Conveyancing Fees

PLEASE NOTE: For New Build Properties if you have been referred by a developer, estate agent or mortgage broker, please obtain your estimate directly from us by emailing info@elitelawsolicitors.co.uk.

Our fees cover all of the work required to complete the purchase of your new home or sale of your old home, including (if applicable) dealing with registration at the Land Registry and dealing with the payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (Stamp Duty) if the property is in England, or Land Transaction Tax (Land Tax) if the property you wish to buy is in Wales.

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

Stamp Duty or Land Tax (on purchase)

This depends on the purchase price of your property. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC’s website or if the property is located in Wales by using the Welsh Revenue Authority’s website here..

How long will my house purchase or sale take?

How long it will take from the offer being accepted until you can move in or out of your house will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 4-6 weeks.

It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are a first time buyer, purchasing a new build property with a mortgage in principle, it could take 6 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 2 and 4 months. In such a situation additional charges would apply.

Stages of the process

The precise stages involved in the purchase or sale of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. The likely stages include:

• Take your instructions and give you initial advice
• Check finances are in place to fund purchase and contact lender’s solicitors if needed
• Receive and advise on contract documents
• Carry out searches
• 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.
• Draft Transfer
• Advise you on joint ownership
• Obtain pre-completion searches
• Send final contract to you for signature
• Agree completion date (date from which you own or sell the property)
• Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
• Arrange for all monies needed to be received from lender and you
• Complete purchase
• Deal with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax
• Deal with application for registration at Land Registry
• Agree completion date (date from which you own or sell the property)

All work will be undertaken by:

Abby Howard: Consultant Fee Earner

Angi Gad: Property Solicitor who qualified on 16.03.20.

Carina Brits: Property Solicitor who qualified on 15.08.18.

Charlotte Rhodes: Chartered Legal Executive.

Charnpreet Bolina: Property Solicitor who qualified on 09.09.25.

Claudia Gallo: Property Solicitor who qualified on 15.07.19.

Deborah Unuigbe-Ojelade: Property Solicitor who qualified on 01.06.15.

Edward Glanville: Property Solicitor who qualified on 01.06.21

Emily Brown: Conveyancing Executive.

Emma Bartlett: Property Solicitor who qualified on 01.07.15

Emma Leighton Carey: Chartered Legal Executive.

Hanah Wright: Property Solicitor who qualified on 02.10.06

Hedley Winter: Conveyancing Executive.

Holly Callaghan: Licensed Conveyancer.

James Smallman: Property Solicitor who qualified on 15.02.99

Jennifer Page: Licensed Conveyancer.

Jonathan Dixon: Property Solicitor who qualified on 01.08.97

Joseph Lewis: Property Solicitor and Director who qualified on 01.03.16

Kalim Akhtar: Property Solicitor who qualified on 01.02.25

Karen Sidhu: Property Solicitor who qualified on 15.10.12

Katie Dunstall: Chartered Legal Executive.

Kerry Allen: Conveyancing Executive.

Kerry Shanley: Conveyancer.

Kyle Perreaux: Conveyancing Executive and Associate member of CILEX.

Laura Everitt: Director, Property Solicitor and Head of Property who qualified on 15.01.10

Lauren Ward: Conveyancing Executive.

Maxine Johnson: Conveyancing Executive.

Melissa Chester: Conveyancing Executive.

Michael Freeman: Conveyancing Executive.

Monique Brown: Consultant Conveyancer.

Nick Hutchings: Property Solicitor who qualified on 02.03.87

Nisha Gill: Property Solicitor who qualified on 03.06.19

Pragash Ramachandran: Property Solicitor who qualified on 01.10.01

Ram Gandhi: Property Solicitor who qualified on 15.10.03.

Sarah Sloan: Chartered Legal Executive.

Selina Troughton: Licensed Conveyancer.

Sukhbir Kaur: Property Solicitor who qualified on 04.10.22

Tessa Bandy: Licensed Conveyancer.

Theresa Woodford: Chartered Legal Executive.

All staff members in the property department are supervised by Director and Head of Department, Laura Everitt. Laura Everitt herself is supervised by the Chief Operating Officer, Victoria Clarke.

To view our key terms and conditions please click here.

Probate Fees

Please note that where you see a reference to VAT (government tax) the same is charged at 20% of the sum referred to.

We do not charge a percentage of the Estate, all our work is based on the number of hours spent on the matter at the applicable hourly rate.

