Legal Fees & Consultation Costs

We aim to provide a clear and transparent service to our clients and so will always provide an indication of costs in all immigration matters. Our fee is usually charged on the basis of time spent (hourly basis).

Our fee includes advising you on the requirements of the rules (in person or via email), advising you on the documents required, preparing and submitting an application on your behalf, advising on timelines and likely outcome of the application, liaising with the Home Office on your behalf and providing post-decision advice.

Please note that all prices listed on this page are for standard services and may be subject to increase where an individual case requires non-standard services. If you would like a quotation for your individual case, please let us know.

• Hourly Charges
• Real Estate
• Litigation
• Immigration Law
• Family Law
• Criminal Law
• Employment Law
• Wills, Inheritance and Probate

Hourly Charges

Where our fees are calculated on an hourly basis, the following hourly charge rates will apply:

Fee Earner Level	Hourly Rate (excluding VAT)
Grade A – Partner, Senior Solicitors and legal executives with over 5 years’ experience	£412
Grade B – Solicitors and legal executives with over 4 years’ experience	£319
Grade C – Other solicitors or legal executives and fee earners of equivalent experience	£269
Grade D – Trainee solicitors, paralegals and other fee earners	£153

When charging on an hourly basis, we will always provide you with an estimate of our likely charges once we have a better understanding of what is involved and always before we start working on your matter.

Real Estate

Connaughts has a dedicated residential property conveyancing team, which is led by Nasma Saheecha. The person with the ultimate responsibility for supervising the work undertaken in the residential property conveyancing team is Nauman Javid, Connaughts’ Principal Solicitor.

The firm has built a solid reputation in advising clients in the UK and overseas in all aspects of residential property transactions, including the sale and purchase of residential property, borrowing, lease extensions and leasehold enfranchisement.

Pricing Transparency

The majority of conveyancing costs will fall within the fee scale indicated below. However, there are numerous variables that will influence the cost of conveyancing such as the location of the property, for instance, the proximity of old coal workings or other topographical features; whether or not the building is listed and/or within a conservation area; its valuation; or if it is a new lease in a development. Therefore, it is our standard practice to give you an individual quote depending on the circumstances of your sale or purchase.

If you are purchasing your property through the Help to Buy Scheme, please contact us for a separate estimate. Funding of Help to Buy properties is complex and requires additional work.

Typical Fee Scales

Our average fees, based on the sale and purchase of a freehold or leasehold property for a price of £500,000, with exchange within 4 weeks and completion 4 weeks from exchange based on the following assumptions:

It is a standard transaction and the transaction is concluded within the estimated timescale and no unforeseen complications arise
If it is leasehold property, it is an assignment of an existing lease and not the grant of a new lease. The lease premium is below £40,000
No Indemnity Insurance Policies are required. If Indemnity Policies are required, then additional disbursements may apply
There is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documents
The seller or the purchaser is a private individual

Transaction Type	Average Fees (excluding VAT)	Typical Timescale
Freehold sale	From £1,300 to £1,950	6 weeks
Freehold purchase	From £1,500 to £2,250	8 weeks
Leasehold sale	From £1,450 to £2,100	8 weeks
Leasehold purchase	From £1,650 to £2,750	8 weeks
Mortgage/remortgage	From £1,100 to £1,250	2-4 weeks

*Real estate fees are under review. The above are current website fees pending updated pricing. Please contact us for the most current rates.

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Land Registry fees, Stamp Duty Land Tax, property related search fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

The prices above do not take into account any disbursements or other charges, such as our fee for processing a telegraphic bank transfer of £35 + VAT.

Typical Disbursements

Description	Typical Amount	Applies to:
Property search fee	£350 + VAT	Any purchase, mortgage & remortgage
Completion search fee	£3	Any purchase, mortgage & remortgage
Bankruptcy search fee	£2 + VAT per person	Any purchase, mortgage & remortgage
Landlord’s Notice fee	£100 + VAT	Leasehold purchase
Land Registry Title fee	£6	Any sale
Managing agent’s information pack	£350 + VAT	Leasehold sale
Landlord’s licence to assign/deed of covenant (if required)	£400 + VAT	Leasehold sale, mortgage & remortgage

Land Registry fee calculator for information about Land Registry Fees
For purchases in England, visit the HMRC website to view the stamp duty calculator

If you are purchasing without the aid of a mortgage, searches are not mandatory. We do however strongly recommend that Searches are carried out at a maximum cost of £350 + VAT to protect your interest. A combined Search pack consisting of Local, Drainage, Environmental and Mining (if applicable) are contained within the pack. These Search results could reveal matters which could be detrimental to the value of the property which you are purchasing. Please be advised that it may be necessary to carry out additional searches depending on the geographical location of the land.

