Our Fees

Immigration Fees & Services 

We at Thorpe Wilson Solicitors are committed in ensuring that our clients obtain access to justice at affordable legal costs. 

For a range of services, we offer an agreed fixed fee service for which you will have to pay us at a certain stage in your case. Depending on the complexity of the case, each stage of your case may attract a further cost. 

The information that has been provided below is based upon an estimation as every individual case will depend on your personal circumstances. Please note that all work is undertaken on a private basis and subject to case circumstances. 

ALL OUR WORK IS PRIVATELY FUNDED AND THEREFORE YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR FEES. 

PLEASE NOTE WE ARE NOT A LEGAL AID FUNDED FIRM AND CANNOT PROVIDE FUNDING THROUGH THIS SCHEME. SHOULD YOU BE ELIGIBLE FOR LEGAL AID YOU SHOULD CONTACT A FIRM WHICH HOLDS A LEGAL AID FRANCHISE. 

Our Pricing 

We offer both fixed fees and hourly rates, whereby you will be charged for each hour of work undertaken and agree from the outset with you. 

  • Initial immigration consultation will be free for half an hour, any time spent above this will be charged at £50.00 (plus VAT If applicable). 
  • Document check service: £150.00 (plus VAT If applicable). 

Please note any VAT is charged at 20% 

Our Hourly Rates 

The charging structure of this firm is as follows: 

Our hourly fixed rates as follows: 

  Grade of Fee Earner   Description of Fee Earner  Hourly Rate 
 A Notaries Public, Consultants, Partners/Directors and Solicitors with over eight years post qualification experience including at least eight years of litigation experience £201.00 per hour 
 B Senior Solicitors and Fellows of Institute of Legal Executives and Chartered Accountants with over four years post qualification experience including at least four years of litigation experience  £177.00 per hour 
 C Assistant/Associate Solicitors and Senior Legal Executives, Law Costs Draftsmen, Legal Executives and Para-Legal  £146.00 per hour 
 D Trainee solicitors and other support staff £111.00 per hour 

Letters out and telephone calls will be charged at a tenth of this hourly charging rate. (Hourly Charges are plus VAT) 

Special Hourly rates for Immigration services 

Special Hourly rate: £146.00 plus VAT per hour (if applicable) Should we carry work out on an hourly rate, our immigration department charges a flat fixed fee of £146.00 plus VAT per hour (if applicable) regardless of the seniority of the fee earner.  Letters and telephone charges will be charged at a tenth of the hourly rate. 

The number of hours spent on your matter will depend upon the circumstances and complexity of your case and therefore an initial estimate will be given. 

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 can provide sufficient documentary evidence at our initial meeting and can clearly demonstrate that you meet the applicable Immigration Rules, it is likely that less time will be spent on the matter. 

For example, a ‘further leave to remain’ application on average costs between £900.00 and £1,500.00 plus VAT (if applicable) to complete. The exact number of hours and cost will depend on the circumstances of your case such as: 

  • The amount of supporting evidence that we need to consider 
  • Which language(s) you speak 
  • Whether you are applying for other dependants 

It will be helpful if, at our first meeting, you are able to provide any evidence needed to meet the applicable Immigration Rules. This will help us speed up the process and assist us in keeping costs to the lower end of the range. 

Our Fixed Fees 

All our fees are plus VAT 20% (where applicable) and plus disbursements. 

Item Price VAT (if applicable) Subtotal 
Application for naturalisation or registration under the British Nationality Act 1981 £500 £100£600
Applications on behalf of EEA nationals and their family members under the applicable EEA Regulations or Immigration Rules, including applications for permanent residence, residence cards and registration certifications £500 £100 £600 
Dependent relative or family reunion applications £1,000 £200£1,200
Spouse/partner applications including fiancé(e)s or proposed civil partners £1,000£200£1,200
Spouse/partner further leave to remain application£800£160£960
Spouse/partner indefinite leave to remain application£1,000£200£1,200
Visit visas (visiting friends/family or for tourism £500 £100 £600 

If your application does not fall into one of the above categories, please contact us and to see if we are able to offer a fixed fee.

The quotes above cover the following work/services. 

