We provide Legal Aid for family law and housing matters, to clients who are unable to pay their legal costs.
Funding is granted and paid by the Legal Aid Agency.
In family law matters Legal Aid is available if children services are seeking to remove a child from your care, or if you have been a victim of domestic violence. In housing matters, Legal Aid is available if you face homelessness because your landlord intends to evict you or because your accommodation is unsuitable due to disrepair amongst other reasons.
This is not an exhaustive list and the Legal Aid guidance on merit tests are very complex. You can find more information on www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid however we advise that if you are seeking Legal Aid funding in the following areas, you contact us and a member of the respective team will be able to provide you guidance.
If you are in receipt of Benefits (Universal Credit, ESA, JSA, DSA) please provide the following:
If you are self-employed, please provide the following:
If you are employed or unemployed and not in receipt of benefits
Your matter may be worked on by a Solicitor, Trainee Solicitor or Caseworker, all Trainees and Caseworkers are supervised by a Solicitor. Solicitors will be supervised by a Director.
The Fee Estimates for our services are as follows:
Your matter may be worked on by a Solicitor, Trainee Solicitor or Caseworker, all Trainees and Caseworkers are supervised by a Solicitor. Solicitors will be supervised by a Director.
The majority of our case are agreed on a fixed fee basis. Where a fixed fee is not practicable, fees will be charged in accordance with our hourly rates and a fee estimate would be agreed. The estimate will be arrived at, having considered the facts of clients’ instructions.
Please note that express work may attract higher fees, typically starting from £1500 + 20% VAT (£1,800 onwards)
Note: Services are not included in our fee estimate
Should you wish to request for the bewlo additional services, we would quote you a fixed fee based on your requirements.
Timescales are dependent on the application type, circumstances of the application, complexity, and the visa expiration date (where applicable).
We aim for a turnaround of four weeks for straightforward applications (applications without additional complexities or complications) and, depending on the circumstances, a longer period of time (potentially a few months) for complex applications.
We advise our clients on the anticipated time frame for each individual instruction at the outset confirm if an application was considered as complex. Please note that the time frame within which the application can be completed is dependent on the timely provision of the relevant information by the client. The UK Visas and Immigration department have set processing times based on the type of the application and method of submission: https://www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times
The main disbursement for each application relates to the payment of the UK Visas and Immigration fees, the actual cost of this disbursement is dependent on the application type. A list of the applicable immigration fees is available on the UK Visas and Immigration website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table .
Disbursements may include courier fees and translation fees. These would be quoted for in each individual matter and agreed before proceeding.
Your matter may be worked on by a Solicitor, Trainee Solicitor or Caseworker, all Trainees and Caseworkers are supervised by a Solicitor. Solicitors will be supervised by a Director.
Our Estimated Fee is inclusive of the following:
Please note this fee is based on all documents, communications being sent to you electronically. Additional fees may be incurred where postage is required.
For leasehold properties, our estimate fee is inclusive of:
Likely Timescales
In property transactions it is very difficult to provide a precise timescale. There are several factors that can potentially delay conveyancing. As your matter proceeds you will be updated with more precise anticipated timescales and if there are factors preventing us from completing your matter within this timescale, we will advise you as soon as they become apparent to us.
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 vary depending on the developer or your mortgage lender issuing a mortgage offer. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, In such, a situation additional charges would apply.
Examples of Likely Disbursements
Please note that disbursements vary from property to property and can differ from that which has been set out above. Once we are in receipt of the specific documents relating to your purchase, we can provide you an accurate indication of costs.
Additionally, other disbursements may apply depending on the terms of our lease. You will be updated on this following receipt and review of the lease from the Sellers’ Solicitors.
Potential Additional Fees and Disbursements
Fees | We provide all our clients with a fee estimate at the beginning of their matter, however there are instances in which additional fees may apply. We will inform you of this so you may decide whether you wish to proceed. Additional fees apply in the following situations:
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list.
Disbursements | Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and these disbursements vary from property to property:
Our Estimated Fee is inclusive of the following:
Please note this fee is based on all documents, communications being sent to you electronically. Additional fees may be incurred where postage is required.
Likely Timescales
In property transactions it is very difficult to provide a precise timescale. There are several factors that can potentially delay conveyancing. As your matter proceeds you will be updated with more precise timescales and if there are factors preventing us from completing your matter within this timescale, we will advise you as soon as they become apparent to us.
