Transparency

Residential conveyancing – pricing information

OUR conveyancing team is committed to providing you with the very best customer experience, in order that the process is completed as smoothly and as speedily as possible for you. Our high standards have been fully accredited by the Conveyancing Quality Scheme, operated by the Law Society, to give you ultimate peace of mind.

Over and above the highest quality service, we are also committed to being fully open and transparent with you regarding the fees we charge; the costs of expenses and disbursements that we anticipate; and how long the conveyancing process may take.

We have set out our pricing information below for the conveyancing process for freehold and leasehold properties. In addition, we have also shared our pricing information for carrying out the legal processes for transfer of equity, and remortgage.

Freehold and leasehold residential properties – our fees

Our fees cover all of the work required to complete the purchase of your new home, including dealing with registration at the Land Registry and dealing with the payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (Stamp Duty) if the property is in England, or Land Transaction Tax (Land Tax) if the property you wish to buy is in Wales.

Please be aware that there may be factors that would typically increase the cost of our service. For example, if a legal title is defective or part of the property is unregistered; if you discover building regulations or planning permission has not been obtained; or if crucial documents you have previously requested from the client have not been provided. In such cases, we would make you aware at the earliest opportunity.

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Land Registry fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

You can take advantage of our online conveyancing calculator here to give you a personalised quotation of your total cost.

In addition, Stamp Duty Land Tax is payable on all purchases of £125,000 and above. This amount payable 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.

Freehold and leasehold residential properties – timescale and process

The length of time it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move in to your house will depend on a number of factors. The process to achieve the exchange of contracts (both sale and purchase) can take on average six 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 be shorter. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer.

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
• Agree completion date (date from which you own the property)
• Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
• 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 Money Advice Service has put together a helpful video that explains the process for moving home, which you can watch here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDroLvBtrus&feature=youtu.be

Transfer of Equity – our fees

 Remortgage – our fees

Probate – pricing information

OUR private client team is committed to providing you with the very best customer experience, in order that the whole probate process is completed as smoothly and as speedily as possible for you.

Over and above the highest quality service, we are also committed to being fully open and transparent with you regarding the fees we charge; the costs of expenses and disbursements that we anticipate; and how long the process may take.

We have set out our pricing information below for three different strands to or service: applying for the Grant of Probate only; collecting estate information and applying for the Grant of Probate; and collecting estate information, applying for the Grant of Probate, and dealing with the administration of the estate.

1. Applying for the Grant of Probate only – fixed fee

We will handle the full process of applying for the Grant of Probate for you and our fixed fee for this service is £850 plus VAT This quote is for estates where:

• There is a valid will
• There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC
• All valuations of estate assets and liabilities are provided by the client

Disbursements required in addition to this fee:

• Probate application fee of £155 plus £0.50 for each additional copy required
• £7 Swearing of the oath (per executor)

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. Additional disbursements may be required depending on individual requirements.

Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 6-8 weeks.

As part of our fixed fee we will:

• Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor to work on your matter
• Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
• Accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require
• Complete the relevant HMRC forms
• Draft a legal oath for you to swear
• Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
• Obtain the Grant of Probate and send two certified copies to you

2. Collecting estate information and applying for the Grant of Probate

If you do not have the necessary values of all estate assets and liabilities, we can correspondence with the relevant institutions on your behalf. This work will be charged at an hourly rate of £195 plus VAT in addition to the fixed fee above.

We anticipate that this will take between 3-5 hours which at £195 plus VAT would equate to a further £585-£975 plus VAT bringing the total estimate for collection of information and obtaining the Grant of Probate to £1,435- £1,825 plus VAT and disbursements.

We will handle the full process for you. This quote is for estates where:

• There is a valid will
• There is no more than one property
• There are no more than five bank or building society accounts
• There are no other intangible assets
• There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC

Disbursements required in addition to this fee:

• Probate application fee of £155 plus £0.50 for each additional copy required
• £7 Swearing of the oath (per executor)

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. Additional disbursements may be required depending on individual requirements.

3. Collection information, applying for the Grant of Probate and dealing with the administration of the estate

We anticipate this will take between 10 and 25 hours work at £195 per hour. Total costs estimated at £1,950-£4,875 (+VAT).

The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter. For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property, costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and multiple bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end.

We will handle the full process for you. This quote is for estates where:

• There is a valid will
• There is no more than one property
• There are no more than five bank or building society accounts
• There are no other intangible assets
• There between one and six beneficiaries
• There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs
• There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC
• There are no claims made against the estate

Disbursements required on addition to this fee:

• Probate application fee of £155 plus £0.50 for each additional copy required
• £7 Swearing of the oath (per executor)

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. Additional disbursements may be required depending on individual requirements.

Potential additional costs

• If there is no will or the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds) there is likely to be additional costs that could range significantly depending on the estate and how it is to be dealt with. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
• Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.

How long will this take?

On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 3-6 months from the date of the Grant of Probate. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 4-6 weeks from receipt of full instructions. Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 2-6 weeks. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 2-3 weeks.

Bringing and defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal – pricing information

Whether you are an individual mounting a claim for unfair or wrongful dismissal, or a business defending one, our employment law team is committed to providing you with the highest quality advice and service. Both inside and outside of a potential Employment Tribunal or Court hearing.

Our highly-rated and experienced employment law team is based in Leeds, Harrogate and Pontefract. We pride ourselves on providing you with good, efficient, fast and local advice on employment law.

Over and above the highest quality legal support, we are also committed to being fully open and transparent with you regarding the fees we charge, and how long the process may take.

We have set out our pricing information below for both individuals and businesses involved in an unfair or wrongful dismissal case.