Example Total Cost Calculation

The following example shows typical total costs for a £500,000 property transaction based on the assumptions noted above:

Transaction Type	Our Costs*	VAT (20%)	Disbursements (inc. VAT)	Total Cost*
Freehold purchase*	£1,535.00*	£307.00	£15,560.40	£17,402.40*
Leasehold purchase*	£1,685.00*	£337.00	£680.40	£2,702.40*
Freehold sale*	£1,335.00*	£267.00	£6.00	£1,608.00*
Leasehold sale*	£1,485.00*	£297.00	£1,026.00	£2,808.00*
Remortgage/mortgage – Freehold*	£1,135.00*	£227.00	£566.40	£1,928.40*
Remortgage/mortgage – Leasehold*	£1,285.00*	£257.00	£1,040.40	£2,582.40*

Key Stages and What is Included in our Fee – Property Purchase

The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances of each transaction. However, the indicative average fee ranges set out above include all the following work for both freehold and leasehold purchases unless otherwise noted:

Take your instructions and give you initial advice
Check finances are in place to fund purchase and contact lender’s solicitors if needed
Receive your completed client questionnaire and obtain proof of identification from you and evidence of the source of your purchase funds, including mortgage funding
Request a draft contract from the seller’s solicitor
Receive and advise on contract documents
Carry out all necessary property related searches
Examine the title documentation and, for leasehold purchases, consider the lease, leasehold information forms and replies to standard leasehold enquiries
Obtain further planning documentation if required
Make any necessary enquiries of seller’s solicitor
Give you advice on all documents and information received
Go through conditions of mortgage offer with you
Send final contract to you for signature
Draft transfer document
Advise you on joint ownership (if applicable)
Obtain pre-completion searches
Agree completion date
Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
Arrange for all monies needed to be received from lender and you
Complete purchase
Completing the Stamp Duty Land Tax form and arranging payment on your behalf
Dealing with application for registration at Land Registry Services and paying appropriate Land Registry registration fee
Provide you with your new title documents
Archive your file and confirm the length of time we will hold your file, copies of your identity documents and your contact

Key Stages and What is Included in our Fee – Property Sale

The precise stages involved in the sale of a residential property vary according to the circumstances of each transaction. However, the indicative average fee ranges set out above include all the following work for both freehold and leasehold sales unless otherwise noted:

Take your instructions and give you initial advice
Send our letter of confirmation of instructions to you along with our client questionnaire and Law Society Property Information Forms including, where applicable, a including a leasehold information form
Receive your completed client questionnaire and Law Society Property Information Forms and obtain proof of identification from you and evidence of the bank account(s) to which the proceeds of sale will be sent following completion
For leasehold sales, obtain funds from you in order to pay for replies to standard freeholder enquiries
For leasehold sales, contact landlord/management company to obtain replies to standard freeholder enquiries
Obtain title documents and deal with any discrepancies
If applicable, obtain a redemption statement from your mortgage lender
Prepare a draft contract and send it to the buyer’s solicitor
Agree the terms of the contract
Respond to enquiries from the buyer’s solicitor, obtaining your instructions where necessary
Obtain a signed contract from you and agree dates for exchange of contracts and completion on your behalf
Provide you with a financial completion statement summarising the transaction
Exchange contracts – creating a binding legal agreement to complete
Obtain a signed transfer deed from you and make final pre-completion checks
Complete your sale and, if applicable, redeem any mortgages and secured loans before sending the proceeds of sale to you and paying estate agent fees
Deal with post completion matters including sending deeds to the buyer’s solicitor
Archive your file and confirm the length of time we will hold your file, copies of your ID documents and your contact details

