Pricing

LEGAL AID

 AC Gilead Solicitors currently have legal aid contracts in 3 areas of law. Family law Housing and criminal law. Consequently, we are able to provide advice, assistance and representation in all these 3 areas of law under the legal aid scheme. In some cases, it may be means and merit tested. Client will need to satisfy the merits test and means-test for legal aid for such matters. Information on eligibility for civil matters can be found at https://www.gov.uk/legal-aid/eligibility. Information on eligibility for legal aid for criminal matters is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/work-out-who-qualifies-for-criminal-legal-aid

PRIVATELY FUNDED MATTERS

At AC Gilead Solicitors we only undertake privately funded matters where:
(a) The client is not eligible for legal aid under the applicable rules; or
(b) After being advised that we do not provide legal aid in a specific area of law and that the prospective client may be eligible for legal aid by going to another firm, the client expressly agrees to fund their matter privately; or
(c) The client voluntarily agrees to fund their matter without legal aid, for any reason.

INFORMATION OF PEOPLE WHO CARRY OUT WORK IN OUR FIRM

Experience and Qualifications

Experience and Qualifications

At AC Gilead Solicitors, our team comprises highly qualified and experienced legal professionals dedicated to providing exceptional legal services. Our solicitors are registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and have varied specializations, ensuring that your case is handled by experts in the relevant field.

At AC Gilead Solicitors work for our clients is carried out by solicitors and in some limited cases by trainee solicitors or paralegals. The nature and complexity of a case dictates the level and experience of the person that we allocate to deal with each matter.

Our Team at this firm are Olusegun Thompson, Joseph Okaigbe.

Olusegun Thompson, LLM qualified as a solicitor in 2010 and has 16 years’ experience in Immigration matters and 8 years experience in Family Matters. The Crime team is headed by Daniel Obi a Qualified Criminal defence Solicitors, qualified as a solicitor in 2011 with 14 years experience in Crime Matters. Joseph Okaigbe has 7 years in both Immigration and Housing matters is the head of our Housing department. He is a qualified Solicitor. Violetta Niklas LLM qualified is a qualified family Solicitors with over 4 years experience. She is multi-lingual and is fluent in Polish, Bulgarian, Slovakian, Russian, German and French and is also competent in Polish Sign Language. Maureen Nwadike a paralegal with 12 years’ experience in immigration matters is an LLB graduate.

 In accordance with professionally acceptance practice, our solicitors and fee earners are categorised according to their level of experience as follows:

– Solicitors with 8 years or more post qualification experience are classed as “Grade A” fee earners.

– Solicitors with 4 years but less than 8 years post qualification experience are classed as “Grade B” fee earners.

– Solicitors with less than 4 years post qualification experience are classed as “Grade C” fee earners.

– Trainee Solicitors and Paralegals are classed as “Grade D” fee earners.

BASIS OF OUR CHARGES ON TIME BASIS

In the interest of transparency, the current hourly rates for our solicitors and fee earners is based on the prevailing rates recommended by the Senior Courts Costs Office (SCCO), which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/solicitors-guideline-hourly-rates.

(i) Grade A Fee Earners: £267.00 p/hour.
(ii) Grade B Fee Earners: £229.00 p/hour.
(iii) Grade C Fee Earners £165.00 p/hour.
(iv) Grade D Fee Earners £121.00 p/hour.

The hourly rates above may change in line with any changes to be made by the SCCO.

Routine letters which we write and routine telephone calls that we make and receive will be charged at 10% of the hourly rate of the solicitor or fee earner acting for the client. For example, if a “Grade A” fee earner is working on a matter at a rate of £267.00 per hour and writes a routine letter, the charge for this will be £26.70. Long letters (exceeding half of an A4 page) and long telephone calls exceeding 6 minutes will be charged on time basis. For example, if a “Grade A” fee earner working at a rate of £267.00 per hour spends 30 minutes in writing a long letter on a client’s matter, the fee for writing such letter will be £133.50. If the same fee earner spends 15 minutes on a telephone call it will be charged at the rate of £66.75.

PAYMENT FOR DISBURSEMENTS

We may incur certain disbursements (expenses) to progress a client’s matter. The client will therefore need to pay for such expenses in connection with their case. Examples of such expenses include Court / Tribunal fees, Medical Report fees, Expert fees, Barristers fees, Interpretation / translation fees, travel costs, bank charges, etc.

VAT

As a VAT registered firm, our charges are subject to VAT. The current VAT rate is 20% as set by the HMRC. This will be added to the total cost of services provided. For further details on VAT and how it applies to our services, please contact us directly or refer to HMRC VAT Information.

Charging VAT in relation to immigration matters can be complex as it may depend on where the client lives and what immigration permission they have. Our fees for work carried out for a client living outside UK or living in UK but without leave to remain in the UK will not usually attract VAT. It is worthy to note that VAT rate may change in accordance with guidelines which may be issued by the HMRC.

