How much will my matter cost?

DEBT CLAIMS

Credit control is an important aspect of any business and you need to ensure that you’re not hampered by bad debts. GA Solicitors’ dispute resolution team is ranked in The Legal 500 and is able to provide clear and effective advice to ensure you are paid what you deserve.

Debt recovery up to the value of £100,000;

1. We charge £195 – £250 per hour + VAT on average if the matter is contested. The amount charged depends on the amount of the debt and the issues raised by the debtor in defence of the sum claimed. We will discuss these things with you if you decide to instruct us and you will not be committed to proceed.
2. We may use conditional fee or damages-based agreements for contested cases, in which case you will be responsible for paying us an uplift of up to 100% on our charges as set out above.
3. There may be other costs on top. These are fees and charges we will need to pay on your behalf as part of the process, such as court fees, counsel’s fees, and enforcement process fees. The amount payable varies widely depending on the amount of the debt and the issues raised by the debtor in defence of the sum claimed. For example, the court fee for claims up to £300 is £35, but for a claim of £100,000 the court fee payable is £5,000.
4. In normal cases, if you are successful, the expectation will be that the debtor will pay the majority of these costs. However, this may not be possible and if not, you will remain liable for our costs and charges.
5. Obviously, our fees do not include any external costs and charges that may be incurred as part of the process (e.g. damages, fines, penalties or other liabilities). You will incur further costs if the sum is not paid, and enforcement action is required. You will also be responsible for these items.
6. How long a case will take depends on the amount of the debt and whether the claim is defended. Any claim is unlikely to take less than three months to conclude and a defended claim involving court proceedings may take several years, largely due to delays in the court service.
7. When we take on a case our service includes all aspects of the work including assessing the strength of the case, corresponding with the debtor, advising you, preparing court proceedings and representation in court. Depending on complexities that may arise we may need to brief counsel (a barrister) to represent you in court proceedings and their charges will be payable in addition to ours. We will advise you if this is necessary and negotiate charges with the barrister. These are likely to be at least £700 per hearing and may be substantially more, especially for a trial. As we are liable to counsel for their fee we shall need the fee on account from you before they are briefed.
8. We do not offer an “unbundled” service where you deal with part of the process and we deal with other parts as our experience is that prospect of success are dramatically reduced by trying to do this.
9. For details of who may be involved in your case and their qualification and experience, see our dispute resolution profiles.

 EMPLOYMENT CLAIMS (EMPLOYER)

GA Solicitors has an established employment department supporting businesses of all sizes with a range of legal issues. The team prides itself on the close relationships it develops with its clients and become trusted advisers, providing timely and effective advice.

The provision of advice and representation to employers in relation to defending claims before the Employment Tribunal brought by an employee for unfair dismissal or wrongful dismissal;

1. We charge between £12,000 and £25,000 + VAT on average for this work (less if the case does not go all the way to a fully disputed tribunal hearing). We will provide full representation, which includes: the preparing and submitting the ET3 response and defence, completing the necessary document disclosure exercise, preparation of the necessary hearing bundle, assistance with the preparation of witness evidence, advice and assistance with any settlement negotiations, preparation for the final heating and advice on the judgment of the Employment Tribunal. We do not provide advocacy services and will arrange a suitably qualified and competent barrister to provide such services.
2. Claims of unfair and wrongful dismissal typically take between 8 and 12 months to conclude. Please note however that cases may last longer depending upon the complexities, legal issues and length of the final hearing.
3. This estimate is just an average price based on recent instructions; the actual cost to you will depend on a number of factors which we will discuss with you if you decide to instruct us.
4. The charge is based on our average hourly charging-rate of £250 per hour, which may vary.
5. We do not offer conditional fee or damages-based agreements for this type of work.
6. There may be other costs on top. These are fees and charges we will need to pay on your behalf as part of the process, such as barrister’s fees. They are likely to be between £1,000 and £2,000 in total, + VAT where relevant for most cases. However this will depend on the complexities of the case and length of any hearings.
7. Each side is generally responsible for their own costs in employment tribunal litigation, so the other side are unlikely to be ordered to pay anything towards your costs. There are some rare exceptions, but these are unlikely to apply in most cases.
8. Our fee is set out on the assumption that there are no other claims (e.g. discrimination) that might increase the time involved, and thus, the cost. There may also be an increase in cost if the claimant is acting in person.
9. Do bear in mind, that you may have other sources from which you could claim our costs, e.g. an insurance policy. We will check this with you if you decide to instruct us.
10. Obviously, our fees do not include any external costs and charges that may be incurred as part of the process (e.g. damages, fines, penalties or other liabilities). You will also be responsible for these items.

 EMPLOYMENT CLAIMS (EMPLOYEE)

GA has been supporting employees for more than 200 years, advising upon unfair dismissals, redundancy, settlement agreements and much more. Employment is a complex area of law and our experienced team can guide you through the process step by step.

