INTRODUCTION
At Arlingsworth Solicitors, we offer transparent pricing structures so that our clients know exactly what they are getting. In accordance with the SRA Transparency Rules, we have set out below our fee estimates for our legal services in relation to employment tribunal claims, probate and immigration work. We have also provided time estimates where appropriate. Fee estimates and timescale estimates in relation to our other service areas will be made available upon request. All prices mentioned below are approximate and can vary depending on the individual circumstances and complexity of an individual’s case.
EMPLOYMENT PRICING INFORMATION
Fees (Employment Tribunal Claims for unfair and wrongful dismissal)
Our experienced employment team regularly advises on Employment Tribunal litigation. Primarily, we act for employers defending claims and typically our cases involve complex fact patterns and often allegations of discrimination, whistleblowing or regulatory breaches.
In relation to cases involving unfair or wrongful dismissal, our regulator (the SRA) requires us to provide certain information about the costs that might arise in respect of our representation of clients in such cases.
Our fees will reflect a number of factors that contribute to the complexity (see below). Although it is not possible to specify the expected total cost of a case without information about the specific claim(s) involved, by way of guidance the likely range of fees for a simple case would be between £20,000 and £40,000 (excluding disbursements and VAT). By contrast, for the most complex cases, we would expect our fees to be in the range between £80,000 and £150,000 (excluding disbursements and VAT). For a case with medium complexity, we would expect the range of fees to be between £60,000 and £80,000 (excluding disbursements and VAT).
EMPLOYMENT PRICING INFORMATION
Fees (Employment Tribunal Claims for unfair and wrongful dismissal)
Our experienced employment team regularly advises on Employment Tribunal litigation. Primarily, we act for employers defending claims and typically our cases involve complex fact patterns and often allegations of discrimination, whistleblowing or regulatory breaches.
In relation to cases involving unfair or wrongful dismissal, our regulator (the SRA) requires us to provide certain information about the costs that might arise in respect of our representation of clients in such cases.
Our fees will reflect a number of factors that contribute to the complexity (see below). Although it is not possible to specify the expected total cost of a case without information about the specific claim(s) involved, by way of guidance the likely range of fees for a simple case would be between £20,000 and £40,000 (excluding disbursements and VAT). By contrast, for the most complex cases, we would expect our fees to be in the range between £80,000 and £150,000 (excluding disbursements and VAT). For a case with medium complexity, we would expect the range of fees to be between £60,000 and £80,000 (excluding disbursements and VAT).
Factors influencing the complexity of a case
There are many factors that affect the complexity of a case and the costs involved including:
- Making or defending preliminary applications (e.g. to clarify the issues in the claim)
- The involvement of jurisdictions or parties outside the UK
- Whether any of the parties work in a regulated role or sector (e.g. financial services)
- The scope of 'disclosure' (the search for and provision of documents relevant to the claim)
- The number of potential witnesses for either party
- The involvement of expert evidence (e.g. medical evidence)
- Whether there are allegations of discrimination, whistleblowing or regulatory breaches
- The duration of any hearing(s)
- Making or defending costs applications
Our charges are usually based on hourly rates which reflect the experience and seniority of the lawyers involved however the rates for each lawyer themselves may vary and will be agreed on a case-by-case basis.
In all cases, we would discuss the scope of our representation and the applicable basis for charging at the outset of a case.
Disbursements
Disbursement are costs related to a case that are payable to third parties. Where we handle payment of disbursements as the case proceeds, we will itemise disbursements and any VAT that is applicable on our invoices.
The most significant disbursement will usually be counsel’s fees (the fees of the barrister who acts as advocate at the hearing). These will vary depending upon the experience and seniority of the barrister but could range between £5,000 and £15,000 per day of the hearing. Additional counsel’s fees may also arise for preliminary advice as the case develops and to reflect time spent preparing for the hearing.
VAT
All legal fees and disbursements incurred by UK Fee earners working on UK matters would be subject to applicable standard VAT at the prevailing rate, currently 20%.
Key stages
The fee ranges set out above are would cover the following key stages of a claim:
- taking initial instructions, reviewing the case and advising on the merits (this is likely to be revisited as the case proceeds e.g. as disclosure takes place and witness statements are exchanged)
- pre-claim conciliation and/or settlement discussions, as required, throughout the process
- preparing claim(s) and/or responses to claim(s)
- preparing or responding to schedules of loss
- preparing for and attending any preliminary hearings
- preparing for and attending interim application hearings
- carrying out disclosure, exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle of documents for the main hearing
- taking witness statements, drafting statements and finalising their contents with witnesses
- reviewing and advising on the other party’s witness statements
- agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and cast list as required
- preparation and attendance at the main hearing including instructing Counsel
Timescales
The time that it takes from initial instructions to the final resolution of a case will depend primarily on the stage at which the case is resolved. If a claim proceeds to a final hearing, a case is likely to take between 6 and 24 months.
Supervision
Employment work is supervised by Rahil Chaudhari who has over 25 years’ experience, having qualified in 1994.
Contact us
If you would like to discuss a potential unfair dismissal or wrongful dismissal claim in more detail and would like further information about our charges, please contact us on 01273 696962 or send us an email at: info@arlingsworth.com
PROBATE PRICING INFORMATION
Our services in dealing with an uncontested probate and the administration of an estate would typically
include the following aspects/stages of work:
- Providing advice about the law and procedure in relation to the administration of estates upon the death of an individual.