FEES FOR ADDITIONAL WORK

We will inform a client if any unforeseen additional work becomes necessary (for example, due to unexpected difficulties or if your requirements or the circumstances significantly change during the course of the matter).

FIXED FEE

In appropriate cases, we may be able to agree a fixed fee to assist a client where it is possible to estimate the time that will be spent on a matter. This is likely to be the case where the matter is straight-forward, such as assisting a client to make an application to the Home Office; a straight forward appeal against refusal of leave to remain; or advising on a Settlement Agreement for an employment matter; a one-off representation at a Magistrates court hearing for an uncontested matter involving a guilty plea; or a one-off representation in a family matter for a Child Arrangement order. Our fixed fees are usually based on the estimated time to be spent on a case. Thus, for example, the fixed fee for a matter that will not exceed two hours will be £500 and a fixed fee for a matter that will not exceed four hours will be £1000.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN A FIXED FEE

(i) For an Immigration / Asylum matter:
Any fixed fee we agree would include:
– Attendance and Preparation, including obtaining instructions, considering the papers and evidence;
– Taking statements from the client and any relevant witnesses; and
– Providing advice on the merits of the matter such as possible outcome for an immigration application to the Home Office or representation at a single hearing at the First-Tier Tribunal for an immigration / asylum appeal.

What is Not Included in a fixed fee:
Additional costs for:
– Home Office fees for the relevant application, NHS Surcharge, fee payable for Home Office Biometric documentation, Tribunal appeal fees, as well as the fees for any expert, medical report, barrister’s fee, Interpreters’ Fee or Translators’ fee for translating any document in a foreign language, etc.
– Any additional disbursement / expenses for travel costs outside London and the M25. We would not charge for travel costs / expenses within London and M25.

Key Stages and Time Scale for Cases

The time frame for legal proceedings can vary based on the complexity of the case and the specific area of law. Below is a general overview of the key stages and typical time scales:

Key Stages for a sample Immigration / Asylum case:
The key stages for a typical Immigration / Asylum case under a fixed fee  are as follows:

Initial Consultation:

• Duration: 1-2 hours
• Description: Discuss the details of your case and outline possible strategies.

– The client will meet with the solicitor or fee earner allocated to deal with the matter, to obtain instructions on the facts and nature of the case. This is the initial consultation which may take between 1-2 hours.
– We will consider any available papers and other evidence provided by the client and advice the client accordingly.
– Explain the Home Office application procedure or Tribunal appeal process to the client so that the client knows what to expect.
– After this, we shall send a Client Care letter as soon as possible but no later than 7 days, to confirm the client’s instructions.

Case Preparation:

• Duration: 2-4 weeks
• Description: Gathering evidence, drafting necessary documents, and formulating the legal strategy.

– Arrange to take any witness statements, if necessary.
– Obtain further instructions from the client (if necessary) and answer any follow-up queries which the client may have, as well as carry out any further preparatory work.
– If the matter relates to an application to the Home Office, the client will be given opportunity to go through and agree the content of the application.

Submission of Application/Case Filing:

• Duration: Varies based on the type of case and urgency.
• Description: Formal submission of applications or initiation of legal proceedings.

After this process when we are satisfied with the preparation, the matter will be sent to the Home Office.

Review and Response:

• Duration: 4-8 weeks (depending on the response time from the opposing party or authority)
• Description: Reviewing responses from the other party or authority and providing further documentation if needed.

– On receipt of a decision from the Home Office or the Tribunal’s decision we will discuss the outcome with the client and agree further steps, if necessary.
– Any further steps which may be necessary, will be subject to additional fees to be agreed.

– If the matter relates to an appeal, will prepare the bundle and send the hearing bundle to court as well as attend Tribunal with the client on the day of the hearing.

Hearing/Trial:

• Duration: Varies significantly; typically scheduled several months after filing.
• Description: Presentation of your case before the court or tribunal.

On the day of hearing, we meet the client to have another conference before the hearing. The time spent at the Tribunal will depend on the case and when the matter is called. After the hearing, we will discuss the outcome of the hearing with the client.

Resolution/Outcome:

• Duration: Varies; from a few weeks to several months after the hearing.
• Description: Final judgment or decision.

Please note that these are general estimates and actual time scales may vary depending on the specifics of your case. No two cases are the same. Therefore, the length of time it takes for each case to conclude will depend on the nature and the facts specific to each case. The factors that determine the length of time it takes for a case to be concluded will include, but not limited to how long it takes the Home Office to make a decision on a case; or how long it takes the Tribunal to list an appeal for a hearing.

How long will my application take?

We cannot provide a timescale as to when the Home Office will make a decision on an application or when a Tribunal hearing will take place, as this is outside our control.

