation and Removal Injunctions: On average, this type of work takes between 15-20 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £3,750-£5,000 plus VAT and disbursements
Immigration Bail Applications: On average, this type of work takes between 5-7 hours to complete. This means that on average costs are around £1,250-£1750 plus VAT and disbursements
Temporary Admission / CIO Bail Application: On average, this type of work takes between 1-2 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £250-£500 plus VAT and disbursements
As stated above, the exact number of hours it will take in relation to any of the above applications will depend on the circumstances of your case, such as:
The amount of supporting evidence that we need.
The language you speak and how familiar you are with the various items and processes.
Whether you are applying with dependents.
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees and barrister’s fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
Court fees | £145 for lodging appeal to the First Tier Tribunal£154 for judicial review. If permission is granted, then a further court fee of £770 has to be paid for the hearing. |
Barrister’s fees | Ranges from £800 for a bail application to £3,000 for more complex cases. |
UKVI/Home Office application fees or associated application charges | Please click on the link across. |
Translators | While most of our immigration lawyers are bilingual, sometimes they may not be available. Clients may bring a friend to interpret for them (or choose their own interpreter).External interpreters normally charge between £20 to £25 per hour, depending on the language. The total costs of interpreting can be difficult to estimate, and much will depend on the complexity of the case and the issues involved.[List typical indicators that a case will take a higher number of hours] |
Independent expert reports e.g. medical experts. These are not required in many cases: we will let you know as soon as possible if we consider an expert report is necessary. | £1,000 -£2,000 Plus VAT |
If there is an interview and we attend with you, there will be additional disbursements in respect of our mileage/travel expenses. | This will depend on the length of the journey and the costs of the travel ticket. |
How long will my application take?
We cannot guarantee how long the Home Office will take to process your application. Read the current processing times.
We will normally be able to submit your type of application between 1 and 2 weeks of you instructing us, but we will let you know at the earliest opportunity if it is likely to take longer than this.
Please note the anticipated number of hours and fees are an estimate. All applications are likely to vary, and we can give you a more accurate estimate once we have more information about your specific case.
A note on VAT
VAT can be complex when it comes to immigration law fees, as many immigration clients live outside of the UK, and VAT may not need to be added to their bill. We will confirm whether VAT (at a rate of 20%) is payable when you instruct us and will work out if VAT is properly chargeable.
BOOK CONSULTATION
Our Immigration department has over 35 years of collective experience in delivering high-quality work in all matters relating to business and personal immigration law. They have particular expertise in:
complex cases involving asylum seekers, removals/deportations and judicial review applications
preparing applications for employers looking to obtain Sponsor Licenses and Skilled Worker visas and
preparing applications for family members looking to reunite with persons already in the UK.
Our Immigration Team
Our immigration law team is led by Mrs Sandhya Weeraratne who supervises the work carried out by the rest of the team. You can read about the profile and qualification of all the members of our immigration law team by clicking on the link below.
Our solicitors also speak the following additional languages:
French
Sinhalese
Arabic
Italian
Services
We provide and charge for the following services:
Receiving initial instructions, attending the client, reviewing papers and documents, and providing advice at the outset.
Preparing visa or other immigration applications and collating and correctly organising relevant documents.
Dealing with UK Visas and Immigration and answering any questions they may have concerning your application or documents.
Advising on timelines and the outcome of the client’s application.
Informing you of your immigration law decision and advising you on next steps (for example, an immigration appeal if your application is refused.
In the case of Sponsor Licence applications, personally visiting your workplace premises, reviewing your HR policies and procedures, advising on any improvements that must be made, and conducting mock Home Office compliance audits.
In the case of Sponsor Licence compliance, administering the Sponsor Management System on your behalf and advising you on new changes in the law.
Costs and timescales
Each case is unique, and in our initial consultation, we will provide an estimate of the services we will need to provide to achieve the result you want.
Our hourly rates for all matters (including immigration and asylum) are set out below. On average, most immigration applications take between 10 to 20 hours to complete, depending on which application we lodge on your behalf. The exact number of hours it will take will depend on the circumstances of your case, such as:
The amount of supporting evidence we need to establish you are eligible to be granted a visa/leave to remain.
The language you speak and how familiar you are with the various items and processes.
