PRICING
We try as far as possible to provide our client with fixed fees where ever we can. However, where
matters are complicated and we cannot offer a fixed fee, this firm’s hourly charging rate shall apply.
Team Member Hourly Rate (excluding VAT)
Principal Solicitor £250.00
Solicitor £180.00
Trainee Solicitor £150.00
Paralegal £125.00
In addition, letters, emails and telephone calls from our office and letters which are initiated, sent or
received by our office are chargeable. Photocopying (10p per page) and postage charges will also
- Residential Conveyancing
- Licensing Prices
- Immigration Prices
- Debt Recovery Pricing
Residential Conveyancing Prices
Our commitment to transparent pricing
At Nova Solicitors, we ensure that the costs of your conveyancing transaction are fully transparent right from the start, with no ‘hidden extras’. We provide a bespoke quote for every matter which encompasses all of your particular circumstances. There are several factors that affect residential conveyancing prices as outlined below:
Legal fees – sale or purchase – Freehold properties
- Property Value: £0 – £100,000: From £630 + VAT
- Property Value: £100,001 – £260,000: From £800 + VAT
- Property Value: £260,001 – £350,000: From £950 + VAT
- Property Value: £350,001 £500,000: From £1100 + VAT
- Property Value: £500,001 – £750,000: From £1,300 + VAT
- Property Value: £750,001 – £1,000,000: From £1,600 + VAT
- Property Value: Over 1 million pounds – Contact Us.
Legal fees – sale or purchase – Leasehold properties
- A Leasehold surcharge of £150+ VAT is payable for all leasehold transactions. This is due to the additional conveyancing work required in dealing with the Lease and correspondence with the Landlord and Management company (if applicable).
- Stamp Duty Land Tax submission fee: £150 + VAT
- Professional indemnity insurance contributions fee: £50+VAT
- File/Archive fee: £50+VAT
- If the Buyer is a Company (corporate) there will be an additional legal fee of £350.00 plus VAT on top of the fees quoted above.
Additional Items
Below is a list of additional fees we may charge in a transaction. Please contact our offices and speak to one of our members of staff for a more detailed and tailored quote:
Acting for your Lender | £150.00 plus VAT |
Where the Lender is Separately Represented | £300.00 plus VAT |
Dealing with 3rd Party Solicitors | £200.00 plus VAT |
Head Lease Review | £100.00 plus VAT for each Head Lease |
Each Additional Management Company | £50.00 plus VAT |
Arranging Indemnity Insurance | £50.00 plus VAT |
Chain Transaction | £100.00 plus VAT |
New Build Surcharge | £350.00 plus VAT |
Restrictions on Title | £100.00 plus VAT |
Shared ownership | £350.00 plus VAT |
Gifts of Deposit | £50.00 plus VAT for each gift |
Unregistered title | £150.00 plus VAT |
Help to Buy | £350.00 plus VAT |
Help to buy ISA | £50.00 plus VAT |
Tenanted Properties (Review AST) | £150.00 plus VAT |
File Storage | £50.00 plus VAT |
Per Telegraphic Transfer | £35.00 plus VAT |
Bankruptcy and Priority Searches (Approx.) | £10.00 No VAT |
Our costs listed above are based on a combination of competitive market pricing as well as an hourly rate based on the approximate amount of work carried out by a qualified solicitor at a flat rate of £200.00 plus VAT. Should any works be undertaken by a paralegal, charges would be at a rate of £125.00 plus VAT per hour.
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as the Land Registry. We manage the payment of these fees to make the conveyancing process run more smoothly. We will provide you with a bespoke quote outlining our full residential conveyancing prices and the particular disbursements relevant to your matter.
Disbursements – Sale transactions
- Energy Performance Certificate (if required): £80 + VAT
- Land Registry Official Copy Register Entries: £6 – £24
- Allowance for Management Company charges: £200 apx. (n.b. the precise amount varies from property to property and we will be able to advise you of the exact amount once we have had sight of your documentation).