We anticipate that the administration of a typical estate will take between 10 and 40 hours of work.

All work is carried out by experienced members of our Private Wealth team, including Solicitors, Chartered Legal Executives, and other senior professionals. For regulatory purposes, our team members are classified according to standard guideline grades:

Hourly Rates (plus VAT)

Grade A *
(Solicitors/ Legal Executives with over 15 years’ post-qualification experience, and Consultants)
£310 – £375 per hour

Grade A
(Solicitors/ Legal Executives with over 8 and up to 15 years’ post-qualification experience)
£310 per hour

Grade B
(Solicitors/ Legal Executives with over 4 and up to 8 years’ post-qualification experience)
£280 per hour

Grade C
(Solicitors/ Legal Executives with up to 4 years’ post-qualification experience)
£230 per hour

Trainee Solicitors, Paralegals, and Legal Assistants
£200 per hour

Work may be delegated to appropriately supervised junior team members where appropriate, to ensure cost-efficiency. All matters are overseen by a senior practitioner.

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 quote is for estates where:

• There is a valid will
• There is no more than one property
• There are no more than 6 bank or building society accounts
• There are no other intangible assets
• There are 1 – 5 beneficiaries
• There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs
• It is necessary to complete the inheritance tax account and application for grant of probate and obtaining grant of probate
• There are no claims made against the estate

The work includes sorting through documentation and writing to all relevant parties to obtain details of the assets and liabilities.

It is necessary to arrange the sale and encashment of the deceased’s assets and payment of liabilities

Estate accounts are prepared and the Estate distributed.

Disbursements will also apply in this matter included in this fee:

• Probate application fee of £300
• Copy of Grant of Probate £16.00 per copy

Additional disbursements may be applicable including:

• Statutory Notices (optional, protects against creditors).
• Bankruptcy Searches
• Asset/Will Searches

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.

How long will this take?

On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 4 – 12 months.

All work will be undertaken by:

Angie Dodsworth: Chartered Legal Executive who qualified on 23.10.2009

Christina Howayek: Private Client Solicitor who qualified on 15.01.2018

Danielle Syed: Private Client Solicitor who qualified on 15.11.2018

Eloise Herdman: Trusts and Estates Practitioner

Meg Wilton: Chartered Legal Executive who qualified on 09.06.2008

Naomi Dyer: Private Client Solicitor who qualified on 17.03.2008

Nino Cuffaro: Private Client Solicitor who qualified on 15.03.2022

Sarah Ripper: Private Client Solicitor who qualified on 03.03.2014

Yasmin Hoque: Private Client Solicitor who qualified on 15.09.2010

Employment (Unfair/Wrongful Dismissal) Tribunal Claims

Detailed below is our guide to the likely costs involved in pursuing or contesting claims of unfair and wrongful dismissal claims in an Employment Tribunal.

Our charges for bringing or defending unfair or wrongful dismissal claims in an Employment Tribunal will vary according the amount of work that we have to invest in the matter. Due to the varying nature of these types of cases, it is unlikely that we will be able to quote a fixed fee for this type of work. We have set out below our normal range of costs for dealing with these claims based on our knowledge, experience, and hourly rates.

These estimates do not include VAT or any disbursements, such as the fees incurred in you instructing a barrister.

Simple Case: £5,000 to £10,000 (excluding VAT, charged at 20%)

Medium Complexity Case: £10,000 to £20,000 (excluding VAT, charged at 20%)

High Complexity: £20,000 to £30,000 (excluding VAT, charged at 20%)

We charge on an hourly rate which varies depending on the member of staff dealing with your matter. Our solicitors’ hourly rates for dealing with unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal claims are £320 per hour plus VAT.

All work will be undertaken by Philip Luff, Employment Solicitor who qualified on 17.05.10.

What makes my case more complex?

There are many factors that could make a case more complex include the following:

• Dealing with applications made by either party including those to amend the claim, amend case management orders or requests for further information
• Defending claims brought by litigants in person
• Dealing with an application for costs
• The number of witnesses and amount of documentation in the case
• The duration of the hearing
• The number of preliminary hearings set by the Employment Tribunal
• Dealing with complex preliminary issues
• The way the other party conducts the litigation e.g. an unreasonable or vexatious approach
• Exploring and pursuing alternative dispute resolution processes such as judicial mediation
• Dealing with any unusual and complex factual or legal issues that may arise
• Dealing with additional allegations linked to the dismissal such as discrimination or automatic unfair dismissal etc.