Key Stages and What is Included in our Fee – Remortgage

The precise stages involved in a remortgage vary according to the circumstances of each transaction. However, the indicative average fee ranges set out above include all the following work for both freehold and leasehold sales unless otherwise noted:

Take your instructions and give you initial advice
Send our letter of confirmation of instructions to you along with our client questionnaire
Receive your completed client questionnaire and obtain proof of identification from you
Obtain title deeds and examine the title to your property
Obtain a redemption figure for your existing mortgage and any other charges
Obtain instructions from your new lender and a copy of your mortgage offer
Ensure that all conditions in the mortgage offer are complied with
Obtain buildings insurance documentation from you
Report to you on the terms and conditions of your mortgage and obtain a signed mortgage deed from you
Obtain the mortgage advance from your new lender and repay your existing mortgage
Register the new mortgage at HM Land Registry
On completion of the registration notify your new lender that their charge has been registered
Archive your file and confirm the length of time we will hold your file, copies of your identity documents and your contact details

Litigation

Our litigation team provides comprehensive representation across a wide range of commercial and civil disputes, combining strategic legal expertise with practical commercial insight. We handle matters from pre-action correspondence through to final hearings, always focusing on achieving cost-effective resolutions aligned with our clients’ business objectives.

Landlord and Tenant

We represent both landlords and tenants in residential and commercial property disputes, including possession proceedings, rent arrears, and lease enforcement matters. Our team understands the complexities of housing legislation and provides swift, decisive action to protect our clients’ property interests.

Matter	Role	Fee
Section 21 Application	Landlord	From £1,800 + VAT + disbursements – followed by hourly rate
Section 8 Application	Landlord	From £1,800 + VAT + disbursements – followed by hourly rate
Letter Before Claim	Any	From £1,000 + VAT – followed by hourly rate

Money Claims

We assist clients with debt recovery, contractual payment disputes, and commercial money claims through the County Court and High Court systems. Our approach focuses on efficient case management and strategic enforcement to maximise recovery prospects while controlling legal costs.

Matter	Role	Fee
Issue Claim	Claimant	From £2,000 + VAT + disbursements – followed by hourly rate
Defend Claim	Defendant	From £2,000 + VAT + disbursements – followed by hourly rate

Other Litigation Services

Our comprehensive litigation practice covers boundary disputes, bankruptcy proceedings, contractual disputes, and complex commercial matters requiring specialist expertise. We handle appeals, injunctions, and insolvency cases with the same meticulous attention to detail and strategic thinking that defines our approach to all litigation matters.

Matter	Role	Fee
Boundary Disputes (Pre-court)	Claimant/Defendant	From £2,000 + VAT + disbursements – followed by hourly rate
Bankruptcy Proceedings – Statutory Demand	Any	From £900 + VAT – followed by hourly rate
Bankruptcy Proceedings – Commence	Claimant	From £2,000 + VAT + disbursements – followed by hourly rate
Bankruptcy Proceedings – Defence	Defendant	From £2,200 + VAT + disbursements – followed by hourly rate
Contractual Disputes	Claimant/Defendant	From £1,800 + VAT + disbursements – followed by hourly rate
Shareholders’ Agreements	Any	From £1,800 + VAT – followed by hourly rate
Personal Injury Claims	Any	No win, no fee
Costs Budgeting & Case Management	Any	Hourly Basis
Interim Applications & Injunctions	Any	From £3,500 + VAT + disbursements, followed by hourly rate
Appeals to Upper Tribunal/Court of Appeal	Any	From £2,000 + VAT + disbursements – followed by hourly rate
Insolvency Proceedings (excluding bankruptcy)	Any	From £2,000 + VAT + disbursements – followed by hourly rate

Disbursements

Disbursements are third-party costs that may be required during litigation proceedings, such as court fees, expert witness fees, counsel fees, process server costs, or document production expenses. We handle these payments on your behalf and will always discuss any anticipated disbursements with you in advance.

For matters proceeding on an hourly basis after an initial fixed fee, our standard hourly rates as outlined in the Legal Fees & Consultation Costs section will apply. We will always provide you with a clear estimate of likely costs before commencing work on your matter.

