At Syed Shaheen & Partners, our caseworker’s hourly rate reflects their individual experience and expertise. Following are the hourly rates for the legal work we carry out:
A) For over 8 years Post qualification experienced Solicitor or Legal executive - £325
B) For over 4 years Post qualification experienced Solicitor or Legal executive - £240
C) Other solicitors/ legal executives - £165
D) Trainee solicitors/Paralegal/Other fee earners - £120
Immigration/ Naturalization Application (excluding asylum):
Hourly rate: between £240 and £325
(depending on the experience and expertise of the case owner)
❑ Application for leave to remain under Immigration Rules
❑ Application for Naturalization (citizenship) or Registration
❑ Application for leave to remain for EEA (European) citizen
On average, this type of work takes between 3-5 hours to complete.
This means that on average costs are between £650 and £1500.
All figures exclude VAT unless specifically stated.
The exact number of hours it will take depends on the circumstances in your case. Such as:
❑ The amount of supporting evidence that we need to consider
❑ Which language(s) you speak
❑ Whether you are applying with other dependents
If you are able to provide sufficient evidence at our first meeting and clearly meet the applicable Immigration Rules, the cost is likely to be at the lower end of this range.
The work will involve:
❑ discussing your circumstances in detail and confirming whether this is the most appropriate application for you to make and what other options may be available to you;
❑ giving you advice about the requirements of the Immigration Rules and whether you meet the criteria.
❑ if you do not fulfil certain criteria, whether this can be overcome and how, which on average takes 3 hours;
❑ considering the supporting evidence you have provided, which we anticipate will take 1 to 2 hours
❑ where necessary, helping you obtain further evidence (such as medical records and bank statements), including taking statements of any witnesses;
❑ preparing your application and submitting it on your behalf, which we anticipate will take 3 to 4 hours;
❑ attendance at a Home Office interview: if the Home Office ask you to attend an interview, we will give you clear advice (and discuss the possibility of us attending with you) at the appropriate time. This could be between 2 and 5 hours of work.
❑ giving you advice about the outcome of the application and any further steps you need to take.
the amount of hours depends on the number of documents, whether they need to be translated, whether anything is missing and how long it will take to obtain the missing documents Disbursements (not included in costs set out above):
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as visa fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
❑ Interpreters fees are in the range of £25 per hour. This kind of application will normally require between 1 and 2 hours with an interpreter, depending on the complexity of your case.
❑ Independent expert reports e.g. medical experts. These are not required in many cases: we will let you know as soon as possible if we consider an expert report is necessary.
❑ If there is an interview and we do attend with you, there will be additional disbursements in respect of our mileage/travel expenses.
The costs quoted here do not include:
❑ Any Home Office fees for making the application. You will pay this to the Home Office directly as part of the application process.
❑ Any Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fees.
❑ Where the Home Office refuse your application, advice and assistance in relation to any appeal
How long will my application take?
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 this type of application within 2-3 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.
Advice and representation at the First tier Tribunal
in relation to appeals against Home Office visa or immigration decisions
In relation to any immigration appeal proceedings, including preparation witness statement, the appeal bundle, correspondence with other side and the court, taking further instructions-
On average, this type of work takes between 3-4 hours to complete.
This means that on average costs are between £650 and £1200.
The above fees will be exclusive of VAT except the ‘out country appeal’ against entry clearance officer where VAT is not applicable.
Our fees do not cover the Court fees, any disbursements to be incurred by, for example, HMCTS, Counsel fees, Expert opinion etc.
❑ In relation to permission to appeal to the First tier Tribunal/ Upper Tribunal, on an average, our work would take 2-3 hours. This means that on average our fees will be between £500 and £750. The cost would exclude Counsel’s fees for settling the grounds and all other disbursements.
❑ In relation to drafting Pre action protocol against the Secretary of State (Home Office), before initiating a judicial review proceeding, on an average, our work would take 2-3 hours. This means that on average our fees will be between £500 and £750. The cost would exclude Counsel’s fees for settling the grounds and all other disbursements.
❑ In relation to application for permission for Judicial review, including preparation witness statement, the Judicial review bundle, correspondence with other side and the court, taking further instructions, our work would take 4-5 hours. This means that on average our fees will be between £1000 and £1500. The cost would exclude Counsel’s fees for settling the grounds and all other disbursements.
Purchase of a freehold residential property
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.
Conveyancer's fees and disbursements
❑ Legal fee £950
❑ Search fees, variable ranging from £3 to £350
❑ HM Land Registry fees, variable depending on the value of the property
❑ Electronic money transfer fee £23 (this may vary from Bank to Bank)
❑ VAT payable
Estimated total: Please see above
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.
Stamp Duty or Land Tax (on purchase)
This depends on the purchase price of your property. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC's website if the property is located in Wales by using the Welsh Revenue Authority's website.
Estimated total £1500 to £2000 exclusive of Stamp duty/Land tax
How long will my house purchase take?
How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move in to your house will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 5 to 8 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 take 6 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 4-6 months. In such, a situation additional charges would apply.
Stages of the process
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
Purchase of a leasehold residential property
Our fees cover all 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 is in Wales.
