Funding options and clear fee information
At Geoffrey Grace Solicitors, we advise clients on the funding options available for their case. At the first meeting, we will discuss the options with you, including the hourly rate of the solicitor who will conduct your matter, whichever option you choose.
In certain cases, you may also be able to recover your legal costs from the opposing party if you are successful. Our aim is to ensure that clients understand the basis of their charges, the likely approach to costs and any additional expenses that may arise.
We undertake privately funded work in specific areas of law and in cases where the client is not eligible for legal aid. We may also consider fixed fees in appropriate matters and undertake legal aid work for those who are eligible in certain areas.
£319
Fee earners with 8 years or more post-qualification experience.
£262
Fee earners with 4 years but less than 8 years post-qualification experience.
£209
Fee earners with less than 4 years post-qualification experience.
£146
Trainee solicitors and Grade D fee earners.
Private paying clients and hourly charging
Hourly RatesOur charges are based on the complexity of the case and the time spent dealing with it. This includes considering, preparing and working on papers, the court or tribunal in which the case is being heard, travelling time, correspondence and telephone calls.
The nature and complexity of a case dictate the level and experience of the solicitor allocated to deal with each matter. For transparency, the current hourly rates for our solicitors and fee earners are based on the rates recommended by the Senior Courts Costs Office for outer London, where our firm is based.
Full guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/solicitors-guideline-hourly-rates
Basis of our charges
Charging BasisThe hourly rates above may change in line with any changes made by the Senior Courts Costs Office.
Routine letters or emails we write, and routine telephone calls that we make and receive, are charged at 10% of the hourly rate of the solicitor or fee earner acting for the client.
- A routine letter from a Grade A fee earner would be charged at £26.70.
- Long letters exceeding half an A4 page are charged on a time basis.
- Telephone calls exceeding 6 minutes are charged on a time basis.
- A 30-minute long letter by a Grade A fee earner would be charged at £133.50.
- A 15-minute telephone call by a Grade A fee earner would be charged at £66.75.
Our fees exclude disbursements, which may also be payable in your case.
Disbursements and fixed fees
Additional CostsDisbursements are expenses incurred in certain cases which the client will need to pay for separately. Examples include court or tribunal fees, barristers’ fees, Home Office fees, NHS surcharge, medical report fees, expert fees, interpreter or translation fees and travel costs outside London.
We may also consider fixed fees for certain cases. This is usually offered where the likely costs can be predicted in advance and gives clients greater certainty when budgeting. The fixed fee will be payable whether the case is won or lost.
If unforeseen additional work becomes necessary, or if there is an unexpected or significant change during the course of the case, we will discuss any estimated additional charges or expenses before they are incurred.
Public funding
Legal AidWe undertake legal aid work for those who are eligible and who satisfy the merits and means test in the following areas:
- Family
- Children
- Housing
In areas of law where we do not provide legal aid, a client may still be eligible by instructing another firm. Please contact us to assess what funding may be available.
You can assess your eligibility for legal aid here: https://www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid