Fees

• HM Land Registry fee – refer below
• Scale 1 fees

When assessing fees under Scale 1, fees must be paid on the VAT-inclusive consideration or rent.

There are reduced fees for:

• transfers of whole and surrenders of whole for registered titles when using the portal or Business Gateway (50% reduction)
• voluntary first registrations (applications for first registration based on adverse possession or lost deeds are regarded as voluntary applications, unless the application includes a deed that triggers compulsory registration) (minimum 25% reduction)

There are no reduced fees for:

• transfers of part and other applications affecting part of registered titles even when using the portal or Business Gateway
• applications for first registration of title to a rent charge, a
  franchise or a profit, or mines and minerals held apart from the surface
  (as these are not treated as voluntary applications for fee purposes)
• applications to register leases when using the portal or Business Gateway

The reduced fees in the table above apply in the following circumstances:

• transfers or assents of whole
• charges of whole
• transfer of charges

and many other applications of whole for registered titles when using the portal or Business Gateway.

There are no reduced fees for:

• other applications affecting part of registered titles even when using the portal or Business Gateway
• transfers of part

Stamp Duty or Land Tax (on purchase)

This depends on the purchase price of your property. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC’s website or if the property is located in Wales by using the Welsh Revenue Authority’s website here.

How long will my house purchase take?

It will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 4-6 weeks.

It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. E.g , if you are a first time buyer, purchasing a new build property with a mortgage in principle, it could take 4 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 6 and 3 months. In such a situation additional charges would apply.

Stages of the process

The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages that you may wish to include:

• Take your instructions and give you initial advice
• Check finances are in place to fund purchase and contact lender’s solicitors if needed
• Receive and advise on contract documents
• Carry out searches
• Obtain further planning documentation if required
• Make any necessary enquiries of seller’s solicitor
• Give you advice on all documents and information received
• Go through conditions of mortgage offer with you
• Send final contract to you for signature
• Draft Transfer
• Advise you on joint ownership
• Obtain pre-completion searches
• Agree completion date (date from which you own the property)
• Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
• Arrange all necessary indemnities (if so required)
• Arrange for all monies needed to be received from lender and you
• Complete purchase
• Deal with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax
• Deal with application for registration at Land Registry

The precise stages involved in the sale of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages that you may wish to include:

• Take your instructions and give you initial advice
• Our due diligence and client care
• Deducing title and preparation of Draft Contract pack
• Issuing draft contract pack
• Dealing with the purchasers’ pre-contract enquiries
• Dealing with the purchasers’ lenders enquiries
• Approving Contract and Transfer
• Obtain planning documentation if required
• Send final contract to you for signature
• Agree completion date (date from which you own the property)
• Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
• Complete purchase
• Arrange for all monies needed to be paid to your lender (if any)
• Arrange for all other sums, fees or arrears payable on your behalf
• Arrange payment of balance to you
• Send out original transfer and related deeds to the purchaser’s conveyancers

Immigration

Private Individuals

Note: This information is for the purposes of work undertaken on behalf of private individuals and does not apply to corporate individuals.

The key members of our team undertaking work from private individuals are:

1. Abdul Razzaque Mirani
2. Adnan Saeed.
3. Abid Islam.
4. Amna Farooq.
5. Mohammed Awais Ali.
6. Shuhela Begum.

The below rates and fee estimates are exclusive of VAT. Professional fees will be subject to VAT at 20% where this is applicable.

Note: These rates are subject to annual review.

1. Partners – £201 – £217, depending wherefrom working
2. Legal Counsel – £295
3. Legal Assistants – £111
4. Trainee Solicitors – £111
5. Paralegals – £111

All matters undertaken by Abbott Solicitors will require work to be carried out by a partner and a paralegal/legal assistant/trainee solicitor. Therefore, an estimate of cost reflects an average hourly rate of £201 this is based upon the involvement of lawyers at various levels of experience.

The complexity and nature of the matter will determine the amount of time spent on a matter. Every stage of work in your matter will be carried out by the most suitable level of lawyer unless you specifically request for your work to be carried out by a higher level of lawyer, which will in turn, affect the quotation of fees.

Estimate Quotations

Note: All figures exclude VAT unless specifically stated. The quotations are an estimate and assume that you meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules, EEA Regulations, or British Nationality Act 1981 (as applicable) without requiring discretion to be exercised and that there are no other factors that will increase the complexity of a matter.

The Immigration Team at Abbott Solicitors has been advising individuals and businesses on UK immigration and nationality law for over 10 years.

Your fee estimate or fixed fee would be agreed upon prior to us enacting our professional arrangement with you. The estimates set out below have been presented to provide a range of expected fees for standard applications. Upon receiving the necessary information about your personal circumstances and the nature of the work we will be required to carry out, we can usually agree on a fixed fee

1. Applications to become British under the British Nationality Act 1981

As per usual standard, this work normally requires between 10-25 hours of work at our estimated average rate to complete. Therefore, our average costs are between £2000 – £5000.

1. Applications on behalf of European Economic Area (EEA) nationals and their family members under the applicable EEA Regulations or Immigration Rules, including applications for permanent residence, residence cards and registration certificates.

As per usual standard, this work normally requires between 8.5-20 hours at our estimated average rate to complete. Therefore, our average costs are between £1700 – £4000.

1. Applications for work, study and business under the Points-Based system

As per usual standard, this work normally requires between 7-50 hours at our estimated average rate to complete. Therefore, our average costs are between £1400 – £10,000.