- Sending a detailed letter of engagement (client care letter) explaining the process involved.
- Writing to third parties to obtain valuations.
- Preparing a schedule of assets and liabilities.
- Preparing the necessary IHT forms and probate application forms as necessary.
- Preparing the Oath.
- Submitting the application for the grant of probate.
- Dealing with the publication of notices following the grant of probate.
- Collecting in the estate.
- Distributing the estate.
Where appropriate, we can offer fixed Agreed Fees which generally start from £5,000 plus VAT plus disbursements (depending on the individual facts of the case). Alternatively, we will charge hourly at a rate of £350 + vat to £550 + vat + disbursements. The hourly rate may increase during the course of a transaction.
Dealing with complex asset structures such as trusts, pensions, shares, investments and foreign assets are likely to increase the costs significantly.
Timescales
In terms of timescales, dealing with the grant of probate and administration of an estate typically takes 10-18 months on average but is dependent on a variety of different factors such as the size and complexity of the estate. A firmer time estate will be provided upon being instructed once we are aware of all the relevant circumstances of your case.
Disbursements
Disbursement are costs related to a case that are payable to third parties. Where we handle payment of disbursements as the case proceeds, we will itemise disbursements and any VAT that is applicable on our invoices. Examples of disbursements that may be incurred are set out below:
- Probate registry fee for grant: £300 plus 50p per sealed copy.
- Land registry searches: £3 per entry.
- Bankruptcy searches: £2 per entry.
- Land Registry application: from £20.
This is a non-exhaustive list and the amounts are subject to change.
VAT
All legal fees and disbursements incurred by UK Fee earners working on UK matters would be subject to applicable standard VAT at the prevailing rate, currently 20%.
Supervision
Probate work is supervised by Rahil Chaudhari who has over 25 years’ experience, having qualified in 1994.
Contact us
If you would like to discuss a probate matter in more detail and would like further information about our charges, please contact us on 01273 696962 or send us an email at: info@arlingsworth.com
IMMIGRATION PRICING INFORMATION
Visa applications
Our services in preparing a visa application would typically include the following:
- Giving you advice about the requirements of the Immigration Rules for the type of application being made.
- Sending a detailed letter of engagement (client care letter) explaining the requirements under the Rules, the supporting documents required and advising in relation to the case plan.
- Considering the supporting evidence provided and preparing an itimised schedule of the supporting documents.
- Where necessary, helping you to obtain further evidence (such as medical records and bank statements), including taking statements of any witnesses.
- Preparing your application (to include preparing the necessary application form and representations – a detailed legal framework document setting out the applicable law and facts in the case.
- Attending you on the phone, by email, in person and by letter.
- Providing advice about the outcome of the application and any further steps to take.
Where appropriate, we offer fixed Agreed Fees for dealing with visa applications which typically start from £2,000 (+ VAT where applicable + disbursements). Alternatively, we will charge hourly at a rate of £350 + vat to £550 + vat + disbursements.
Immigration Appeals
Our services in dealing with an immigration appeal would typically consist of the following:
- Giving you advice about the merits of pursuing an appeal following a decision made by the Home Office.
- Sending a detailed letter of engagement (client care letter) explaining the process involved in pursuing an appeal.
- Preparing and lodging Grounds of Appeal and the appeal forms.
- Advising you in relation to the supporting evidence required for the appeal and reviewing the same.
- Where necessary, helping you to obtain further evidence (such as medical records and bank statements), including taking statements of any witnesses.
- Preparing the appeal bundle.
- Briefing counsel to represent you at the hearing of the appeal.
- Attending you on the phone, by email, in person and by letter.
- Providing advice about the outcome of the appeal and any further steps to take.
Where appropriate, we offer fixed Agreed Fees for dealing with appeal at first instance (i.e. in the First Tier Tribunal) which start from £5,000 (+ VAT where applicable + disbursements). Alternatively, we will charge hourly at a rate of £350 + vat to £550 + vat + disbursements.
VAT
We will confirm whether VAT (at a rate of 20%) is payable when we have been instructed as it will depend on the specific facts of your case such as your immigration status and where you are living.
Disbursements
Disbursements (i.e. third-party payments) vary on a case-by-case basis depending upon the application which is being made and the work required. Home office visa application fees are published on the Home Office website at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table. Home Office fees are subject to change. Other disbursements may include expert fees, English language test fees, biometric registration and Home Office appointment fees. This is a non-exhaustive list.
In dealing with an appeal, the most significant disbursement will usually be counsel’s fees (the fees of the barrister who acts as advocate at the hearing). These will vary depending upon the experience and seniority of the barrister but could range between £5,000 and £10,000 per day of the hearing. Additional counsel’s fees may also arise for preliminary advice as the case develops and to reflect time spent preparing for the hearing.
Timescales
The timescales for the preparation and processing of visa applications vary considerably depending on the type of application and submission method. A firmer time estate will be provided upon being instructed once we are aware of all the relevant circumstances of your case.
Immigration appeals generally take from 12 months to be processed and heard at Tribunal. A firmer time estate will be provided upon being instructed once we are aware of all the relevant circumstances of your case.
Supervision
Immigration work is supervised by Rahil Chaudhari who has over 25 years’ experience having qualified in 1994.
Contact
If you would like to discuss an immigration matter in more detail and would like further information about our charges, please contact us on 01273 696962 or send us an email at: info@arlingsworth.com