• the Legal Help Scheme or
• a Public Funding Scheme.

• Time is recorded in 6 minute units of time and charged at £30 (including VAT)
• Letters received are charged as half a unit of time £15 (including VAT)
• Standard letters sent out are charged as one unit of time £30 (including VAT)
• Telephone attendances are charged as one unit of time £30 (including VAT)
• Where more than 6 minutes is spent in perusing/compiling a letter or on the telephone, then the item will be charged in accordance with the number of time units engaged e.g. 18 minute telephone call will be charge as 3 units = £90 (including VAT)

 

If a Local Authority sends you a letter saying they want to meet concerning your children, and that letter is headed “Public Law Outline”, you are eligible to free legal advice under the Legal Help Scheme.

If a Local Authority has sent you a letter saying they are going to issue Court proceedings, or they have already issued Court proceedings relating to the care that you give to your children, then you automatically qualify for legal advice and assistance under the Public Funding Scheme.

 

 

In certain circumstances you may be eligible for free or cheaper legal advice under the Legal Help Scheme and/or Public Funding, depending on your financial circumstances the merits of your case and whether you have documents which show that you have been the victim of domestic abuse or the other parent is deemed to be a risk to your child(ren). These documents are called “gateway” documents and if you do not already have them or cannot obtain them yourself, we can assist you but would charge, our standard hourly rate of £300 (including VAT). More information about this can be provided upon you contacting us.

 

 

Includes a one-hour interview, and letter to the client confirming that advice = £300 (inclusive of VAT).

 

If, after an initial consultation, we are instructed by you further we will require £1000 to be paid on account of costs and for you to set up a standing order in the sum of £300 per month (until we confirm your file is to be closed), so that you can budget your payment to us. If we do not receive funds through a standing order within 30 days of being instructed, we reserve the right to cease to undertake further work until such a payment is made. 

 

Writing to the other party and/or their solicitor.

Advice with regard to mediation.

Preparation of Court documents e.g. applications, statements and all work other than court attendances = £300 (inclusive of VAT) per hour.

 

The total cost will depend on the nature and complexity of your case. We will advise you of the likely cost in writing.

 

 

The Court stipulates the time at which the parties and their legal representatives should be in attendance.

We will charge £300 (inclusive of VAT) per hour or part hour that we spend at Court.

 

Where a matter is listed by the court as a contested hearing the advocate’s fees will charged at our hourly rate. It is often advisable to instruct a Barrister on a contested matter, and their fees will be dependent upon the complexity of the case, the experience of the Barrister and their time involved in preparation for the hearing.

 

The total cost of any Court hearing will depend on the time engaged at Court together with any office-based work incurred in preparing the case. We will advise you of the likely cost in writing.