What it Costs
The first meeting is without charge or obligation. Thereafter we charge by time (the law forbids no-win no-fee or similar arrangements in respect of family law). Hourly rates range from £700 to £130 depending upon qualification and experience. A partner will lead your case and delegate where appropriate to more junior staff to maximise cost-effectiveness.
Costs of Pre-Nuptial and similar agreements
Costs tend to fall in the range of £10,000 to £20,000 inclusive, depending upon the complexity of the circumstances of the parties, the complexity of the agreement and how heavily it is negotiated.
Costs of financial settlements on relationship breakdown
Where these situations are well handled on both sides and the case can be settled in a form of Non-Court Dispute Resolution the costs will generally not exceed a sum equal to a small percentage of the value in the relationship.
Costs are largely driven by issues around disclosure and valuation of assets and by issues that go to what is fair. They are not driven per se by how wealthy the parties are. Where both parties are reasonable, open and well advised from the outset costs need not exceed around £20,000 inclusive.
It is human nature that when a relationship breaks down emotions run high and parties can take unreasonable positions and do things they should not. Nevertheless, in around 90% of cases it is still possible to take the heat out of the situation and achieve a negotiated settlement without the need for the Court to determine the outcome. In these cases costs will generally fall in the range of £20,000 to £120,000 inclusive.
In the small proportion of cases that have to be litigated to the point where the Court has to determine the outcome, the costs will be significantly higher. We only litigate to trial where the value in dispute and the chances of success justify the costs involved.
In order to ensure that costs are kept proportionate to the value in dispute we review with our clients, at least every month, the costs and benefits of the next steps as against the value in dispute.
Funding Your Case
Funding legal representation is often challenging, but a solution can always be found. Solutions include:
- A Litigation Loan: There are specialist lenders who will lend to fund divorce and other legal proceedings. These lenders have certain criteria, including being satisfied that you will receive a settlement which will be sufficient to repay the loan and meet your future needs. These loans are relatively expensive, but tend to be cheaper than the costs involved in applying for a legal services payment order.
- A Legal Services Payment Order: This is a court order where one party is ordered to pay to the other party a sum of money to enable them to obtain legal services.
Costs of Children Matters
The right approach to children matters is highly specific to the facts and circumstances of your case, so a tailored cost estimate will be given at the outset of the matter.
