BWL Transparency in Price & Service
The following information is aimed at providing you with a general guide of our prices for certain areas of work that we undertake on your behalf. Please be aware that this information is not to be regarded as an offer of engagement, as the terms of our instruction will be agreed in our Terms of Business letter which will be tailored to your particular instruction, and sent to you at the outset of a matter. Nothing on our website should be regarded as creating any binding agreement between us and you, and any information provided is only intended to be a general guide for potential clients. We recommend that you contact us prior to proceeding with any transaction so that we can discuss your particular circumstances, and provide you with a quotation tailored to your situation. Our Terms of Business letter will govern our charges, and the level of service provided to you.
Residential Conveyancing
Please note that the price guide below is provided on the basis that the transactions proceed as a normal conveyancing transaction usually proceeds, and that no significant unforeseen title, or other difficulties arise during the process. It is also on the basis that the transaction is concluded in a timely manner, and that the parties involved are cooperative and provide the required information in a timely manner without the need for repeated chasing of outstanding information. The guide below also assumes that no indemnity policies or statutory declarations are required, for which additional work will need to be undertaken. In the event that any unforeseen difficulties do arise, it may become necessary for us to revise our initial cost estimates, but in the vast majority of cases this will not be necessary. If our initial estimate does need to be revised, we will notify you of this in writing.
In addition to the prices set out below, there are some additional charges that may apply to your transaction. If we are required to make any payments to third parties (eg the other side’s solicitors or mortgagees) by CHAPS (Clearing House Automated Payment System), we shall charge an extra £35.00 plus VAT per payment to cover our administration costs. If we are required to complete the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)/Land Transaction Tax (LTT) return on your behalf we will charge an extra £70.00 plus VAT. If the purchase price is higher than £500,000, or if you are subject to the higher additional property SDLT/LTT rate we will charge a fee of £100.00 plus VAT to complete your SDLT/LTT return. If we are charged by a panel management company in relation to your mortgage provider, these charges will be payable by you. These fees are usually in the region of £18.00 but may vary depending upon the provider – if in doubt please contact your mortgage provider or broker.
Residential Purchases
Freehold House Purchase
| Purchase Price | Fee Guide |
| Up to £125,000 | £950 plus VAT |
| £125,001- £250,000 | £1,150 plus VAT |
| £250,001 – £400,000 | £1,350 plus VAT |
| £400, 001 plus | £1,750 – £2,750 plus VAT |
Leasehold House Purchase
| Purchase Price | Fee Guide |
| Up to £125,000 | £1,050 plus VAT |
| £125,001- £250,000 | £1,350 plus VAT |
| £250,001 – £400,000 | £1,550 plus VAT |
| £400, 001 plus | £1,950 – £2,950 plus VAT |
Leasehold Flat Purchase
| Purchase Price | Fee Guide |
| Up to £125,000 | £1,450 plus VAT |
| £125,001- £250,000 | £1,650 plus VAT |
| £250,001 – £400,000 | £1,850 plus VAT |
| £400, 001 plus | £2,250 – £3,250 plus VAT |
Likely Disbursements on your Purchase
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as search fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. We set out below some of the more frequent disbursements that can arise on a purchase transaction. Please note that each transaction is different, and this is by no means an exhaustive list of disbursements that will apply, nor will every disbursement set out below be relevant for every transaction. We will provide you with a detailed breakdown of the anticipated disbursements in our initial Terms of Business letter to you.
Searches
Every transaction is different, and as such, the searches that we need to undertake will vary depending upon the transaction. However, for a usual purchase transaction we would carry out a coal and environmental search, a water and drainage search, and a local authority search. The search fees for these searches vary by region, and are changed by the search providers quite frequently, and we have no control over these fees. As a general guide, the total search fees are usually in the region of £250 – £300. You will find below links to the relevant web pages of some of the most frequent search providers that we use, which provide an indication of their current pricing:
https://www2.groundstability.com/mining-reports-prices-2018/
https://www.swansea.gov.uk/locallandcharges
https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/home/business/local-land-charges/
Stamp Duty Land Tax / Land Transaction Tax
This is becoming an increasing difficult area of law, particularly in light of the differences between the law in England and Wales, and how frequently the law is changed. In view of this, we recommend that you formally instruct us so that we can consider your particular circumstances, and advise you on the tax you should be paying. However, in order to assist, we set out below links to the online calculators for the Land Transaction Tax regime (applicable in Wales), and Stamp Duty Land Tax regime (applicable in England and Northern Ireland).
