Legal Charges and Fees

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Our Solicitors

Solicitor:

Nicola Fairhurst

Year Qualified: 2004 Years Since Qualified: 20 Hourly Rate: £250.00 Supervisor: Stephen Hodgson Supervisor Years Qualified: 1985 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 39
Solicitor:

Karl Wilson

Year Qualified: 1990 Years Since Qualified: 34 Hourly Rate: £250.00 Supervisor: Paul Ridehalgh Supervisor Years Qualified: 1985 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 39
Solicitor:

Lisa Clark

Year Qualified: 2006 Years Since Qualified: 18 Hourly Rate: £235.00 Supervisor: Peter Hine Supervisor Years Qualified: 1983 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 41
Solicitor:

Richard Ainsworth

Year Qualified: 1994 Years Since Qualified: 30 Hourly Rate: £250.00 Supervisor: Stephen Hodgson Supervisor Years Qualified: 1985 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 39
Solicitor:

Paul Ridehalgh

Year Qualified: 1985 Years Since Qualified: 39 Hourly Rate: £250.00 Supervisor: Karl Wilson Supervisor Years Qualified: 1990 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 34
Solicitor:

Paul Margey

Year Qualified: 1990 Years Since Qualified: 34 Hourly Rate: £235.00 Supervisor: Richard Ainsworth Supervisor Years Qualified: 1994 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 30
Solicitor:

Katy Rider

Year Qualified: 2018 Years Since Qualified: 6 Hourly Rate: £215.00 Supervisor: Karl Wilson Supervisor Years Qualified: 1990 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 34
Solicitor:

Anna Kerr

Year Qualified: 2007 Years Since Qualified: 17 Hourly Rate: £235.00 Supervisor: Victoria Harcourt Supervisor Years Qualified: 2017 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 7
Solicitor:

Jennie Barnes

Year Qualified: 2017 Years Since Qualified: 7 Hourly Rate: £215.00 Supervisor: Stephen Hodgson Supervisor Years Qualified: 1985 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 39
Solicitor:

Lauren Townson

Year Qualified: 2019 Years Since Qualified: 5 Hourly Rate: £215.00 Supervisor: Karl Wilson Supervisor Years Qualified: 1990 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 34
Solicitor:

Saarah Foolat

Year Qualified: 2019 Years Since Qualified: 5 Hourly Rate: £185.00 Supervisor: Nicola Fairhurst Supervisor Years Qualified: 2004 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 20
Solicitor:

Jodie Penketh

Year Qualified: 2022 Years Since Qualified: 2 Hourly Rate: £185.00 Supervisor: Karl Wilson Supervisor Years Qualified: 1990 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 34
Solicitor:

Joanne Fong

Year Qualified: 1991 Years Since Qualified: 33 Hourly Rate: £235.00 Supervisor: Victoria harcourt Supervisor Years Qualified: 2017 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 7

Chartered Institute of Legal Executives

Kirsty Donlan

Year Qualified: 2009 Years Since Qualified: 15 Hourly Rate: £235.00 Supervisor: Stephen Hodgson Supervisor Years Qualified: 1985 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 39

Rebecca Harrison

Year Qualified: 2010 Years Since Qualified: 14 Hourly Rate: £215.00 Supervisor: Victoria Harcourt Supervisor Years Qualified: 2017 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 7

Victoria Harcourt

Year Qualified: 2017 Years Since Qualified: 7 Hourly Rate: £235.00 Supervisor: Richard Ainsworth Supervisor Years Qualified: 1994 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 30

Nicola Birchall

Year Qualified: 2005 Years Since Qualified: 19 Hourly Rate: £215.00 Supervisor: Victoria Harcourt Supervisor Years Qualified: 2017 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 7

Lyndsey Kiley

Year Qualified: n/a Years Since Qualified: n/a Hourly Rate: £235.00 Supervisor: Karl Wilson Supervisor Years Qualified: 1990 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 34

Licensed Conveyancers

Jenni Shoreman

Year Qualified: 2005 Years Since Qualified: 19 Hourly Rate: £215.00 Supervisor: Richard Ainsworth Supervisor Years Qualified: 1994 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 30

Paralegals

Jayne Cassidy

Year Qualified: n/a Years Since Qualified: n/a Hourly Rate: £185.00 Supervisor: Stephen Hodgson Supervisor Years Qualified: 1985 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 39

