Civil Litigation fees.
Litigation costs depend on the documents, value, complexity and approach taken by the other parties. We will define the initial scope and explain our charging basis before work begins.
Hourly rates
Most privately funded Civil Litigation work is charged by time. We will confirm the person responsible for your matter, the agreed scope and when the estimate will be reviewed.
| Fee earner | Hourly rate excluding VAT | Hourly rate including VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Solicitor with at least four years’ post-qualification experience | £300 | £360 |
| Solicitor with less than four years’ post-qualification experience | £220 | £264 |
| Trainee solicitor or clerk | £110 | £132 |
Routine item charges
The firm’s supplied fee information also lists the following charges for routine correspondence and untimed telephone attendances.
| Fee earner | Letter sent | Letter received | Untimed telephone attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solicitor with 4+ years’ experience | £30 plus VAT (£36) | £15 plus VAT (£18) | £30 plus VAT (£36) |
| Solicitor with under 4 years’ experience | £22 plus VAT (£26.40) | £11 plus VAT (£13.20) | £22 plus VAT (£26.40) |
| Trainee solicitor or clerk | £11 plus VAT (£13.20) | £5.50 plus VAT (£6.60) | £11 plus VAT (£13.20) |
What the fee may cover
- Taking instructions and reviewing the available evidence
- Advising on merits, remedies, limitation periods and cost risk
- Pre-action correspondence and negotiation
- Mediation or another form of dispute resolution where appropriate
- Preparing or responding to court documents
- Disclosure, witness evidence and hearing preparation
- Instructing a barrister or expert where necessary
- Settlement and enforcement advice
The exact work included will be set out in writing. You may instruct us for a defined stage only, where that is appropriate.
Likely additional costs
Third-party costs may include court fees, barrister’s fees, expert fees, mediation costs, process-server fees, searches, copying and travel. These are not included in the hourly rates. We will explain the likely amount and seek authority before incurring a significant external cost.
Costs orders and litigation risk
The successful party may be entitled to recover some costs from the opponent, but this is not guaranteed and recovery rarely covers the full solicitor-client cost. If you are unsuccessful, you may be ordered to pay part of the opponent’s costs as well as your own.
Your responsibility for our fees continues regardless of whether costs are recovered from another party. We will review the costs and proportionality of continuing whenever circumstances materially change. In suitable cases, after-the-event insurance may be available; we will discuss this where relevant.
Billing and cost controls
We may issue periodic bills and request payments on account. The firm’s supplied terms state that accounts and requests for payment should be met within 14 days. Where appropriate, an agreed cost limit can be used so that we contact you before further work is carried out beyond that limit.
Timescales
A reliable overall timeframe cannot be given until we understand the dispute. A focused initial advice or letter may be completed within weeks, while contested court proceedings may take many months or longer depending on the issues, evidence, court timetable and conduct of the parties.
Who will handle your matter
Your matter will be allocated to an appropriately experienced member of the team. The written engagement information will identify the person responsible, the applicable rate and the supervision arrangements.