Whether you are applying with dependents.
If you are able to provide sufficient evidence at our first meeting and clearly meet the applicable laws under the current UK immigration laws, the cost is likely to be at the lower end of the above range.
The costs quoted here do not include:
Any Home Office fees for making the application or the Immigration Health Charge. You will pay these to the Home Office and the NHS directly as part of the application process.
Where the Home Office refuses your application, advice and assistance in relation to any appeal
Immigration Law fees
Our fees for assisting individuals or businesses with their immigration or visa applications are calculated hourly or by way of a fixed fee (in certain circumstances only). Our fees are as follows:
Hourly rates:
The charge out rates of the solicitors of the firm are based upon the complexity and urgency of the case and the experience of the solicitor dealing with your matter. This firm’s categories of staff and their current charge out rates are as follows:
Partners and solicitors with over 10 years’ experience: £250 – £350 per hour plus VAT
Partners and solicitors with over eight years’ experience: £185 – £200 per hour plus VAT
Assistant solicitors with over four years’ experience: £150 – £185 per hour plus VAT
Trainees/paralegals/legal assistants: £135 per hour plus VAT
If we are charging you on an hourly rate basis, we will give you a realistic estimate of our fees plus disbursements and VAT (20% of the final amount) if applicable at the outset.
Fixed fees:
We charge for the following services
Entry Clearance Visa/Leave to Remain Services: On average, this type of work takes between 5 – 10 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are between £1,250 – £2,500 plus VAT and disbursements
Immigration Appeal: On average, this type of work takes between 10 – 15 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £2,500 – £3,750 plus VAT and disbursements
Immigration Judicial Review: On average, this type of work takes between 10 – 30 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £2,500 – £7,500 plus VAT and disbursements
Administrative Review: On average, this type of work takes between 4 – 5 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £1,000 – £1,250 plus VAT and disbursements
Indefinite Leave to Remain: On average, this type of work takes about 10 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £2,500 plus VAT and disbursements
Permanent residency: On average, this type of work takes between 5 – 6 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £1,500 plus VAT and disbursements
10 Year Settlement Applications: On average, this type of work takes about 10 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £2,500 plus VAT and disbursements
Other Long Residence Applications: On average, this type of work takes between 10 – 15 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £2,500 – £3,750 plus VAT and disbursements
Human Rights Applications: On average, this type of work takes between 10 – 15 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £2,500 – £3,750 plus VAT and disbursements
Fiancée/Spouse Visa Application: On average, this type of work takes between 10 – 15 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £2,500 – £3,750 plus VAT and disbursements
Private and Family Life Applications – :On average, this type of work takes between 7 – 10 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £1,750 – £2,500 plus VAT and disbursements
Parent Settlement Application: On average, this type of work takes between 7 – 10 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £1,750 – £2,500 plus VAT and disbursements
Domestic Violence Visa Application: On average, this type of work takes between 7 – 10 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £1,750 – £2,500 plus VAT and disbursements
Tourist Visit Visas: On average, this type of work takes between 5 – 10 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £1,250 – £2,500 plus VAT if applicable and disbursements
Start-up Visa Application and Review (This category is now closed to new applicants from July 2023): On average, this type of work takes between 15 – 20 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £3,750 – £5,000 plus VAT and disbursements
Skilled Worker and Skilled Occupation Application and Review: On average, this type of work takes between 7-10 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £1,750-£2,500 plus VAT and disbursements
Intra Company Route Visas and Review: On average, this type of work takes between 10 – 15 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £2,500 – £3,750 plus VAT and disbursements
Sports Person Visas and Review: On average, this type of work takes between 15 – 20 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £3,750 – £5,000 plus VAT and disbursements
Student Visa Application and Graduate Route: On average, this type of work takes between 7 – 10 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £1,750 – £2,500 plus VAT and disbursements
Asylum and Human Rights Application: On average, this type of work takes between 15 – 20 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £3,750 – £5,000 plus VAT and disbursements
British Citizenship: On average, this type of work takes between 5 – 7 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £1,250 – £1,750 plus VAT and disbursements
British Passport Applications: On average, this type of work takes between 1 – 1.5 hours to complete. This means that on average costs are around £350 plus VAT and disbursements
Deportation and Removal Injunctions: On average, this type of work takes between 15 – 20 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £3,750 – £5,000 plus VAT and disbursements
Immigration Bail Applications: On average, this type of work takes between 5 – 7 hours to complete. This means that on average costs are around £1,250 – £1,750 plus VAT and disbursements
Temporary Admission / CIO Bail Application: On average, this type of work takes between 1 – 2 hours to complete. This means that on average, costs are around £250 – £500 plus VAT and disbursements
As stated above, the exact number of hours it will take in relation to any of the above applications will depend on the circumstances of your case, such as:
The amount of supporting evidence that we need.