Disbursements – Purchase transactions
Disbursements are costs (i.e. expenses), related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Land Registry fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
The following comprise the usual disbursements:
- Search fees – between £200.00 and £280.00 depending on the type and volume of searches required
- Stamp Duty Land Tax – this depends upon a variety of factors. A calculation is available through the HMRC website
- Land Registry Search (Bankruptcy): £2 per person
- Land Registry Search (to protect the title): £3
- Land Registry fee: £40 – £540 (depending on the value of the property), please see the Land Registry website for further information
- Stamp Duty Land Transaction Tax – Please see HMRC website for further information or the Welsh Revenue Authority if the property you are purchasing is located in Wales.
- Managing Agents pack on sale of leasehold – this can only be ascertained on receipt of documents but the average charge is approximately £360.00 inc. VAT, but can vary depending on the Managing Agent or Freeholder
- Notice and compliance fees on leasehold purchases – these can only be ascertained during the transaction but typically can range between £240.00 to £480.00 inc. VAT
You should also be aware that Ground Rent and Service Charge are likely to be payable throughout your ownership of the property. Once we have had sight of the Lease for your proposed purchase, we will be able to advise you of these.
Factors that could affect our residential conveyancing prices
- If the legal title is defective or part of the property is unregistered
- If building regulations or planning permission have not been obtained
- If the property is shared equity
- If we are required to deal with multiple lenders
- If there is a requirement for a lease extension
How long will a purchase take?
How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move into your house will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 6-8 weeks.
It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are a first time buyer, purchasing a new build property with a mortgage in principle, it could take 6 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 3 and 5 months. In such, a situation additional charges would apply.
Stages of the purchase process
The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have set out some of the key milestones:
- Take your instructions and give you initial advice
- Check finances are in place to fund purchase and contact lender’s solicitors if needed
- Receive and advise on contract documents
- Carry out searches
- Obtain further planning documentation if required
- Make any necessary enquiries of seller’s solicitor
- Give you advice on all documents and information received
- Go through conditions of mortgage offer with you
- Send final contract to you for signature
- Agree completion date (date from which you own the property)
- Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
- Arrange for all monies needed to be received from lender and you
- Complete purchase
- Deal with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax
- Deal with application for registration at Land Registry
How long will a sale take?
A sale is affected by many of the same factors as a purchase as your buyer may have to secure a mortgage and you may be linking your sale with an onwards purchase. Likewise, your buyer may have a related sale.
Stages of a sale process
- The precise stages involved in the sale of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have set out some of the key milestones:
- Take your instructions and give you initial advice
- Obtain a redemption statement for your mortgage (if you have one)
- Obtain Official Copies Register Entries from the Land Registry for your property or the Deeds to your property (if unregistered)
- Prepare the draft sale contract and send to the buyer’s solicitors
- Answer queries from the buyer’s solicitors including obtaining copies of any missing building regulation approvals and guarantees (i.e. FENSA window guarantees)
- Send final contract to you for signature
- Agree completion date with you and the buyers (and any other related transactions)
- Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
- On completion – redeem any mortgage on the property and arrange for the release of the keys to the buyers
- Send the balance of funds to you
Our residential conveyancing team
Your transaction will be handled by a member of our experienced Residential Conveyancing team supported by their dedicated legal assistant.
Licensing Prices
The *fee scale outlined below is calculated on the average cost of applying for a new premises licence (under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003), or to vary a licence (Section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003), to allow an ‘average’ business to carry out one or more licensable activities.
Similarly, any premises licence review will also depend on the complexities of the case. Therefore, in order to give you a detailed quote and to discuss your specific conveyancing requirements please contact us on 020 489 7010 or on info@novasolicitors.com. We can then give you a written quote tailored to your transaction based upon the information available at the time.
