Low complexity
£3,000 – £10,000
Exclusive of VAT at 20%
How we charge
Transparent guides, not surprises
Blackfields Solicitors publishes fee information so you can understand typical costs before you instruct us. Most figures below are exclusive of VAT at 20% and exclude third-party disbursements unless stated.
For a tailored quotation, call us on 020 3441 3359.
Fixed fees
Immigration fees
We charge fixed fees for most immigration and asylum work. You will be kept informed of progress, and fees can be discussed at the outset of your matter.
Start here
Initial consultation
£120plus VAT at 20%
| Application | Fixed fee | Inc. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Naturalisation or registration | £1,500 | £1,800 |
| EEA applications | £1,250 | £1,500 |
| Judicial review applications | £2,500 | £3,000 |
| Immigration bail application | £1,000 | £1,200 |
| Immigration appeal matter | £2,500 | £3,000 |
| Points-based student applications | £2,500 | £3,000 |
| Business applications (points-based) | £3,000 | £3,600 |
| Visitor visas | £1,000 | £1,200 |
| Family reunion applications | £2,500 | £3,000 |
| Spouse and partner applications | £2,500 | £3,000 |
| Other applications outside the above | From £1,000 – £5,000 | plus VAT at 20% |
Timescales
Some priority applications are determined within 24–48 hours. Most other applications are decided within 12 months, depending on complexity and Home Office processing. Exceptional cases may take longer.
Complex matters outside the Immigration Rules, or cases with a poor immigration history, may require fees above the fixed amounts. You will be advised before we take the matter on.
Typical disbursements
- Home Office application fees (change annually)
- Immigration Health Surcharge
- Premium appointment booking
- Counsel fees on appeal (often £1,500–£3,000 depending on seniority)
- Court fees and expert fees where applicable
- Interpreter fees (£25–£50 per hour) if required
Property
Residential conveyancing
Our fees cover the work required to complete the purchase or sale of your home, Land Registry registration, and dealing with Stamp Duty Land Tax (England) or Land Transaction Tax (Wales). Fees depend on complexity and property value. All fees attract VAT at 20% plus disbursements.
Freehold purchase / sale fees
Plus VAT at 20% and disbursements
| Property value | Our fee |
|---|---|
| Under £250,000 | £1,800 |
| £250,000 – £500,000 | £2,000 |
| £501,000 – £600,000 | £2,200 |
| £601,000 – £700,000 | £2,400 |
| £701,000 – £800,000 | £2,500 |
| £801,000 – £900,000 | £2,800 |
| £901,000 – £1,000,000 | £3,000 |
| £1,001,000 and above | Call for estimate |
Leasehold fees
| Property value | Fee | Inc. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Under £500,000 | £1,500 | £1,800 |
| £501,000 – £600,000 | £1,600 | £1,920 |
| £601,000 – £700,000 | £1,700 | £2,040 |
| £701,000 – £800,000 | £1,800 | £2,160 |
| £801,000 – £900,000 | £1,900 | £2,280 |
| £901,000 – £1,000,000 | £2,000 | £2,400 |
| Over £1,000,000 | Call for estimate | — |
Residential re-mortgage
Plus VAT at 20% and disbursements
| Loan / property band | Our fee |
|---|---|
| Up to £500,000 | £1,200 |
| Up to £750,000 | £1,500 |
| Up to £1M | £2,000 |
| Up to £2M | £3,000 |
| Over £2M | Call for quote |
Additional charges & notes
- Telegraphic transfer: £17 plus VAT (20%) per transfer
- ID / source of funds check: £30 plus VAT (20%) per person (purchase); identity check £10 per person (no VAT) on sales
- Leasehold purchase over £750,000: additional £150 plus VAT (20%)
- Additional fees may apply for new builds, Help-to-Buy, shared equity, or other non-standard work — we will advise as soon as we can
Conveyancing typically takes 2–3 months; the average purchase from offer to move-in is about 6–10 weeks depending on the chain. Lease extensions can take significantly longer (2–6 months).
Purchase disbursements
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monies on account | £300.00 |
| Identity check (per person) | £30.00 + VAT |
| Bank transfer fee (per transfer) | £17.00 (no VAT) |
| Completion of stamp duty form | £100.00 + VAT (= £120) |
| Land Registry searches OS1/2 | £3.00 |
| Bankruptcy search (per name) | £2.00 |
| Searches (approx.) | £180.00 |
| Usual search package (inc. VAT) | £284.04 |
| Acting for lender (if applicable, approx.) | £200.00 + VAT (= £240) |
| Electronic filing — Land Registry | £6.00 inc VAT |
| Electronic filing — Stamp Duty Land Tax | £6.00 inc VAT |
Sale disbursements
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monies on account | £300.00 |
| Identity check (per person) | £10.00 (no VAT) |
| Redemption fee | £90.00 + VAT |
| Office copy entries (per copy) | £3.00 (no VAT) |
| Bank transfer fee (per transfer) | £17.00 |
| Management pack / LPE1 | Advised by managing agent / freeholder |
Leasehold extras (typical)
- Notice of Transfer fee — usually £70–£100 plus VAT
- Notice of Charge fee (if mortgaged) — usually £70–£100 plus VAT
- Deed of Covenant fee — often £100–£200 plus VAT (charged by management company / landlord)
Estates
Probate
Charges vary with the circumstances of each estate and are charged hourly at £260 per hour plus VAT. This guide assumes no dispute against the estate and does not include sale or transfer of property within the estate.
Hourly rate: £260 per hour plus VAT at 20%
Medium complexity
£10,000 – £20,000
Exclusive of VAT at 20%
High complexity
£20,000 – £30,000
Exclusive of VAT at 20%
Pre-grant
Work up to and including obtaining the grant of probate — gathering information on assets, liabilities and beneficiaries.
Post-grant
Collecting or selling assets, distributing to beneficiaries, paying liabilities, finalising estate accounts and tax.
Common disbursements
- Tracing fees£200 – £500 plus VAT
- Newspaper advertisement£50 – £600 plus VAT (depending on the paper)
- Probate registration application£215 (no VAT)
- HMLR office copy entries£3 (no VAT)
Usually 3–12 months depending on complexity; some cases take longer. The figures above are a guide only. Please call us to discuss your matter.
Commercial claims
Debt recovery
These costs apply to a single unpaid business invoice which is not disputed, of up to £100,000. Charges are based on hourly rates, plus telegraphic transfer (£17 + VAT) and ID/source-of-funds checks (£30 + VAT per person), plus disbursements. VAT is currently 20%.
Stage 1
Letter of claim
£1,000 – £1,500
plus VAT at 20% and disbursements
Typical timescale: Likely 2–3 weeks if the debtor pays promptly
- Taking instructions and reviewing documents
- Confirming debtor identity and address
- Sending a pre-action / letter of claim
- Receiving payment or response and forwarding to you
Stage 2
Issue a court claim
£1,200 – £1,800
plus VAT at 20% and disbursements
Typical timescale: Usually around 6–8 weeks to default judgment, depending on court processing
- Drafting and issuing court papers
- Service in accordance with the Civil Procedure Rules
- Applying for judgment in default where appropriate
- One post-judgment letter requesting payment
- Basic advice on next steps if payment is not received
Court issue fees (no VAT)
Court issue fees are correct at the time of publishing but are subject to change. Check current fees at gov.uk/court-fees-what-they-are.
| Value of claim | Court issue fee |
|---|---|
| Up to £300 | £35 |
| £300.01 – £500 | £50 |
| £500.01 – £1,000 | £70 |
| £1,000.01 – £1,500 | £80 |
| £1,500.01 – £3,000 | £115 |
| £3,000.01 – £5,000 | £205 |
| £5,000.01 – £10,000 | £455 |
| £10,000.01 – £200,000 | 5% of claim value |
| More than £200,000 | £10,000 |
Not included
- • Enforcement action (e.g. bailiffs) after judgment
- • Complex or disputed debts — fees will be higher and quoted based on hourly rates
- • Barrister fees if counsel is instructed (estimate provided when needed)
Please note
- • The VAT element of our fee cannot be reclaimed from your debtor if you are already registered for VAT.
- • Interest and compensation may take the debt into a higher banding.
- • Costs indicated above are not for enforcement action.
- • Costs you incur may exceed any costs awarded in your favour.
Disclaimers
Important notes
- 1
Fee figures on this page are a guide only and may change. You should contact us to discuss your specific matter.
- 2
Unless stated otherwise, professional fees are exclusive of VAT at 20%.
- 3
Disbursements are third-party costs. We do not add VAT to disbursements where VAT has already been charged by the third party.
- 4
Home Office, Land Registry, court and other official fees change from time to time — we confirm current amounts when lodging applications.
- 5
Stamp Duty Land Tax / Land Transaction Tax depends on the property and your circumstances — see the official calculators on GOV.UK / Welsh Government sites.
Need a quotation for your matter?
If this guide does not answer your questions, get in touch and we will discuss the work involved and the likely cost.