The language you speak and how familiar you are with the various items and processes.
Whether you are applying with dependents.
Disbursements
Disbursement are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees and barrister’s fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. All of our fees are exclusive of disbursements.
Court fees | £145 for lodging appeal to the First Tier Tribunal£154 for judicial review. If permission is granted, then a further court fee of £770 has to be paid for the hearing. |
Barrister’s fees | Ranges from £800 for a bail application to £3,000 for more complex cases. |
UKVI/Home Office application fees or associated application charges | Please click on the link across. |
Translators | £300 – £500 |
Independent expert reports e.g. medical experts. These are not required in many cases: we will let you know as soon as possible if we consider an expert report is necessary. | £1,000 – £2,000 plus VAT |
If there is an interview and we attend with you, there will be additional disbursements in respect of our mileage/travel expenses. | This will depend on the length of the journey and the costs of the travel ticket. |
How long will my application take?
We cannot guarantee how long the Home Office will take to process your application. Read the current processing times.
We will normally be able to submit your type of application between 1 and 2 weeks of you instructing us, but we will let you know at the earliest opportunity if it is likely to take longer than this.
Please note the anticipated number of hours and fees are an estimate. All applications are likely to vary, and we can give you a more accurate estimate once we have more information about your specific case.
VAT
Please note that all fees quoted above are exclusive of VAT and disbursements. The standard rate of VAT in the UK (currently 20% of the final amount) is charged on all of our fees.
BOOK CONSULTATION
Our team has over 20 years of collective experience in administering estates.
We have 4 members of the team who may work on your matter. Regardless of who works on your matter, they will be supervised by Mr Kalilou Fadiga.
Please click on the link below to find out about the profile and qualification of the different members of our probate law team.
We provide and charge for the following services
Taking initial instructions, reviewing papers and documents, and advising at the outset.
Preparing legal documents and grant applications to obtain a Grant of Probate or Grant of Letters of Administration.
Undertaking the process of estate administration as a whole, for example, contacting third parties, collecting in assets, assessing and paying any estate liabilities (including Inheritance Tax), and distributing the estate as per the Will or as per the rules of intestacy.
Each case is unique, and in our initial consultation, we will provide an estimate of the services we will need to provide to achieve the result you want.
Fees
Non-contentious probate matters:
Our fees for applying for the grant and collecting and distributing the assets in a non-contentious probate are usually set at 1.5% of the total value of the estate plus VAT plus disbursements.
The total cost and timescale of an estate administration is difficult to estimate, as much will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter. For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property, costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and multiple bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end.
This estimate assumes:
There is a valid will
There is no more than one property
There are no more than 2 bank or building society accounts
There are no other intangible assets
There are 1-5 beneficiaries
There are no disputes between beneficiaries on the division of assets. If disputes arise, this is likely to lead to an increase in costs
There is no Inheritance Tax payable, and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC
There are no claims made against the estate
The following factors can influence the amount of time and work it will take to complete the probate process:
The assets: the more assets that have to be identified, valued and administered, the higher the cost.
If the assets are organised, and whether any tracing activity needs to be undertaken.
If specialist business valuations and tax/ governance will be required (which is likely to be outsourced).
Whether the deceased was non-domiciled or had foreign assets.
Tax issues relating to the estate, including Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax, and Income tax.
Is the Will difficult to interpret?
Are there numerous beneficiaries, some of which must be traced?
Does the Will create any trusts?
Are there any creditors?
Are there any challenges from beneficiaries?
Is the sale or transfer of any property or investments required?
Is the appropriation of property or investments required?
Services: As part of our fee, we will be:
Locating the Will and ensuring it is the last Will and is validly made.