The provision of advice and representation to employees in relation to the bringing of claims before the Employment Tribunal against an employer for unfair or wrongful dismissal.

1. We charge between £10,000 and £22,500 + VAT on average for this work (less if the case does not go all the way to a fully disputed tribunal hearing). We will provide full representation, which includes: the preparing and submitting the ET1 claim form and particulars of claim, preparing and submitted a schedule of loss (which values the claim) completing the necessary document disclosure exercise, preparation of the necessary hearing bundle, assistance with the preparation of witness evidence, advice and assistance with any settlement negotiations, preparation for the final heating and advice on the judgment of the Employment Tribunal. We do not provide advocacy services and will arrange a suitably qualified and competent barrister to provide such services.
2. Claims of unfair and wrongful dismissal typically take between 8 and 12 months to conclude. Please note however that cases may last longer depending upon the complexities, legal issues and length of the final hearing.
3. This estimate is just an average price based on recent instructions; the actual cost to you will depend on a number of factors which we will discuss with you if you decide to instruct us.
4. The charge is based on our average hourly charging-rate of £250 per hour, which may vary.
5. We do not offer conditional fee or damages-based agreements for this type of work.
6. There may be other costs on top. These are fees and charges we will need to pay on There may be other costs on top. These are fees and charges we will need to pay on your behalf as part of the process, such as barrister’s fees. They are likely to be between £1,000 and £2,000 in total, + VAT where relevant for most cases. However this will depend on the complexities of the case and length of any hearings.
7. Each side is generally responsible for their own costs in employment tribunal litigation, so the other side are unlikely to be ordered to pay anything towards your costs. There are some rare exceptions, but these are unlikely to apply in most cases.
8. Our fees are given on the assumption that there are no other claims (eg discrimination) involved in your case, which may have the effect of increasing the time involved, and thus, the cost.
9. Do bear in mind, that you may have other sources from which you could claim our costs, e.g. an insurance policy, or a trade union. We will check this with you if you decide to instruct us.
10. Obviously, our fees do not include any external costs and charges that may be incurred as part of the process (e.g. damages, fines, penalties or other liabilities). You will also be responsible for these items.

Employment Department

We have a specialist team of solicitors solely practicing employment law. With over a decade of experience in dealing with a wide range of complicated and complex employment issues and disputes our senior employment law partner, Rob Zacal, heads up the team. Rob Zacal is able assisted by Kayleigh Arthurs a trainee solicitor.

Our solicitors have experience in all aspects of employment law and we dedicate ourselves to ensuring our knowledge stays up to date, in order to give you the best service possible. They have between 1 and 10 years of experience in the area. We always make sure that junior solicitors and members of staff are supported and supervised appropriately so that the quality of advice is not affected, regardless of who is working on your case.

We have a proven track record in achieving successful outcomes for our clients. You can find out more about our price information on our website and can also see testimonials from satisfied clients.

RESIDENTIAL CONVEYANCING

GA’s nationally award-winning conveyancing team helps hundreds of clients move home each year. An accredited member of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme and with unrivalled client feedback, you know you are in safe hands.

The conveyance of residential real property or real estate which comprise:

• freehold or leasehold sales or purchases; or
• mortgages or re-mortgages;