Conveyancer's fees and disbursements
❑ Legal fee £950
❑ Fee for acting on behalf of the mortgage lender £400
❑ Search fees £3 to £350
❑ HM Land Registry fee - variable
❑ Electronic money transfer fee £23 (This may vary from Bank to Bank)
❑ VAT payable
Estimated total: Please see above
Disbursements
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. There are certain disbursements which will be set out in the individual lease relating to the Property. The disbursements which we anticipate will apply are set out separately below. This list is not exhaustive and other disbursements may apply depending on the term of the lease. We will update you on the specific fees upon receipt and review of the lease from the seller's solicitors.
❑ HM Land Registry fee- Variable
❑ Search fees: from £3 to £350
❑ Electronic money transfer fee: £23
❑ VAT Payable
Anticipated Disbursements
❑ Notice of Transfer fee – This fee if chargeable is set out in the lease.
❑ Notice of Charge fee (if the property is to be mortgaged) – This fee is set out in the lease.
❑ Deed of Covenant fee – This fee is provided by the management company for the property and can be difficult to estimate.
❑ Certificate of Compliance fee - To be confirmed upon receipt of the lease.
These fees vary from property to property and can on occasion be significantly more than the ranges given above. We can give you an accurate figure once we have sight of your specific documents.
You should also be aware that ground rent and service charge are likely to apply throughout your ownership of the property. We will confirm the ground rent and the anticipated service charge as soon as this we receive this information.
Stamp Duty Land Tax
This 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.
Grand total £1500 to £2000 exclusive of stamp duty land tax
The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential leasehold 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
❑ Send final contract to you for signature
❑ Draft Transfer
❑ Advise you on joint ownership
❑ Obtain pre-completion searches
❑ 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
How long will my house purchase take?
How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move in to your house will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 5 to 8 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 take 10 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 2 and 5 months. In such, a situation additional charges would apply.
Our fee assumes that:
a. this is a standard transaction and that no unforeseen matters arise including for example (but not limited to) a defect in title which requires remedying prior to completion or the preparation of additional documents ancillary to the main transaction
b. this is the assignment of an existing lease and is not the grant of a new lease
c. the transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complication arise
d. all parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation
e. no indemnity policies are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required.
If you wish to use an online quote calculator for residential conveyancing
Below is list of things you may wish to consider if you use an online quote calculator for conveyancing matters. You could, if you wish, build questions to find out the following information:
❑ value of the property
❑ first-time buyer
❑ re-mortgage
❑ freehold or leasehold
❑ new build
❑ first registration of title
❑ whether a mortgage or not, or Islamic mortgage
❑ in purchase cases, whether primary residence, buy to let or second/holiday home
❑ multiple owners
❑ shared ownership scheme
❑ using a help to buy scheme, and whether it is an equity loan or ISA
❑ purchase under right to buy
❑ purchase at auction
❑ property has been repossessed
Employment matter
Our pricing for bringing and defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal
Simple case: £1450 to £2200 (excluding VAT, charged at 20%)
Medium complexity case: £2500 to £3500 (excluding VAT, charged at 20%)
High complexity case: £3500-£5500 (excluding VAT, charged at 20%)
Factors that could make a case more complex:
❑ If it is necessary to make or defend applications to amend claims or to provide further information about an existing claim
❑ Defending claims that are brought by litigants in person
❑ Making or defending a costs application
❑ Complex preliminary issues such as whether the claimant is disabled (if this is not agreed by the parties)
❑ The number of witnesses and documents
❑ If it is an automatic unfair dismissal claim e.g. if you are dismissed after blowing the whistle on your employer
❑ Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal
There will be an additional charge for attending a Tribunal Hearing in the range of £1500 per day (excluding VAT, charged at 20%). Generally, we would allow days depending on the complexity of your case.
Disbursements
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.
Counsel's fees estimated between £1000 to 1800 per day (depending on experience of the advocate) for attending a Tribunal Hearing (including preparation)
Key stages
The fees set out above cover all of the work in relation to the following key stages of a claim:
❑ Taking your initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising you on merits and likely compensation (this is likely to be revisited throughout the matter and subject to change)
❑ Entering into pre-claim conciliation where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached;
❑ Preparing claim or response
❑ Reviewing and advising on claim or response from other party
❑ Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process
❑ preparing or considering a schedule of loss
❑ Preparing for (and attending) a Preliminary Hearing
❑ Exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle of documents
❑ Taking witness statements, drafting statements and agreeing their content with witnesses
❑ preparing bundle of documents
❑ Reviewing and advising on the other party's witness statements
❑ agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and/or cast list
❑ Preparation and attendance at Final Hearing, including instructions to Counsel
The stages set out above are an indication and if some of stages above are not required, the fee will be reduced. You may wish to handle the claim yourself and only have our advice in relation to some of the stages. This can also be arranged on your individual needs.
How long will my matter take?
The time that it takes from taking your initial instructions to the final resolution of your matter depends largely on the stage at which your case is resolved. If a settlement is reached during pre-claim conciliation, your case is likely to take 6-10 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take 16- 26 weeks. This is just an estimate and we will of course be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the matter progresses.