Charging policy

Unless agreed otherwise in advance, each partner Council’s charges are calculated by reference to the time spent by their lawyers, paralegals and trainee solicitors in respect of any work which they do on your behalf. This will include:

  • preparation for, attendance at and follow up from meetings
  • reading and working on documents, correspondence, including emails
  • time spent travelling from the office when this is necessary.

Time spent is calculated and charged in six minute units of time. Except for routine work, and wherever possible, the relevant partner Council shall provide you with an estimate of the time it will take to conclude a matter at its outset. In such cases they will also provide you with information on your available legal options and a cost to benefit analysis of these in any given matter. Once commenced, if a matter then appears to be taking longer than expected, we will inform you as soon as possible and provide you with a revised estimate together with the reasons why this has been necessary.

The hourly rate for you matter will be quoted on your acknowledgement email. These hourly rates have to be reviewed periodically to reflect increases in overhead costs and inflation. Normally the rates are reviewed with effect from 1 April each year.

Various other expenses (disbursements) may arise in respect of a matter, including court fees, experts’ fees, counsels’ fees and so on. We have no obligation to make such payments on your behalf unless you have provided us with funds for that purpose. VAT is also payable on certain expenses. These costs would be agreed with you in advance of being incurred.

Payment arrangements

An invoice for the time spent on your matters will be raised either quarterly or monthly in arrears. We are happy to discuss payments methods and instructions for payment will be included with each invoice.

You have 30 days from the date of each invoice in order to make your payment.