Basis For Charging
Basis For Charging
As highlighted on our general Fees page, we have the following three main ways of charging clients:
1) Hourly Rates
Where it is necessary to provide an estimate and charge on the basis of time spent, our current hourly rates are shown below:
| Job Title | Hourly Charge net of VAT | VAT at 20% | Hourly Charge including VAT at 20% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paralegal | £175 | £35 | £210 |
| Trainee Solicitor | £195 | £39 | £234 |
| Solicitor | £255-£320 | £51-£64 | £306-£384 |
| Senior Solicitor | £350-£440 | £70- £88 | £420-£528 |
Our hourly rates are competitive compared to other firms operating in London, Sussex and the South East generally (where most of our clients are based) and are kept under regular review.
2) Capped Fixed Fees
Once we have an understanding of the work involved, for more straightforward and shorter matters we can offer a fixed fee which is qualified (in case new issues arise) and incorporates a decent discount on what our fees would otherwise be if we were doing the work on a time incurred basis in accordance with our usual hourly rates.
We are usually able to complete the work without needing to charge anything other than the discounted capped fixed fee. However, where new issues or complications arise that we were not aware of, and did not include in our scope of work, at the outset (and which mean we may go over the fixed fee remit) we will notify clients and agree an additional fee for any further work needed.
3) Retainers
Where a client, usually an established company, has various ongoing legal requirements we will be happy to offer an attractive monthly retainer subscription. We will first fix a meeting to better understand a client’s requirements before shaping a retainer offer that is attractive for a client.
We are a full-service firm when it comes to advising businesses so we are usually able to ensure the retainer covers all the different legal areas you may need covering.
For larger companies, our aim is to make our retainer and the level of service and cost more attractive than it would otherwise be for a company to hire it’s own experienced in-house lawyer.
However, we also offer retainer packages for smaller companies starting at £500 plus VAT (at 20%, a total of £600) a month equating to three hours of our time.
If not all the designated time is used in any given month, then some of that time can be rolled over into future months so it won’t be wasted but means the retainer allows the company to better spread their legal spend over the course of the year.
Our retainers allow for easy termination on one month’s notice.
4) Legl
As part of our commitment to compliance with AML regulations and to ensure a quicker and easier service for clients, we use a third-party platform called ‘Legl’, to carry out AML checks. There is an administration fee of £15 plus VAT (at 20%, a total of £18) per person for our service in carrying out these checks as part of our onboarding process using Legl. For company clients, this includes AML checks on; directors, shareholders holding 25% or more of the shares or voting rights, persons of significant control, and (at our discretion in seeking to comply with our regulatory obligations) any other relevant individuals. We understand these requirements may seem detailed, but they are essential to both meet obligations imposed on us as a regulated law firm and to ensure a smooth, secure onboarding process for everyone involved.
Contact The Jonathan Lea Network
If you would like more information about our services and are interested in instructing this firm, please contact us today. We would be delighted to offer a free no obligation 20 minute call with one of our specialist solicitors to discuss your matter and the work we are able to do following which we can provide a relevant written fee quote.
Please be aware that the free 20 minute call is at our discretion. If you are more looking for advice and guidance on an initial call, we may instead offer a one-hour fixed fee appointment instead.
Our fixed fee appointments are between £200 – £300 + VAT (at 20%, a total of £240-£360) depending on the seniority of the solicitor taking the call.
Request a Free
No Obligation
20 Minute Call
This introductory call is to discuss your matter so we can provide a well-considered quote.
However, please be aware that the free 20 minute call is at our discretion. If you are more looking for advice and guidance on an initial call, we may instead offer a one-hour fixed fee appointment instead.
Our fixed fee appointments are between £200 – £300 + 20% VAT (£240 – £360 inclusive of VAT) depending on the seniority of the solicitor taking the call.
