witney solicitors

£925.00 to £2,300.00 + VAT and disbursements, subject to the value of the transaction. This is a fixed fee, however there are additional costs should the property be, for example, a new build or a help to buy.

£1,500.00 to £2,500.00 + VAT and disbursements, depending upon the value of the transaction, the length of a Lease and specific requirements.

We may be able to finalise all matters for an approximate total cost of £2,000.00 + VAT and disbursements. As members of Resolution, we always encourage parties to settle cases early.

If a swift resolution is not possible despite our best efforts, the costs could range between £5,000.00 to £15,000.00 + VAT and disbursements.

In a complex and high value case, the costs could be between £25,000.00 to £50,000.00 + VAT and disbursements.

We at Francis George, Solicitor-Advocate pride ourselves in providing a cost effective service. The best way to achieve that is by regularly reviewing your costs to ensure that there is always a cost benefit to you and to ensure that measures are in place to keep your costs manageable.

Children cases can range between £5,000.00 to £15,000.00 + VAT and disbursements although, if the parties simply cannot agree matters, the costs can increase up to £25,000.00 + VAT and disbursements.

To ensure that clients have access to sound legal advice when they need it the most, all funding options including a payment plan or a Sears Tooth Agreement, will be explored where appropriate.

Personal Injury Matters, Small Track Claims and/or undisputed Debt Recovery matters for up to £100,000.00 are usually conducted on a Damages Based Agreement. This means that, save for disbursements (explained below), you do not pay us anything unless your claim is successful. Our fee usually ranges between 25% to 33% of the damages recovered inclusive of VAT (at the prevailing rate currently at 20%).

Debt Recovery

In a straight forward and uncontested debt recovery dispute (which is conducted on no win no fee basis), the following steps are likely to apply:-

• Taking instructions and reviewing documentation;

• Undertaking appropriate searches;

• Sending a Letter Before Action;

• Receiving payment and sending the sums to you or.

• If the sums due are not paid, preparing the pleadings, issuing a claim at Court and applying for Default Judgment.

The average turnaround time for the above is 3-6 months unless the debt is disputed in which case, your claim may take longer and the Firm’s hourly rates may apply. Before applying hourly rates, you will be advised about your options so that you can make an informed decision about how you want to progress your matter.  

Disbursements apply and we refer to the information below.

Disputed Claims

For a contested dispute falling within the Fast Track and/or Multi Track, the likely costs can range between £15,000.00 to £25,000.00 + VAT (at the prevailing rate currently at 20%) and disbursements. We will seek to recover most of your costs from the other side if you succeed.

For more complex disputed claims, our fee estimates can range from £50,000.00 to £75,000.00 + VAT (at the prevailing rate currently at 20%) and disbursements depending upon the issues and the complexities of the case.

The usual steps involved in a contested dispute include the following:-

1. Obtain initial instructions;

2. Review documents;

3. Prepare Pre Action Protocol Letters and Letter of Advice;

4. Prepare Pleadings and issue a claim / defence;

5. Attend various Court Hearings such as Case Management Conference, Costs and Case Management Conference, Pre Trial Review Hearings and ancillary preparatory works;

6. Prepare various Court documents such as Directions Questionnaire, draft Directions, Budgets, Precedent R and Pre Trial Hearing Checklist;

7. Comply with Court Directions to include disclosure of documents, witness statements and Schedules of Loss;

8. Identify and instruct Experts and facilitating Experts Reports;

9. Attend Trial.

Employment claims

Employment matters such as a claim for unfair dismissal / redundancy and discrimination are usually conducted on a Damages Based Agreement in which case this Firm’s fee would range between 25% to 33% inclusive of VAT (at the prevailing rate currently at 20%) of the total damages recovered. Those costs are not usually recoverable from the opponent event if you succeed.

Currently there are no fees payable to an Employment Tribunal for issuing a claim however, you may be responsible for other disbursements such as an Expert’s Report as advised below. Typical steps included are as follows:-

1. Obtain initial instructions;

2. Review documents;

3. Prepare initial Letter of Claim and Letter of Advice;

4. Engage in ACAS Mediation

5. Prepare ET1 Claim Form / Grounds of Resistance;

6. Attend various Court Hearings such as Case Management Discussion, Pre Trial Review Hearings and ancillary preparatory works;

7. Prepare various Tribunal documents such as CDM Questionnaire, draft Directions,

8. Comply with Tribunal Directions to include disclosure of documents, witness statements and Schedules of Loss;

9. Identifying and instructing Experts and facilitating Experts Reports;

10. Attending Trial.

A disputed claim at the Employment Tribunal could take 9-15 months before reaching a conclusion unless both parties agree a settlement which is always encouraged by the Firm.

We also advise in relation to Settlement Agreements and our rates range from £250.00 + VAT to £750.00 + VAT (at the prevailing rate currently at 20%) for advising you in relation to the terms of the Settlement Agreement only. It is usual for your employer to make a contribution towards your legal costs and the Firm seeks to advise within 7 days of receiving a draft agreement. If you require us to engage in negotiations then the instructing Solicitor’s hourly rate Is likely to apply

Disbursements

Disbursements can include Court fees which are payable to a Court when a claim is issued. The fees payable to a County Court / High Court do not attract VAT and depend upon the value of the claim. The current Court fees for issuing a claim at Court are as follows:-

• Claims valued up to £10,000.00  - £35.00 to £455.00

• Claims valued at £10,000.00 to £200,000.00 - 5% of the value of the claim

• Claims valued above £200,000.00 - £10,000.00

Other disbursements can include:-

1. Expert fees which can range from £500.00 up to £10,000.00 + VAT depending upon the type of Expert and the nature of their Report.

2. Enforcement costs which can vary from £78.00 to £143.00 and again are payable to the Court.

We often advise companies of all sizes. This can include advising in relation to Company procedures and/or mergers and acquisitions. Our fees can range from £2,500.00 to £15,000.00 + VAT and disbursements, depending on your objectives.

For all companies, we can prepare Shareholders Agreements and advise on company procedures in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. Our fees start from £1,000.00 to £3,000.00 +VAT and disbursements, if the matter involves a high value transaction.

£250.00 + VAT single Will

£400.00 + VAT mirror Wills

£400.00 + VAT per LPA plus disbursements (single person)

£600.00 + VAT if having both Health and Finance LPA plus disbursements (single person)

£600.00 + VAT per LPA plus disbursements (two persons)

£1000.00 + VAT if having both Health and Finance LPA plus disbursements (two persons)

Our Probate matters are usually finalised at a cost of up to £3,000.00 + VAT and disbursements.

In high value estates, the costs could range between £5,000.00 to £15,000.00 + VAT and disbursements.

Probate fees are usually paid directly from the estate.