https://beta.gov.wales/land-transaction-tax-calculator
https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/calculate-stamp-duty-land-tax/#/intro
Land Registry Fees
The Land Registry occasionally change the fees they charge for the services they provide, but on a residential purchase, we are normally required to undertake an official search and bankruptcy search with fees of approximately £3 – £7 in total. We will also pay a fee to register your purchase at HM Land Registry, such fees being based upon the value of the transaction. The fee will also vary depending upon whether the transaction involved unregistered or registered land, and whether it is a transfer of part of an existing title, or the whole of an existing title. The majority of transactions involve fees of between £20 and £270, but the more expensive transactions can be higher. We can inform you of the registration fee when we send you our Terms of Business letter at the outset of a matter. However, you will find a link below to the Land Registry’s fee calculator, which you may find useful.
http://landregistry.data.gov.uk/fees-calculator.html
Leasehold Disbursements
If the property you are acquiring is leasehold, there are likely to be further disbursements payable, as required under the lease, or as required by the freeholder, Management Company and/or their legal representatives. Such disbursements can include things such as deed of covenant fees, notice of assignment/charge fees etc. The price of these vary on a case by case basis, and it is impossible to quote you these until we have sight of the legal documentation. However, as a general guide, these fees are usually between £50 – £250 plus VAT.
An indication of the key stages of a residential purchase transaction, and the likely timescales are set out below, although please note that every transaction is different, and these timescales can vary significantly depending on the nature of each individual transaction:
Key Stages and Timescales
| Obtaining your initial instructions. Sending you our terms and conditions of business and awaiting return of the same. Conducting identification and other client and lawyer verification, and conflict of interest checks. | 1 week |
| Obtaining and considering the contract and title documentation received from the purchaser’s solicitor. Applying for the usual conveyancing searches. Advising you of any immediate issues relating to the title and / or the property in light of the initial documentation received. | 1 – 2 weeks |
| Receiving and responding to pre-contract enquiries. Review the conveyancing search results. Receiving your mortgage offer and mortgage instructions (if applicable) and ensuring compliance with the mortgagee’s instructions. | 4 – 8 weeks |
| Arranging the execution of the necessary documentation to complete the purchase and negotiating proposed dates for the exchange of contracts and completion. | 1 week |
| Exchange of Contracts and Completion. | 1 week |
| Registration at HM Land Registry and attending to other Post Completion Matters. | 1 – 3 weeks* |
| TOTAL | 9 – 16 weeks |
* Please note that the timescales provided here are an indication of the timescales that it may take for us to make and submit the necessary application for registration to HM Land Registry. The time that HM Land Registry will take to complete the registration can be considerably longer than this, and their timescales vary significantly depending on the nature of the transaction.
Residential Sales
Freehold House Sale
| Purchase Price | Fee Guide |
| Up to £125,000 | £850 plus VAT |
| £125,001- £250,000 | £950 plus VAT |
| £250,001 – £400,000 | £1,250 plus VAT |
| £400, 001 plus | £1,350 – £2,350 plus VAT |
Leasehold House Sale
| Purchase Price | Fee Guide |
| Up to £125,000 | £1,050 plus VAT |
| £125,001- £250,000 | £1,150 plus VAT |
| £250,001 – £400,000 | £1,450 plus VAT |
| £400, 001 plus | £1,550 – £2,550 plus VAT |
Leasehold Flat Sale
| Purchase Price | Fee Guide |
| Up to £125,000 | £1,350 plus VAT |
| £125,001- £250,000 | £1,450 plus VAT |
| £250,001 – £400,000 | £1,750 plus VAT |
| £400, 001 plus | £2,350 – £3,350 plus VAT |
Likely Disbursements on your Sale
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as search fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. We set out below some of the more frequent disbursements that can arise on a sale transaction. Please note that each transaction is different, and this is by no means an exhaustive list of disbursements that will apply, nor will every disbursement set out below be relevant for every transaction. We will provide you with a detailed breakdown of the anticipated disbursements in our initial Terms of Business letter to you.
Land Registry Fees
If the property is registered at Land Registry, we will need to obtain an up to date copy of your Register of Title and Title Plan from the Land Registry at the outset of your matter, and the usual fee payable for this is £6. This can be higher if you are selling more than one title, or if the property is leasehold and there are further titles that need to be applied for. These fees would usually be no higher than £18.
If the property is unregistered, we may need to undertake a Search of the Index Map, and may also need to carry out searches at the Land Charges Department – the fees for these searches are usually between £6 – £18.
Leasehold Disbursements
If the property you are acquiring is leasehold, there are likely to be further disbursements payable, as required under the lease, or as required by the freeholder, Management Company and/or their legal representatives. Such disbursements can include obtaining the usual management information packs from the freeholder/ Management Company (usually between £200 – £500 plus VAT), obtaining Certificate of Compliance Certificates (usually between £150 – £300 plus VAT) etc. The price of these vary on a case by case basis, and it is impossible to quote you these until we have sight of the legal documentation.