Julie Flynn

Year Qualified: n/a Years Since Qualified: n/a Hourly Rate: £185.00 Supervisor: Paul Ridehalgh Supervisor Years Qualified: 1985 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 39

John Hunter

Year Qualified: n/a Years Since Qualified: n/a Hourly Rate: £185.00 Supervisor: Richard Ainsworth Supervisor Years Qualified: 1994 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 30

Louise Bond

Year Qualified: n/a Years Since Qualified: n/a Hourly Rate: £185.00 Supervisor: Stephen Hodgson Supervisor Years Qualified: 1985 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 39

Kimberley Emmett

Year Qualified: n/a Years Since Qualified: n/a Hourly Rate: £185.00 Supervisor: Karl Wilson Supervisor Years Qualified: 1990 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 34

Sharon Bomsztyk

Year Qualified: n/a Years Since Qualified: n/a Hourly Rate: £130.00 Supervisor: Nicola Fairhurst Supervisor Years Qualified: 2004 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 20

Lauren Winder

Year Qualified: n/a Years Since Qualified: n/a Hourly Rate: £185.00 Supervisor: Nicola Fairhurst Supervisor Years Qualified: 2004 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 20

Jodie Belcher

Year Qualified: n/a Years Since Qualified: n/a Hourly Rate: £185.00 Supervisor: Nicola Fairhurst Supervisor Years Qualified: 2004 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 20

Saif Nawaz

Year Qualified: n/a Years Since Qualified: n/a Hourly Rate: £130.00 Supervisor: Paul Ridehalgh Supervisor Years Qualified: 1985 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 39

Trainee and Apprentice Solicitors

Rebecca Byrne

Year Qualified: n/a Years Since Qualified: n/a Hourly Rate: £130.00 Supervisor: Karl Wilson Supervisor Years Qualified: 1990 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 34

Robyn Veevers

Year Qualified: n/a Years Since Qualified: n/a Hourly Rate: £130.00 Supervisor: Karl Wilson Supervisor Years Qualified: 1990 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 34

Ciara Maloney

Year Qualified: n/a Years Since Qualified: n/a Hourly Rate: £130.00 Supervisor: Nicola Fairhurst Supervisor Years Qualified: 2004 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 20

Sophie Aspinall

Year Qualified: n/a Years Since Qualified: n/a Hourly Rate: £130.00 Supervisor: Nicola Fairhurst Supervisor Years Qualified: 2004 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 20

Ellie Cliffe

Year Qualified: n/a Years Since Qualified: n/a Hourly Rate: £130.00 Supervisor: Karl Wilson Supervisor Years Qualified: 1990 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 34

Fahima Adam

Year Qualified: n/a Years Since Qualified: n/a Hourly Rate: £130.00 Supervisor: Peter Hine Supervisor Years Qualified: 1983 Supervisor Years Since Qualified: 41
Debt Collection FeesPrice
Pre Action Company to Company

Reviewing paperwork – drafting letter before action and updating client with any response received

£250.00 + VAT of 20%
Company to Individual or Individual to Individual

Obtaining instructions, review paperwork provided by client, drafting letter before action and providing client with any response received.

Any further work conducted under the pre-action protocol is charged at the hourly rate including negotiations with the debtor and arranging a payment plan if debtor unable to pay debt in full.

Client’s will be given a costs estimate of any further costs that are likely to be incurred at that stage.

If the matter cannot be settled and court proceedings have to be issued then fees are as follows:-

£250.00 + VAT of 20%
Issue of Court Proceedings

For preparing and issuing claim form including drafting particulars of claim and updating client following issue of court proceedings.

£300 + VAT of 20%
If the defendant does not file an Acknowledgment of Service and/or Defence within the relevant timeframe as set out by the Court, then completing Request for Judgment and filing this with the Court and obtaining Judgment in Default.

If the claim is defended then the hourly charge will apply to all further work undertaken thereafter and client’s will be given a costs estimate of any further costs that are likely to be incurred at that stage. (See hourly rates on our solicitors’ hourly rate section).