Estimated timescales can be impacted dependent on the parties. For example, if you are a first-time buyer, purchasing a new build property with a mortgage in principle, it could vary depending on the developer or your mortgage lender issuing a mortgage offer. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, In such, a situation additional charges would apply.
Examples of Likely Disbursements
Please note that disbursements vary from property to property and can differ from that which has been set out above.
Please see potential additional disbursements:
Your matter may be worked on by a Solicitor, Trainee Solicitor or Caseworker, all Trainees and Caseworkers are supervised by a Solicitor. Solicitors will be supervised by a Director.
Our fee inclusive of the following steps:
Our fee is exclusive of:
The fees set out below are designed to provide you with an indication as to the likely costs in your matter. Please note that these may vary depending on a range of factors. In most instances we will charge a fixed fee, where this is not appropriate, we will charge a fee based on our hourly rates set out above.
Small Claims up to £10,000
Please note, small claims matter, legal fees are largely irrecoverable, therefore you will be responsible for your own legal costs whatever the outcome of your case. To ensure that legal costs are reasonable we conduct small claims debt recovery work on a fixed fee basis.
Debts of more than £10,000
In these cases, the legal fees you incur can be recovered from the losing party – the debtor. We are therefore able to offer varying funding options in these cases. Whether hourly rate or fixed fee. Please speak to one of our advisors if you are seeking representation under a conditional fee agreement.
Estimated Fixed Fees
Your matter may be worked on by a Solicitor, Trainee Solicitor or Caseworker, all Trainees and Caseworkers are supervised by a Solicitor. Solicitors will be supervised by a Director.
Our fees for motoring cases where a person pleads guilty and there is a single hearing, are based on our hourly rates which are set out in other sections.
The estimated cost based on the time spent on the matter range between: £750 – 1000 + 20% VAT
The following factors are an example of thing which may potentially increase the costs above the estimated amount:
Our fee is inclusive of the following steps:
Likely Timescales
In cases where persons plead guilty and the matter is dealt with at a single hearing, the matter is typically completed between three to four months.
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. The costs of disbursements vary, we advise each client at the beginning of each matter as to the likely disbursements which may be incurred.
Your matter may be worked on by a Solicitor, Trainee Solicitor or Caseworker, all Trainees and Caseworkers are supervised by a Solicitor. Solicitors will be supervised by a Director.
Our fees for these cases range between: £800 – £10,000 + 20% VAT
Our average fees for these matters start from £4000 + 20% VAT
As outlined below, fees are determined on a case specific basis and are subject to increase depending on the complexity.
Where a client is unable to afford funding through our hourly rate or fixed fee, we may undertake work on a conditional fee agreement basis. If you would like your case to be dealt with on a CFA, please advise of this prior to your initial consultation so we may make an assessment as to whether this is the appropriate course of action.
We undertake work in employment matters on both an hourly rate and fixed fee basis. Our hourly rates are dependent on the level of experience each fee earner has and are listed above. Please note that the fees quoted to you do not consider matters which may be complex, the complexity of your case is likely to increase your fees, however you will be advised if this is the case.
The following factors may increase the complexity of your case:
Our Fees Are Inclusive of the following:
Our Fees Are Exclusive of the Following:
Likely Timescales
The timescales in your matter from the point of initial consultation to resolution are dependent on the state at which your case is resolved. Dependent on whether settlement is reached at an early stage or whether the matter proceeds to a final hearing at the Employment Tribunal or Court, this may take between a few weeks – a year.
This is an overall estimate, your advisor will be able to provide you will a more accurate timescale at the outset of your matter and as the case progresses.
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
Disbursements such as counsels’ fees for preparing and attending an employment tribunal hearing are dependent on the seniority and experience of the barrister(s) involved in your matter. Counsel’s fees are generally based on a “brief fee” – the charge for preparation and the first day in tribunal – and a “refresher” – the charge for any additional days in tribunal.
For a simple case, listed for a 1-day hearing, instructing junior Counsel is likely to cost between £750 + 20% VAT and £1,000 + 20% VAT.
For a medium complexity case, listed for a 3-day hearing, the brief fee is likely to be between £5,000 + 20% VAT and £7,500 + 20% VAT and the refresher for each of the additional days between £1,500 + 20% VAT to £2,000 + 20% VAT.
