Before July 1994 lawyers charged according to fixed fee scales set by the Government.  In 1994 these scales were abolished and lawyers must now inform clients of their fees and other charges (referred to as 'costs') before they start work.

At our first meeting we will discuss the costs with you and explain what the fees will be for the services that are to be provided.

We may not be able to tell you exactly what the costs will be, but we will tell you the basis for calculating the costs and give you an estimate of the costs. Sometimes, especially where court hearings are required, it may not be possible to give an estimate of the total cost initially. In such cases estimates will be provided in stages, until we are able to give you a total estimate.

We will generally charge you for work undertaken by a lawyer and non-professional staff on an hourly rate, although there are some other items which are charged differently (which are set out in our costs agreement.)

Disbursements are charged at cost. 

At the outset of a matter, we generally ask that you provide to us an amount, which we place in your trust account, which you authorise us to use for fees and which must be topped up to keep the retainer at the initially agreed amount.

Before we commence work we will write a letter to you and confirm in writing the legal costs you must pay. This letter will be our Costs Agreement.  We will ask you to sign and return a copy of Costs Agreement to us.

We will be happy to answer any questions about our Costs Agreement but it is a legal agreement between yourself and this firm and as such confers a financial benefit on this firm.  It is therefore in your interests to obtain independent legal advice about the Costs Agreement.