£100.00 + VAT of 20%
Court Fees (Disbursements)
Value of ClaimFee payable
Court Issued Claim
Up to £300£35
Greater than £300 but no more than £500£50
Greater than £500 but no more than £1,000£70
Greater than £1,000 but no more than £1,500£80
Greater than £1,500 but no more than £3,000£115
Greater than £3,000 but no more than £5,000£205
Greater than £5,000 but no more than £10,000£455
Greater than £10,000 but no more than £15,0005% of the value of the claim
Greater than £15,000 but no more than £50,000
Greater than £50,000 but no more than £100,000

Wills, Probate and Lasting Powers of Attorney Fees

Type of WorkPriceDisbursements/ additional charges
WILLS
Basic WillsSingle will =£235 plus VAT of 20%

Double will (on mirror terms) = £380 plus VAT of 20%

An additional ID verification fee of £15 plus VAT  of 20% is payable (this is per client in the case of a double will) unless ID has already been verified by us within the last 3 years.
Wills including right to occupy trust and SeveranceSingle will = £535 plus VAT of 20%

Double will (on mirror terms) =
£770 plus VAT of 20%

An additional ID verification fee of £15 plus VAT  of 20% is payable (this is per client in the case of a double will) unless this has already been verified by us within the last 3 years.
Will leaving residue on discretionary TrustSingle will = £585 plus VAT of 20%

Double will (on mirror terms) =
£920 plus VAT of 20%

An additional ID verification fee of £15 plus VAT  of 20% is payable (this is per client in the case of a double will) unless ID has already been verified by us within the last 3 years.
Notice of Severance£50 plus VAT of 20%n/a
CodicilsSingle = £150.00 plus VAT of 20%

Double = £250.00 plus VAT of 20%

An additional ID verification fee of £15 plus VAT of 20% is payable (this is per client in the case of a double codicil) unless ID has already been verified by us within the last 3 years.
LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY*
Lasting Power of Attorney (Either Finances or Welfare for one person)£400 plus VAT of 20%£82 Registration fee to Office of the Public Guardian (or less if remission/exemption applicable)

AND

An additional ID verification fee of £15 plus VAT of 20% is also payable unless ID has already been verified by us within the last 3 years.

Lasting Power of Attorney  (Either Finances or Welfare for husband and wife)£600 plus VAT of 20%£82 Registration fee to Office of the Public Guardian for each document = £164 (or less if remission/exemption applicable)

AND

An additional ID verification fee of £15 plus VAT of 20% is payable (per client) unless ID has already been verified by us within the last 3 years.  

Lasting Power of Attorney for both Finances and Welfare (for one person)£600 plus VAT of 20%£82 Registration fee to Office of the Public Guardian for each document = £164 (or less if remission/exemption applicable)

AND

An additional ID verification fee of £15 plus VAT of 20% is payable unless ID has already been verified by us within the last 3 years.

Lasting Power of Attorney for both Finances and Welfare (for husband and wife)£1000 plus VAT of 20%£82 Registration fee to Office of the Public Guardian for each document = £328 (or less if remission/exemption applicable)

AND 

An additional ID verification fee of £15 plus VAT of 20% is payable (per client) unless ID has already been verified by us within the last 3 years.

Registration of Enduring Power of Attorney£500 plus VAT of 20%£82 Registration fee to Office of the Public Guardian (or less if remission/exemption applicable)

AND

An additional ID verification fee of £15 plus VAT  of 20% is payable unless ID has already been verified by us within the last 3 years.

PROBATE – GRANT ONLY
IHT 205£800 plus VAT of 20%£273 Probate Registry court fee

£1.50 per copy Grant

£7.50 postage fee

AND

An additional ID verification fee of £15 plus VAT of 20% is payable per Executor unless ID has already been verified by us within the last 3 years.

