In addition to the land registry fee above of £70.00 is charged by land registry to register your mortgage. If your property is new a further £15.00 for new documents is chargeable

 

• if legal title is defective or part of the property is unregistered
• if you discover building regulations or planning permission has not been obtained
• if crucial documents you have previously requested from the client have not been provided
•  

So the fee for your purchase is dependent upon the value of your Property plus the disbursements outlined above.

 

Our fee is based on your transaction not being or becoming unduly complex or protracted.  The following are examples of factors that are likely to increase the cost of the service.

 

• if legal title is defective or part of the property is unregistered
• if you discover building regulations or planning permission has not been obtained
• if crucial documents you have previously requested from the client have not been provided

 

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 take?

How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move in to 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 4 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 6 and 3 months. In such, a situation additional charges would apply. 

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as search fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. There are certain disbursements which will be set out in the individual lease relating to the Property. The disbursements which we anticipate will apply are set out separately below. This list is not exhaustive and other disbursements may apply depending on the term of the lease. We will update you on the specific fees upon receipt and review of the lease from the seller's solicitors.

 

Anticipated Disbursements*

 

• Notice of Transfer fee – This fee if chargeable is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £40-£100.
• Notice of Charge fee (if the property is to be mortgaged) – This fee is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £40-£100.
• Deed of Covenant fee – This fee is provided by the management company for the property and can be difficult to estimate. Often it is between £50-£200
• Certificate of Compliance fee - To be confirmed upon receipt of the lease, as can range between £20-£100.

 

*These fees vary from property to property and can on occasion be significantly more than the ranges given above. We can give you an accurate figure once we have sight of your specific documents.

 

You should also be aware that ground rent and service charge are likely to apply throughout your ownership of the property. We will confirm the ground rent and the anticipated service charge as soon as this we receive this information.

Stamp Duty Land Tax

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.

 

The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential leasehold property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages that you may wish to 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
• Send final contract to you for signature
• Draft Transfer
• Advise you on joint ownership
• Obtain pre-completion searches
• Agree completion date (date from which you own 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

You are required to provide price information if you assist clients with the preparation and submission of immigration applications, excluding asylum applications.

The following types of applications are covered by the rules:

 

• Applications for naturalisation or registration under the British Nationality Act 1981
• Applications on behalf of European Economic Area (EEA) nationals and their family members under the applicable EEA Regulations or Immigration Rules, including applications for permanent residence, residence cards, and registration certificates
• Applications under the Immigration Rules, including:

 

• student and work experience visas
• visit visas (for tourism, or visiting friends / family)
• spouse and partners applications, including fiancé(e)s or proposed civil partners
• applications for work, business or study under the Points-Based System;
• dependent relative and family reunion applications
• ancestry visas
• other categories, such as applications on the basis of long residence

 

Mandatory requirements

The quoted fee should include:

• considering documents
• attending on the client
• taking their instructions and providing advice
• preparing and submitting the application
• advising the client on timelines and the outcome of their application
•  

It should also be clear what is not included in the quoted fee, and specify what disbursements (such as interpreters fees) are included.

Best practice tips

 

• Ensure the information is in clear understandable language

• Translate pricing information into languages commonly spoken in the communities you serve.

• Explain the immigration process and refer to key forms using easy to understand descriptions rather than technical/numeric references.

• Avoid jargon only immigration practitioners understand – eg 'Surinder Singh applications' or 'legacy applications'.

• Consider other factors that may affect the cost of an immigration matter, such as whether it is a first-time applicant or extension, there are multiple dependents (eg several children), the language of the client, the number of supporting documents or witnesses, possible attendance at a Home Office interview, and whether it is a fast tracked / premium application.

 

A lot of immigration applications can use difficult language or jargon, eg:

• "VAF4A"

• "ILR"

• "Registration Certificate"

• "Naturalisation or registration under the British Nationality Act 1981".

It is better to use easier to understand, catchier headings, such as:

• "Applying for a visa to join family in the UK"

• "Settling in the UK"

• "Proof of residence for EU citizens"

• "Applying to become British"

 

Interpreters

Be clear about interpreters' fees. These are difficult to estimate, can rack up and are a significant proportion of the overall cost to consumers. This means even "fixed fees" may not always be particularly fixed.

We suggest that you provide a clear range of interpreters' costs. Sometimes a client may only need a couple of hours with an interpreter, other applications may need 10 or 15 hours.

We also suggest that you make it clear that the number of hours needed will vary on the complexities of the case, and list typical indicators that a case will take a higher number of hours.

Often clients will bring a friend or another community figure to come and help interpret. Firms should make it clear that clients do not always have to use an interpreter of the firm's choosing.

Example template (hourly rate): Application for leave to remain

Hourly rate: £250 plus VAT

On average, this type of work takes between 5-10 hours to complete. This means that on average costs are between £1250 and £2500 plus VAT.

