Fees and pricing

Pricing at Arona St James Solicitors is transparent. Before work begins, every client receives a written quote or engagement letter explaining how their matter will be priced, what work is included and which additional costs may arise. In accordance with the Solicitors Regulation Authority Transparency Rules, we publish detailed fee information for our immigration and wills, trust and probate services below.

How we price our work

The appropriate fee structure depends on the type of work and how predictable its scope is. Common structures include:

• Fixed fees for a clearly defined piece of work, such as many immigration applications, wills and lasting powers of attorney.
• Hourly rates where the scope may change, such as contested family matters or complex probate work.
• Staged or milestone-based fees for longer matters, allowing costs to be agreed for defined phases of work.

VAT at the current standard rate of 20% is charged in addition where applicable. Your written quote or engagement letter will explain whether VAT applies.

Disbursements

Disbursements are payments made to third parties on your behalf as part of your matter. They are separate from our legal fees. Depending on the work involved, examples may include Home Office application fees, court and tribunal fees, probate registry fees, Land Registry and other search fees, medical or expert reports, interpreter and translation fees, barristers’ fees, notices in The London Gazette or a local newspaper, and travel expenses.

Any expected disbursements will be identified and explained in your engagement letter where they are known. If an additional disbursement becomes necessary, we will explain it to you before incurring it wherever possible.

What affects the cost of your matter

The cost of legal work can be affected by:

• the legal and factual complexity of the matter;
• the urgency of the work;
• the amount of evidence and correspondence involved;
• whether other parties are cooperative;
• whether negotiations, applications or court hearings are required; and
• unexpected developments or changes to the agreed scope.

We will tell you if circumstances are likely to change the original estimate or agreed scope.

Immigration fees

Most immigration applications are charged on a time-spent basis because every case differs in complexity and the amount of work required. This section sets out our hourly rates and typical costs for immigration matters. For more about the immigration work we undertake, visit our immigration services page.

Immigration hourly rates (excluding VAT)

Fee earner	Hourly rate
Principal Solicitor	£350 – £400
Senior Associate Solicitor	£300
Chartered Legal Executive	£275
Associate Solicitor	£250
NQ to 4 Year PQE Solicitor	£200
Immigration Senior Accredited Caseworker	£150
Caseworker / Trainee Solicitor / Solicitor Apprentice	£125

Urgent matters, out-of-hours work and exceptionally complex cases may attract a higher rate. We will always discuss this with you before undertaking any work.

Typical immigration costs

Most immigration applications (leave to remain or entry clearance applications) require between 5 and 20 hours of legal work. As a guide:

• Straightforward applications may cost between £750 and £3,500 plus VAT.
• More complex applications may cost between £1,500 and £7,000 plus VAT.

Following your initial consultation, we will provide a tailored estimate based on your circumstances wherever possible.

Factors affecting immigration costs

The amount of work required depends on factors such as:

• the complexity of your immigration history;
• whether your circumstances clearly meet the Immigration Rules;
• the volume of documentation requiring review;
• whether further evidence must be obtained;
• whether documents require translation;
• the number of applicants involved;
• whether witness statements are required; and
• the level of ongoing advice and correspondence required.

Cases supported by clear evidence and complete documentation from the outset are likely to fall towards the lower end of the estimated fee range.

What is included

Our immigration service will generally include:

• assessing your eligibility and available options;
• advising on the relevant Immigration Rules and legal requirements;
• reviewing supporting documentation;
• identifying any evidential gaps;
• assisting with obtaining further evidence where required;
• preparing and submitting your application;
• corresponding with the Home Office where appropriate; and
• advising you on the outcome and any next steps.

The exact work undertaken will depend on the nature and complexity of your case.

What is not included

Our immigration fees do not include:

• Home Office application fees;
• Immigration Health Surcharge payments;
• tribunal appeal fees;
• independent expert reports; or
• advice or representation in relation to an appeal, unless specifically agreed.

Asylum and protection claims

Asylum work is one of the most sensitive areas of immigration law. We are recognised for providing detailed, strategic and compassionate representation to individuals seeking protection in the United Kingdom, including attending substantive asylum interviews wherever appropriate. Find out more about our asylum and protection service.

Asylum claims vary significantly depending on the complexity of the factual background, the amount of supporting evidence, the need for expert reports and the level of preparation required. As a guide:

• Asylum cases handled predominantly by a junior solicitor generally start from £3,000 plus VAT.
• Asylum cases requiring senior solicitor involvement generally start from £4,500 plus VAT.

