Clear on cost, from the first conversation.
We discuss fees openly before any work starts, put them in writing, and tell you promptly if something changes. No surprises at the end of a matter.
How we charge
Hourly rate
The default for most matters. You are charged for the time actually spent, at the rate for the person doing the work. Suits matters where the scope cannot be known at the outset.
Fixed fee
Agreed in writing before we begin, for work with a predictable scope. You know the cost on day one. If the scope changes we agree a revised figure before continuing.
Staged fees
Longer matters can be broken into stages with a figure for each, so cost is approved incrementally rather than open-ended.
Estimates
Where a fixed fee is not possible we give a written estimate and update it as the matter develops, rather than leaving you to find out at the end.
What you receive before work begins
A client care letter setting out who is handling your matter, the basis of our charges, the rate or fee that applies, what is and is not included, and how to raise a concern.
Hourly rates
Rates depend on the seniority and experience of the person doing the work. More senior people cost more per hour but often take less time, so the right mix matters more than the headline figure. We confirm the rates that apply to you in writing before starting.
| Fee earner or grade | Level | Rate per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Peter Karam | Senior Partner | £625 |
| David Ward | Senior Partner | £600 |
| Marc Traube | Senior Partner | £600 |
| Gayatri Rawtal | Partner | £500 |
| Senior Associate Solicitors | 8 years plus PQE | £450 to 500 |
| Consultants | £350 to 500 | |
| Associate Solicitors | 5 years plus PQE | £395 |
| Associate Solicitors | 2 years plus PQE | £325 |
| Associate Solicitors | Newly Qualified to 2 years PQE | £275 |
| Trainees / Senior Paralegal | £225 | |
| Paralegals | £175 |
How time is charged
Time is recorded in six-minute units and charged at the hourly rate of the person doing the work. A task taking less than six minutes is rounded up to six. We may increase our hourly rates, for example at the start of a new year, or where a matter becomes more urgent or a fee earner is promoted, and we give advance notice of any increase. Work required outside normal office hours or on an expedited basis may be charged at twice the hourly rate.
Published fees at a glance
Where we publish a fixed fee or a fee range, it is listed here. Search by what you need, or filter by practice area.
| Service | Published fee | |
|---|---|---|
| British CitizenshipBritish Citizenship · Immigration | £2,000–£4,500 | Detail |
| Innovator Founder entry clearance / in-country switchBusiness Immigration · Immigration | £3,500–£5,000 | Detail |
| Innovator Founder extensionBusiness Immigration · Immigration | £3,500–£6,000 | Detail |
| Innovator Founder ILRBusiness Immigration · Immigration | £6,000–£8,000 | Detail |
| Skilled Worker entry clearanceBusiness Immigration · Immigration | £2,000–£3,500 | Detail |
| Skilled Worker extensionExtensions and Settlement · Immigration | £2,000–£2,500 | Detail |
| Skilled Worker ILRExtensions and Settlement · Immigration | £3,000–£4,000 | Detail |
| Spouse extension / further leave to remainExtensions and Settlement · Immigration | £2,500–£3,500 | Detail |
| Spouse ILRExtensions and Settlement · Immigration | £2,800–£3,500 | Detail |
| Student entry clearanceSponsor Compliance · Immigration | £2,200–£3,500 | Detail |
| Student in-country switchSponsor Compliance · Immigration | £2,000–£3,500 | Detail |
| Student extensionSponsor Compliance · Immigration | £2,000–£3,000 | Detail |
| EU Settlement Scheme late applicationSponsor Compliance · Immigration | £1,800–£3,500 | Detail |
| Elderly dependantsSponsor Compliance · Immigration | £3,500–£5,000 | Detail |
| Long ResidenceSponsor Compliance · Immigration | £3,500–£5,500 | Detail |
| Tribunal hearing, one day, excluding Counsel's feesSponsor Compliance · Immigration | £1,500–£3,000 | Detail |
| Visitor VisaVisas and Entry Clearance · Immigration | £2,000–£3,500 | Detail |
| UK Ancestry applicationVisas and Entry Clearance · Immigration | £2,500–£3,500 | Detail |
| Entry Clearance to join a spouse in the UKVisas and Entry Clearance · Immigration | £2,800–£3,500 | Detail |
| Single Property and Affairs Lasting Power of AttorneyPowers of Attorney · Private Client | £1,000 + £82 disbursement | Detail |
| Pair of Lasting Powers of AttorneyPowers of Attorney · Private Client | £1,500 + VAT + £164 disbursement | Detail |
| Registration of an Enduring Power of Attorney after loss of capacityPowers of Attorney · Private Client | £1,000 + VAT, including court fees | Detail |
| Grant only service, simplified estate (IHT205)Probate and Estate Administration · Private Client | £2,500 + VAT | Detail |
| Grant only service, full estate (IHT400)Probate and Estate Administration · Private Client | £3,500 + VAT | Detail |
| Full estate administration, straightforward estateProbate and Estate Administration · Private Client | from £3,000–£5,000 + VAT | Detail |
| Full estate administration, complex estateProbate and Estate Administration · Private Client | may exceed £25,000 + VAT | Detail |
| Straightforward lifetime discretionary or life interest trustTrusts and Charities · Private Client | approx. £2,000 + VAT | Detail |
| Straightforward willWills and Estate Planning · Private Client | £750–£1,000 + VAT | Detail |
| Simple freehold purchase, no mortgageResidential Conveyancing · Real Estate | approx. £1,250 + VAT and disbursements | Detail |
| Leasehold purchase with mortgage, acting for lenderResidential Conveyancing · Real Estate | £2,000–£3,500 + VAT and disbursements | Detail |
| Search fees (disbursement)Residential Conveyancing · Real Estate | approx. £350 + VAT | Detail |
| Land Registry fee (disbursement)Residential Conveyancing · Real Estate | £20–£1,105 | Detail |
| Official copy entries and filed plans (disbursement)Residential Conveyancing · Real Estate | £7 per copy | Detail |
| CHAPS charge (disbursement)Residential Conveyancing · Real Estate | £25 | Detail |
| Lawyer Checker (disbursement)Residential Conveyancing · Real Estate | £12 | Detail |
| Priority search (disbursement)Residential Conveyancing · Real Estate | £7 per search | Detail |
| Land Charges bankruptcy search (disbursement)Residential Conveyancing · Real Estate | £6 per search | Detail |
| AML check, individual (disbursement)Residential Conveyancing · Real Estate | £8 | Detail |
| Leasehold notice of charge / transfer (disbursement)Residential Conveyancing · Real Estate | £50–£250 | Detail |
No published fee matches that. Most work is charged at hourly rates, published here.
