Fees

At AC Gilead Solicitors work is carried by qualified solicitors and in some cases by trainee solicitors or paralegals depending on the nature and complexity of the case. We agree the fee in advance to give you peace of mind.

This guide largely deals with work that we undertake on behalf of individuals. However, we also provide immigration services to businesses and not all those services are included in this guide.

Depending on the type of application and the client’s circumstances we may offer a fixed fee or an hourly-rated quotation for our costs. 

The fees we charge do not include the following disbursements and expenses.

  1. VAT
  2. Home Office Application Fees or its third party provider fees
  3. Immigration Health Surcharge: You can check how much you are liable to pay here https://www.immigration-health-surcharge.service.gov.uk/checker/type
  4. Fees for Translating documents
  5. Fees for certifying copies of originals
  6. Fees for interpreters
  7. Barrister fees where applicable
  8. Expert report applicable to your matter
  9. Further work, where necessary, following submission of application. This can be agreed with a further fixed fee or an hourly rate, as appropriate should the need arise.
  10. Courier fees.

 What is included in the fees?

  1. Assessing your circumstances in details and determining the most appropriate application for you and the options available
  2. Advice about Immigration Rules and Requirements
  3. Advice on if you meet the immigration criteria and how to fulfil the criteria
  4. Considering and assessing your supporting evidence
  5. Where possible and necessary; help and advice on obtaining further evidence e.g. medical records, bank statements, language tests, proof of address, taking witness statement etc.
  6. Preparing and submitting the application on your behalf
  7. Advice on the outcome and the way forward
  8. Liaising where necessary with third parties including Home Office and the tribunals.

PLEASE NOTE:

This list is not exhaustive but is intended to provide you with an idea of the range of expenses, in addition to solicitors’ costs, that can be incurred in dealing with your case.  Photocopying charges and the costs of fax transmissions which form part of our overheads are normally included within the service at the expense rate quoted.  However, we reserve the right to charge for these separately in the event that the amount of photocopying and the use of fax transmissions or other technology reasonably require this.

Details of such expenses which you are likely to have to pay, when they are likely to become due and an estimate of these costs will be given to you by the person in charge of your case as soon as possible.

If your instructions mean we have to work outside normal office hours, we reserve the right to increase the level of the hourly rate/s.  You will be notified in writing of any increased rate.

The rates maybe higher if for example the matter becomes more complex than expected in which event we will notify you.

Our solicitors and fee earners are categorised according to their level of experience as follows and hourly rate as follows:

Experience level

Rate per hour

Solicitors with 5+ years qualified experience

£300

Solicitors with less than 5 years post qualification experience

£200

Trainee Solicitors and Paralegals

£120

At the start of each instruction, we will provide an estimate of how many hours we expect to spend working on your matter and we will give you an estimation of the cost. It is always difficult to accurately gauge the costs of a case where we charge by the hour as this can vary depending on new information, underlining issues, complexity of the matter etc. In these cases we will try to provide you with estimates for each stage. 

 1) INITIAL CONSULTATION

 Fee: £150 – £350

This is usually an in person or video conference consultation with one of our immigration specialists. During the consultation the following will take place

  • Understanding your legal matter
  • Provide us a complete history
  • Advice on strength and weakness of your matter
  • Advice on potential solutions and the way forward
  • Length of time needed to undertake work
  • List of documentation that we require from you

This initial consultation fee does not include VAT, contacting the Home Office on your behalf or Completing and submitting an application or an appeal.

2) APPLICATIONS

  • Settlement

The average costs are between £1,600 – £2,000 (plus VAT) depending on fee earner’s hourly rate, the length of time it takes to complete the matter and complexity of the case.

  • Leave to remain (Child, Dependant or partner)

The average costs are between £1,500 – £2,000 (plus VAT) depending on fee earner’s hourly rate, the length of time it takes to complete the matter and complexity of the case.

  • Complex Article 8 Leave to Remain

The average costs are between £1,500 – £2,000 (excluding VAT) depending on fee earner’s hourly rate, the length of time it takes to complete the matter and complexity of the case.

