Pricing & Transparency
Last reviewed:
This information is provided in accordance with the SRA Transparency Rules December 2018. This price transparency information is provided to you as clients and prospective clients to help you make an informed choice as to your legal provider and understand the services and prices for legal services which we provide that come within these rules.
The price transparency information provided below is to act as a guide only, and does not constitute an offer of services that you can accept. Each individual instruction will receive a personal quotation from us, relevant to your instructions.
Our Costs
We charge for the legal work we do on a time recorded basis based on hourly rates plus VAT which is charged in line with the current rate of 20%. Should the government increase the rate then the rate will be that in accordance with the change.
Our charging rate is based upon the seniority and experience of the file handler working on a case as follows:
| Rate | Experience Level |
|---|---|
| £272.00/hr + VAT | Solicitors or CILEX with at least 8 years PQE |
| £233.00/hr + VAT | Solicitors, CILEX or Costs Lawyers with at least 4 years PQE |
| £193.00/hr + VAT | Solicitors, CILEX or Costs Lawyers with up to 4 years PQE |
| £142.00/hr + VAT | Paralegals, trainees or equivalent |
Complex Case Rates
A case may be considered complex when:
- A claim exceeds the sum of £25,000.
- An opponent pleads that a claim is fraudulent and/or dishonest.
- A claim is allocated to the multi-track by the court on grounds of complexity.
- Any other case that in our reasonable opinion raises issues of complexity.
When a case falls into the above criteria, our complex rates will apply:
| Rate | Experience Level |
|---|---|
| £360.00/hr | Solicitors with at least 8 years PQE |
| £330.00/hr | Solicitors or CILEX with at least 4 years PQE |
| £275.00/hr | Solicitors with up to 4 years PQE |
| £210.00/hr | Paralegals or trainees |
Disbursements
We also incur disbursements which vary on a case-by-case basis. Examples include:
- Barrister's advice and/or pleadings: £420–£3,000
- Expert reports and/or questions to the expert: £450–£1,200
- Insurance on a CFA case as notified to you
Court Fees
| Value of Claim | Fee Payable |
|---|---|
| Up to £300 | £35.00 |
| £300.01 – £500 | £50.00 |
| £500.01 – £1,000 | £70.00 |
| £1,000.01 – £1,500 | £80.00 |
| £1,500.01 – £3,000 | £115.00 |
| £3,000.01 – £5,000 | £205.00 |
| £5,000.01 – £10,000 | £455.00 |
| £10,000.01 – £200,000 | 5% of claim value |
| Over £200,000 | £10,000.00 |
Additional fees for Housing Conditions claims:
- County Court non-money claim: £387.00
- High Court non-money claim: £663.00
Trial hearing fees:
- Intermediate or Multi-Track case: £1,334.00
- Fast Track case: £619.00
Fees for Applications
- Applications by consent or without notice: £126.00
- Applications on notice: £321.00
These fees can change from time to time and can be found in Form EX50A on the court's website.
Housing Disrepair
We act for clients on a Conditional Fee Agreement. As a result, if you lose (i.e. your claim is unsuccessful) we will not charge for the work we do, so long as you have been honest and co-operated with us during your case. If you win your claim, you will be responsible for payment of our basic charges, our success fee, our disbursements and statutory interest. However, you are entitled to seek recovery from the other side of our disbursements and statutory interest, and also a contribution towards our base charges.
Since we have agreed to take the risk of not being paid at all for the work we do if you lose, we are entitled under this agreement to a success fee if you win. Our success fee including VAT will be 100% of our basic charges, but the success fee (inclusive of VAT) is subject to a maximum limit of 35% of your General Damages.
Read our plain-English guide to No Win, No Fee housing disrepair claims, including questions to ask before signing.
We will also look to take out an After the Event Insurance Policy which will cover your legal costs if you lose your case. The cost of this policy is currently priced at £890.40 and will increase in line with any Insurance Premium Tax increase set by the government. The policy cost will be deducted from your compensation at the conclusion of your claim.
Our Costs Summary
- Conditional Fee Agreement (No Win, No Fee)
- 35% success fee deducted from compensation
- ATE Policy fee deducted from compensation
How much do housing disrepair solicitors take?
Under this firm's current published terms, the success fee including VAT is capped at 35% of general damages. The £890.40 ATE insurance premium and any other deductions set out in your individual agreement may also apply. Ask for a worked illustration based on your case before signing.
Do I pay if my housing disrepair claim loses?
Under the firm's CFA, the firm does not charge for its work if the claim is unsuccessful, provided you have been honest and cooperated. The precise protection, exclusions and possible liabilities are governed by the signed CFA and any insurance policy.
What is after-the-event insurance?
ATE insurance is intended to cover specified legal-cost risks if a case loses. The cover is subject to the policy terms. The firm's current published premium is £890.40 and is deducted from compensation at the end of a successful claim.
Can I cancel a No Win, No Fee agreement?
Your cancellation and early-termination rights depend on the written agreement, including any cooling-off provisions. Ending the agreement can create a liability for work already done, so request a written costs explanation before cancelling.
Regulatory Information
Awaab's Law Claims Specialists is a trading style of Driscoll Kingston & Co Limited, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 839699).
