COSTS & COMPLAINTS
Costs Information
We understand that obtaining legal advice can be costly for both individuals and businesses.
How much we charge will depend on the type, complexity and expected duration of the matter. We usually charge by the hour. Hilary Harper’s hourly rate is currently £260 per hour, to which VAT at 20% will be charged. In certain cases, where we are able to assess accurately the time required, we may be able to agree a fixed fee.
Where settlement agreements are offered on the termination of employment, the employer quite often agrees to meet some or all of the employee’s legal costs.
In debt recovery work every client and every debt will be unique so it’s not practicable to state what work will be required and the costs that will be incurred.
We can however say that the costs set out below will apply where your claim is in relation to an unpaid invoice which is not disputed and enforcement action is not needed. If the other party disputes your claim at any point, we will discuss any further work required and provide you with revised advice about costs if necessary, which could be on a fixed fee (e.g. if a one off letter is required), or an hourly rate if more extensive work is needed.
| Debt Value | Court Fee | Our fee, inc. VAT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to £5,000 | £205 | £600 | £805 |
| £5,001 - £10,000 | £455 | £1,080 | £1,535 |
Anyone wishing to proceed with a claim should note that: the VAT element of our fee cannot be reclaimed from your debtor; interest and compensation may take the debt into a higher banding, with a higher cost; and the costs quoted above are not for matters where enforcement action, such as the bailiff, is needed to collect a debt.
Our debt recovery fee includes:
- Taking your instructions and reviewing documentation
- Undertaking appropriate searches
- Sending a letter before action
- Receiving payment and sending onto you, or if the debt is not paid, drafting and issuing claim
- Where no Acknowledgment of Service or Defence is received, applying to the court to enter Judgement in default
- When Judgement in default in received, write to the other side to request payment
- If payment is not received, providing you with advice on next steps and likely costs
Matters usually take 6-12 weeks from receipt of instructions from you to receipt of payment from the other side, depending on whether or not it is necessary to issue a claim. This is on the basis that the other side pays promptly on receipt of Judgement in default. If enforcement action is needed, the matter will take longer to resolve.
Complaints Procedure
We want to give you the best possible service. However, if at any point you become unhappy or concerned please inform us immediately, so that we can do our best to resolve the problem.
In the first instance please contact the person who is working on your case to discuss your concerns and we will do our best to resolve any issues. If you would like to make a formal complaint, please put your concerns in writing, with full details of your complaint, including the dates pertaining to the events complained about, and options you consider appropriate to resolve your complaint.
There are a number of ways in which your complaint may be dealt with: (a) discussion over the telephone; (b) by correspondence; (c) at a meeting between us; or (d) the appointment of an independent person to investigate the complaint.
If we decide to appoint an independent person to investigate the complaint (for example, a member of the Solicitors Sole Practitioners Group or the local Law Society or another solicitor), we both would need to agree who to appoint. An independent person who has considerable experience in the area that is the subject matter of the dispute should be chosen.
Upon receipt of a written complaint we will reply in writing, normally within 48 hours, to acknowledge the complaint and inform you how we shall be dealing with it. We will endeavour to reply within 14 days responding in full to your complaint. We will offer you the opportunity to meet with you if that is appropriate. Our reply will set out:
- The nature and scope of our investigation;
- Our conclusion on each complaint and the basis for our conclusion; and
- If we find that you are justified in your complaint, our proposals for resolving the complaint.
All conversations and documents relating to the complaint will be treated as confidential and will be disclosed only to the extent that is necessary.
What to do if we cannot resolve your complaint
The Legal Ombudsman can help you if we are unable to resolve your complaint ourselves. They will look at your complaint independently and it will not affect how we handle your case.
Before accepting a complaint for investigation, the Legal Ombudsman will check that you have tried to resolve your complaint with us first. If you have, then you must take your complaint to the Legal Ombudsman within six months of receiving a final response to your complaint and no more than six years from the date of act/omission; or no more than three years from when you should reasonably have known there was cause for complaint.
If you would like more information about the Legal Ombudsman, please contact them. www.legalombudsman.org.uk, or call 0300 555 0333 between 9am-5am. Email: enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk. Legal Ombudsman PO Box 6806, Wolverhampton, WV1 9WJ
What to do if you are unhappy with our behaviour
The Solicitors Regulation Authority can help if you are concerned about our behaviour. This could be for things like dishonesty, taking or losing your money or treating you unfairly because of your age, a disability or other characteristic.
Visit their website to see how you can raise your concerns with the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