A bespoke estimate is provided following an initial consultation and review of your circumstances.

Immigration appeals

We also advise and represent clients in immigration appeals before the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber). Appeals typically require between 20 and 40 hours of preparation, depending on complexity. Find out more about our immigration appeals service.

Typical costs range from:

• £3,000 to £7,000 plus VAT for appeals primarily handled by junior solicitors.
• £4,500 to £12,000 plus VAT where substantial senior solicitor involvement is required.

In most appeals, specialist counsel will also be instructed. Barristers’ fees generally range from £1,000 to £5,000 plus VAT, depending on the complexity of the matter and the seniority of counsel.

How long will my immigration application take?

Home Office processing times vary depending on the type of application and cannot be guaranteed. We are usually able to prepare and submit most applications within 1 to 3 weeks of receiving complete instructions and supporting documents. Where urgent deadlines apply, we will discuss the available options and timescales with you at the outset.

Wills, trust and probate fees

We understand that dealing with the administration of an estate can be a difficult and emotional process, and we aim to provide clear advice and transparent information about the likely costs involved. For more about our private client work, visit our wills and probate services page.

The cost of administering an estate depends on the complexity of the matter, the value of the estate, the number of beneficiaries, and whether any complications arise. Our fees may be charged on a fixed fee basis, or on an hourly rate basis, depending on the circumstances of the matter. All work is carried out under the supervision of a qualified solicitor.

Probate hourly rates (plus VAT)

Fee earner	Hourly rate
Principal Solicitor	£300
Solicitor	£250
Paralegal / Caseworker	£150

A tailored estimate will be provided following an initial review of the estate and the documents available.

Typical probate costs

In a straightforward estate, we would generally estimate fees in the region of £2,000 to £8,000 plus VAT. More complex matters may exceed this estimate depending upon the work involved.

What is included

Our service may include:

• taking your instructions and providing initial advice;
• identifying the legally appointed executors or administrators;
• obtaining asset and liability information;
• valuing the estate;
• preparing inheritance tax forms and calculations, where required;
• applying for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration;
• collecting in assets;
• settling liabilities and debts;
• preparing Estate Accounts; and
• distributing the estate to beneficiaries.

Factors that may increase probate costs

The administration of an estate can become more complex, and costs may increase, if:

• no valid will exists;
• the estate includes multiple properties;
• foreign assets are involved;
• there are disputes between beneficiaries;
• business assets are involved;
• Inheritance Tax issues arise;
• missing beneficiaries need to be traced; or
• additional investigations are required.

Should additional work become necessary, we will discuss this with you and provide a revised estimate before carrying out any substantial additional work.

How long will it take?

The timescale for administering an estate varies significantly. For a straightforward estate, obtaining the Grant of Probate typically takes several months, and full administration and distribution of the estate generally takes between 6 and 12 months. More complex estates may take considerably longer.

Key stages of the process

1. Taking instructions and obtaining identification documents.
2. Reviewing the will and establishing who is entitled to administer the estate.
3. Gathering information regarding assets and liabilities.
4. Valuing the estate.
5. Preparing and submitting inheritance tax documentation, where required.
6. Applying for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration.
7. Collecting estate assets.
8. Settling outstanding debts and liabilities.
9. Preparing Estate Accounts.
10. Distributing the estate to beneficiaries.
11. Closing the administration.

Every estate is different. We will provide a personalised cost estimate once we have reviewed the circumstances of the matter. For further information about our probate services, please email noel@aronastjames.co.uk.

Family law and employment matters

For family law and employment matters, please contact our team to discuss your circumstances. We will confirm our proposed fees in writing, in line with the pricing structures set out above, before any work begins. Find out more on our family law and employment service pages.

How to get a quote

The best way to obtain a tailored fee estimate is through an initial consultation. During your consultation we will assess your circumstances, advise on your available options, identify potential risks and challenges, and provide guidance on likely costs and timescales.

Consultations are available in person at our Walthamstow office, by telephone, or remotely via Microsoft Teams. To arrange a consultation, please visit our contact page.

Arona St James Solicitors, 63 St James Street, Walthamstow, London E17 7PJ.
Telephone: 020 8175 5000.
Email: hello@aronastjames.co.uk.