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£1,200.00 plus VAT |
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£1,000.00 plus VAT |
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£650.00 plus VAT |
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£300.00 plus VAT |
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£150.00 plus VAT |
Costs & Disbursements:
You will also have to pay some additional costs and disbursements. The following are an indicative list of costs and disbursement which you may incur during your licensing matter, which depend on the type of application:
The following costs and disbursements do not have VAT:
New Premises Licence (depending on rateable value of premises) | £100-£1,905 |
Application to Transfer a Premises Licence Fee | £23.00 |
Application to vary Designated Premises Supervisor | £23.00 |
Temporary Event Notice Application Fee | £21.00 |
Application for minor variation: | £89.00 |
Replacement/Duplicate Premises Licence | £10.50 |
Note: The New Licence Fee above is for a “Band B” premises which is worked out on the basis of the rateable value of the business. Depending on how high your rateable value is, you would be required to pay a New Licence Application Fee.
The following costs and disbursements are subject to VAT:
Newspaper Advertising Fee (approximately) | £350.00 – £750 plus VAT |
Premises Licence Floor Plan (approximately) | £350.00 plus VAT |
Counsel/Barrister Fees (approximately) | £1200.00 plus VAT |
Fees include:
- taking your instructions
- advising you how to promote the licensing objectives within your premises licence application
- advising on the type of plans required to accompany your application
- completing and submitting the application
- disclosing the application to the responsible authorities
- making arrangements for the necessary advertising of the application.
Exclusions
The fees outlined do not include:
- obtaining suitable plans
- attending pre-consultation meetings with the Licensing Authority or Responsible Authorities, nor their fee for this meeting.
- dealing with or advising you in relation to queries or representations received from either the responsible authorities or other interested parties
- advising on varying the licence
- attendance and representation at a licensing sub-committee hearing of the responsible authority. If representations are received and attendance and representation at a licensing sub-committee is required then we will provide a separate fee estimate for this work which will be charged at an hourly rate.
Key Stages
The application process will depend on what license or change you are applying for, but in general:
- You may need to successfully complete a training course before you can apply for a license
- You may need request a criminal records check
- Complete and send off your application
- There may be a waiting period while the licensing authority checks your information and collects any objections
- You may need to advertise your application so people can register any objections
- If you meet the criteria, your information is correct, and there are no objections, you receive your application.
This just a general guide and the exact process for your application may be different. We’ll advise on how your application will progress once we’ve heard more details during a consultation.
How Long Will My Application Take?
The amount of time licence applications take depends on:
- What you’re applying for
- How quickly you provide the required information and documentation
- How quickly the licensing authority processes the application
- Whether there are any objections.
Applications for new alcohol licenses typically take 2-4 months
Our solicitors can advise on an estimated resolution time for your matter once we’ve heard more details during a consultation.
Immigration Prices
We provide competitive fees for immigration services and our fees are as follows, with VAT only applicable where indicated.
Ankara Agreement Visa
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£1,300.00 |
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£3,000 |
Entry Clearance Applications*
Type of application | Our Fees | ||
Spouse/Unmarried Partner/ Fiance | £1250.00 | ||
Short term/ Visitor’s visas | £750.00 | ||
EEA Family Permit | £1000.00 | ||
Settlement applications for dependent children under 18 | £1250.00 | ||
Settlement applications for adult dependent relatives | £1500.00 | ||
Tier 1 – Entrepreneur / Investor | TBA** | ||
Tier 2 – Work Permit | £1250.00 | ||
Tier 4 – General/Child Support | £750.00 | ||
Right of Abode/ Certificate of entitlement | £1000.00 | ||
Applications inside United Kingdom*
Type of application | Standard Service |
Immigration Appeals | |
Lodging grounds of appeal | £1500.00 to 3000.00 |
Preparation of case & Advocacy | £750.00 – £1500.00 |
Deportation Appeals | £2000.00 – £4000.00 |
Long Residence | |