PROBATE FULL ADMINISTRATION SERVICE

  • Obtain valuations of all assets and liabilities passing by the will or intestacy and assets or gifts included for Inheritance Tax purposes
  • Obtain information to finalise the income tax position to date of death
  • Complete form IHT205/IHT400
  • Prepare a Legal Statement for submission to the Court
  • Calculate and pay any inheritance tax due on the estate
  • Complete s 27 notices to creditors (if required)
  • Take instructions regarding the encashment or transfer of assets
  • Obtain the Grant of Probate form the court and register the Grant of Probate with each of the financial organisations
  • Collect in the cash of the estate and transfer assets as instructed
  • Complete income tax return for the administration period
  • Calculate any capital gains tax payable
  • Complete estate accounts
  • Obtain approval to estate accounts from Executors
  • Complete bankruptcy searches against beneficiaries

We aim to provide our clients with a costs estimate for carrying out this type of work.  The exact costs for this service depend on the individual circumstances in the matter.  The factors that are taken into account to provide an estimated fee include whether there is a Will, how many beneficiaries are involved, the number of assets in the estate, the types of assets, whether the estate is taxable and any family complexities.  We will then estimate how many hours work it will take to complete the estate and provide an estimate of costs on this basis.  We offer a free 30-minute appointment to provide our clients with a costs estimate on the proviso that clients provide us with information requested to enable us to provide you with an estimated fee quote.  At Marsden Rawsthorn we have a friendly and knowledgeable team with varying degrees of expertise which means that we can deliver a personal and cost-efficient service to our clients.  In addition to our fees there will be disbursements which include:

  • Probate application fee £273
  • Each additional copy Grant £1.50 (per copy)
  • Bankruptcy searches £2 (per beneficiary)
  • H M Land Registry title information £3 per title

As a guide with regards to timescales to administer an estate, if Inheritance Tax (IHT) is due on an estate, the IHT needs to be paid within 6 months from the date of death. It can take anything from 12 months to 3 years to administer a large estate and the timescale is dependent upon whether HMRC investigate the valuations submitted, the length of time it takes the Court to issue the Grant of Representation, any family complexities and ambiguities in the Will. If the estate is not taxable but there is a house to sell then it may take between 6 and 18 months to administer the estate. These are just guidelines and a lot of variables are involved.

Any Inheritance Tax or other taxes that may be due will be payable separately. You may find guidance and information on HMRC website useful: https://www.gov.uk/inheritance-tax

* If instructions for Lasting Powers of Attorney are given at the same time as Will instructions, a 10% reduction on the usual fixed fee for the Lasting Powers of Attorney will apply.

Price list – employment policies, unfair dismissal/discrimination procedures & contracts

DOCUMENTSPrice
Full complete staff handbook, including a basic Section 1 Statement, Junior Employment Contract – Senior Employment Contract – Senior (long form) Employment Contract£2000 + VAT of 20%
MINIMUM POLICIES & PROCEDURES WE RECOMMEND FOR ALL BUSINESSES

(The quote for all policies and procedures are for precedents only.  If you require these to be tailored, additional costs will be incurred at the hourly rate, details below. VAT is charged at 20%)

Disciplinary Rules & Procedures£150 + VAT
Grievance Procedure£150 + VAT
Ant-Harassment & Bullying£150 + VAT
Health & Safety (5 or more employees)£150 + VAT
Equal Opportunities£150 + VAT
Sickness Absence£150+ VAT
Whistleblowing£150 + VAT
Data Protection£150 + VAT
Anti-Bribery£150 + VAT
GDPR Employee Policy£150 + VAT
CONTRACTS OF EMPLOYMENT

(The quote for all policies and procedures are for precedents only.  If you require these to be tailored, additional costs will be incurred at the hourly rate, details below.  VAT is charged at 20% )

Section 1 statement£300 + VAT of 20%
Contract of Employment – Junior Employee£400 + VAT of 20%
Contract of Employment – Senior Employee£600 + VAT of 20%
Contract of Employment – Senior Employee (long form)£700 + VAT of 20%
TRIBUNAL CLAIMS
Our pricing for bringing or defending Tribunal claims (excluding Counsel’s fees and any other disbursements. VAT is charged at 20%)
Simple case- e.g. unlawful deduction of wages, wrongful dismissal, holiday pay, breach of contract, redundancy pay£3,000 to £,5000 + VAT of 20%
Medium complexity case – e.g. unfair dismissal, constructive dismissal

 

High complexity case  – e.g discrimination, whistleblowing, equal pay

£5,00 to £8,000 + VAT of 20%

 

£8000 to £15,000 plus VAT of 20%

Factors that could make a case more complex/ increase costs-

·       If it is necessary to make or defend applications to amend claims/responses or to provide further information about an existing claim/response

·       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)