1. We charge £773 + VAT on average for a freehold sale.
2. We charge £881 + VAT on average for a freehold purchase.
3. We charge £1,066 + VAT on average for a leasehold sale.
4. We charge £1,157 + VAT on average for a leasehold purchase.
5. We charge £450 + VAT on average for a re-mortgage.
6. There will be other costs on top. These are fees and charges we will need to pay on your behalf as part of the process. These are often known as “disbursements” and are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Land Registry fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. The following is for example only and the exact amount payable will depend on the particular circumstances of your own transaction which we will discuss with you if you instruct us.
   1. On an average freehold sale or re-mortgage we will need to pay to the Land Registry £6 for a copy of your title deeds and plan.
   2. On an average leasehold sale or re-mortgage we will need to pay to the Land Registry £15 for a copy of your title deeds and plan, a copy of the freehold title and plan and copy of the Lease.
   3. On an average freehold and leasehold purchase or re-mortgage we will need to pay search fees which average £300 and Land Registry registration fees the level of which will depend on the value of the property, if the property is registered at Land Registry and whether the application to register can be done online. If you instruct us we can confirm the exact figure but can range from between £20-455.
   4. On most purchase transactions stamp duty or Land Tax will be payable. You can calculate the amount by using the HMRC’s online calculator
   5. On an average leasehold sale or re-mortgage the landlord or their representatives will charge for a package of information which we will have to send to the buyer’s lawyer and the costs range from £100-300 plus VAT.
   6. On an average leasehold purchase or re-mortgage there may be additional disbursements depending on the terms of the Lease and including a notice fee notifying the landlord or their representative of the change of ownership and of any mortgage you have taken and the cost will be detailed in the Lease and on average ranges from £5-100 plus VAT, a Deed of Covenant fee and is a fee charged by the landlord or their representative and on average ranges from £100-200 plus VAT and a fee payable to the landlord or their representative to issue a certificate of compliance to deal with a clause in the Lease and on average ranges from £50-150 plus VAT.
   7. You should be aware that the figures detailed at (e) and (f) above vary from property to property and can on occasion be significantly more than the ranges given. We can give you an accurate figure once we have sight of the Lease and information from the seller’s lawyer.
   8. You should also be aware that ground rent and service charges are likely to apply on a leasehold property throughout your ownership. We will confirm the ground rent and anticipated service charge as soon as we receive this information.
7. Additional charges arise if there are features about your particular transaction which add to the work that we have to do, for example there are solar panels, indemnity insurance is required, rights of way issues and declarations of trust.
8. The estimated average total cost of our charges including VAT and disbursements average search fees (excluding Land Registry Registration fee, stamp duty and unknown fees) would be:-
   1. Freehold sale = £932.
   2. Freehold purchase = £1,357.
   3. Leasehold sale = £1,293.
   4. Leasehold purchase = £1,689.
   5. Re-mortgage = £840.
9. These fees assume that the transaction is ‘standard’ and has no unforeseen issues that may lengthen the process or increase costs.
10. This estimate is just an average price based on recent instructions; the actual cost to you will depend on a number of factors which we will discuss with you if you decide to instruct us.
11. Our price may look high compared to some other providers, but we would ask you to consider the work involved, the implications of you or us missing something, the deadlines involved, the availability of our professional insurance cover and a number of other factors in the complex conveyancing process, before comparing us on price alone.
12. Obviously, our fees do not include any external costs and charges that we may incur as part of the process (e.g. estate agents commission, removal costs, environmental remediation costs etc.) You will also be responsible for these items.
13. A typical residential freehold sale and purchase will take between 8-10 weeks. If the property is leasehold or there is a chain involved then the timeframe is little longer at 8-12 weeks. A typical remortgage transaction takes between 6-8 weeks if freehold and 6-12 weeks if leasehold.
14. For details of who may be involved in your case and their qualification and experience, see our residential conveyancing profiles.

ADMINISTRATION OF AN ESTATE

When planning for your future, or for the future of your loved ones, you need to know you have the best team on your side. Many members of our wills, trusts and probate team are members of the Society of Estate Practitioners (STEP) and Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE). Recognised as experts in their field, the department is ranked in both Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500.

This includes applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets

We charge between £3000 and £6000 plus disbursements and VAT on average for this type of work.

This estimate is just an average price based on recent instructions and the exact cost 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. We are happy to discuss this with you before you proceed.

Our charges are based on our average hourly charging rate of £235 per hour.

We will handle the full process for you. This estimate is for estates where:

• There is a valid will
• There is no more than one property
• There are no more than 5 bank or building society accounts
• There are no other intangible assets
• There are 2 – 4 beneficiaries
• There are no disputes between beneficiaries on 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 Inheritance Tax Return to HMRC
• There are no claims made against the estate

Disbursements not included in this fee:

• Probate Registry’s application fee of £155.00
• Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£2 per beneficiary)
• £200 approximately – Advertisement in The London Gazette if required – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors.
• £150 approximately – Advertisement in a local newspaper – This also helps to protect against unexpected claims.

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.

Potential additional costs

• If there is an inheritance tax liability or a need to claim Business Property or Agricultural Relief additional costs will apply. We can give you a more accurate estimate once we have more information.
• If there is no will or the estate consists of shareholdings (stocks and bonds) there is likely to be additional costs that could range significantly depending on the estate and how it is to be dealt with. We can give you a more accurate estimate once we have more information.
• If there are more assets or beneficiaries there are likely to be additional costs depending on the circumstances. We can give you a more accurate estimate once we have more information.
• If there is foreign property additional costs will apply.
• If any additional copies of the grant are required, the Probate Registry charges £1.50 per copy (1 per asset usually).
• Dealing with the sale or transfer of any land and buildings in the estate is not included. We can give you a more accurate estimate once we have more information.

Our fees do not include any external costs and charges that may be incurred as part of the administration (e.g. taxes, penalties, repayable benefits fees and charges). The estate will be responsible for these.

How long will this take?

On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 3-6 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 6 – 12 weeks. Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 2 – 4 weeks. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 2 – 4 weeks.

The above estimates are provided on the basis of the assumptions that all executors and beneficiaries are known, that the deceased was domiciled in England and that their assets are easily identifiable and their personal records are in good order. Also that third parties do not add any unnecessary delay in dealing with paperwork.

For details of who may be involved in your case and their qualification and experience, see our wills, trust and probate profiles.