All of the above Immigration services include: 

  • Taking their initial instructions and providing advice; 
  • Considering and reviewing documents; 
  • Attending to the client; 
  • Preparing and submitting the application; 
  • Advising the client on timelines; 
  • Updating clients on the progress of their matter; 
  • Telephone calls between us and the client; 
  • Telephone calls between us and third parties; 
  • Correspondence between us and the client including email and letters; 
  • Correspondence between us and third parties including email and letters; 
  • Informing the client on outcome of their application. (Please note this is not an extensive list). 

The work will cover: 

  • Initial assessment of case, perusal of documents, taking of instruction, basic advice and issuing the file opening paperwork such as client cares. 
  • 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 on the requirements of the Immigration Rules and whether you meet the criteria 
  • If you do not fulfil the certain criteria, whether this can be overcome and how, which on average takes and considering the supporting evidence, you have provided, which we anticipate will take 30 minutes to 1 hour. 
  • Providing a comprehensive list of documentation required from you and where applicable. 
  • Where necessary, helping you to obtain further evidence (such as medical records and bank statements), and including taking statements from any relevant witnesses. 
  • Assessing your immigration history to see if you qualify to apply for citizenship; or other applications. 
  • If you do not meet certain conditions which are not a mandatory reason for refusal, then to discuss if and how we might be able to overcome any such issues; 
  • Take detailed information from you and identify what documents you have and what further documents and evidence is needed to maximise your chances of success; 
  • Assist you in preparing and or obtaining further evidence and documents; 
  • Understanding your situation and identifying the most appropriate application; 
  • Identifying the supporting evidence that is required and evaluating the evidence you have; 
  • If needed helping you to obtain further evidence such as proof of work in the UK; 
  • Dealing with the Home Office while they are considering your application; 
  • Preparing your application and submitting it on your behalf, Submission of applications with covering letters containing representations/submissions where appropriate and booking any relevant appointments, which we anticipate will take 2-3 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 6 and 8 hours of work. 
  • Giving you advice about the outcome of the application and any further steps you need to take and options available to you.

Our costs quoted here do not include: 

In the event that the issues become more complex and there is likely to be any additional cost, we will make sure you are informed of this at the earliest opportunity and a clear estimate of those extra costs will be provided. 

  • Disbursements e.g. Barrister’s fee where required. 
  • If there is an interview and we are required to attend with you, there will be additional disbursements in respect of travel/mileage expenses. 
  • Any Home Office fees (link below) for making the application. You will pay this to the Home Office directly as part of the application process. 
  • Immigration Health Surcharges Fees (If applicable) 
  • Where the Home Office refuse your application, advice and assistance, in relation to any administrative review or appeal. 
  • Independent expert reports e.g. medical experts. These are not required in many cases, however, we will let you know as soon as possible if we consider an expert report is necessary. 
  • Courier fees. (if applicable). 
  • Booking an appointment fee (if applicable) 
  • Uploading documents Fee £75 plus VAT (if applicable) 

To see Immigration Home Office Fees & Surcharges please visit link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table

Disbursements 

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Home Office fees, interpreter costs* and counsel fees.

To see Immigration Home Office Fees & Surcharges please visit link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table

Counsel fees may vary between £500 – £2000 plus VAT depending on the case circumstances.

*See below in Interpreters section

We will provide you with a more accurate list of costs once we have reviewed your file also. 

Full details will be given when quoting the final figure upon assessing your case.  We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Interpreters – if required 

Our fees do not include the cost of an interpreter as these are difficult to estimate. The range of hours required will usually be between 3 and 15 hours, however, this depends on the complexity of your case and we will need to discuss this with you further.  The estimate cost may vary between £90-£450. (£30 per hour exclusive of VAT)

We would recommend where possible that you bring a friend or trusted community figure to assist you. We will recommend an interpreter for you, where required, however if you know of someone you would prefer to use, we can of course accommodate this. 

We are able to assist you if your first language is not English. Other Languages spoken by our team:  Urdu/Hindi, Punjabi (there are no additional charges, if client speak above mentioned languages)

How long will my application take?  (Likely Time Scales) 

We will normally be able to submit an application within 4 weeks of you providing all of the documentation that we have requested to support your application. We cannot guarantee how long the Home Office will then take to process your application but you can read the current processing times at https://www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times.

