Charging Methods
We may charge for work undertaken on your behalf using various methods, as detailed below. The charging method applicable to your matter will be set out in your Client Care Letter.
Fixed Fee Basis: This fee is payable regardless of matter conclusion, however see section “Matters not concluded”.
Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) / Damage Based Agreement (DBA): Under a CFA or a DBA, we agree to undertake work on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis. This means you are generally only liable for our costs if you achieve a successful outcome in your case.
Conditional Fee Agreement: If your case is unsuccessful, you do not pay our costs. If successful, you pay our costs, plus a possible success fee, which, if applicable, will be detailed in the CFA. There are specific circumstances where you may be liable for costs even if your case is unsuccessful, for example, if you breach a condition of the agreement or reject a reasonable settlement offer. The CFA will detail these instances.
Damage Based Agreement: If your case is unsuccessful, you do not pay our costs. If successful, you pay our costs, calculated as an agreed percentage of any award for damages made in your favour. As with a CFA, the DBA will detail instances where you may be liable for fees.
Under either of these Agreements, the Firm reserves the right to terminate the retainer if the prospects of your claim being successful significantly diminish. Unless this is due to your breach of a condition of the Agreement, this will not result in you incurring any liability for our costs. Under both Agreements, you are liable for any disbursements incurred, whether or not you obtain a successful outcome. You may also be liable for the costs of the other party if costs are awarded against you by the court.
Estimated Fee Agreement: Where we agree to work on an estimated fee basis, we will provide an estimate based on the anticipated amount of work. The work initially quoted for will be clearly detailed in the CCL. For information on potential additional work please see section “Additional Work” below.
Time Recorded Matters: Our hourly rates are detailed in the CCL. When working on this basis, you will be given the opportunity to set a limit on the fees which can be incurred, whereupon work on the matter will cease until we have received your approval to incur further costs. We periodically review our hourly rates and reserve the right to adjust them throughout the course of our retainer where necessary. If we alter our hourly rates, we will notify you immediately. Should you have concerns regarding any proposed changes, you may settle your account for work undertaken up to the date of the changes and terminate our retainer.
Legal Aid: Our Firm holds a Legal Aid Contract in both Family Law and Criminal Law. Legal Aid involves the use of public funds to assist with the costs of legal advice, family mediation, and court or tribunal representation. If you qualify for Legal Aid, some or all of your legal costs may be covered.
Additional Work: If we need to undertake any additional work on your behalf for any reason, we will notify you promptly and provide an estimate of the cost for your approval. In exceptional situations we may undertake work prior to your approval. An example of such an exceptional situation might be where immediate action is required to protect your interests, such as responding to a critical deadline imposed by a court or another party that, if missed, would cause significant detriment to your matter, and we are unable to contact you in time to obtain your prior consent. Such instances are rare and will only occur when deemed absolutely necessary to safeguard your position.
Matters not concluded: If the matter does not conclude, even if not due to your actions, we will still charge for the time spent on the matter or, in some cases, a proportion of the agreed fee as outlined in our CCL. Any fees and any disbursements, including third-party costs, remain your liability.
VAT: Value Added Tax (VAT) is added to all our charges at the rate applicable at the time. Our VAT number is 439800971.
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