Supplying copies of the Will to interested parties (and if no Will, assessing who is entitled).
Identifying the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
Advising Executors / Administrators as to the process.
Registering the death and preparing the Death Certificate Verification Forms.
Organising the funeral and payment for it where possible.
Identifying the beneficiaries and liaising with them to explain their entitlement under the Will. This will include advice about the incidence of Inheritance Tax in the estate.
Liaising with all financial and other organisations to inform them of the death and gathering information about assets and liabilities in the estate.
Liaising utility companies, organising a postal redirection and keeping the property maintained prior to sale or transfer.
Liaising with surveyors and estate agents regarding the value of the property at the date of death.
Obtaining the relevant documents required to make the application
Accurately identifying the type of probate application you will require
Completing the probate application and the relevant HMRC forms
Liaising with HM Revenue and Customs when necessary.
Tracing of beneficiaries if necessary.
Collecting and distributing all assets in the estate
Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included in our services.
You will be informed of any increase to our estimated fees before we carry out any further work.
Our fees for contentious probate
For contentious probate matters, we charge hourly as follows:
Partners and solicitors with over eight years’ experience: £250 – £350 per hour + VAT
Partners and solicitors with over six years’ experience: £185 – £200 per hour + VAT
Assistant solicitors with over four years’ experience: £150 – £185 per hour + VAT
Trainees/paralegals/legal assistants: £150 – £185 per hour
We will provide you with an estimate at the before we begin work on your matter
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. Likely disbursements include:
Probate applications | £273 |
Office Copy Grants of Probate (each) | £1.50 |
S27 Notice to Creditors | around £200 |
London Gazette | £96 (inc VAT) |
Other (local paper) | £100 – £200 |
Non-mandatory asset and liability search | £300 |
Death Certificates (each) | £11 |
HM Land Registry Office Copy Entries (each) | £3 |
Bankruptcy searches – UK (per beneficiary) | £2 |
Bankruptcy searches- Overseas ( per beneficiary). | £60 |
How long will this take?
It takes around eight weeks to receive a Grant of Probate. However, this can stretch to three to six months for complex estates. Depending on the complexity of the estate, probate and administration can take anywhere from three to 12 months from start to completion.
VAT
Please note that all fees quoted above are exclusive of VAT and disbursements. The standard rate of VAT in the UK (currently 20% of the final amount of our fees) is charged on all of our fees.
BOOK CONSULTATION
Our Debt Recovery department has over 20 years of collective experience in recovering unpaid debts and dealing with debt-related disputes.
Our Debt Recovery team is led by Mr Kalilou Fadiga who supervises the work carried out by the rest of the team. You can read about the profile and qualification of all the members of our debt recovery team by clicking on the link below.
Our fees for debt recovery
For debt recovery matters, we charge on either (a) a fixed fee basis, (b) a contingency fee (also known as ‘no win, no fee’ basis, or (c) an hourly rate basis.
(a) Fixed fee basis for an undisputed business-to-business debt
These costs apply where your claim is in relation to an unpaid invoice that is not disputed and where 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 basis (e.g., if a one-off letter is required) or an hourly rate if more extensive work is needed.
Debt value |
Court fee |
Our fee (including VAT) |
Total (excluding VAT) |
Up to £5,000 |
£205 |
£1,200 |
£1,405 |
£5,001 – £10,000 |
£455 |
£2,400 |
£2,855 |
£10,001 – £25,000 |
5% of the claim |
£3,000 |
Depending on the value of the claim |
£25,001 – £50,000 |
5% of the claim |
£3,500 |
Depending on the value of the claim |
£50,000 – £100,000 |
5% of the claim |
Hourly rate onlyNumber of hours ranges between 10 to 20 |
Depending on the value of the claim |
Anyone wishing to proceed with such 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 service is needed to collect your debt
Our fee includes:
-
Taking your instructions and reviewing documentation
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Undertaking appropriate searches
-
Sending a letter before action
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Receiving payment and sending to you, or if the debt is not paid, drafting and issuing a claim
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Where no Acknowledgment of Service or Defence is received, applying to the court to enter judgment in default
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When the judgment in default is received, writing to the other side to request payment
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If payment is not received within 14 days of the date of the judgment, providing you with advice on next steps and likely costs
Matters usually take 3 to 24 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 judgment in default. If enforcement action is needed, the matter will take longer to resolve.
