Family Law
Clients seeking legal aid should be aware that the government has implemented drastic cuts in the availability of funding in family cases in April 2013.We have arrangements to help our clients get through these drastic cuts in funding and can help you determine whether you are still eligible for Legal Aid.
Fixed Fees
We offer a fixed fee fully inclusive divorce package which includes VAT for £499. We also offer a Do It Yourself Divorce Pack for £49 and an Assisted Divorce for £299; all the fees are plus the Court fee which is £550
Please see all of our Fixed Fee Services here.
Legal Aid
As of 1 April 2013 the Government’s rules changed in relation to the eligibility criteria for legal aid. Legal aid is still available in certain circumstances.
Legal Aid is still available for: -
Injunctions - You do not have to prove domestic violence or abuse for an injunction. You simply have to be financially eligible.
Contact, Residence, Financial Matters & Divorce - legal aid may be available if you can prove and provide evidence of domestic violence.
The criteria for these matters are strict, resulting in many clients who would have previously been eligible no longer being able to access legal aid funding to cover their legal costs. This most significant change is that legal aid is only now available in divorces, financial disputes and children disputes where the client (applicant) can establish that they have been a victim of domestic violence at the hands of the other party (respondent) or that a child is at risk.
If you can produce a required type of evidence and are financially eligible you may be eligible for Legal Aid.
If you don’t meet the criteria for legal aid then we offer the choice of a fixed fee package for divorces, financial matters and children matters which includes advice and representation throughout as set out on our detailed quote sheets.
Bespoke Packages
If you feel that you may need a less structured approach then an hourly rate may be more attractive to you. This means that you would have unrestricted access to your Lawyer and that we would charge you on an ongoing monthly basis, following a payment in advance at the time you instruct us of £600 including VAT.
We can assess your eligibility at our Free Law Shop.
Public Law Family Matters (Social Services involvement)
Legal aid remains the same for matter where Social Services are involved with your family. Meaning that f the Local Authority send you a Letter before Action, request a Pre-Proceedings Meeting or issue Care Proceedings then you are automatically entitled to receive legal aid regardless of your financial or other circumstances and it is important that you contact us immediately.
If the Local Authority are in the process of assessing your family for possible risk factors, request a Child in Need meeting or a Child Protection Conference then you may be eligible for legal aid and representation depending on your financial circumstances.
Criminal Defence
Legal Aid is available to everyone in the police station. Legal Aid is also available (subject to a means test) if you are prosecuted.
Wills and Trusts
We work on a fixed fee basis only. Please see our fixed fees here
We will provide you with a detailed quote of our charges, without obligation and most importantly do not charge a percentage of the value of the estate
We will give you a written quote at the beginning of your sale/purchase which once agreed you will pay at completion.
You may find that if you are working it would be cheaper for you to use our fixed fee service, details of which can be found in our price guides.