Disputes in a family, whether divorce, civil partnership, disputes between cohabitees or problems with children can be stressful and emotional. We understand that you will want answers, reassurances and support through what can be a very difficult time. Our expert family solicitors can advise you on all the options available in order for you to move forward.
We will always take a constructive and amicable approach to resolving any disputes and you will be able to count on us to stand up for you when you need us to. We will get the best outcome for you and your family.
We provide legal advice and representation in all aspects of Family Law, including:
- Care proceedings
- Child protection / child in need matters
- Adoption proceedings
- Private law children matters-including Child Arrangement Orders determining with whom a child will live or will have contact with
- Emergency Injunctions and Non-Molestation Orders
- Divorce and separation and
- Financial claims & remedies following relationship breakdown
Our Fees
The hourly rate applied will be dependent on the qualification and experience of your Solicitor and these rates are set out below:
- Partner: £300.00 plus VAT
- Senior Solicitor with at least 8 years post qualification: £250 plus VAT
- Solicitor/Fee Earner with less than 8 years post qualification: £200.00 plus VAT
- Trainees: £125.00 plus VAT
We offer an initial meeting at a fixed fee, agreed in advance, to discuss your case and your specific needs and to discuss how we can assist you moving forward. In straightforward matters, we will typically charge £150.00 plus VAT for a meeting up to one hour. This fixed fee could increase depending on the complexity of your matter. We may charge more, for example, if we are required to consider any documentation in advance of our initial consultation or if it is likely that the consultation will last more than one hour.
We will normally ask for at least £500.00 (without VAT) on account of costs at the beginning of any hourly rate funded case. You will then be billed on a regular basis of no more than every 3 months and at the end of your case, you will be expected to pay any additional sum owing within 28 days of receipt of your bill.
All balances owing must be cleared in advance of your attendance at any Court hearing. We will also need to have sufficient funds on account in advance of any Court hearing to meet our costs in representing you.
Fixed Fee Option for Contested Matters
As the case progresses the cost estimate will change and the estimate should narrow. At this stage however, we will have some knowledge about the case and understand the position of the other party and the approach. If the other party instructs a particularly litigious or unhelpful legal team, this is likely to limit the case process options and add to the overall costs.
Once we have a better idea of the work that needs to be done to achieving a reasonable settlement, we should be able to update the cost estimate so that the range of potential costs is narrower. In most cases we should also be able to offer a fixed fee. The fixed fee will be specific to the case and can only be worked out when we have enough information to do this properly.