We may also be willing to agree to a fixed fee in other debt recovery situations depending on the issues involved.
(b) Conditional Fee Agreement (also known as ‘no win, no fee’)
Subject to a satisfactory merits assessment, we agree to conduct some debt recovery matters on a conditional fee agreement (also known as ‘no win, no fee’). We will complete such assessment within 2 to 3 weeks. The cost of such assessment will be charged in accordance with our hourly rates (as set out below) or on a fixed fee basis if agreed between us in advance.
Where we work under a conditional fee agreement, the client makes no payment upfront. If the claim is lost, the client will have no liability to pay any of our charges except for disbursements.
However, if the client wins and damages, interest or any other sum is paid by or on behalf of the opponent in settlement of the claim or in satisfaction of any judgment against the opponent, such sums shall be paid to us. We will deduct 33% (including VAT, if applicable) of such sums as consideration for the supply of our services under the agreement and will make security arrangements to pay the balance to the client.
(c) Hourly rate basis
Where we work on an hourly rate basis, our hourly rates for debt recovery matters are as follows:
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Partners and solicitors with over eight years’ experience: £250 – £350 per hour + VAT
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Partners and solicitors with less than eight years’ experience: £185 – £200 per hour + VAT
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Assistant solicitors with over four years’ experience: £150 – £185 per hour + VAT
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Trainees/paralegals/legal assistants: £150 – £185 per hour + VAT
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.
Court fees |
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Process server costs |
From £75 |
Barrister’s fees |
From £700. The total barrister’s fee will depend on the amount involved and the complexity of the issues and the number of days the hearing has been listed for |
Tracing agent’s fees |
From £75. The final charge will depend on the extent of the searches to be carried out |
Enforcement fees |
Court fees and enforcement feesCourt feesCurrent HMCTS court fees relating to High Court enforcement writs:
Please note that should we need to make an application under N244 on your behalf, solicitor’s fees will be incurred. This fee will be discussed with you at the point of instruction.Enforcement fees
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How long will my matter take?
Depending on the complexity of the debt matter and whether a claim needs to be issued, debt recovery matters usually take 3 to 24 weeks from receipt of instructions from you to receipt of payment from the other side. This is on the basis that the other side pays promptly on receipt of the County Court judgment. If enforcement action is needed, the matter will take longer to resolve and for you to receive the money owed to you.
VAT
Please note that all fees quoted above are exclusive of VAT and disbursements. The standard rate of VAT in the UK (currently 20% of the final amount of our fees) is charged on all of our fees.
BOOK CONSULTATION (
For all litigation matters, our fees set out either by way of fixed, hourly rate or a conditional fee agreement (no win no fee).
Fixed fee: In most cases, we charge a fixed fee for pre-action work which varies on average between £1000 and £2,000 plus VAT and disbursements.
Hourly Rate: Where we charge hourly, the amount of our professional fees will be calculated by reference to the amount of time we spend dealing with the client’s case. All solicitors and other legal staff at our firm record the time they spend on the client’s matter. Time spent will include the following:
Time spent in meetings with the client and others (including time spent in travelling to meetings outside our offices),
Time spent in inter-office meetings where more than one fee earner is involved,
Time spent dealing with correspondence,
Making and receiving telephone calls,
Reading and working on papers relevant to the case,
Any necessary research,
Attending Court hearings and conferences,
Any other necessary work to progress the matter.
We will provide an outline of the work we have done and any further details about time spent and work done as you might reasonably request.
The charge out rates of the solicitors of the firm are based upon the complexity and urgency of the case and the experience of the solicitor dealing with your matter. This firm’s categories of staff and their current charge out rates are as follows:
Partners and Solicitors with over 8 years’ experience : £250 – £350 per h + VAT
Partners and Solicitors with over 8 years’ experience: £185 – £200 per h + VAT
Assistant Solicitors with over 4 years’ experience: £150 – £185 per h + VAT
Trainees/Paralegals/Legal Assistants: £150 – £185 per h
BOOK CONSULTATION
Our Employment department headed by Mr Kalilou Fadiga has over 20 years of collective experience in delivering high-quality work in all matters relating to employment law. We have particular expertise in employment tribunal claims (representing claimants and respondents). You can read about the profile and qualification of all the members of our employment law team by clicking on the link below:
We provide and charge for the following services
Receiving initial instructions, reviewing applicable documents and providing legal advice at the outset.