Immigration Law

All immigration work at Connaught Law is under the overall supervision of Zehra Tamkan. The immigration team is led by our Head of Immigration, Sheryar Khan. If you need help with an immigration matter, you are invited to attend a free initial consultation to assess and merit-test your personal immigration status and Human Rights provisions. We will advise you on the best way forward.

Price Transparency

Most immigration matters are charged on a fixed fee basis. The exact fee we charge will vary depending on the complexity of your matter, however, we will always agree with you before accepting instructions from you how much the fixed fee will be. Below, we have provided an indication of the range of charges that are likely to apply for a range of different immigration matters:

Immigration Law Fees

Immigration Work Type	Average Fees (excluding VAT)
Global Business Mobility	From £5,000 to £6,500
Innovator Founder Visa	From £7,500 to £10,000
Sponsor license	From £4,500 to £7,500
Skilled Worker Visa (initial application/extension/indefinite leave to remain)	From £1,500 to £2,500
Student Visa (Child Student Visa)	From £1,500 to £2,500
Parent of a Child Student	From £2,500 to £3,500
PBS Dependent’s visa	From £1,000 to £1,500
Family based application under Appendix FM (initial application /extension/indefinite leave to remain)	From £2,000 to £3,500
Application for indefinite leave to remain under the 10-year rule	From £3,000 to £5,500
Application for leave to remain – private life route	From £2,000 to £3,000
Applications under the EU Settlement Scheme	From £1,500 to £2,500
Applications for EUSS Family Permit	From £2,000 to £3,000
Visit visa applications	From £1,500 to £3,500
Application for British citizenship (adult)	From £1,500 to £2,500
Application for British citizenship (child)	From £1,200 to £2,000
Applications for British National (Overseas)	From £2,500 to £4,000
Fee waiver requests	From £1,000 to £2,000
Appeals (at First-tier Tribunal) – initial filing and preparing	From £2,500 to £4,000
Asylum (initial claim and further submissions)	From £3,000 to £4,000
Adult Dependent Relative	From £3,500 to £5,000
Travel document	From £800 to £1,000
Administrative Review requests	From £1,200 to £2,500
Bail applications	From £2,500 to £3,500

Please note: The cost for Tier 2 licensing enquiries, appeals, judicial reviews, human rights and asylum applications vary significantly, and quotes will be provided on an hourly or fixed fee basis once we have established the facts.

What Services are Included?

The indicative fixed fee ranges set out above include all the following work:

Discussing your circumstances with you in detail and confirming what is the most appropriate course of action for you and what other options may be available to you
Giving you advice about the requirements of the Immigration Rules and whether you meet the criteria
Considering the supporting evidence you have provided
Where necessary, helping you obtain any further evidence in support of your matter, including taking statements of any witnesses if needed
Preparing any documents, including Home Office applications, and submitting the same on your behalf
Where relevant, attendance at a Home Office interview: if the Home Office ask you to attend an interview, we will give you clear advice and, if required, attend with you
Giving you advice about the outcome of your matter and any further steps you need to take

What Services are not Included?

The indicative fixed fee ranges quoted above do not include any advice and assistance in relation to any further appeal where the Home Office refuses your application.

Disbursements

The indicative fixed fee ranges quoted above relate solely to the fees of Connaughts and do not include any disbursements.

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees, counsel fee, home office fees, immigration health surcharge, any experts’ fees, interpreter’s fees or translation charges. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

The application fee payable to the Home Office can be found on the official Home Office visa regulations and fees page.
Counsel’s fees are estimated to be between £1,000 to £2,500 per day (depending on the experience of the advocate) for attending a Tribunal or Court Hearing (including preparation)
Interpreters’ costs can vary significantly with some clients only needing a couple of hours with an interpreter whilst others may need 10 or 15 hours. Where the help of an interpreter is needed, you might be able to bring a friend or another community figure to help, if not we can help you find a suitable interpreter
Disbursements, other than the Court fees and Home Office fees, will usually attract VAT which is charged at 20%

How long will my application take?

It is difficult to estimate the time to get a final decision from the Home Office/Court or Tribunal which depends on various factors involved in the application and the time it would take for the Home Office/Court/Tribunal to consider the applications/appeal. It is likely that in most straight forward cases it would take 3-6 months for the Home Office to provide a decision.