We cannot guarantee how long the Home Office will take to process your application. Read the current processing times.

We will normally be able to submit applications within 1 to 2  weeks of you instructing us, but we will let you know at the earliest opportunity if it is likely to take longer than this.

Please note the anticipated number of hours and fees are an estimate based on the facts above. All applications are likely to vary and of course, we can give you a more accurate estimate once we have more information about your specific case.

(ii) For a sample of summary offence in the Magistrates Court:
Any fixed fee we agree would include:
– Attendance and Preparation, including obtaining the client’s instructions, considering the papers including charge sheet or summons and any other information disclosed by the prosecution and available evidence;
– Taking statements from the client and any relevant witnesses;
– Providing advice on the court procedures and likely sentence following a guilty plea.

What is not Included in our fixed fee for summary offence in the Magistrates court
Additional costs for:
– Fees for any expert, medical report, barrister’s fee, Interpreters’ Fee or Translators’ fee for translating any document in a foreign language, etc.
– Any additional disbursement / expenses for travel costs outside London and the M25. We would not charge for travel costs / expenses within London and M25.

(iii) The key stages for a typical case in the Magistrates Court where there has been a guilty plea and a date has been fixed for sentencing hearing are as follows:
– The client will meet with the solicitor or fee earner allocated to deal with the matter, to provide instructions on the facts and nature of the case.
– We will consider initial disclosure from the prosecution and any other evidence and advice the client accordingly.
– Send a Client Care letter as soon as possible but no later than 7 days, to confirm the client’s instructions.
– Arrange to take any witness statements, if necessary.
– Explain the court procedure so that the client knows what to expect on the day of the hearing and the sentencing options available to the court.
– We will conduct any further preparatory work, obtain further instructions from the client if necessary and answer any follow up queries which the client may have.
– We cannot provide a timescale of when a hearing will take place, as this depends on the court listing for that day.
– We will attend court on the day and meet with the client before the hearing. The time spent at court will depend on the peculiar facts and circumstances of each case. We will discuss the outcome with the client.
– Any further steps which may be necessary, will be subject to additional fees to be agreed.

How long the matter will take
No two cases are the same. Therefore, the length of time it takes for each case to conclude will depend of the nature and the facts specific to each case. The factors that determine the length of time it takes for a case to be concluded will include, but not limited to, the plea entered by the client and the court listing on the hearing date, how long the hearing lasts, etc.

(iii) For non contentious Employment matter
Any fixed fee we agree would include:
– Attendance and Preparation, including obtaining the client’s instructions, considering the papers such as the contract / terms and condition of employment, any Settlement Agreement proposed by the employers, etc.
– Providing advice on the client’s employment rights and the adequacy of any settlement offer proposed by the employer, etc.

What is Not Included in our fixed fee for a non contentious employment matter.
Additional costs for:

– Fees for any barrister’s opinion, etc.

The key stages for a typical non contentious employment matter are as follows:

– The client will meet the solicitor or fee earner who is allocated to deal with the case, to provide instructions on the matter.
– We will consider papers provided by the client, including copy of contract / terms and condition of employment, copy of any settlement agreement proposed by the clients’ employers, and any other relevant papers; and advice the client accordingly.
– Send a Client Care letter as soon as possible but no later than 7 days, to confirm the client’s instructions.
– We may enter into negotiations with the client’s employers, if appropriate and subject to the client’s instructions, to try and achieve a better offer of settlement, if necessary.
– Advise the client on whether or not to accept any final offer of settlement proposed by the employer.
– If the client accepts and sign the offer made by the employer by way of a Settlement Agreement we would counter sign the Advisers Certificate, to conclude the matter.
– If the client does not accept the offer we would advice them of the procedure and time scale to bring a claim in the Employment Tribunal.
– Any further steps which may be necessary will be subject to additional fees to be agreed.

How long the matter will take
No two cases are the same. Therefore, the length of time it takes for each case to conclude will depend of the nature and the facts specific to each case. The factors that determine the length of time it takes for a non-contentious employment case to be concluded will include, but not limited to the length of any negotiations which we may be undertake with the client’s employer, how long the client takes to provide us with relevant documents, etc.

(iv) For a Family Matter (e.g. for a one-off hearing relating to Child Arrangement Order)
Any fixed fee we agree to would include:

– Attendance and Preparation, including obtaining the client’s instructions, considering the papers and evidence;
– Taking statements from the client and any relevant witnesses;
– Prepare the hearing bundle, if necessary.
– Providing advice on the court procedures, the available options and the likely outcome for the proceedings.

What is Not Included in our fixed fee  (for a one-off hearing relating to Child Arrangement Order)
Additional costs for:

– Fees for any expert, medical report, barrister’s fee, Interpreters’ Fee or Translators’ fee for translating any document in a foreign language, etc.