Drafting or reviewing employment law-related contracts (such as employment contracts and director’s services contracts).
Reviewing and advising on certain employment law matters such as redundancy, whistleblowing, and discrimination policies and procedures.
Cases involving unfair and wrongful dismissal employment tribunal claims. (In relation to such claims, please see below the information we are required to give you under the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Transparency Rules.)
Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Transparency Rules (the Rules)
The SRA Transparency Rules require us to publish information on the prices we charge for representing employees and employers for bringing or defending claims for wrongful or unfair dismissal in the Employment Tribunal. The information below is a guide only, and if you instruct us, we will provide you with a fee estimate for your case.
An unfair dismissal claim is a statutory claim relating to the fairness of a dismissal of an employee. A wrongful dismissal claim is a claim relating to the breach of an employment contract. Only wrongful dismissal claims of up to £25,000 can be brought in the Employment Tribunal. Claims for more than this amount must be brought in the High Court (and such claims are outside the scope of the Rules).
Our fees for employment law
For employment matters, we charge on one of the following bases, as agreed with you at the start of the matter.
(a) Fixed fees basis
We may be willing to agree to charge you a fixed fee for the following types of matters but, this will need to be agreed in advance in each case:
Drafting of an employment contract – From £600 plus VAT plus disbursements
Advising about a settlement agreement – From £500 plus VAT and disbursements
Assisting with the drafting of a grievance letter – From £600 plus VAT and disbursements
Other contentious matters – Generally speaking, our fixed fee for contentious employment cases is set between £1,000 and £15,000 + VAT, depending on the nature of the matter and the work involved.
(b) Contingency fee basis (also known as ‘no win, no fee’)
Subject to a satisfactory merits assessment, we agree to conduct some employment matters on a conditional fee agreement (also known as ‘no win, no fee’). We will complete such assessment within 1 to 2 weeks. The cost of such assessment will be charged in accordance with our hourly rates (as set out below) or on a fixed fee basis if agreed between us in advance.
Where we work under a conditional fee agreement, the client makes no payment upfront. If the claim is lost, the client will have no liability to pay any of our charges except for disbursements.
However, if the client wins and damages, interest or any other sum is paid by or on behalf of the opponent in settlement of the claim or in satisfaction of any judgment against the opponent, such sums shall be paid to us. We will deduct
33% (Plus VAT being 20% of the final amount if applicable) of such sums as consideration for the supply of our services under the agreement and will make security arrangements to pay the balance to the client.
(c) Hourly rate basis
Our hourly rates for employment matters are as follows:
Partners and solicitors with over eight years’ experience: £250 – £350 per hour + VAT
Partners and solicitors with less than eight years’ experience: £185 – £200 per hour + VAT
Assistant solicitors with over four years’ experience: £150 – £185 per hour + VAT
Trainees/paralegals/legal assistants: £150 – £185 per hour + VAT
Non-contentious employment law matters, for example, drafting an employment contract, may take up to five hours.
On average, most unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal claims take between 23-35 hours to complete, depending on the complexity of the case. This means that, on average, costs are between £5,750 and £8,750 plus VAT plus disbursements.
Factors that could make your case more complex and affect the exact number of hours it will take will depend on the circumstances of your case and may include:
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
The services covered by our fees include:
Taking 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)
Preparing the claim form outlining your case and the nature of the dispute (Form ET1) or the response
Entering into pre-claim conciliation where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached
Reviewing and advising on a claim or response (Form ET3) from other party
Preparing witness statements
Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process
Exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle of documents
Taking witness statements, drafting statements and agreeing their content with witnesses
Preparing or considering the schedule of loss
Preparing for the case management hearing
Advising and representing you at the full hearing.
Preparing bundles of documents
Reviewing and advising on the other party’s witness statements
Agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and/or a cast list
Preparation and attendance at the final hearing, including instructions to counsel
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees and barrister’s fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
Barrister’s fees for attending a tribunal hearing (including preparation) | From £1,000 to £5,000 plus VAT |
Expert witness fees | From £500 plus VAT |
Witness expenses | From £350 plus VAT |
Costs of obtaining medical records | From £50 plus VAT |
Mediation fees | From £500 plus VAT |
How long will my matter take?