Key Stages and Timescales
An indication of the key stages of a residential sale transaction, and the likely timescales are set out below, although please note that every transaction is different, and these timescales can vary significantly depending on the nature of each individual transaction:
| Obtaining your initial instructions. Sending you our terms and conditions of business and awaiting return of the same. Conducting identification and other client and lawyer verification, and conflict of interest checks. | 1 week |
| Perusing the title documentation. Preparing the contract and sending the same with title and ancillary documentation to the purchaser’s solicitor. | 1 – 2 weeks |
| Receiving and responding to pre-contract enquiries. | 4 – 8 weeks |
| Arranging the execution of the necessary documentation to complete the sale and negotiating proposed dates for the exchange of contracts and completion. | 1 week |
| Exchange of Contracts and Completion. | 1 week |
| Post Completion Matters. | 1 week |
| TOTAL | 9 – 14 weeks |
Probate
Please note that the price guide below is provided on the basis that the estate is uncontested, and that all assets of the deceased are in the UK. We offer two levels of service, a ‘Grant Only’ service, and a ‘Full Administration’ service. The two levels of service are outlined below:
‘Grant Only’ – This type of instruction is a cheaper and generally, a quicker level of service for us to complete. Essentially, you will need to provide us with all of the information that we require in order to prepare the application for the Grant of Representation. We will then prepare the documentation required to obtain the Grant of Representation and make the application. On the issue of the Grant of Representation our involvement will cease and our work will not therefore include responding to any queries which may be raised by HMRC or other third parties in relation to the administration of the estate. Once received, we will provide you with the Grant of Representation for you to then deal with all matters relating to the estate and all further queries and correspondence. We can usually offer a fixed fee for this level of service in the region of £950 plus VAT and disbursements for estates where no inheritance tax is payable, and the more comprehensive HMRC tax return is not required to be completed. Where the more complex HMRC tax return is required, then our fees are more likely to be in the region of between £1,850 – £2,500 plus VAT and disbursements. Please note that these estimates may vary depending upon the exact circumstances of the case, and your individual requirements.
‘Full Administration’ – This type of instruction is generally used for more complex estates, or for those clients who want us to undertake all of the work required to fully administer an estate from start to finish. For these cases, we currently charge an hourly rate, and also make a charge based upon the value of the gross estate of the deceased. Our hourly rates currently vary between fee earners from £150 – £250 plus VAT per hour. Our hourly rates for partners are usually between £205 – £225 per hour plus VAT. Our value element charge is based upon the Law Society’s The Solicitors (non-contentious business) Remuneration Order 2007, and will be set out in our Terms of Business letter to you. Any conveyancing charges which may arise during the administration will be charged for separately.
Likely Disbursements on a Probate Matter
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as probate court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. We set out below some of the more frequent disbursements that can arise on probate matters.
Probate Court Fees
The current probate fee for when we make the application on your behalf is £155. These fees are currently under review, and may increase in the near future.
Oath Swearing Fees
The current fees for swearing an oath are £5 per deponent, and £2 per exhibit.
Creditors’ Notices Fees
If you wish for us to place advertisements in local or national publications to protect your position as executors/administrators against creditors, there will be fees charged by those publication. The charges for this vary depending upon your requirements and the publications current fees. Generally, they are between £250 – £300 plus VAT.
Land Charges Act Searches
If you wish for us to carry out bankruptcy searches on a beneficiary of an estate, the current fee is £2 per name to be searched.
Expert Fees
Occasionally, it may be necessary for us to instruct other experts to assist with certain matters, such as instructing surveyors to provide property valuations, or instructing accountants to assist in any complex tax matters. Again these fees can vary depending upon the expert instructed, and the nature of the instruction. Usually, such fees are between £250 – £600 plus VAT.
Key Stages and Timescales (Probate Only Instruction)
| Obtaining your initial instructions. Sending you our terms and conditions of business and awaiting return of the same. Conducting identification and other client and conflict of interest checks. | 1 week |
| Consideration of the deceased’s information including details of the assets and liabilities in the estate, as provided by you. Assessing whether we have all of the necessary information to make the application for the Grant of Representation and requesting any additional information required. | 2 – 3 weeks |
| Preparing the necessary application to the Probate Registry, and if necessary HMRC, and once complete, sending the same to you for approval. | 1 – 2 weeks |
| Arranging the execution of the necessary documentation to submit the application for probate and submitting the same to the Probate Registry. Submitting any inheritance tax forms (if applicable) to HMRC. Paying any inheritance tax due and the Court fees. | 1 week |
| Awaiting the return of the Grant of Representation from the Probate Registry, and once received returning this to you. | 4 – 23 weeks* |
| TOTAL | 9 – 30 weeks |
* Please note that the timescales provided here are an indication only. The time it may take the Probate Registry to process the application for the Grant of Representation can vary significantly, and in some instances may exceed the estimates provided above. The registration process is completely beyond our control and is therefore difficult for us to estimate.