Key Stages 

There are key milestones, which may vary according to individual circumstances. They may be as follows: 

  • Initial meeting 
  • Arranging interpreters, experts (at additional charge) 
  • Preparation and submission of any application 
  • Advising on outcome of application.

Qualifications and experience of our team

Our Immigration team includes:

NamePositionExperience
Saqib JalilDirector / SolicitorQualified as a Solicitor in 2015 – Director of Thorpe Wilson Solicitors 

Regardless of who works on your matter, they will be supervised by Saqib Jalil, Director/Solicitor.

Other Useful Information: 

Home Office Fee and Surcharges please visit:  Home office and Nationality fee updated on 6 April 2020 – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table 

Probate Fees

Uncontested Probate (with all assets in the UK)

Prices

Please note that there will be two elements to the prices as set out below:

  1. Fees charged by Thorpe Wilson Solicitors; and
  2. Fees payable to Third parties.

Please ensure that you consider both parts of the price information.

Fees charged by Thorpe Wilson Solicitors

Fee typeFeeVAT (charged at 20%)TOTAL
Legal fee *£500£100£600
Electronic ID check (per executor)£5N/A£5
Bank telegraphic transfer fee£30N/A£30
* basis of charging = fixed fee   
 

This fixed fee example is based on an estate where:

  • There is a valid Will.
  • There is one acting Executor.
  • There is no more than one property.
  • There are no more than 2 bank or building society accounts.
  • There are no other tangible assets.
  • There are no more than 2 beneficiaries.
  • There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets.
  • There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC.
  • There are no claims made against the estate.

The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter. For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property, costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and multiple bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end.

Fees payable to Third parties (‘Disbursements’)

DisbursementFeeVAT (charged at 20%)TOTAL
Probate application fee£155N/A£155
Swearing of the oath fee (per executor)£5N/A£5
Exhibits (per exhibit)£2N/A£2
Post in the London Gazette*£73.20£14.64£87.84
Post in local newspaper**£100£20£120
 SUBTOTAL£369.84
GRAND TOTAL £369.84

*Figures taken from The Gazette 2021 price list, section 3 – “Deceased estate notices”

** Estimated figure as this will vary from differing local newspapers.

Work included and key stages

Our fees include obtaining the grant of probate, collecting assets and distributing them. The precise work and stages involved in a probate matter vary according to the circumstances. However, we have set out the key stages involved in a typical probate matter:

  • Take your instructions and give you initial advice.
  • Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries.
  • Establish the extent of the estate by identifying the various assets and liabilities.
  • Identify the type of probate application required.
  • The application for Grant of Probate is prepared and then sworn by the executor and submitted to the appropriate Probate Registry together with the Will, if there is one.
  • Once the Grant is received, it is submitted to the various organisations with whom assets are held in order to start the process of transferring the assets into the beneficiaries’ names.
  • All estate liabilities have to be paid before the estate can be distributed among the beneficiaries;
  • Confirmation is required that tax is paid up to date and there are no outstanding HMRC claims;
  • Estate accounts should be prepared thereafter, and the estate distributed in accordance with the terms of the Will.

Services Excluded

Our service (within the fee example given above) will not include any of the following:

  • Any contested probate matters or advice on the same.
  • Advice on tax or other accounting matters.
  • Advice on assets held outside of the UK.
  • Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate.

Approximate/ average timescales

On average, estates that fall within this quote range are dealt with within 5-6 months.

Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 6-8 weeks.

Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 4-6 weeks.

Factors that could increase costs

In some circumstances we may increase our fees to account for additional time, work or skill required to meet your instructions. Examples include:

  • If there is no will or the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds) there is likely to be additional costs that could range significantly depending on the estate and how it is to be dealt with.
  • If any additional copies of the grant are required.
  • Varying information from initial instructions which are different from what the estate consists

Qualifications and experience of our team

Our probate team includes:

NamePositionExperience
Saqib JalilDirector / SolicitorQualified as a Solicitor in 2015 Previously worked at the UK’s biggest probate provider Director of Thorpe Wilson Solicitors  

Regardless of who works on your matter, they will be supervised by Saqib Jalil, Director/Solicitor.