  • Visit Visas

The average costs are between £1,200 – £2,000 (plus VAT) depending on fee earner’s hourly rate, the length of time it takes to complete the matter and complexity of the case.

  • EEA Permanent Residence Application

The average costs are between £1,200 – £2,700 (excluding VAT) depending on fee earner’s hourly rate, the length of time it takes to complete the matter and complexity of the case.

  • EEA Family Permit Application

The average costs are between £1,500 – £2,000 (plus VAT) depending on fee earner’s hourly rate, the length of time it takes to complete the matter and complexity of the case.

  • Naturalisation as a British Citizen

The average costs are between £750 – £1,500 (plus VAT) depending on fee earner’s hourly rate, the length of time it takes to complete the matter and complexity of the case.

  • Registration as a British Citizen

The average costs are between £750 – £1,300 (plus VAT) depending on fee earner’s hourly rate, the length of time it takes to complete the matter and complexity of the case.

  • Investor and Start up Visa Applications

The average costs are between £2,500 – £10,000 (plus VAT) depending on fee earner’s hourly rate, the length of time it takes to complete the matter and complexity of the case.

  • Tier 4 Student Visa

The average costs are between £1,100 – £4,000 (plus VAT) depending on fee earner’s hourly rate, the length of time it takes to complete the matter and complexity of the case.

  • Graduate Visa

The average costs are between £1,200 – £4,000 (plus VAT) depending on fee earner’s hourly rate, the length of time it takes to complete the matter and complexity of the case.

  • Skilled worker visa

The average costs are between £1,500 – £5,000 (plus VAT) depending on fee earner’s hourly rate, the length of time it takes to complete the matter and complexity of the case.

  • Tier 5

The average costs are between £1,500 – £5000 (plus VAT) depending on fee earner’s hourly rate, the length of time it takes to complete the matter and complexity of the case.

  • UK Passport Application and other travel documents

The average costs are between £500 – £1,500 (plus VAT) depending on fee earner’s hourly rate, the length of time it takes to complete the matter and complexity of the case.

  • Attendance at Home office Interviews and advice

The average costs are between £500 – £1,000 (excluding VAT) depending on fee earner’s hourly rate, the length of time it takes to complete the matter and complexity of the case.

  • Bail Applications

The costs are between £1000 – £2,000 (excluding VAT) depending on fee earner’s hourly rate, the length of time it takes to complete the matter and complexity of the case.

  • All Appeals: Lodging grounds of appeal, preparation of the case and representation at court

The costs are between £1,300 – £5,000 (excluding VAT) depending on fee earner’s hourly rate, the length of time it takes to complete the matter and complexity of the case.

  • Judicial Review Application

The costs are between £2.500 – £4,000 (excluding VAT) depending on fee earner’s hourly rate, the length of time it takes to complete the matter and complexity of the case.

APPLICATION PROCESSING TIME:

Please note that we are unable to guarantee how long Home Office will take to process your application.

You can check the current processing times here: https://www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times

CRIMINAL DEFENCE FEES  

 

Crime:

We undertake all of the work not covered by legal aid on an hourly rate basis, these rates are exclusive of VAT and disbursements. Our hourly rates are as follows:

  • £267 per hour for a solicitor of more than 8 years qualification
  • £229 per hour for a solicitor of more than 4 years qualification
  • £165 per hour for all other solicitors

We also offer one-off fixed/agreed fees for advice and assistance, and many clients find the fixed fee arrangement competitive and better for them. The costs will be agreed before we commence work.

The average cost of a case 

The cost of your case will depend on a number of different factors including the type of offence, if you enter into a guilty plea or your case goes to Trial and the individual circumstances of your case. We charge an initial £200 + VAT consultation fee exclusive of the fixed fees listed below:

  • Appointment in the office and Representation at first appearance at Magistrates’ Court – £600 – £1,500 + VAT

The work we undertake covers:

