Our costs

SEN Legal’s fees are based on an hourly fee structure, rather than fixed fee. The only work we offer on a fixed fee basis is our tiered 'EHCP health check' service which you can read more about under 'our services' page. We believe that this approach is beneficial to our clients because you only pay for the work your case requires. ​

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For example, if your case involved a full SENDT appeal (including a hearing) and we required you to pay a fixed fee for that work, that is the amount you would pay, regardless of the success of the case. Alternatively however with an hourly fee structure, if we were able to achieve a settlement for you and as a result you did not need certain documents to be drafted, or a hearing was avoided, your fees stop at that point. You are not left paying fees for work that you did not require. Not only will you have achieved the desired result, but you will also have saved money. Fixed fees do not offer such a saving.

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Please see below our professional hourly fees*:

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• Principal Solicitor/Head of Legal - £280

• Senior Solicitors - £260

• Associate Solicitors - £240

• Solicitors - £220

• Senior Paralegals - £180

• Paralegals – £160

• Legal Assistants - £145​

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*Please note all fees exclude VAT at 20%

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​Can SEN Legal provide an estimate?

​It is difficult to give an accurate estimate of our fees without sight of your paperwork as there are many variable factors. No two cases are the same, and each case requires a different level of input from our solicitors. All instructing clients will be provided with an estimate of the fees they are likely to incur at the start of their case.

 

For transparency, and as a guide, we have detailed below an example of the amount of fees you may incur for different types of cases (although some cases will conclude outside of these amounts). 

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• Appeal to the SEND Tribunal (against content B & F, against content B, F & I, or against content I) – £9,000 – £14,500 (ex VAT at 20%, disbursements, Counsel Fees, Expert Fees)

• Appeal to the SEND Tribunal (Refusal to Assess) - £4,500 – £7,500 (ex VAT at 20% and disbursements)

• Appeal to the SEND Tribunal (Refusal to Issue an EHC Plan) - £8,500 – £12,500 (ex VAT at 20%, disbursements, Counsel Fees, Expert Fees)

• Appeal to the SEND Tribunal (Ceasing to Maintain an EHC Plan) - £8,500 – £12,500 (ex VAT at 20%, disbursements, Counsel Fees, Expert Fees)

• Extended Appeal to the SEND Tribunal/EOTIS Appeal – £16,500 (ex VAT at 20%, disbursements, Counsel Fees, and Expert Fees)

• Annual Review – £3,500 (ex VAT at 20% and disbursements)

• Health & Welfare Deputyship – £4,500 (ex VAT at 20% and disbursements)

• Property & Affairs Deputyship – £3,500 (ex VAT at 20% and disbursements)

• Pre-Action Protocol Correspondence - £2,000 - £3,500 (ex VAT at 20% and disbursements)

• Preliminary work – £3,500 (ex VAT at 20% and disbursements)

• Transport cases - £2,500 - £3,500 (ex VAT at 20% and disbursements)

• EHC Plan Health Check (Platinum) – £950 (ex VAT at 20%)

• EHC Plan Health Check (Gold) – £650 (ex VAT at 20%)

• EHC Plan Health Check (Silver) – £500 (ex VAT at 20%)

• Request for EHC Needs Assessment – £3,500 (ex VAT at 20% and disbursements)

• Judicial Review – £14,500 – £20,000 (ex VAT at 20%, disbursements, Counsel Fees, Expert Fees)

• Social Care – £7,000 (ex VAT at 20%, disbursements, Counsel Fees, Expert Fees)

• Disability Discrimination Claims – £9,000 – £14,500 (ex VAT at 20%, disbursements, Counsel Fees, Expert Fees)

• Schools Work (consultations, funding and exclusions) – £3,500 (ex VAT at 20% and disbursements)

• Court of Protection (Contested/Involving DoLS) - £5,500 (ex VAT at 20%, disbursements & Counsel Fees)

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All the figures on the above examples do not include VAT at 20% or disbursements. They also do not include the fees of any independent expert witnesses clients may instruct, or specialist counsel (a barrister) if used. 

 

​​When do I have to pay my legal fees?

Unlike many solicitors, we will not ask you for a large payment to cover the whole cost of your case in advance. 

An individualised amount is requested to be paid into our client account to cover any expected fees on a monthly basis. There will be peaks and troughs in terms of billing but this will be consistent with the level of legal work you receive. A qualified Solicitor will always be in charge of, and have oversight of your case. 

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Legal Aid

SEN Legal does not have a legal aid contract and is unable to offer any work on a legal aid basis.

 

You may be eligible for legal aid if you are in receipt of a ‘passporting benefit’ (i.e. income support, income related employment and support allowance, universal credit, guarantee Pension Credit). If you are not in receipt of a ‘passporting benefit’ a detailed means assessment is carried out, and you may be eligible if your disposable income is below £733 and your gross monthly income does not exceed £2,657. In addition, to qualify for legal aid your capital should not exceed £8000. If you own a property, your equity and remaining mortgage is also assessed. Means assessments can be very complicated (especially if you are self-employed) and the information provided here is only a snapshot.

 

If you think you may be eligible for legal aid, it is worth checking the ‘eligibility calculator’ on the GOV.UK website. For further advice you should contact the Civil Legal Aid (CLA) service on 0345 345 4345.

 

It is worth noting that that when a young person is aged 18 and over their parent/carer’s means are usually disregarded.