·       Additional hearings such as Preliminary Hearings

·       Drafting and agreeing complex legal issues with the other party

·       The number of witnesses and documents

·       If it is an automatic unfair dismissal claim e.g. if you are dismissed after blowing the whistle on your employer of for health and safety reasons

·       Instruction of a barrister to provide Advice on the Merits/quantum of the claim

·       Instruction of a medical expert to provide a report

·       Instruction of an Actuary to prepare calculation of pension loss

·       If the case is listed for Judicial Mediation or Judicial Assessment

·       Conference with Counsel

·       Number of days the case is listed for a final hearing

·       Making or defending a costs application

 

The quoted costs in relation to Tribunal claims are a guide only and not a fixed price.  An estimate of costs will be provided at the outset of the case considering the complexity of the case and factors that may increase costs as set out above. 

 

We will usually instruct Counsel to represent you at any hearings and Counsel’s fee will be in addition to our above costs. Counsel’s fee will be subject to the seniority of the barrister and the number of days the hearing is listed for. (A simple case will generally be listed for 0.5 – 1 day, a medium case 1-2 days and a high complexity case may be listed for 3-15 days depending on complexity).  We will obtain an estimate of Counsel’s fees as soon as possible in your matter.  As a guide, Counsel’s fees for representation at a final hearing are likely to be in the region of £1,250 – £2,500 plus VAT of 20% per day depending on the seniority of the barrister.

 

The quoted costs also exclude disbursements, such as costs for an expert opinion and or witness, e.g. medical, accountancy or actuarial and travel costs.

Complaints Procedure

We are committed to providing a high quality legal service to all our clients.  When something goes wrong we need you to tell us about it.  This will help us to improve our standards.

If you have a complaint, contact us with details.  We will acknowledge receipt of all complaints within 3 working days.

What will happen next?

  1. The details will be handed to Paul Ridehalgh, the Client Care Director within 3 days of it being received in the office. A note of your complaint will be made in our Central Register and we will acknowledge receipt of all complaints within 3 working days.
  2. Paul Ridehalgh will pass the details to the Head of the Department involved for them to investigate by considering the papers and discussing it with the member of staff about whom you complained. This investigation will take approximately 4 weeks. If your complaint relates to the Director supervising the Department then the investigation will be carried out by another Director.
  3. Within those 4 weeks, the Director will then write to you to confirm the investigations and agree on a way forward. It is hoped the complaint can be concluded to your satisfaction at this point.
  4. If the complaint cannot be resolved at this time, Paul Ridehalgh will take over the investigation of the complaint and you will have the opportunity to meet with him to discuss your concerns.
  5. Within 5 days of any meeting Paul Ridehalgh will write to you to confirm what took place and any solutions he has agreed with you, or in the absence of an agreement during any such meeting or if you do not request a meeting, he will consider your concerns afresh and will make a final decision and confirm this to you in writing within 4 weeks.
  6. Any complaint to the Legal Ombudsman must usually be made within six months of the date of our final written response to your complaint. You should also be aware that the Ombudsman will consider your complaint if you refer it on to them within either of the following:
  • one year from the date of the act or omission being complained about OR
  • one year from the date when you should reasonably have known that there was cause for complaint.

The Ombudsman has discretion to extend the one year time limit for specific customers if, on the evidence, it is fair and reasonable to do so.

  1. Before a complaint can be investigated by the Legal Ombudsman, it requires the Company internal complaints procedure to have been fully exhausted. The Ombudsman’s contact details are as follows: PO Box 6806, Wolverhampton, WV1 9WJ (Tel: 0300 555 0333) or at www.legalombudsman.org.uk .
  2. If you believe we have breached the SRA Principals then you should report the matter directly to the SRA. If you have unpaid professional fees then you can report us to the SRA but in limited circumstances. Full details are available at https://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/problems/report-solicitor/

If we have to change any of the timescales above, we will let you know and explain why it is necessary.

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    Office Addresses

    3-4 Faraday Court
    Faraday Drive,
    Fulwood,
    Preston,
    PR2 9NB
    Opening Hours: Monday - Friday:
    9:00am to 5:00pm
    Office 21a,
    Strawberry Fields Digital Hub,
    Euxton Lane,
    Chorley,
    PR7 1PS
    Opening Hours: Monday - Friday:
    9:00am to 5:00pm