Price Transparency & Our Fees
Below you will find information about our legal fees, what’s included, potential additional costs and estimated timescales.
The prices shown are indicative and may vary depending on your circumstances. We will provide a personalised estimate and explain the likely charges before you instruct us.
Find the information you need:
Conveyancing | Wills & Lasting Powers of Attorney | Probate | Employment Tribunals | Debt Collection
Hopkins Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA Number 823648).
Experience and Qualifications
Our legal teams include solicitors, legal executives, trainee solicitors and paralegals, with work allocated according to experience and the complexity of each matter.
Where we charge by the hour, rates reflect the experience of the person carrying out the work. Appropriate supervision is provided, and we will explain the applicable fees before work begins.
Our Standard Hourly Rates
| Legal professional | Hourly rate excluding VAT | Including VAT at 20% |
|---|---|---|
| Partners, directors and senior solicitors | £325 | £390 |
| Solicitors and senior legal executives | £275 | £330 |
| Legal executives and other solicitors | £225 | £270 |
| Trainee solicitors and paralegals | £150 | £180 |
Some services have different hourly rates, which are explained in their respective sections below.
Conveyancing Fees – Online Calculator
Get an estimate of your legal fees, VAT and third-party costs for buying, selling or remortgaging a property using our free online calculator.
Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) Fees
Use our online calculator to obtain an estimate for a Will or Lasting Power of Attorney.
For more complex requirements, our team can discuss your options and provide a tailored quotation.
Conveyancing – Property Purchase or Remortgage
Our conveyancing fees cover the standard legal work involved in your transaction, including reviewing relevant documents, carrying out property checks, dealing with completion and arranging registration at HM Land Registry.
Additional third-party costs, known as disbursements, may apply. These can include searches, Land Registry fees and applicable property taxes.
Example Conveyancing Fees
The following illustrations are based on a property valued at £150,000.
| Cost | Freehold purchase | Leasehold purchase | Remortgage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal fee | £875 | £875 | £650 |
| Additional leasehold fee | – | £400 | – |
| VAT on legal fees | £175 | £255 | £130 |
| Search fees | £340 | £340 | £340 |
| HM Land Registry fee | £100 | £100 | £30 |
| Stamp Duty online submission fee | £6 | £6 | £6 |
| AP1 registration fee | £6 | £6 | £6 |
| ATL fee (per purchaser) | £13.50 | £13.50 | £13.50 |
| Electronic money transfer fee | £18 | £18 | £18 |
| Stamp Duty Land Tax | £0* | £0* | – |
| Estimated total | £1,533.50 | £2,013.50 | £1,193.50 |
The £0 Stamp Duty examples assume the purchaser qualifies for first-time buyer relief. A standard residential purchase of £150,000 in England would currently attract £500 Stamp Duty at ordinary rates. Other rates may apply depending on the buyer’s circumstances.
For an estimate tailored to your property, use our free online conveyancing calculator.
How Long Will My Property Purchase Take?
A straightforward property purchase is currently estimated to take approximately 8–15 weeks from an accepted offer to completion.
Timescales depend on factors including:
- The length of the property chain.
- Mortgage and lender requirements.
- Property searches and enquiries.
- Leasehold arrangements.
- Unexpected legal complications.
Lease extensions and other complex matters may take longer and incur additional costs.
Key Stages of Conveyancing
-
Initial instructions: We obtain your details, review the transaction and provide initial advice.
-
Property checks and enquiries: We review contract documents, carry out searches and raise enquiries with the seller’s solicitor.
-
Mortgage and contract arrangements: We review relevant mortgage documentation, explain the contract and prepare for exchange.
-
Exchange and completion: We agree the completion date, exchange contracts and arrange the transfer of funds.
-
Post-completion registration: We deal with applicable property tax submissions and Land Registry registration.
What Could Increase the Cost?
The fees above assume a standard transaction in which:
- No significant title defects require correction.
- All parties cooperate and provide documents promptly.
- No unusual additional legal documents are required.
- No indemnity insurance is necessary.
- No unforeseen legal or lender complications arise.
If additional work is needed, we will explain the likely costs before proceeding.
Buying, selling or remortgaging? Get My Conveyancing Quote
Probate – Applying for the Grant and Administering an Estate
We offer different levels of probate support, from assistance with obtaining a grant of probate to managing the full administration of an estate.
Option 1: Apply for Probate Yourself
If you would prefer to apply personally, we can offer an initial appointment to discuss the Will or intestacy and explain the process.
There is no charge from Hopkins Solicitors for an application you complete independently.
The standard court application fee is currently £526 for estates valued over £5,000. There is no application fee for estates valued at £5,000 or less.
Option 2: Grant-Only Probate Service
We can prepare and submit the probate application on your behalf using the information and estate valuations you provide.
For a straightforward estate that does not require additional inheritance tax reporting:
- Legal fee: £800
- VAT at 20%: £160
- Standard court application fee: £526
Illustrative total: £1,486, excluding other applicable expenses.
Where additional inheritance tax reporting or relief claims are required, our currently advertised legal fee is £1,000 plus VAT.
Including the standard court fee, this gives an illustrative total of £1,726 before any other applicable expenses.
Option 3: Full Estate Administration
Our full administration service can include:
- Identifying executors, administrators and beneficiaries.
- Obtaining valuations of estate assets and liabilities.
- Preparing relevant inheritance tax and probate documentation.
- Applying for probate or letters of administration.
- Collecting estate assets.
- Settling relevant liabilities.
- Preparing estate accounts.
- Distributing assets to beneficiaries.