  • Initial attendance to take detailed instructions.
  • Consideration of initial disclosure and any other evidence and providing legal advice.
  • Seeking further disclosure of further material, if necessary.
  • Taking instructions on witness’s statements
  • Analysing relevant evidence.
  • Conducting further preparatory work, such as taking instructions and queries
  • Advising on the strengths and weaknesses of your case
  • Advising on possible defences, likely sentences
  • Drafting relevant legal documents such as basis of plea.
  • Detailing the key issues
  • Preparation for your first hearing at the Magistrates Court.
  • Advising on court procedure and the sentencing options available to the court.
  • Discussing the outcome of hearing with you

Advice on appeal will attract an additional cost, our hourly rate will apply

The work we undertake does not include:

  • Barrister’s cost for attending court on your behalf.
  • Our fee for preparation for any further hearings following the initial hearing which is about £600.00 + VAT per hearing.
  • Dealing with any Appeal
  • Drafting ground of appeal and preparing for any appeal.

Other costs involved

Kindly note that our costs is exclusive of any further disbursements or costs to third parties, such as expert fees and interpreters for office consultation.  We shall consult you and agree these costs with you in advance before the fees are incurred.

Timescales

The time it takes to conclude your matter would depend on whether you are pleading guilty to the offence, or the matter is proceeding to trial and also the court listings however the usual timescale is three to six months or longer, if the Courts are very busy.

NON CONTENTIOUS EMPLOYMENT MATTER   

 

Employment:

We undertake non contentious employment matter.

We  offer one-off fixed/agreed fees for advice and assistance, The costs will be agreed before we commence work.

The average cost of a case.

Compromise/Settlement agreement  

The cost of your case will be an agreed fees.

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.

Our agreed is between £350.00 to £500 + VAT.

FAMILY AND HOUSING FEES  

 

  1. INITIAL CONSULTATION

£100 plus VAT (£120)

Length – usually one hour but could take longer depending on the complexity of the matter.

    • Understanding your legal matter
    • Provide us a complete history
    • Advice on the strength and weakness of your matter
    • Advice on potential solutions and the way forward
    • Length of time needed to undertake work
    • List of documentation that we require from you

 

  1. CONSULTATION PLUS DETAILED ADVICE LETTER

£200 plus VAT (£240)

  1. LEGAL AID FEES

Please be advised that you may be eligible for legal help in your civil matter. However, this may be means tested. If means tested, your financial circumstances will be evaluated to determine whether you are eligible or not.

Legal aid is MEANS and MERITS tested.

    • For Means, the legal aid agency would expect that you cannot afford to pay your legal fees. It is usually the case that all those on ‘Passported Benefits’ like Income Support, JSA, ESA etc are eligible for legal aid.
    • For Merits, the legal aid agency would expect that there is a genuine benefit that will accrue to the person for this matter to be funded.

We undertake all of the work not covered by legal aid on an hourly rate basis, these rates are exclusive of VAT and disbursements. Our hourly rates are as follows:

  • £267 per hour for a solicitor of more than 8 years qualification
  • £229 per hour for a solicitor of more than 4 years qualification
  • £165 per hour for all other solicitors

This fee will be based on the time we spend dealing with a case and is exclusive of VAT. This will take into account the following;

  • Time spent meeting with you and others,
  • Any time spent travelling, considering, preparing and working on papers
  • The grade of the fee earner and expenses rate per hour
  • Disbursements and expenses
  • Any other fees.

There are several grades of fee earners and the expense rate per hour for each can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/solicitors-guideline-hourly-rates

Other fees include:

  • Telephone calls (both made and received) – £20.00 each
  • Letters (both written and received) – £15.00 per letter
  • Travel/waiting – £45.00 per hour

Disbursement and expenses are:

  • These are expenses which are incurred and do not form part of our own legal costs.  These include Counsel’s fees, fees for medical or other experts in preparing reports and carrying out your instructions, Court issue fees, etc.

We undertake all of the work not covered by legal aid on an fixed fee.

 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.

The average cost of a case 

Our agreed fees for representing the client in Court is between £1500.00 to £2000 + VAT.

  1. COMPLEX CASES

If your case is considered complex or difficult we will provide you with a personalised quote.

The fee will depend on the complexity of the case, the person dealing with it and the urgency of the matter.

This fee will be discussed with you at the initial appointment and is exclusive of VAT, application fees, disbursements and expenses.