Our employment solicitors are:

Scott Taylor (Solicitor with at least 8 years’ experience)

Ben Tighe (Solicitor with at least 8 years’ experience)

Max Hornigold (Solicitor)

Chris Bennett (Legal Executive – London)

 Our hourly charges are as follows:

 Private (Leeds and Middlesbrough National Rate 2) :

Partners/Solicitors with at least 8 years’ experience – 295.00

Solicitors with at least 4 years’ experience – 252.00

Solicitors, Legal Executives, Senior Executives – 205.00

Trainee Solicitors – 145.00

Junior Executives/Assistants – 145.00

Private (London Rate 3) :

Partners/Solicitors with at least 8 years’ experience – 325.00

Solicitors with at least 4 years’ experience  – 268.00

Solicitors, Legal Executives, Senior Executives  – 215.00

Trainee Solicitors – 150.00

Junior Executives/Assistants – 150.00

Lesser complexity case

This would tend to be a case where unfair dismissal is the sole claim and the matter is limited to a one-day hearing.
It would be in the region of £15000-£18,000 plus VAT and disbursements (if we instruct counsel).

Medium complexity case

This would be a case where there are additional claims to unfair dismissal, such as discrimination. This would also apply where the case for unfair dismissal requires a Preliminary Hearing or where the case is listed for a Final Hearing of two or three days’ duration.

This would be in the region of £20,500- £23000 plus VAT, plus counsel fees of approximately  £1,500 for the first day of the Final Hearing and £1,000 for the refreshers for the second and subsequent days of the Final Hearing.  .

Higher complexity case

This would be a case where the unfair dismissal claim involves multiple discrimination complaints or complex matters such as whistleblowing/making of protected disclosures and where the case is listed for a Final Hearing of two or more days’ duration.

From £20,000 to £25000 plus VAT, plus counsel fees of £1,500 for the first day of the Final Hearing and £1,000 for the second and subsequent days of the Final Hearing.

The following factors can have an impact on the complexity of a case:

• Defending claims that are brought by litigants in person
• 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.  For example if the reason for dismissal is because of a protected disclosure or an employee’s pregnancy or maternity leave

The fees set out above cover all of the work in relation to the following key stages of a claim:

• Taking initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising on merits and likely compensation
• Entering into pre-claim conciliation
• Preparing a claim or response
• Reviewing and advising on a claim or response from other party
• Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process
• Preparing 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 for the Final Hearing or instructions to Counsel

The stages are not fixed and guaranteed, and we will adjust our costs accordingly when some stages are not required.

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 2-4 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take 9-18 months. 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.

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. Disbursements incur a VAT charge of 20%.

Introduction

As part of our professional rules, we aim to ensure that anyone wishing to use our services has the information they need to make an informed choice of legal services provider, including understanding what the costs may be.

Why instruct Taylor Law?

At Taylor Law we offer a friendly and efficient service in helping you to plan for the future. Based in London, Leeds and Middlesbrough, our approach to clients is one of friendliness and efficiency. Our services include advice about preparing a Will, creating a Lasting Power of Attorney, Estate Planning, or the creation of Trusts. We are also able to assist with estate administration after a loved one has died. We understand that this is a very difficult time and our aim is to make the administration of an estate as easy for our clients as possible. We are regularly instructed by executors to administer and distribute estates or the firm itself is appointed as the executor. We are also instructed by insurers to represent clients in this process.

Occasionally clients feel comfortable distributing the estate themselves and seek our assistance in obtaining the Grant of Probate only. We can also help in situations when someone dies without a Will or where a Will has not been located. The administration of an estate in these circumstances is often more complicated but it is our aim to make this as straightforward for you as possible.

Likewise, we also deal with Inheritance Act claims and in circumstances where the validity of a loved one’s Will is in dispute. We offer a committed service and strive to provide grounded and robust advice to ensure that you do not enter into any unnecessary proceedings.

To assist our clients, we have set out below an indication of the likely costs involved in Probate matters along with an indication of the timescales.

Estate Administration

Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets

What the service includes

We will:

• Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor to work on your matter
• Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
• Accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require
• Obtain the relevant documents required to make the application and liaise with all relevant organisations
• Complete the Probate Application and the relevant HMRC forms
• Draft a legal oath for you to swear
• Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
• Obtain the Probate and securely send two copies to you
• Deal with closure of accounts, collect in estate funds and pay any liabilities
• Prepare a final estate account and distribute legacies to beneficiaries

Anticipated charges and expenses

We anticipate this will take between 8 and 20 hours work at £200.00 per hour. Total costs estimated at between £1,600.00 – £4,000 plus VAT.

The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter. For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property, costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and multiple bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end.

We will handle the full process for you. This above applies for estates where:

• There is a valid will
• There is no more than one property
• There are no more than 5 bank or building society accounts
• There are no other intangible assets
• There are 1-9 beneficiaries
• There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs
• There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC
• There are no claims made against the estate

Disbursements¹ in addition to this fee include:

• Probate application fee of £155.00
• £5 Swearing of the oath (per executor) plus £2 per exhibit (per executor)
• Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£2 per beneficiary)
• Post in The London Gazette –  Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors.
• Post in a Local Newspaper – This also helps to protect against unexpected claims.

¹ 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.

Potential additional costs

Please note:

• If there is no will or the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds) there is likely to be additional costs that could range significantly depending on the estate and how it is to be dealt with. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
• If any additional copies of the grant are required, they will cost £0.50 (1 per asset usually).
• Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.

How long will this take?

It is difficult to estimate with any precision how long a Probate matter will take as it will be influenced by many factors, some of which are outside of our control. However, on average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 6-9 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 8-12 weeks. Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 3-6 weeks. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 3-5 weeks.

Probate

Application for Grant only

What the service includes

We will:

• Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor to work on your matter
• Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
• Accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require
• Obtain the relevant documents required to make the application
• Complete the Probate Application and the relevant HMRC forms
• Draft a legal oath for you to swear
• Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
• Obtain the Probate and securely send two copies to you

Anticipated charges and expenses

We can help our clients through this difficult process by obtaining the Grant of Probate on their behalf.

Legal fees:  Fixed fee of £750.00 to £1,000 plus VAT + disbursements

Disbursements¹ in addition to this fee include:

• Probate court fee of £155.00.

¹ 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.

Potential additional costs

There will be additional costs if it is necessary to prepare a full IHT account and we can provide a more accurate quote upon receipt of further information.

How long will this take?

It is difficult to estimate with any precision how long such a matter will take but, on average, such applications are dealt with and finalised within 3-5 weeks. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 3-4 weeks.