At JFH Law we are committed to providing transparent and comprehensive information to clients about our fees.
Where appropriate, we will always endeavour to provide assistance or advice without charge. However, when payment is necessary, you can rely on us to provide a transparent quote tailored to your budget.
Whether you need a solicitor for employment tribunal proceedings or a dental lawyer, we understand that you will want clarity when it comes to legal costs.
That’s why we will agree a clear cost estimate with you right from the outset and will undertake regular reviews to ensure that you can manage the costs of your case as the matter proceeds.
If you’re still concerned about costs, discover how to fund your case here.
Hourly rates
We normally charge by reference to the time we spend on each individual matter.
As such, we aim to offer flexible packages of hourly rates and fixed fees wherever possible, depending upon the nature of your case.
Our hourly rates are reviewed on the 1st of April each year and rest assured that you will always be informed of any changes. The hourly rates are currently:
- Partner: £330.00 per hour
- Senior Solicitor: £290.00 per hour
- Solicitor: £200.00 to £275.00 per hour
- Trainee Solicitor: £175.00 per hour
- Paralegal: £150.00 per hour
These hourly rates do not include VAT (currently charged at 20%) or disbursements such as external barrister’s fees, experts’ costs, travel, couriers and other out of office expenses.
We do not usually charge for everyday postage and photocopying. However, we do reserve the right to charge for such services where a matter involves heavy demands for them.
At JFH Law, transparency is important to us, which is why we record the time spent on clients’ matters and do not charge for time not appropriately spent. We will also eliminate any unnecessary duplication from our charges.
What’s more, we can also supply records from our computerised time recording system on request.
Our billing process
We normally bill monthly, unless otherwise agreed. Our bills are due for payment within 28 days of their date of issue.
However, we reserve the right to require money on account to cover future fees and when barristers’ fees are to be incurred. We also reserve the right to charge interest and/or to cease to act where any bill remains unpaid.
Third parties and legal fees
Before instructing us, clients should always check whether their liability to pay legal fees may be covered by a third party, such as through an insurance policy.
However, it’s important to note that the third party may wish to have an influence on the choice of solicitor, or may have their own panel solicitors, and may not be prepared to cover the fees unless it has been informed at the outset.
If it is agreed that a third party will be responsible for payment of all or some of a client’s fees, you will remain liable for the full amount (or the balance, if appropriate) of the fees if the third party fails to pay.
Employment tribunal proceedings and costs
Disputes in the courts or employment tribunals may result in costs orders being made in a client’s favour or against them.
The rules differ as between the courts and tribunals, and costs orders in the employment tribunal proceedings are only made in limited circumstances (such as unreasonable conduct).
In most employment tribunal cases, clients should therefore assume that they will have to bear their own costs and should always keep in mind the possibility of a costs award against them. However, we will advise further on this aspect of matters in each case.
What if my case is lost?
In the courts, if a client’s case is lost, they will probably have to pay their opponent’s costs as well as their own.
However, clients should be aware that even if they win, their opponent may not be ordered to pay (or may not be capable of paying) any of their costs. For example, if a client’s opponent becomes insolvent or is legally aided, they may not recover costs, even if they win.
Clients will remain liable for their costs in full regardless of any costs orders made against an opponent but will also be credited with any amounts actually received by us under such orders.
A personal approach
With JFH Law, you can rest assured that in relation to each matter, you will always know the name of the particular lawyer or lawyers who will work with you.
Our qualified team are experts in their particular market sectors, which allows us to have real and meaningful expertise.
What’s more, in relation to every matter, there will always be a client partner who will have overall responsibility for a client’s work.
As professional advisors, we understand that working with you is better than just working for you, which is why we will always take the time to understand your individual needs.
Find out more about our values and how we work at JFH Law here, or for more information on funding and our fees, please click on the specific link below:
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Get in touch with our dedicated JFH Law today to see how our tailored services can help you.