The exact number of hours it will take depends on the circumstances in your case. Such as:

 

• The amount of supporting evidence that we need to consider

• Which language(s) you speak

• Whether you are applying with other dependants

 

If you are able to provide sufficient evidence at our first meeting and clearly meet the applicable Immigration Rules, the cost is likely to be at the lower end of this range.

What services are included

 

The work will involve:

• discussing your circumstances in detail and confirming whether this is the most appropriate application for you to make 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.
• if you do not fulfil certain criteria, whether this can be overcome and how, which on average takes X hours;
• considering the supporting evidence you have provided, which we anticipate will take 2 to 5 hours*;
• where necessary, helping you obtain further evidence (such as medical records and bank statements), including taking statements of any witnesses;
• preparing your application and submitting it on your behalf, which we anticipate will take 2-4 hours;
• Attendance at a Home Office interview: if the Home Office ask you to attend an interview, we will give you clear advice (and discuss the possibility of us attending with you) at the appropriate time. This could be between 1 and 3 hours of work.
•  giving you advice about the outcome of the application and any further steps you need to take.

 

*the amount of hours depends on the number of documents, whether they need to be translated, whether anything is missing and how long it will take to obtain the missing documents Disbursements (not included in costs set out above):

 

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

 

• Interpreters fees charged at an hourly rate.  This kind of application will normally require between 2-5 hours with an interpreter, depending on the complexity of your case.
• Independent expert reports e.g. medical experts. These are not required in many cases: we will let you know as soon as possible if we consider an expert report is necessary.
• If there is an interview and we do attend with you, there will be additional disbursements in respect of our mileage/travel expenses.
• The costs quoted here do not include:
• Any Home Office fees for making the application. You will pay this to the Home Office directly as part of the application process.
•  Where the Home Office refuse your application, advice and assistance in relation to any appeal

 

How long will my application take?

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

 

We will normally be able to submit this type of application within 4 weeks of you instructing us, but we will let you know at the earliest opportunity if it is likely to take longer than this.

 

Please note the anticipated number of hours and fees are an estimate based on the facts above. 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.

Example template (Range of fixed fees) for a business to business debt that is undisputed

 

Court Claims

These costs apply where your claim is in relation to an unpaid invoice which is not disputed and enforcement action is not needed. If the other party disputes your claim at any point, we will discuss any further work required and provide you with revised advice about costs if necessary, which could be on a fixed fee (e.g. if a one off letter is required), or an hourly rate if more extensive work is needed.

Debt value	Court fee	Our fee (incl. VAT)	Total
Up to £5,000	£205	£1200	£1405
£5,001 - £10,000	£455	£2400	£2855
£10,001 - £50,000	5% value of the claim £500.05-£2,500.00	£3600	£4100.05-£6100.00

Anyone wishing to proceed with a claim should note that:

• The VAT element of our fee cannot be reclaimed from your debtor.
• Interest and compensation may take the debt into a higher banding, with a higher cost.
• The costs quoted above are not for matters where enforcement action, such as the bailiff, is needed to collect your debt.

 

Our fee includes:

• Taking your instructions and reviewing documentation
• Undertaking appropriate searches
• Sending a letter before action
• Receiving payment and sending onto you, or if the debt is not paid, drafting and issuing claim
• Where no Acknowledgment of Service or Defence is received, applying to the court to enter Judgement in default
• When Judgement in default in received, write to the other side to request payment
• If payment is not received within the timeframe set out in the Judgement, providing you with advice on next steps and likely costs

 

Matters usually take 4-12 weeks from receipt of instructions from you to receipt of payment from the other side, depending on whether or not it is necessary to issue a claim. This is on the basis that the other side pays promptly on receipt of Judgement in default. If enforcement action is needed, the matter will take longer to resolve.

 

Family

We understand that the family breakdown can be stressful we at Majestic endeavours to reach a best possible outcome. We deal with all aspects of Ancillary Relief Application and Children Contact Order.

We charge on hourly basis at the rate of £250 plus Vat.

 

Probate

 There are six stages in probate which are as follows:

• Valuing and collating the estate
• Paying Inheritance Tax, if applicable
• Applying for Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration if there is no Will
• Informing interested parties • Gathering the estate assets and then paying any debts from the estate
• Distributing the estate in line with the Will or rules of intestacy if there is no Will

Our Fees fees for probate are around £5,000+VAT - Disbursements to be paid in addition to the above fees include:

Swearing Oath = £10

Probate Fee = £155

Additional Copies of the Grant = 50p each

 

Likely Timescales

 Dealing with the winding up of the affairs of someone who has died can take a long time. It is not unusual for it to take up to 12 months, longer if it is a large estate or if things are not straightforward.