Figures are the firm's published fees as set out on each area of work. Exclusive of VAT and disbursements unless stated. The precise fee depends on the matter.
What is included
Our fee covers the legal work itself and the time spent on it.
- Included
- Taking instructions, advice, drafting, correspondence, negotiation, telephone calls and meetings, and the supervision behind them.
- Charged separately
- Disbursements paid to third parties on your behalf, such as court fees, search fees, counsel's fees and expert reports.
- Not included
- Work outside the agreed scope. We tell you before taking on anything additional and agree the cost first.
- Billing
- Invoices are sent regularly during a matter, normally monthly, so cost is visible as you go. Each is an interim statute bill, final for the period it covers, and due for immediate payment.
- Money on account
- We normally ask for sums in advance before carrying out work, and may ask for further sums during the matter. These are offset against invoices.
- Late payment
- For individuals, invoices outstanding beyond 14 days may attract interest at 5% above the Bank of England base rate. For businesses, beyond 30 days, statutory interest and fixed recovery costs apply under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts legislation. We may also stop work until payment is made.
Disbursements and VAT
Disbursements
These are costs payable to others which we handle on your behalf and show separately on your bill. What applies depends on the matter, but commonly includes court fees, Land Registry and search fees, counsel's fees, expert reports and official copies. VAT is normally payable on them.
Standard charges at the outset. A file opening and anti-money laundering check fee of £60 inclusive of VAT, plus £20 for third-party identity and address verification. Bank transfers carry an administrative charge of £25 plus VAT, plus the bank's own charge of £20 for CHAPS or £25 for international transfers. Photocopying, where charged, is 20p per page.
VAT
Our fees are quoted exclusive of VAT, added at the rate applying when the work is carried out, currently 20%. Our VAT registration number is 973295385. Where services are supplied under Schedule 5 of the VAT Act 1994, which can apply to certain clients outside the UK, VAT is not chargeable and we confirm the position in your client care letter.
Price transparency
The SRA requires firms to publish indicative pricing for certain types of work. Where we carry out work in those categories, the detail is published below.
Residential conveyancing
Published professional fees for freehold and leasehold purchases, and the disbursements that apply.
See published pricingProbate
Grant only and full estate administration, with fees published for simplified and full estates.
See published pricingEmployment tribunals
Workplace claims including dismissal, discrimination and whistleblowing, charged on an hourly basis.
See published pricingImmigration
Published fee ranges for citizenship, visas, settlement, sponsor licences and business routes.
See published pricingWhere to find each figure
Published fees and fee ranges sit on the relevant area of work within Capabilities, alongside the description and the people who handle it. Hourly rates are published above and in our Terms and Conditions of Business, August 2026 edition.
Common questions
- Will you tell me if costs are rising?
- Yes. If it becomes clear a matter will cost materially more than estimated, we tell you at that point and agree how to proceed.
- Do I pay anything up front?
- We may ask for a payment on account, particularly at the start of litigation or where disbursements fall due early. This is held on client account and applied to your bills.
- What if I win, does the other side pay?
- In litigation a successful party often recovers part of its costs, but rarely all of them, and recovery is never guaranteed. We explain the likely position before you commit.
- What if I am unhappy with a bill?
- Raise it with the person handling your matter first. If it is not resolved, contact Marc Traube, Senior Partner, who has overall responsibility, or another partner where he is handling your matter. We aim to respond substantively within 28 days and in any event within 8 weeks. After our final response you may refer the matter to the Legal Ombudsman, and you also have the right to apply to the High Court for assessment under sections 70 to 72 of the Solicitors Act 1974.
- Is my money safe with you?
- Client funds are held with Coutts & Co. The Financial Services Compensation Scheme limit of £85,000 applies per eligible client, in total across any money you hold with the same institution. Our bank details will not change during a transaction, and we will never email you new ones. If you receive anything suggesting otherwise, call 020 7292 2060 before acting.
Want a figure for your matter?
Give us the outline and we will tell you how we would charge for it, and what it is likely to come to.
Ask about pricing