The timescale from taking your initial instructions to resolving your matter depends largely on the stage at which your case is settled.
If a settlement is reached during pre-claim conciliation with ACAS, your case is likely to take up to 4 to 6 weeks.
If your claim proceeds to a final hearing, your case is likely to take 6 to 15 months, depending on the time estimate for the hearing and the availability of the Employment Tribunal at which the claim will be heard. Where a separate remedy is listed, this can add a further 4 months to the above estimates.
We will be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the case moves forward.
VAT
Please note that all fees quoted above are exclusive of VAT and disbursements. The standard rate of VAT in the UK (currently 20% of the final amount of our fees) is charged on all of our fees.
BOOK CONSULTATION
Being investigated for fraud by the police, HMRC, or the SFO is extremely stressful and can drag on for many months across multiple jurisdictions. Our specialist Fraud Solicitors have the knowledge and experience to advise you through every stage of a fraud investigation. If prosecution is unavoidable, we will meticulously prepare your defence, and instruct the best barristers and expert witnesses to present your case to the Court.
Being investigated for fraud by the police, HMRC, or the SFO is extremely stressful and can drag on for many months across multiple jurisdictions. Our specialist Fraud Solicitors have the knowledge and experience to advise you through every stage of a fraud investigation. If prosecution is unavoidable, we will meticulously prepare your defence, and instruct the best barristers and expert witnesses to present your case to the Court.
UK terrorism laws are highly complex: there are at least five Acts of Parliament (including the Terrorism Act 2000) and several Regulations and Orders providing counter-terrorism powers and creating terrorism offences.
Our multi-lingual Criminal Defence Solicitors have the knowledge and experience required to defend allegations of terrorism and challenge search warrants, freezing orders, and pre-charge detentions.
If you have been convicted of a corporate crime, you may face confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA). These proceedings are designed to determine how much you financially benefitted from the crime or crimes you have been convicted of. If the Court rules that you have benefited, it can make a confiscation order to reclaim some of the benefits you received.
The prosecution is known to inflate the ‘benefit’ amount a Defendant received from their ‘criminal lifestyle’. We are quick to spot this tactic and will challenge the Prosecution on the amount they have quoted with the aim if reducing the figure, thereby potentially saving you thousands of pounds.
Unexplained Wealth Orders (UWO) is a civil, as opposed to criminal power, that can be made even if no criminal prosecution has been instigated.
They are used by prosecuting authorities such as the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Serious Fraud Office, the National Crime Agency, HM Revenue and Customs, the Crown Prosecution Service, and the Financial Conduct Authority against either a Politically Exposed Person (PEP) or someone for whom there are reasonable grounds to suspect involvement in serious crime.
Anyone issued with a UWO must explain how they funded the purchase of a particular asset or assets. If an acceptable answer, backed up by evidence, is not provided, the asset may be considered “recoverable property” for the purposes of a Civil Recovery Order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA).
If you are issued with an UWO, our Solicitors will use all their knowledge and connections to challenge the issuing of the Order and have it removed.
If you have been designated on a prescribed sanctions list or require legal advice regarding trading in a country subject to UK, EU, US, or UN sanctions, our multi-lingual Solicitors have the required knowledge of international and commercial law to advise and represent you. We can also assist you in cases where your assets have been frozen following being added to a designated list.
Legal matters concerning child abduction requires the advice and representation of a Solicitor who is swift, proactive, and understands not only the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Convention) but also how to successfully handle cases where a child has been abducted to a country that is not a signatory to the Convention. Languages spoken by our team include English, French, and Arabic and we act for clients trying to get their child returned and for ‘abductees’ who want to defend the compulsory return of their child under the Convention.
We also provide advice to parents in child relocation cases, both where the relocation is in the UK and abroad. This is an exceptionally emotional issue and you can be confident that our Childrens Law Solicitors will provide practical, sensitive legal support and put the welfare of the child at the forefront of our advice.
Contact us now concerning your case and discover why our clients recommend us as one of the leading teams of solicitors in London.
0203 191 8080 – admin@hardingmitchell.co.uk.