Key Stages and Timescales (Full Administration)
| Obtaining your initial instructions. Sending you our terms and conditions of business and awaiting return of the same. Conducting identification and other client and conflict of interest checks and completing the same for any non-client beneficiaries. | 1 week |
| Obtaining and organising all of the deceased’s papers and documents with a view to ascertaining the extent of the assets and liabilities in the estate, and attending to any practical matters such as the registration of death, funeral arrangements, securing the deceased’s property etc. | 3 – 5 weeks |
| Corresponding with the various asset holders and creditors of the estate to obtain confirmation of the date of death valuations of the assets and liabilities in the estate, and any other information required in order to proceed with the application for the Grant of Representation. | 4 – 7 weeks |
| Preparing the necessary application to the Probate Registry, and if necessary HMRC, and once complete, sending the same to you for approval. | 1 – 2 weeks |
| Arranging the execution of the necessary documentation to submit the application for probate and submitting the same to the Probate Registry. Submitting any inheritance tax forms (if applicable) to HMRC. Paying any inheritance tax due and the Court fees. | 1 week |
| Awaiting the return of the Grant of Representation from the Probate Registry. | 4 – 23 weeks* |
| Once the Grant of Representation has been received, arranging the publication of the Creditors’ Notices, and registering the Grant of Representation with the various asset and liability holders. Arranging closure and encashment of the deceased’s’ accounts and investments / assets. Settling any outstanding liabilities of the estate. | 2 – 6 weeks |
| Dealing with any outstanding tax issues and checking all assets and liabilities have been attended to. Awaiting necessary period following the issuing of the Grant for any claims against the estate to be made. Preparing estate accounts and sending these to you for approval. Once approved sending the same to the beneficiaries of the estate for their consideration. | 34 – 40 weeks |
| Distributing the estate and finalising the estate administration. | 2 – 3 weeks |
| TOTAL | 52 – 88 weeks |
* Please note that the timescales provided here are an indication only. The time it may take the Probate Registry to process the application for the Grant of Representation can vary significantly, and in some instances may exceed the estimates provided above. The registration process is completely beyond our control and is therefore difficult for us to estimate.
Commercial Debt Recovery
Our team of Debt Recovery specialists are able to offer a range of options available to you to recover debts incurred in a variety of manners. Tailored solutions to individual issues are our speciality and we pride ourselves on offering expert advice at an affordable price for both private a commercial creditors. For more information on how our debt recovery team can assist you as a private creditor click here
We are able to offer an attractive fee structure for commercial creditors based on the value of your claim and the likely work involved in securing you not only a judgement in your favour but also recovering sums awarded to you from debtors.
These costs apply where your claim is in relation to an unpaid invoice which is not disputed and enforcement action is not needed. If the other party disputes your claim at any point, we will discuss any further work required and provide you with revised advice about costs if necessary, which could be on a fixed fee (e.g. if a one off letter is required), or an hourly rate if more extensive work is needed. An alternative fee agreement may also be reached in cases where it is necessary to explore alternative debt recovery options such as Insolvency proceedings, service of a statutory demand, Bankruptcy or winding up petitions.
| Debt value | Court Issue fee | Our fee | Total |
| Up to £5,000 | £35-205 | £100-£500 (ex VAT) | £135-£705 (ex VAT) |
| £5,001 – £10,000 | £455 | £500-£1500 (ex VAT) | £655-£1955 (ex VAT) |
| £10,001 – £50,000 | 5% value of the claim | £1500-£5000 (ex VAT) | £2,000-£7,500 (ex VAT) + 5% value of the claim |
Anyone wishing to proceed with a claim should note that:
- The VAT element of our fee cannot be reclaimed from your debtor.
- Interest and compensation may take the debt into a higher banding, with a higher cost.
- The costs quoted above are not for matters where enforcement action, such as instructing an enforcement agent, is needed to collect your debt.
Our fee includes:
- Taking your instructions and reviewing documentation.
- Undertaking appropriate searches.
- Sending a letter before action.
- Receiving payment and sending onto you, or if the debt is not paid, drafting and issuing claim.
- Where no Acknowledgment of Service or Defence is received, applying to the court to enter Judgement in default.
- When Judgement in default in received, write to the other side to request payment.
- If payment is not received within 21 days, providing you with advice on next steps and likely costs.
Matters usually take 8-26 weeks from receipt of instructions from you to receipt of payment from the other side, depending on whether or not it is necessary to issue a claim. This is on the basis that the other side pays promptly on receipt of Judgement in default. If enforcement action is needed, the matter will take longer to resolve.