Full Administration Fees
For a straightforward estate, our legal fees are estimated at £2,000–£3,000 plus VAT.
This is equivalent to £2,400–£3,600 including VAT, before court fees and disbursements.
A straightforward estate will generally involve identifiable beneficiaries, assets located in the UK, no significant disputes and a limited number of assets and properties.
More complex estates may involve additional work, such as extensive inheritance tax reporting, overseas assets, missing beneficiaries or disputed matters.
Complex estate legal fees: £5,000+
Probate Disbursements
Additional expenses may include:
| Expense | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Probate application fee | £526 for estates over £5,000 |
| Additional grant copies ordered with the application | £2 per copy |
| Copies requested after submission | £16 per copy |
| Bankruptcy searches | |
| Land Registry documents | |
| Section 27 notices | £150–£400 plus VAT, where applicable |
| Asset searches | £150–£180 plus VAT, where applicable |
| Property valuations | £180–£250 plus VAT, where applicable |
| Share valuations | |
| Property sale or transfer | Quoted separately |
| Additional tax advice or returns | Quoted separately |
We will explain which expenses apply to your matter and provide estimates where available.
Not sure which probate service you need? Arrange an Initial Probate Appointment
Employment Tribunal Fees
Employment Tribunal costs depend on the complexity of the case, the work required and whether the matter proceeds to a final hearing.
Our Estimated Legal Fees
| Case complexity | Fees excluding VAT | Including VAT at 20% |
|---|---|---|
| Simple | £6,000–£7,000 | £7,200–£8,400 |
| Medium | £8,000–£16,000 | £9,600–£19,200 |
| High | £17,000–£25,000 | £20,400–£30,000 |
Simple cases generally involve a straightforward unfair or wrongful dismissal claim with limited evidence and a short hearing.
Medium-complexity cases may involve additional claims, more extensive evidence or a longer hearing.
High-complexity cases may involve multiple legal issues, several witnesses or extensive tribunal proceedings.
What Could Increase the Cost?
Factors include:
- Multiple or complicated claims.
- Large amounts of documentary evidence.
- Additional witnesses or preliminary hearings.
- Disputed legal or factual issues.
- Complex discrimination or whistleblowing claims.
- Applications, appeals or longer hearings.
Our currently advertised employment law hourly rate is £400 plus VAT.
Additional Expenses
Barristers’ fees, travel and accommodation may be additional to our legal fees.
The current advertised barristers’ fees are approximately £750–£1,000 plus VAT per day, depending on the barrister’s experience and the work required.
We will explain whether a barrister is required and provide available estimates before additional expenses are incurred.
Key Stages of an Employment Tribunal Claim
Our work may include:
- Initial instructions, reviewing your case and advising on its merits.
- Advising on likely outcomes and potential compensation.
- Assisting with ACAS early conciliation.
- Preparing or responding to tribunal claims.
- Reviewing evidence and preparing witness statements.
- Negotiating possible settlements.
- Preparation and attendance at final hearing, including instructions to a Barrister if required
We can also discuss whether you require assistance with particular stages rather than the entire claim.
How Long Will My Matter Take?
A matter resolved during early conciliation may conclude more quickly than one requiring a final hearing.
Our current published estimates are:
- Early settlement: 4–6 weeks.
- Proceeding to a final hearing: 8–12 months
These are estimates and depend on the case and tribunal timetable.
Important: Employment Tribunal claims are subject to strict legal deadlines. Seek advice promptly, as the applicable deadline depends on the nature of the claim and when the relevant events occurred.
Legal Expenses Insurance
You may have legal expenses cover through an insurance policy that could contribute towards the cost of your case.
We recommend checking any relevant policies before instructing us.
Need advice about an employment dispute? Speak to Our Employment Law Team
Debt Collection – Undisputed Debts
The following fees relate to qualifying undisputed debt recovery matters. Additional work and costs may apply if a claim becomes disputed or enforcement is necessary.
Our Hourly Legal Fees
| Legal professional | Hourly rate excluding VAT |
|---|---|
| Partner or senior solicitor | £275 |
| Solicitor or senior legal executive | £220 |
| Legal executive or other solicitor | £195 |
| Trainee solicitor or paralegal | £140 |
VAT is charged at 20% where applicable.
Court Claim Fees
If court proceedings are required, the following court issue fees may apply.
| Value of claim | Court fee |
|---|---|
| Up to £300 | £35 |
| Over £300 to £500 | £50 |
| Over £500 to £1,000 | £70 |
| Over £1,000 to £1,500 | £80 |
| Over £1,500 to £3,000 | £115 |
| Over £3,000 to £5,000 | £205 |
| Over £5,000 to £10,000 | £455 |
| Over £10,000 to £100,000 | Generally 5% of the claim value |
What Is Included?
Depending on the circumstances, the key stages may include:
- Reviewing your instructions and documents.
- Undertaking appropriate preliminary checks.
- Sending a letter before action.
- Preparing and issuing court proceedings if required.
- Applying for default judgment where appropriate.
- Requesting payment following judgment.
- Advising on enforcement options and additional costs if payment is not received.
What Could Increase the Cost?
Additional legal fees may apply if:
- The debtor disputes the claim.
- Further court applications or hearings are needed.
- Enforcement action is required.
- Unexpected complications arise.
Enforcement costs are not included in the standard undisputed debt recovery estimates.
How Long Will Debt Recovery Take?
We estimate that matters usually take 10–12 weeks, assuming the debtor responds and pays promptly.
Matters involving disputes, court hearings or enforcement can take considerably longer.
Need to recover an unpaid debt? Discuss My Debt Recovery Options
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