How do Solicitor's normally Charge?

The normal way in which solicitor’s charge their clients is on the basis of an hourly rate. An hour is divided into ten units ie 6 minutes represents 1 unit of time. Charges are calculated based on the amount of time spent by the solicitor and other staff in dealing with your case.

A solicitors headline hourly charge is based on the cost of running an office (premises heating, lighting, computer, staff wages, national insurance, rates, professional insurance, ext all come out of that headline hourly figure).

Chargeable work includes time spent advising you, on preparing or perusing papers, drafting documents, considering correspondence, discussion with your experts, making or receiving telephone calls, preparing for and attending hearings, conferences with Counsel and other meetings, travelling expenses. All work is charged in 6 minute units. Letters which are not routine, together with time spent and advising, taking attendance, undertaking preparation, perusal of documents, and drafting etc is charged by the time actually taken in units.

Our current hourly rate for private clients paying individually is £195 per hour plus VAT solicitor time. Work undertaken by other staff is charged at lesser rates. We are able to offer conditional fee agreements in a very limited number of cases.

Clients should always check to see if they have legal expenses insurance as part of their household, motor, or other personal insurance cover. In certain situations, a client may also be the member of a trade union or professional association who also may be able to provide help with legal costs.

We are not able to offer Legal Aid at the moment. SEND Tribunals can not be untaken in the child’s name, and it is always for these purposes the parental income which would count. Further Legal Aid is not available to cover costs of the hearing. If you are wondering whether you might be eligible for Legal Aid, then you need to be aware that the joint income threshold is very low, at benefit levels. If you are entitled to Legal Aid then you will now (following recent cutbacks) only be entitled to certain provision. You can check your eligibility on the legal services website http://www.clsdirect.org.uk