We cannot guarantee how long the Home Office will take to process your application. Read the current processing times here.

We will normally be able to submit your application within 2 weeks of you instructing us provided you give us all relevant information and documentation without delay, but we will let you know at the earliest opportunity if it is likely to take longer than this.

Please note the indicative fixed fee ranges shown above are an estimate. All applications are likely to vary and of course, we can give you a more accurate estimate once we have more information about your specific case.

Family Law

Our family law team provides comprehensive support during some of life’s most challenging moments. We understand that family disputes require both legal expertise and compassionate guidance, and we’re committed to helping our clients navigate these sensitive matters with dignity and care.

We handle a wide range of family law matters including divorce proceedings, financial settlements, child arrangements, domestic abuse cases, and pre-nuptial agreements. Our approach focuses on achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients while minimizing conflict and protecting the interests of any children involved.

Family Law Services and Fees

Our family law fees are structured to provide clarity and transparency during what can be an uncertain time. Below are our current fee ranges for various family law services:

Service Type	Average Fees
Divorce/dissolution applications	£1,000 + VAT + disbursements
Separation agreements	£2,000 + VAT + disbursements
Financial matters arising from divorce	Initial fee of £5,000 + VAT + disbursements, then hourly basis
Childcare matters	Initial fee of £4,500 + VAT + disbursements, then hourly basis
Domestic abuse matters (injunctive applications)	Initial fee of £4,500 + VAT + disbursements, then hourly basis
Cohabitation agreements	£3,000 + VAT
Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements	£3,000 + VAT

What’s Included in Our Family Law Services

Our comprehensive family law service includes:

Initial consultation to understand your circumstances and objectives
Clear advice on your legal position and available options
Preparation and review of all necessary legal documentation
Negotiation with the other party and their legal representatives
Court representation when litigation becomes necessary
Regular updates on case progress and strategic decisions
Post-completion support and advice on implementation

Disbursements

Disbursements are third-party costs that may be required during your family law matter, such as court fees, expert valuations, or process server costs. We handle these payments on your behalf and will always discuss any anticipated disbursements with you in advance.

For matters proceeding on an hourly basis after an initial fee, our standard hourly rates as outlined in the Legal Fees & Consultation Costs section will apply. We will always provide you with a clear estimate of likely costs before commencing work on your matter.

Criminal Law

Our criminal law team provides expert representation and advice across all areas of criminal defence. We understand that facing criminal charges can be one of the most stressful experiences in a person’s life, and we’re committed to providing robust legal defence while supporting our clients through every stage of the criminal justice process.

We handle cases ranging from police station interviews and magistrates court proceedings to complex Crown Court trials. Our approach combines thorough case preparation with strategic advocacy to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.

Criminal Law Services and Fees

Our criminal law fees are structured to provide clarity and predictability during what can be an uncertain time. We offer both fixed-rate and hourly billing options depending on the nature and complexity of your case:

Service Type	Fee Structure
Interviews Under Criminal Caution at Police Station*	£350 + VAT*
Magistrates Court – Half Day*	£350 + VAT*
Magistrates Court – Full Day*	£500 + VAT*
Magistrates Court – Guilty Plea*	£1,200 + VAT + disbursements for initial advice, then hourly basis*
Magistrates Court – Not Guilty Trial*	£1,500 + VAT + disbursements for initial advice, then hourly basis*
Crown Court – Half Day*	£450 + VAT + disbursements per day*
Crown Court – Full Day*	£600 + VAT + disbursements per day*
Conditional Fee Agreement*	10-15% depending on volume, seriousness, and complexity*

*Services marked with asterisks indicate current website fees pending review. Please contact us for the most current rates.

Fixed-Rate Services

We offer fixed-rate pricing for many of our criminal law services to provide cost certainty from the outset. Fixed rates can be agreed with clients at the beginning of cases for preparation and trial work, with fees dependent on the seriousness and complexity of the case.

Conditional Fee Agreements

For certain cases within the Civil Law jurisdiction, we offer conditional fee agreements charged at 10-15% depending on the volume, seriousness, and complexity of the work required. These arrangements are undertaken in accordance with the Legal Ombudsman’s Guidance.