The above estimates are based on unfair or wrongful dismissal claims only. Should the case be based on other legal issues such as discrimination or whistleblowing, we will provide you with an appropriate estimate once we have taken further details.

What is not included in the above estimates?

• Dealing with any appeal
• Preparing any costs application
• Enforcement of any award
• Disbursements (see below)
• Fees for additional fee earners to attend the hearing in addition to counsel (at your request)

Disbursements

Disbursements are fees that we pay on your behalf for your case. Common disbursements in a claim for unfair dismissal are as follows:

• Counsel’s fees: These vary according to the seniority of the barrister you choose to instruct and the length of the hearing. An Employment Tribunal hearing lasting one day might cost £2,000 to £3,000 plus VAT. An Employment Tribunal hearing taking 10 days might cost £20,000 to £30,000 plus VAT.
• Medical report fees: These vary according to the type of expert and type of report needed. Costs might range from £500 to £5,000.
• Outsourced bundle costs: The Employment Tribunal usually orders that the employer’s representative produces electronic and paper bundles for the trial. We might use an outsourced litigation support company to produce a bundle if that is more cost-effective. Costs vary according to the size of the bundle but might range from £250 to £1000 plus VAT. Very big bundles might cost up to £5000 plus VAT.

What are the key stages of my claim?

The fees estimate above is expected to cover the usual stages of a claim in the Employment Tribunal for claims relating to unfair dismissal/wrongful dismissal. These stages may include:

• taking initial instructions, reviewing papers and advising on the merits and potential compensation (although this is likely to be revisited throughout your case)
• entering into pre-claim conciliation such as Early Conciliation with ACAS
• preparing the claim/response as appropriate
• reviewing and advising on strategy and merits
• negotiating settlement
• preparing schedule of loss/counter schedule of loss
• preparing for and/or attending a Preliminary Hearing
• disclosure of documents, exchanging documents and agreeing a hearing bundle
• taking witness statements, drafting and agreeing content with witnesses
• preparing a bundle of documents for the hearing
• reviewing and advising on the other side’s witness statements
• preparing and agreeing a chronology/cast list
• preparation and/or attendance at the Final Hearing, including providing instructions to the appointed barrister.

Depending on the work required and the complexity of the case, the fees may increase or decrease. You may also wish to handle the claim yourself, either in whole or in part and only seek advice regarding some of the above stages. We will provide a quote on an individual basis if this is requested.

How long will the claim take?

The total time taken will depend on a number of factors including the specific Tribunal where the claim has been raised, the specific circumstances of your case and if your matter was settled prior to the Final Hearing. If a claim is settled pre-claim during a conciliation period, this could take 2-8 weeks. If your matter proceeds to a Final Hearing your case could take from 6 months to 2 years. This is only an estimate, and this time may be extended depending on the resources available to the Employment Tribunal at the time of your claim. We will keep you updated as your matter progresses with a likely timescale.

Legal Expenses Insurance

You may have legal expenses insurance that can pay some or all of your fees. Legal expenses insurance is a common feature of household insurance policies. Your insurer may not agree to pay our usual hourly rate, or Counsel’s usual fee. In those circumstances, we would charge you the difference.

Immigration

Fixed Fees

In many cases we can offer a fixed fee for immigration applications, once we have assessed your circumstances. Our fixed fee services mean that we will only charge you a fixed amount, even if the work on your application takes longer than anticipated. However this does not include instances were there are unforeseen complications or significant changes to your instructions.

Our fixed fee costs vary for different types of applications, this maybe due to the number of dependents on an application, if your have a complex immigration history, the amount of supporting documentary evidence we will need to review and assess, the urgency of your case if you have an imminent deadline, whether you are able to provide the documents necessary for your application speedily, and the overall complexity of your case. All fees quoted are estimates and are dependent on the particular circumstances of your case.