For a complex case, the hearing is likely to last up to around 10 days. We would tend to instruct senior counsel on such cases and the brief fee is likely to be between £20,000 + 20% VAT to £50,000 + 20% VAT, with a daily refresher of between £2,500 + 20% VAT and £4,500 + 20% VAT. We may, where appropriate, instruct more than one barrister on a matter which will increase the relevant costs.
Further, where appropriate we may involve counsel at an early stage to assist with drafting key documents or providing a legal opinion as to the merits of your case. Costs for this will vary depending on the level of assistance required and the seniority of the barrister instructed.
Your matter may be worked on by a Solicitor, Trainee Solicitor or Caseworker, all Trainees and Caseworkers are supervised by a Solicitor. Solicitors will be supervised by a Director.
Please note: Our estimated fees for probate and estate administration do not include dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate (although we will provide a separate quote or estimate as appropriate if you wish to instruct us to do that for you).
Drafting: from £300 + 20% VAT= £360 onwards
Our fee is inclusive of the following steps:
Likely Timescales:
At an estimate, estates that fall within this range are dealt with between 3 – 6 months. For obtaining the grant of probate 4 – 8 weeks. The collection of assets can take between 2 – 4 weeks. Once this has been done, we can then distribute assets which takes approximately 2 – 4 weeks.
Costs of Service
Our fees will be dependent on the seniority (experience) of the relevant fee earner in addition to the value and complexity of the estate. Fees may vary and can be charged on a fixed fee basis or fee percentage (usually between 0.5% to 2.5% is industry standard for Solicitors) or by hourly rate.
Our fixed fees typically start at:
£2000 + 20% VAT = £2400 onwards
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. Please keep in mind that, as with the legal fees, the disbursements will vary depending on the type of matter.
Examples of disbursements (per property) in probate matters:
Grant of Probate Only
We also offer a Grant only service to our clients. This is an economical way for obtaining the Grant of Probate (or Grant of Letters of Administration where there is no Will) on your behalf, and you can thereafter handle with the estate administration yourself.
Our fee is inclusive of the following steps:
Likely Timescales
At an estimate, estates which fall within this range are dealt within this range are dealt with within 1 month. We can usually submit the application to the Probate Registry (for non-taxable estates) within 2 weeks.
Costs of Service
Our fees will be dependent on the seniority (experience) of the relevant fee earner in addition to the value and complexity of the estate. Fees may vary and can be charged on a fixed fee basis or by hourly rate.
Our fixed fees typically start from:
Fees for non-taxable estate (IHT 205) = £500 + 20% VAT = £600
Fees for taxable estate (IHT 400) = £1200 + 20% VAT = £1440
Disbursements
Property and affairs LPA. This lets the person you appoint make decisions about your property and finances.
Health and welfare LPA. This lets the person you appoint make decisions about your care and medical treatment.
(an individual is making one type of LPA) £400 +20% VAT = £480
Two LPAs £700 +20% VAT = £840
The exact fee depends the legal advice needed and how long it takes for the solicitor to draft the precising wording of your Trust
from: £750 + 20% VAT = £900
Your matter may be worked on by a Solicitor, Trainee Solicitor or Caseworker, all Trainees and Caseworkers are supervised by a Solicitor. Solicitors will be supervised by a Director.
Work which falls outside our fixed fees is charged on an hourly rate basis. You will be advised of the applicable hourly rate and estimate of fees for work.
Our hourly rates for litigation are as follows:
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. The costs of disbursements vary, we advise each client at the beginning of each matter as to the likely disbursements which may be incurred.
The following are examples of disbursements which you may incur in a litigation matter:
Your matter may be worked on by a Solicitor, Trainee Solicitor or Caseworker, all Trainees and Caseworkers are supervised by a Solicitor. Solicitors will be supervised by a Director.
Where you do not qualify for Legal Aid Funding in respect of Housing, following an initial consultation and having assessed the merits of your claim we may be able to take on your matter under a conditional fee agreement.
Please send an email to info@obasekisolicitors.co.uk should you have any further queries.
Should we unable to undertake your matter on a CFA basis, we will offer you a fixed fee derived from a fee estimate through our hourly rates as set out above.
Our Services Include:
The fees set out below are an estimate of the fees for the listed types of family matters we undertake. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and the estimated fees are subject to change and or increase dependent on the complexity of each matter.
A member of our family team will advise you of the estimated costs at the outset.
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. The costs of disbursements vary, we advise each client at the beginning of each matter as to the likely disbursements which may be incurred.
The following are examples of disbursements which you may incur in a family matter: