Our Fees

All Matters 
  • Initial Consultation £150 + VAT 
  • Charging rate £300 plus VAT from 1 April 2025 (£275 plus VAT prior to this date)
Divorce
  • Petitioner Costs  £750 + VAT (provided straight-forward) 
  • Court fee to issue £612 (exemptions/reductions possible depending in income)
  • Respondent Costs £400 + VAT 
  • Financial Consent Order charges are likely to be £1,000 to £1200 + VAT per hour plus court fee of £60
  • Finance application through court charges are likely to be £1200 to £1800 (or more) plus VAT and court fee of £313
  • Children's matters £1500 to £1800 (or more) plus VAT and Court fee £263

In addition to those fees, disbursements such as travel to and from the court will need to be added to the total. If your case involves further applications to be made on your behalf, such as a submission of exceptional hardship or special reasons, there will be further costs that you will incur.

For a full quote as to what your case will cost, please give us a call so we can discuss your case in greater detail.

FEES

All Matters 

  • The Consultation fee on any matter is  £150 + VAT (20%) (This will be deducted from below fees if instructions received to  act). This is a one off consultation of up to to 30 minutes to discuss your legal issue and to provide initial advice. 
Wills

  • Single Wills from £225 + VAT (20%).
  • Joint Wills from £400 + VAT (20%)
  • The cost to make a will/wills will be the above fees unless advised during your initial consultation, eg. where various trusts, etc need to be created. In such circumstances you would be advised on likely fees before the work was commenced. Our charges include taking instructions from you, providing a draft, and attending to the signature of the same. 
  • The likely timescale for this work is within 7 days unless otherwise advised. 
Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPOA)

  • Property & Financial Affairs and/or Health & Welfare
  • LPOA £375 + VAT (20%) each document
  • Registration fee of £82 each document (No VAT) (exemptions/reductions possible depending on income)
  • These fees are fixed.
  • Our charges include taking instructions from you, preparing the document, and then attending upon you to formalise the paperwork and to register the same.
  • The likely timescale for this work is within 56 days, as the registration takes time to be completed.
Probate

Ms Burton or Ms Shell will:

  • Judge how much work is involved based on your requirements and the size of the estate
  • Give you an estimate for our fees before starting any work
  • Always try and quote a fixed-fee cost, if possible, for your peace of mind.
LIKELY FEES

  • Key stages of what is included in our pricing for applying for probate:
    1. Preparing the relevant HMRC forms and Statement of Truth from the probate valuations obtained by you
    2. Placing statutory advertisements (if required)
    3. Carrying out a Certainty Search if required
    4. Helping you to ensure that the relevant HMRC forms and Statement of Truth are correct and suitable to be signed
    5. Lodging your application for the Grant of Representation at the Probate Registry
    6. Providing you with the Grant of Representation and sealed copies
    7. Collecting monies from bank accounts and issuing a simple estate account where no property is involved.
  • Our fees to extract a simple Grant of Representation/Probate are between £500 and £1,000 plus VAT (20%). The likely timescale is up to six months. The final cost will depend on what work was involved but would not exceed these figures. 
  • Other probate work over and above a simple extraction of a grant of representation or probate is chargeable on an hourly basis with an hourly charging rate of £300 plus VAT (20%). We will provide an estimate of likely costs once full details of work is established. 
  • Key stages of what is included in our pricing for applying for administering the estate:
    1. Collecting in the identified assets
    2. Discharging the estate debts
    3. Agreeing the estate account with the executor/administrator
    4. Paying out all the beneficiaries
  • Application fee for probate  (payable to the Probate Registry) £300 (no VAT), £1.50 per sealed copy of probate (no VAT)
  • Any inheritance, income, or capital gains tax will be advised when full details of the estate are known. 
  • The sale of properties within an estate will be charged separately and will be referred to our conveyancing department. 
COURT OF PROTECTION

We will prepare the necessary paperwork and subsequently lodge the same with the Court. 
Our fees would be £900 plus VAT (20%) plus the court fee of £371 and the cost of any medical fees.

CHANGE OF NAME DEED

We will draft the same and attend to your signature on this. 
Our fees would be £150 and £200 plus VAT (20%) 

To learn more about any of the above, please contact Sue Burton or Elaine Shell either on 0151 355 8481 or email them at sb@jacobslaw.co.uk or es@jacobslaw.co.uk or fill out a general enquiry on our contact us page.


HOW LONG WILL MY HOUSE PURCHASE/SALE TAKE?

How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move in to your house will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 8-10 weeks. It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are a first time buyer, purchasing a new build property with a mortgage in principle, it could take 8 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 3 and 6 months. In such, a situation additional charges would apply.

STAGES OF THE PROCESS

The precise stages involved in the purchase/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
  • Check finances are in place to fund purchase and contact lender's solicitors if needed
  • Obtain details about any existing mortgage or loan you may have on a property which is being sold
  • Draft/Receive and advise on contract documents
  • Carry out searches
  • Obtain further planning documentation if required
  • For a purchase make any necessary enquiries of seller's solicitor
  • For a sale provide you with the appropriate forms to complete about what is and is not included in the sale
  • Give you advice on all documents and information received
  • Go through conditions of mortgage offer with you
  • Send final contract to you for signature
  • Agree completion date (date from which you own/sell the property)
  • Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
  • Arrange for all monies needed to be received from lender and you
  • Arrange for redemoption figures on any loans secured on property you are selling
  • On a purchase draft transfer for  vendor's solicitors
  • Advise on joint owenship on purchase
  • Carry our pre-completion searches
  • Complete purchase/sale
  • Deal with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax as appropriate
  • Deal with application for registration at Land Registry

As all conveyancing matters differ your quote will need to be tailored to your instructions.

Our work

We always provide a written estimate at the outset of a transaction. This will be based on the information provided by you to us at that time. This reflects the fact that we know that you need to budget and also to ensure that there's no misunderstanding between us at a later time. We hope you will be delighted with our services and will use us again and appreciate that will not be the case if you feel that we have let you down over costs. We can write to you with the fee estimate or email it to you.

In the case of residential conveyancing, we usually offer a fixed fee.

We quote a fixed fee for the work normally undertaken in a standard case and will provide you with a list of additional fixed fees that we would charge if you require additional work to be undertaken.

If there is more work for us to carry out than we envisaged at the outset based on the information you provided we may have to revise our estimate. However, if that proves to be the case we would advise you before the additional work is undertaken so that you can decide whether to incur that cost. An example would be if your ownership has a major defect or if you omit to tell us that your property is a leasehold flat or a shared ownership property.

We will always honour the fixed fee quoted unless the information relied upon by us at the time of the estimate was incorrect or it subsequently becomes apparent that there's an aspect of the transaction that will significantly affect the amount of time that has to be spent by us.

In either case we will notify you of any such development before we proceed further so that you can decide whether to incur additional expense. Examples of circumstances that might change the cost would be if the property is a flat, not a house as you initially informed us, if a lease extension is required or if the ownership is defective and remedial action is needed.

For a free quote and breakdown of related Disbursements known at this time, please use our quote enquiry form on our website.

However, our basic fixed fees for all new work instructed after 1 April 2024 are as follows :

Sale Charges

Under £120,000 - £600 plus VAT (20%)
£120,001 - 250,000 - £700 plus VAT (20%)
£250,001 - 500,000 - £800 plus VAT (20%)
£500,00 - £700,000- £1050 plus VAT (20%)
£700,0001 to £1,000,000 £1,550 plus VAT (20%)
£1,000,001 upwards £1,850 plus VAT (20%)

Supplemental Fees which maybe payable:

If title is leasehold £225 plus VAT (20%)
If title is unregistered £150 plus VAT (20%)
If title is shared ownership £200 plus VAT (20%)
Management Pack £120 plus vat (20%)
Charge for redeeming any Help to Buy Mortgage £220 plus VAT (20%)
Charge for redeeming each mortgage/loan £60 plus VAT (20%)
Telegraphic transfer fee £29.17 plus VAT (20%)
Office Copy Entries £4.20 a document
Transfer without any mortgage work £350 plus VAT (20%)
Transfer subject to remortgage Charges £600 plus VAT (20%)
Re-mortgage only £500 plus VAT (20%)
Equity Release mortgage £600 plus VAT (20%)
Declaration of Trust deed £200 plus VAT (20%)

We charge extra for arranging for insurance should there be any issues with your ownership. 

We reserve the right to ask you for a payment of £50 at the outset to cover the cost of ID verification and land registry documentation fees. This is part of our total fee and not an extra charge. 

Please note that we charge more for dealing with a flat than a house as transactions involving flats are more complex and time consuming. Any additional fees will be advised prior to instructing us. 

Purchase

Under £120,000 - £700 plus VAT (20%)
£120,001 - 250,000 - £750 plus VAT (20%)
£250,001 - 500,000 - £900 plus VAT (20%)
£500,001 to £700,00 - £1,250 plus VAT (20%)
£700,001 to £1,000,000 - £1,800 plus VAT (20%)
£1,000,001 uplwards - £2,000 plus VAT (20%)

If title is leasehold £225 plus VAT (20%)
If title is unregistered £150 plus VAT (20%)
If title is shared ownership £200 plus VAT(20%)
If New Build property £225 plus VAT (20%)
Acting on behalf of your lender £100 plus VAT (20%)
Management Pack Amin Fee £180 plus vat (20%) per pack
Dealing with Registration £60 plus vat (20%)
Dealing with Company's House Registration £60 plus vat (20%)
Stamp Duty Transaction Form £60 plus VAT (20%)
Gifted deposited £60 plus VAT (20%) per person
HTB ISA each £60 plus VAT (20%)
LIFETIME ISA each £60 plus vat (20%)
Charge for redeeming each mortgage/loan £50 plus vat (20%)
Help to Buy Scheme £150 plus VAT (20%)

Anticpated Disbursements on Purchase

Bankruptcy Search (per name) £3.20 (no VAT)
Local Search Fees (third party) £170.70  (no VAT) 
Land Registry Priorty Search £4.20 (no VAT)
HM Land Fegistry Fee-depends on purchase price but is typically between £100 and £295 (no VAT)
Lawyer Checker £15 
Telegraphic Transfer £29.17 plus VAT
Mortgage Portal Fee (Third party) £42
Stamp Duty online fee (Third party) £6
Company's House Fee (Third party) £15
We charge extra for arranging for insurance should there be any issues with your proposed ownership. 

We reserve the right to ask you for a payment of £50 at the outset to cover the cost of ID verification and land registry documentation fees. But this is part of our total fee and not an extra charge. 

Please note that we charge more for dealing with a flat than a house as transactions involving flats are more complex and time consuming. 

If there is more work for us to carry out than we envisaged at the outset based on the information you provided we may have to revise our estimate. However, if that proves to be the case we would advise you before the additional work is undertaken so that you can decide whether to incur that cost. An example would be if the property you are intending to buy has a major defect or if you omit to tell us that the property is a leasehold flat or a shared ownership property.

Stamp Duty or Land Tax on Purchase

This depends on the purchase price of your property. You can calcuate this yourself using either via https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/calculate-stamp-duty-land-tax/#/intro or if the property is in Wales via https://gov.wales/land-transaction-tax-calculator

Our fees assume that:

  1. this is a standard transaction and that no unforeseen matters arise including for example (but not limited to) a defect in title which requires remedying prior to completion or the preparation of additional documents ancillary to the main transaction
  2. in a leasheold transaction this is the assignment of an existing lease and is not the grant of a new lease
  3. the transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complication arise
  4. all parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation
  5. no indemnity policies are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required.
A detailed quote can be obtained on our website by completing the online quote form or alteratively contact Linda today for a quote based on your requirements.

All fees applicable for all new instructions from 23 September 2024.

Exclusions

We do not undertake tax advice.
Police Station Representation 

Cost of representation at the police station is covered by the Legal Aid Agency.

Legal Aid

If you are in receipt of benefits or on a low income then part or all of your legal fees may be covered by Legal Aid.

We will make an application on your behalf at the outset of your instruction so that you are clear on your eligibility.

Magistrates' Court Fees

It is difficult to quantify the cost of your case until we obtain the prosecution papers and determine how long the case will take. In particular, we need to know whether you will plead guilty or not guilty, how many hearings are likely, and if it is a trial how many court sessions the trial will last for.

Ordinarily we will see you in our office to obtain initial instructions and to provide advice on fees and thereafter we will see you as required both at the offcie and in court.

