It’s common to avoid or put off the assistance of professionals due to their costs. However, one kind of professional you can rarely avoid using is a solicitor. For various life events and circumstances, you’ll be required or at least heavily recommended to enlist the help of a legal professional.
Legal fees can vary greatly depending on the type of legal service and expertise that you need. It will also vary between different solicitor’s offices, experience, and perhaps even location.
But in order to give you an idea of what to expect, here is a breakdown containing average estimates of some of the most common legal services…
Finding a Solicitor
There are specialist solicitors that cover one area, such as accident and injury compensation experts who you’ve probably seen advertising on television. There are also solicitors that cover many areas, employing experts in each field.
THB solicitors Chelmsford for example, are able to help you with family law, conveyancing and criminal law, to name a few services. They also have offices across both Essex and Suffolk, so you may be able to find help close to you.
Types of Service
Some of the main types of legal services you’ll find are:
- Conveyancing
- Wills, Trust, and Probate
- Divorce
- Commercial Law
- Personal Injury
Conveyancing
Conveyancing is needed when buying or selling a property. It involves the transfer of the legal title of a property from one person to another (including with a mortgage). The process involves two phases, exchange of contractions and completion.
You have three options for conveyancing help:
- Hire a conveyancer, who specialises in the legal process of conveyancing but does not have other complex legal knowledge
- Hire a solicitor who will have conveyancing knowledge as well as the ability to help should a legal complication arise
- Specifically hire a conveyancing solicitor who specialises in this legal field
If you go with a solicitor, this service typically costs between £800 and £1,500, plus VAT and disbursements. The cost will depend on the complexity of the transaction and the location of the property.
Fees for conveyancing may also depend on the value of the property, or there might be a fixed fee instead. It’s best to consult with your solicitor how the fee is calculated.
Wills, Trusts, and Probate
The cost of a simple will can start from around £150 to £200. This range goes up to £300 for more complex wills such as ones that involve divorce or children from different partners.
The cost can also be higher for specialist wills that plan for tax, deal with overseas assets, or include trusts, ranging from at least £500 to £800 or more.
The cost of probate, the process of administering an estate, will depend on the size and complexity of the estate, but can range from £500 to £5,000 or more. This is calculated from a fixed fee of £155 and upwards plus 2% to 5% of the value of the estate.
Divorce
The cost of a divorce can vary greatly, depending on the complexity of the case and the willingness of both parties to reach a settlement. It also depends on whether you are the one seeking the divorce (petitioner) or the respondent.
The cost of the solicitor’s fee and the divorce centre fee will amount to £1,000 or more for the petitioner, and between £240 and £600 for the respondent.
Simple settlements where both parties reach an agreement early are the cheapest at around £800, whereas if mediation or more negotiation is needed, costs will go up to almost £3,000.
If the divorce goes to court, the solicitor’s hourly fee will then become applicable.
Commercial and Business Matters
The cost of employment law services will depend on the type of case and the solicitor’s hourly rate. On average, the cost of employment law services can range from £500 to £5,000 or more. This includes anything from writing up an employment contract to applying for an employment visa.
Personal Injury
Solicitors will typically work on a no-win, no-fee basis for personal injury claims, meaning that you will not have to pay any legal fees if you lose your case. If you win your case, you will be responsible for paying a success fee, which is usually a percentage of the compensation awarded, and any disbursements.
Average UK Hourly Rates
It is important to note that these costs are only estimates and the actual cost of a service may be higher or lower depending on the individual case. It is also important to shop around and compare costs and services before choosing a solicitor.
The average junior solicitor charges £111 per hour, whereas a solicitor with over 8 years’ experience charges an average of £210 (this average goes up to £300 in London).
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the cost of solicitors in the UK can vary greatly depending on the type of service required. It is important to consider the cost and services offered when choosing a solicitor to ensure that you get the best value for your money.
