SOLICITOR'S CHARGES

How are hourly rates charged ?

The hourly rate charged by solicitors will vary according to the level of seniority and the type of work. Solicitors normally charge for the following:

1. for each routine in-coming and out-going letters/emails/faxes.

2. for each routine telephone call made and received.

3. all other time spent on the matter such as

a. meetings held with the client.

b. reading documents

c. drafting documents

d. travel and waiting time

With all solicitors the minimum unit of charge is six minutes. Using an hourly rate of £120 one unit would equate to £12.00.

Thus 'routine' letters and telephone calls are charged as one unit (ie 6 minutes or less ) and would be £12.

Where the letters or telephone calls exceed 6 minutes (described as 'non-routine') they are charged according to time in units of 6 minutes. So if a letter or call takes more than 12 minutes but less than 18 minutes this would be charged as 3 units ie 3 x £12 = £36.00.

It should be remembered that correspondence and telephone calls with the client are included as some clients believe that their own calls or letters to their solicitors are not charged for.

It can be appreciated therefore that the costs are to some extent controllable by the client themselves provided they exercise some caution and try to reduce the time spent by the solicitor on their matter. Please see How to Minimise your Legal Costs.

Whilst our charging practice and Terms of Business are transparent it is surprising that many clients do not bother to read or understand them and do not know until they receive their first invoice exactly how they have been charged. Having this knowledge is crucial to enabling you to keep a check on your costs and avoid unnecessarily high bills. It is important therefore that you do ask us if there is anything you do not understand about our costs.

No Win No Fee

Some solicitors in such cases as personal injury claims charge a contingency fee ie no win no fee. We do not undertake personal injury work or contingency fees.