Indefinite stay after Ten Year in the UK | £1500.00 |
Indefinite stay after 20 year unlawful and/or lawful stay in the UK | £1750.00 |
Immigration Detention | |
Temporary Admission/CIO Bail | £400.00 – £600.00 |
Application for bail at the Tribunal (inc Advocacy) | £750.00 – £1000.00 |
Judicial Review | £2000.00 – £6000.00 |
Application for Regularisation of stay- Overstayers |
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Human Rights Applications( Private Life) | £1500.00 |
Family life as parent/Partner | £1500.00 |
Compassionate circumstances | £1750.00 |
Reconsideration applications to Home Office | £750.00 |
Naturalisation (British Citizenship) *
Adult £750.00 | £750.00 – £1200 |
Child | £500.00 |
EEA Applications*
EEA Family Permit (Settlement) | £950.00 – £1500.00 |
Residence Card Applications (inc Derivative rights) | £950.00 – £1500.00 |
Points Based Applications (PBS) *
Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) (Investor) | **TBA |
Tier 2 (General) | £1000.00 – £1500.00 |
Tier 2 (Employer Sponsor License Application) | ** TBA |
Tier 4 (Students) | £500.00 – £750.00 |
Extension of Leave Applications*
Type of application | Our Fees |
Spouse/Unmarried Partner/ Fiance | £950.00 – £1500.00 |
Private life: Family life as parent/ Partner/child | £1000.00- £2000.00 |
EEA Family Permit | £1000.00- £2000.00 |
Settlement applications for dependent children under 18 | £1250.00 |
Settlement applications for adult dependent relatives | £1500.00 |
Tier 1 – Entrepreneur / Investor | TBA** |
Tier 2 – Work Permit | £1250.00 |
Tier 4 – General/Child Support | £750.00 |
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Settlement Applications*
Postal | Priority | |
Main applicant | £750.00 | £1500.00 |
Spouse (PBS Dependant) | £500.00 | £750.00 |
Children (PBS Dependant) | £500.00 | £750.00 |
Our costs are based on a combination of competitive market pricing as well as an approximate hourly rate based on the amount of work involved. On a complex matter which needs a tailored quote, fees would be calculated at a rate of £200 plus VAT per hour.
VAT
Vat is payable at 20% for all in country applications. If you are resident overseas vat is not payable.
Disbursements
Please note that the prices quoted below do not include additional costs that may be incurred on your matter. Any such fees can include the following. You will be notified of such fees or anticipated fees at the start of your matter:
- Appeal fees
- Counsels Fees
- Home Office fee – (click here for Home Office Fees)
- Immigration Health Surcharge – NHS Surcharge (details here)
- Immigration Skills Charge
- Independent Expert Reports
- Independent Medical Reports
- Interpreter/Translation Fees
- Courier/Postage Charges
Timescales
The time scale from inception of the file to completion for each immigration application will mainly depend on the processing times by the UK Border Agency or Home Office. We aim to process your file and application and prepare it for submission within 1-4 weeks depending on the complexity of your case. Although the UK Border Agency and Home Office provide guidelines on the waiting times or processing times, there are many cases where an application take much longer for them to process or make decision. Therefore, it is difficult to give a precise timescale. However, we recommend you refer to the UK Border Agency and Home Office websites for their estimated turnaround times for further information. An estimated time scale for each service we offer is as follows but please bear in mind these can vary on a case by case basis:
Nationality | 2-3 months | |
Registration as British Citizen as a child under 18 | Outside the UK: 5-6 months | Inside the UK: 2-3 months |
EEA law settlement scheme and pre-settlement scheme | 4-6 weeks | |
ECAA Application in the UK (Ankara Agreement) | 4-6 weeks | |
ECAA Application in the UK (Ankara Agreement) | 6-8 Weeks Outside the UK | |
Extend your leave or settle in the UK as a partner or parent of a dependent child | 2-3 Months | |
Apply for a travel document | 4-6 weeks | |
Entry clearance for spouse or fiancée visa | 2 months (expedite service available) | |
All visitor visa | 2-4 weeks | |
Application remain in the UK under your family life or private life | 2-3 months | |
Human Right Appeals (Hourly Rate of £200.00 plus VAT per hour) | Variable | |
Administrative Review | 1-2 months | |
General Immigration Appeals Tribunal Review | Variable |
Services Not Included
We have provided a comprehensive list of all services we provide above in compliance with SRA transparency rules. However, each transaction is unique and there may be some services which are not included in the fees quotes above. Where possible, we will try to establish this at the outset of the transaction or we will let you know as soon as becoming aware of any services which you may need and which are not included in our costs.
Debt Recovery Pricing
We appreciate that the fees involved in debt recovery are important to you.
We review our fees on a regular basis, considering client’s feedback, to ensure we continue to offer a cost-effective debt recovery service.
We typically work on a fixed fee basis, so that from the outset you know what the fees will be for your transaction.
We appreciate that the fees involved in debt recovery are important to you. We review our fees on a regular basis, considering client’s feedback, to ensure that we continue to offer a cost-effective debt recovery service.
We typically work on an agreed and normally fixed fee basis in respect of the work required, so that from the outset you know what the fees will be for your transaction.
Whilst every matter will be individually assessed, a typical range of costs for debt recovery matters is as follows. It should be noted that the exact costs may differ in respect of matters of a more complex nature.
- Taking your initial instructions and reviewing the primary documentation relevant to your debt. Costs range between £200 plus £40 VAT to £350 plus £70 VAT.
- Preparing a formal Letter Before Claim, compliant with the relevant Pre-Action Protocol. Any Letter Before Claim prepared by this Firm will be drafted on a bespoke basis for your individual claim, to ensure that this specifically addresses the distinct issues and facts of your matter. Costs range between £200 plus £40 VAT to £400 plus £80 VAT.
- Drafting and issuing formal Court proceedings, to include the drafting of all the necessary documentation including the Claim Form and Particulars of Claim. Costs range between £350 plus £70 VAT to £750 plus £150 VAT. In addition to these costs a Court issue fee will be payable (as explained below).
- Formally applying to the Court to secure Default Judgment, where the debtor fails to file their Acknowledgment of Service or Defence. Costs range between £100 plus £20 VAT to £150 plus £30 VAT.
Our fees are calculated on the basis of the exact time spent on the work involved, based upon our prescribed hourly charging rates. Our hourly charging rates range from £118 plus £23.60 VAT per hour for Trainee Solicitors to £217 plus £43.40 VAT for Partners.
If during the debt recovery process, the matter becomes disputed or enforcement action is required following successful recovery, we will discuss the applicable costs with you and agree the way forward. The above fees are based upon undisputed debts and where the claim becomes disputed or enforcement action is needed, we will discuss the further costs with you.
When claiming costs from the debtor, it is important know there are certain limitations on the recovery of costs and we will advise you on the relevant position applicable to your individual circumstances.
If it becomes necessary to issue formal Court proceedings, you will also be required to pay various Court fees to pursue such a claim. These Court fees are structured based on the value of your claim, for example the current Court fee if the value of your claim is worth between £1,500 to £3,000 is £115, whereas if your claim is worth over £10,000 then the Court fee payable is a sum equal to 5% of the overall value of the claim. We will always advise on the applicable Court fees at the relevant time.
If you are successful if respect of your claim, then you are typically entitled to recover these costs from the debtor.
Exclusions
Our fees are ordinarily fixed and we also provide specific advice on any additional Court fees or other disbursements involved in the recovery of your debt. There may be factors which could increase the cost of the fees, but we will advise you of these, as and when they arise. Where 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.
Time Scales
As you will appreciate every debt recovery matter is different, from instruction through to payment from the debtor. We will always keep you informed on the relevant timescales.
The workload and timetable of the Court will often dictate how quickly Judgment can be secured on an undisputed debt. However, if a claim is not disputed the average period between submitting the claim to the Court and obtaining Judgment in Default is around 7 to 8 weeks.
Key Milestones
With any recovery there are key milestones, which may vary according to individual circumstances. We aim to structure our fees around these key milestones, so that the costs are suitably managed.