Explanation of Charging Methods

We typically charge on a fixed fee basis for straightforward non contentious applications (i.e. applications that typically involve an application to the Home Office and does not involve the court process) to the Home Office and we typically charge an hourly rate for contentious applications (i.e. those that typically involve the court process rather than an application to the Home Office)

Scope of Work For Immigration Applications (Non Contentious Work) – Typically Fixed Fee of Hourly

Our services for these type of immigration applications typically include the following:

• taking your initial instructions
• advising and reviewing your documentary evidence
• drafting legal representations in support of your application
• preparing and submitting your application
• advising the client on timelines and the outcome of their application
• advising on the decision of the Home Office

Our fixed fees will not include any disbursements, such as Home Office fees or VAT. If the matter is terminated before completion (for example if you are unable to provide documents requested or you withdraw your instructions) we will charge for the time spent at our usual hourly rates. Any additional work required outside the scope of the fixed fee will be charged on an hourly basis unless otherwise agreed. If such work is required, we will inform you and provide an estimate beforehand.

What is not included is any advice or assistance in relation to any appeal or reconsideration work in the event of your application being refused by the Home Office.

VAT

We charge Value Added Tax (VAT) to all our services where applicable. VAT applies where your usual place of residence is the UK or EEA, even if at one point you had leave to remain in the UK but have since overstayed. If you are not resident in the UK or EEA, or you have entered the country without permission (asylum seekers) and do not yet have leave to remain, VAT will not be applicable on our charges.

Disbursements

Our fees do not include disbursements. A disbursement is a payment to a third party. As such you will be responsible for paying the costs payable to third parties which are incurred by us on your behalf, such as Home Office application fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge,, expert report fees, interpreter/translation costs, our travel costs (if we have to travel outside of our office on your behalf, for example to Home Office interviews or places of detention) and courier costs, bank charges and photocopying costs.

For more detailed information and guidance on the current Home Office application fees, please click here

For more detailed information and guidance on the Immigration Health Surcharge, please click here

Expert report fees vary greatly, depending on the subject matter, but typically range from £500 to £5,000 + VAT if applicable

Interpreters’ charges vary, but typically are typically from £25 per hour plus VAT where applicable

Translators’ fees vary but are typically between £90 to £120 per 1000 words plus VAT

Please check these rates carefully as they change regularly.

Timescales

We will normally be able to submit applications within 2-4 weeks of you instructing us, but we will let you know if we become aware that it is likely to take longer than this.

Please note that all applications are likely to vary and we will give you a more accurate estimate of timings (and costs) once we have more information about your specific case. None of the information in this document should be taken as a binding estimate or quotation.

How long will the Home Office take to consider my case?

Home Office processing times will always vary as a result we cannot guarantee how long it will take the Home Office to process your application. We generally estimate that applications can take between 8 weeks to 6 months. For a list of the Home Office current processing times click here Read the current processing times here.

Prices by Application Type:

Applications for Naturalisation or registration as a British Citizen

Typically the fees for these applications can range from £3,500 to £6,000 + VAT depending on the seniority of your adviser.

Our fees do not include disbursements including Home Office fees for naturalisation, or fess for the registration of an adult, or fees for the registration of a child which can be found here.

All fees quoted are estimates and are dependent on the particular circumstances of your case.

Applications on behalf of European Economic Area nationals and their family members, pre-settled and settled status applications and family permits

Typically the fees for these applications can range from £3,500 to £6,000 + VAT depending on the seniority of your adviser.

Our fees do not include disbursements including Home Office fees which are currently £65.

All fees quoted are estimates and are dependent on the particular circumstances of your case.

Student and work experience visas

Typically the fees for these applications can range from £3,500 to £6,000 + VAT depending on the seniority of your adviser.

Our fees do not include disbursements including Home Office fees which are likely to include a students application under Tier 4, entry clearance and in-country applications for an extension which can be found here.

Home Office application fees for work experience under Tier 5 can be found here.

Both entry clearance and extension applications also attract the Home Office Immigration Health Surcharge which can be found here.

All fees quoted are estimates and are dependent on the particular circumstances of your case.

Visit visas for visiting family and friends and tourism

Typically the fees for these applications can range from £1,500 to £2,000 + VAT depending on the seniority of your adviser.

Our fees do not include disbursements including Home Office fees which are typically a single entry visa OR a 2 year multiple re-entry visa. OR a 5 year multiple re-entry visa OR a 10 year multiple re-entry visa. The prices for these re entry visas can be found here.

All fees quoted are estimates and are dependent on the particular circumstances of your case.

Partner applications, including spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners, fiancées, and prospective civil partners

Typically the fees for these applications can range from £3,500 to £6,000 + VAT depending on the seniority of your adviser.