1. Visit visas

As per usual standard, this work normally requires between 6.5-25 hours at our estimated average rate to complete. Therefore, our average costs are between £1300 – £5000.

1. Leave to enter or remain under Appendix FM

As per usual standard, this work normally requires between 10-22 hours at our estimated average rate to complete. Therefore, our average costs are between £2000 – £4200.

1. Ancestry visas

As per usual standard, this work normally requires between 8.5-20 hours at our estimated average rate to complete. Therefore, our average costs are between £1700 – £4000.

1. Other categories, such as applications on the basis of long residence

As per usual standard, this work normally requires between 9-20 hours at our estimated average rate to complete. Therefore, our average costs are between £1800 – £4000.

1. Appeals

As per usual standard, this work normally requires between 20-65 hours at our estimated average rate to complete. Therefore, our average costs are between £4000 – £13000.

How are these quotations worked out?

Several factors have been carefully taken into consideration whilst calculating the average cost and hours required on matters. The urgency and complexity of legal issues, as well as the availability of necessary documentation, impact the number of hours required and ultimately the quotations. Other factors which determine the total of a quotation include; additional services required, the stage of an application (initial, extension, indefinite leave to remain), third party involvement, the involvement of Counsel, and tribunal appearances.

What is included?

Abbott Solicitors offer an initial assessment after taking full instructions, as well as this, appropriate advice will be given on issues and requirements surrounding your legal matter. Following this, in most circumstances, a comprehensive list of required documents will be provided.

A member of our team will review your documents and liaise with any parties where necessary to gather evidence. Our team will ensure that the appropriate application forms are completed and submitted on your behalf, we will also book any appointments required in relation to your application.

Furthermore, Abbott Solicitors will draft a detailed covering letter in support of your application. We will also advise on the submission options and procedures in the appropriate applications, and on likely time frames for receiving the outcome.

Upon receiving the outcome of your application, a member of our team will explain your new immigration status and advice will be given on how to remain compliant with your visa conditions, and your eligibility for extensions and/or indefinite leave to remain.

Important Information

The costs quoted here are estimates and are subject to change according to personal circumstances, the estimate does not include any disbursements which may be required in your matter. Disbursements are costs that are payable to third parties, such as visa fees.

The time taken to deal with your matter will be influenced by factors such as the type of application and to whom the application will be sent. Unfortunately, we are unable to guarantee the processing time the Home Office will take.

If you require further details as to whether Abbott Solicitors will be able to assist with your specific immigration and nationality matter and to receive a personalised quotation of fees, please do not hesitate to contact us.

How long will my application take:

We cannot confirm that how long the Home Office/ court will take to process your application/ appeal. We suggest you refer to the Home Office / court guidance available online on its current processing times. We will normally be able to submit this type of application within 4 weeks/ within time limit of the client instructing us, but we will let you know at the earliest opportunity if it is likely to take longer than this.

Please note the anticipated number of hours and fees are an estimate based on the facts above. All applications/ appeal are likely to vary and of course, we can give you a more accurate estimate once we have more information about your specific case.

Employment

Our pricing for bringing and defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal, based on our hourly rate of £217-211 plus VAT.

Simple case: 4-8 hours so £1000-£2000 (excluding VAT)

Medium complexity case: 8-12 hours so £2000-£3000 (excluding VAT)

High complexity case: 12-20 hours so £3000-£5000 (excluding VAT)

Factors that could make a case more complex:

• If it is necessary to make or defend applications to amend claims or to provide further information about an existing claim
• Defending claims that are brought by litigants in person
• Making or defending a costs application
• Complex preliminary issues such as whether the claimant is disabled (if this is not agreed by the parties)
• The number of witnesses and documents
• If it is an automatic unfair dismissal claim e.g. if you are dismissed after blowing the whistle on your employer
• Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal

There will be an additional charge for attending a Tribunal Hearing of £750 per day (excluding VAT). Generally, we would allow 1-3 days depending on the complexity of your case.

Disbursements

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.

Counsel’s fees estimated between £500 to £1000 plus VAT per day (depending on experience of the advocate) for attending a Tribunal Hearing (including preparation)

Key stages

The fees set out above cover all of the work in relation to the following key stages of a claim:

• Taking your initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising you on merits and likely compensation (this is likely to be revisited throughout the matter and subject to change)
• Entering into pre-claim conciliation where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached;
• Preparing claim or response
• Reviewing and advising on claim or response from other party
• Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process
• preparing or considering a schedule of loss
• Preparing for (and attending) a Preliminary Hearing
• Exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle of documents
• Taking witness statements, drafting statements and agreeing their content with witnesses
• preparing bundle of documents
• Reviewing and advising on the other party’s witness statements
• agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and/or cast list
• Preparation and attendance at Final Hearing, including instructions to Counsel

The stages set out above are an indication and if some of stages above are not required, the fee will be reduced. You may wish to handle the claim yourself and only have our advice in relation to some of the stages. This can also be arranged on your individual needs.

How long will my matter take?

The time that it takes from taking your initial instructions to the final resolution of your matter depends largely on the stage at which your case is resolved. If a settlement is reached during pre-claim conciliation, your case is likely to take 2-4 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take 2-6 months. This is just an estimate and we will of course be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the matter progresses.

Copyright © 2012-2016 Abbott Solicitor. All rights reserved.

[Abbott Solicitors LLP is a limited liability partnership. Authorised & Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and registered in England and Wales registered with No. OC403192. The term “partner” is used to refer to a member of Abbott Solicitors LLP. Abbott Solicitors is the trading name of Abbott Solicitors LLP: SRA No 626995.]