Typically, our fees are as follows

For a Guilty Plea:
For a plea in mitigation – a guilty plea with mitigation put forward and the hearing completed in the same session: fixed fee of £500 plus VAT (20%) although this charge may increase if the court is not local-any increase will be advised before the hearing;

For a plea in mitigation – a guilty plea with mitigation put forward and the hearing completed later the same day but into a different session: fixed fee of £650 plus VAT (20%) although this charge may increase if the court is not local-any increase will be advised before the hearing;

For a guilty plea which is then adjourned for Pre-Sentence Reports, meaning you have to come back a different day, fixed fee of £750 plus VAT (20%).

Our fees include taking instructions from you, considering evidence, providing advice and attending court. Any reports required will be charged in additon to the above fees.

Most guilty pleas in the MagistratesCourt are completed within 4 weeks of your first appearance with many being dealt with on the first court apearance.

For a Not Guilty Plea:

Listed for a half day trial, fixed fee of £1,200 plus VAT (20%);

Listed for a full day’s trial, fixed fee of £1,500 plus VAT (20%);

For a not guilty plea, listed for more than a day’s trial, our fees will be substantially more, and we will need to evaluate what work exactly needs doing. Our fees are likely to be in excess of a fixed fee of £2,000 plus VAT (20%). The exact fixed fee will notified once the length of trial is known.

There is more work involved on a not guilty plea and in addition to the above work:

  • Arranging to take any witness statements if necessary.
  • We will explain the court procedure to you so you know what to expect at trial and in the event of a conviction the sentencing options available to the court.
  • We will conduct any further preparatory work, obtain further instructions from you if necessary and answer any follow up queries you have.
  • We will discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.

Most trials in the Magistrates Court will be completed within three months ofyour first appearance.

In addition to the above fees, mileage to and from the court will need to be added to the total at the rate of 45p plus VAT (20%) per mile. If your case involves further applications to be made on your behalf such as a submission of exceptional hardship or special reasons there will be further costs which you will incur. These will be advised at the appropriate time.

Crown Court Fees

Crown court cases are determined by a number of additional factors to magistrates matters. This again makes it is difficult to quantify the cost of your case. Prices for all crown court matter will be determined on a case by case basis upon request.

For a full quote as to what your case will cost please give us a call so we can discuss your case in greater detail.

We can currently only assist with an application for a spouse visa and an application to remain as a dependant. 

Applying for a spouse visa- our fees range between £900 and £1200 plus VAT (20%) which includes the cost of preparing the application form online and advising you on the process. It does not include dealing with an appeal if the application is refused. Following our first appointment with you we will confirm the exact cost.

Ordinarily this process would involve up to three appointments including an appointment to lodge the application. On top of this there is an application fee payable to make the application which is payable to the Home Office and possibly an NHS surcharge. 

These figures vary annually but the fee for an out of country spouse application is currently £1,523 (no vat payable) and the NHS surcharge is currently £624 (no vat payable) for each complete year of proposed stay.

The process can take as little as three months but as long as twelve months given the current backlog the Home Office has in dealing with such applications.

Applying to remain as a dependant under the Immigration Rules-our fees range between £1200 and £1500 plus VAT (20%) which includes the cost of preparing the application form online and advising you on the process. It does not include dealing with an appeal if the application is refused. Following our first appointment with you we will confirm the exact cost. 

On top of our fees there is an application fee payable to make the application which is payable to the Home Office and possibly an NHS surcharge. These figures vary annually but the fee is currently £1,523 or £3,250 (no vat payable) depending on who is applying and the NHS surcharge is currently £624 (no vat payable) for each complete year of proposed stay.

For either application we will meet you initially to discuss what you require and then we will go through the form identifying what information we need from you and thereafter we will complete the form with you (second appointment) and once everythign is correct we will then assist you to submit the applicationonline and arrange all required payments.

The process can take as little as three months but as long as twelve months given the current backlog the Home Office has in dealing with such applications.

In all cases we will:

  • considering documents
  • attending on you
  • taking your instructions and provide advice
  • preparing and submitting your application
  • advise you on timelines and the outcome of their application
These fees are based on our hourly rate of £280 plus VAT (20%).

For any other immigration matter please contact our office to clarify whether we will be able to assist you and our fees. 
Jacobs Solicitors
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