Our fees do not include disbursements including Home Office fees which are typically fees for entry clearance, in-country applications an extension of stay and fees for settlement. The prices for these applications can be found here.

Both entry clearance and extension applications also attract the Home Office Immigration Health Surcharge which can be found here.

All fees quoted are estimates and are dependent on the particular circumstances of your case.

Applications for work or business under the Points Based System

There are a number of different categories of the Immigration Rules which allow you to work in the UK including Tier 2 and sole representative of an overseas business for employees.

Tier 2 – employees

Typically the fees for these applications can range from £5,000 to £12,000 + VAT depending on the seniority of your adviser.

Our fees do not include disbursements including Home Office fees which are typically fees for entry clearance, in-country applications an extension of stay and fees for settlement. The prices for these applications can be found here.

Both entry clearance and extension applications also attract the Home Office Immigration Health Surcharge which can be found here.

Sole representatives of an overseas business

Typically the fees for these applications can range from £5,000 to £12,000 + VAT depending on the seniority of your adviser.

Our fees do not include disbursements including Home Office fees which are typically fees for entry clearance, in-country applications an extension of stay and fees for settlement. The prices for these applications can be found here.

Both entry clearance and extension applications also attract the Home Office Immigration Health Surcharge which can be found here.

Dependent relative and family reunion applications

Typically the fees for these applications can range from £3,500 to £6,000 + VAT depending on the seniority of your adviser.

Our fees do not include disbursements including Home Office fees which are typically fees for entry clearance, in-country applications an extension of stay and fees for settlement. The prices for these applications can be found here.

Both entry clearance and extension applications also attract the Home Office Immigration Health Surcharge which can be found here.

All fees quoted are estimates and are dependent on the particular circumstances of your case.

Ancestry applications

Typically the fees for these applications can range from £3,500 to £6,000 + VAT depending on the seniority of your adviser.

Our fees do not include disbursements including Home Office fees which are typically fees for entry clearance, in-country applications an extension of stay and fees for settlement. The prices for these applications can be found here.

Both entry clearance and extension applications also attract the Home Office Immigration Health Surcharge which can be found here.

All fees quoted are estimates and are dependent on the particular circumstances of your case.

Long residence applications under the Rules

Typically the fees for these applications can range from £3,500 to £6,000 + VAT depending on the seniority of your adviser.

Our fees do not include disbursements including Home Office fees which are typically fees for entry clearance, in-country applications an extension of stay and fees for settlement. The prices for these applications can be found here.

Both entry clearance and extension applications also attract the Home Office Immigration Health Surcharge which can be found here.

All fees quoted are estimates and are dependent on the particular circumstances of your case.

Other categories both within and outside the Immigration Rules

The Immigration Rules have a number of different categories for entry and leave to remain. We also make applications outside the Immigration Rules.

We can provide you with an estimate for other categories not mentioned on these pages.

Hourly rate/advisor

Principal Solicitor Neveen Galal (Qualified as a Solicitor in 2005) £525

Senior Solicitors and Consultants (over 5 years PQE) £350

Solicitors (under 3 years PQE) £250

Trainee Solicitors and Paralegals £150

Urgent Applications

1. Reference to EU should be EUSS Applications £2500-£6000
2. Reduce Partner Applications to £2500-£6000
3. Change British Citizenship fees to £2000-£6000 plus VAT
4. Change Student and WE to Student and Graduate Visas (remove reference to tiers such as Tier 1, 2, 4, 5) £2500-£6000
5. Add youth Mobility Visas – £3000
6. Add Visitor Visas – £1500 no vat
7. Add Skilled Worker Visa (remove Tier 2 reference and PBS) £2500-£3500
8. Temporary Worker Visas £2500
9. Add Outside the Rules Applications – £3500-£6000
10. Sole Representative – please replace this with UK Expansion Worker Visa £5000-£12000
11. Add Global Talent Visa – £5000-£8000
12. Add Innovator Founder Visa £4000-£8000
13. Add Senior or Specialist Worker visa £8000-£12000
14. Add Sponsor Licence Applications – £4000-£10000: Sponsor Licence Revocation – £3000-£5000; Retainer Services Level 1 SMS – £300 per month; Sponsor Licence Audit – Hourly
15. Add Self Sponsorship Route £8000-12000
16. Add Administrative Review £3500-£5000
17. Add Immigration Judicial Review  – Hourly rate but (between £15000-£35000 up to permission)