Transparency of costs for unfair dismissal and/or wrongful dismissal cases for an individual

1. Range of costs £1,500 to £8,500*

2. Basis of charges are on an hourly rate basis as follows:

1. Partners/Consultants                                    £175 to £300 plus VAT
2. Solicitors and Admitted Staff                      £130 to £200 plus VAT
3. Trainee Solicitors                                            £100 to £150 plus VAT
4. Non-Admitted Staff                                        £50 to £125 plus VAT

NB “Admitted Staff” includes: employed Barristers and members of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.

3. The work will be undertaken by any of the personnel referred to in point 2 above.  All supervision is undertaken by a Partner.

4. If a claim for wrongful dismissal is brought in the Court system then a court fee will be payable subject to the value of the case. These can range from £35 up to £10,000.  If a claim is brought in the Tribunal system or the Court system then a Barrister will be instructed to represent the individual at any hearings.  The average range of cost of a Barrister ranges from £500 to £1,200  for attendance and preparation for a preliminary hearing and for a final hearing ranges between £1,500 to £3,500 for a brief fee with daily refresher fees of approximately £800 to £1,200**.

5. All Barrister fees and legal costs attract VAT at the current rate of 20%.   Court fees are not subject to VAT.

6. The services included with the price displayed at point 1 include:

1. Liaising with and advising the individual on the prospects of success and options going forward
2. Corresponding with the other side, the Tribunal/Court or other relevant third party
3. Preparation of the case including compliance with Tribunal/Court orders
4. Attendance at meetings
5. Attendance at Tribunal/Court

The key stages for a Tribunal claim for unfair/wrongful dismissal are***:

1. Pre-litigation advice and assistance – 1 to 4 weeks
2. Issue and preparation of claim – 1 to 3 weeks
3. Tribunal process including –
4. Advising on response to a claim – 4 to 6 weeks
5. Preparation of disclosure – 2 to 4 weeks

• Preparation/review of documents bundle – 1 to 2 weeks

1. Preparation of witness evidence – 4 to 8 weeks
2. Preparation for final hearing – 2 to 4 weeks
3. Final hearing – 1 to 5 days.

The services not included within the displayed prices are:

1. Attendance and preparation for any unforeseen hearing or meeting
2. Advising upon and dealing with additional applications made by a respondent
3. Additional claims over and above a claim for wrongful /unfair dismissal

*range of costs is based upon a simple, straight forward case where a junior lawyer handles the case

**Barrister costs are subject to variation depending upon the individual facts of a case, the experience of the Barrister and the length of the final hearing

*** the key stages are provided as a general overview but subject to the availability and agreement of a Court/Tribunal upon listing the case

Transparency of costs for unfair dismissal and/or wrongful dismissal cases for a business

1. Range of costs £3,000 to £15,000*

2. Basis of charges are on an hourly rate basis as follows:

1. Partners/Consultants                                     £175 to £300 plus VAT
2. Solicitors and Admitted Staff                      £130 to £200 plus VAT
3. Trainee Solicitors                                            £100 to £150 plus VAT
4. Non-Admitted Staff                                        £50 to £125 plus VAT

NB “Admitted Staff” includes: employed Barristers and members of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.

3. The work will be undertaken by any of the personnel referred to in point 2 above.  All supervision is undertaken by a Partner.

4. If a claim for wrongful dismissal is brought in the Court system then a court fee will be payable subject to the value of the case.  These can range from £35 up to £10,000.   If a claim is brought in the Tribunal system or the Court system then a Barrister will be instructed to represent the individual at any hearings.  The average range of cost of a Barrister ranges from £500 to £1,750 for attendance and preparation for a preliminary hearing and for a final hearing ranges between £1,750 to £3,500 for a brief fee with daily refresher fees of approximately £800 to £1,200**.

5. All Barrister fees and legal costs attract VAT at the current rate of 20%.   Court fees are not subject to VAT.

6. The services included with the price displayed at point 1 include:

1. Liaising with and advising the business on the prospects of success and options going forward
2. Corresponding with the other side, the Tribunal/Court or other relevant third party
3. Preparation of the case including compliance with Tribunal/Court orders
4. Attendance at meetings
5. Attendance at Tribunal/Court

The key stages for a Tribunal claim for unfair/wrongful dismissal are***:

1. Advice on prospects of claim – 1 to 2 weeks
2. Issue and preparation of response – 1 to 3 weeks
3. Where possible, without prejudice settlement discussions – 1 to 2 weeks
4. Tribunal process including –
5. Issue and preparation of a response – 1 to 2 weeks
6. Preparation of disclosure – 2 to 4 weeks

• Preparation/review of documents bundle – 1 to 2 weeks

1. Preparation of witness evidence – 4 to 8 weeks
2. Preparation for final hearing – 2 to 4 weeks
3. Final hearing – 1 to 5 days.

The services not included within the displayed prices are:

1. Attendance and preparation for any unforeseen hearing or meeting
2. Advising upon and dealing with additional applications made by a claimant
3. Additional claims over and above a claim for wrongful /unfair dismissal

*range of costs is based upon a simple, straight forward case where a junior lawyer handles the case

**Barrister costs are subject to variation depending upon the individual facts of a case, the experience of the Barrister and the length of the final hearing

*** the key stages are provided as a general overview but subject to the availability and agreement of a Court/Tribunal upon listing the case

If you are a client and require any information about how to make a complaint about Milners please download our complaints handling procedure here. 

If you have any queries in relation to making a complaint please contact us by emailing simon.bass@milnerslaw.com or writing to Simon Bass Managing Partner, Milners Solicitors, Whitehall Waterfront, 2 Riverside Way, Leeds, LS1 4EH.