For more information on Conditional Fee Agreements, see: Legal Ombudsman’s ‘No Win, No Fee’ Agreements Guidance

What’s Included in Our Criminal Law Services

Our comprehensive criminal law service includes:

Immediate advice following arrest or charge
Representation at police station interviews
Comprehensive case preparation and evidence review
Expert witness coordination when required
Plea negotiations with prosecution
Court representation at all hearings
Mitigation and sentencing advocacy
Appeals and post-conviction advice

Disbursements

Disbursements are third-party costs that may be required during your criminal case, such as court fees, expert witness fees, or specialist reports. We handle these payments on your behalf and will always discuss any anticipated disbursements with you in advance.

Employment Law

Our employment law team provides comprehensive representation and advice across the full spectrum of workplace disputes and employment matters. We understand that employment issues can have significant personal and professional implications, and we’re committed to providing strategic legal guidance to both employees and employers.

We handle matters from initial advice through to Employment Tribunal representation, always focusing on achieving practical resolutions that protect our clients’ interests and rights in the workplace.

Areas Covered

Our employment law practice covers all aspects of workplace law, including:

Unfair dismissal
Constructive dismissal
Summary dismissal
Wrongful dismissal
Redundancy
TUPE transfers
Discrimination
No provision of other statutory rights such as annual leave and work

Employment Law Fees

All employment matters are charged on an hourly rate with an initial deposit payment. For any type of employment law-related matter, charges will be based on an hourly rate depending on the gradation of the fee earner. Please refer to our Legal Fees & Consultation Costs section for detailed hourly rate information.

Role	Fee Structure
If Applicant*	Initial costs of £2,000 + VAT + disbursements, then hourly basis depending on the grade of caseworker*
If Respondent*	Initial costs of £2,000 + VAT + disbursements, then hourly basis depending on the grade of caseworker*

*Services marked with asterisks indicate current website fees pending review. Please contact us for the most current rates.

What’s Included in Our Employment Law Services

Our comprehensive employment law service includes:

Initial consultation to assess the merits of your case
Clear advice on your legal position and available options
Preparation and submission of Employment Tribunal claims or responses
Case preparation including evidence gathering and witness statements
Representation at Employment Tribunal hearings
Settlement negotiations on your behalf
Ongoing case management and strategic advice
Post-hearing support and enforcement of awards

Disbursements

Disbursements are third-party costs that may be required during your employment matter, such as Employment Tribunal fees (where applicable), expert witness fees, or specialist reports. We handle these payments on your behalf and will always discuss any anticipated disbursements with you in advance.

For matters proceeding on an hourly basis after the initial fixed fee, our standard hourly rates as outlined in the Legal Fees & Consultation Costs section will apply based on the grade of the caseworker handling your matter. We will always provide you with a clear estimate of likely costs before commencing work on your case.

Wills, Inheritance and Probate

Our wills, inheritance and probate team provides comprehensive advice and services for all aspects of estate planning and administration. We understand that dealing with wills and probate matters can be emotionally challenging, and we’re committed to providing sensitive, professional guidance during what can be difficult times.

We handle everything from straightforward will drafting to complex estate administration, always focusing on protecting our clients’ interests and ensuring their wishes are properly documented and executed.

Wills, Inheritance and Probate Services and Fees

Our fees are structured to provide transparency and certainty for the services you require:

Service Type	Average Fees excluding VAT
Drafting wills	From £800 to £3,000
Inheritance and Probate matters	Depending on estate value and complexity of matter

What’s Included in Our Wills and Probate Services

Our comprehensive wills, inheritance and probate service includes:

Initial consultation to understand your circumstances and wishes
Professional will drafting tailored to your specific requirements
Advice on inheritance tax planning and mitigation strategies
Estate administration and probate applications
Dealing with HMRC and other government departments
Distribution of estate assets to beneficiaries
Resolving disputes between beneficiaries or executors
Ongoing estate management and administration support

Disbursements

Disbursements are third-party costs that may be required during probate and estate administration, such as court fees, probate registry fees, property valuations, or specialist tax advice. We handle these payments on your behalf and will always discuss any anticipated disbursements with you in advance.