Our Costs

We are normally instructed by parents, either in relation to providing them with specialist advice (usually if they are going through the ‘Statementing’ process) or in relation to SEND Tribunal (formerly known as ‘SENDIST’) appeals.

Often, people who first contact us, ask if we can give then an estimate of the costs that may be involved in them instructing us to help them before we meet with them.  We realise that it is important for people to have an idea of potential costs that may be involved but we find it extremely difficult to give a proper estimate of costs until we have personally met with a client, discussed their case in detail and advised what they may need to do.  This is why we only provide an estimate of potential costs to clients when we actually meet them, which we then confirm in a letter of advice afterwards.

We are entirely transparent and fair about our charges. In fact, unusually for solicitors, our fees are quoted inclusive of VAT and are very straightforward so that they are easy to understand. Bearing in mind our expertise and experience in dealing with cases, we also consider that our fees are both competitive whilst, at the same time, are genuinely providing ‘added’ value for money to our clients.
                                                        
In essence, our fees can be set out in three ways:

• First Meeting
• Normal Hourly Rates
• Fixed/Capped Fees for SEND Appeals

First Meeting (which lasts for about 1½ - 2 hours)

£300 inclusive of VAT (which includes a detailed letter of advice afterwards)

Normal Hourly Rates     

• Douglas Silas: £300 per hour inclusive of VAT
• Assistant Solicitor: £200 per hour inclusive of VAT
• Trainee Solicitor: £175 per hour inclusive of VAT
• Other Staff (including paralegals): £150 per hour inclusive of VAT

Fixed/Capped Fees for SEND Tribunal Appeals (from 1 January 2012)

£10,750 inclusive of VAT but plus Disbursements (e.g. expert reports, photocopying, special postage, travel, etc.) in relation to:

• Refusals to Assess/Re-assess
• Refusals to Make a Statement of SEN following an Assessment/Reassessment
• Refusals to Change the Name of a School on a Statement of SEN
• Decisions to Cease to Maintain a Statement of SEN

£14,750 inclusive of VAT but plus Disbursements (e.g. expert reports, photocopying, special postage, travel, etc.) in relation to:

• Challenges to the Contents of a Statement of SEN                    

Our fees for appeals are referred to as 'capped' not just 'fixed' because, if the appeal is successfully settled at least seven days before the hearing, we will only charge for the work we have incurred up until then at our normal hourly rate plus a 10% uplift to reflect the risk we have taken. For example, if only £2,000 worth of work has been incurred when the case concludes we will charge the client £2,200, but if £6,000 worth of work has already been incurred we will charge them £6,600.

For clients instructing us on Fixed/Capped Fees we also provide reductions of £500 for those paying by standing order or £750 for those paying in full upfront.

Please click here for a more detailed explanation about 'Our Costs' or download our information sheet on ‘Fixed/Capped Fees’ for SEND Tribunal Appeals. Please make sure that you read this information in full, preferably before you contact us.

Please note that we sincerely believe that parents should approach us for our advice before lodging any appeal in order to maximise their likelihood of success. If you already have a right (or potential right) to appeal to the SEND Tribunal against an LEA decision or final statement (e.g. you are currently awaiting a ‘final’ statement) please contact us as soon as possible if you think that you may be needing our advice and assistance. Although we will always endeavour to see new clients within 2 to 4 weeks of them approaching us for an appointment, where people approach us at short notice, we may have difficulty in seeing them quickly enough.

Please also note that fixed/capped fees are only available to parents who have first of all met with us for our initial fixed fee meeting of £300 inclusive of VAT.  Moreover, unless there are good reasons why a parent cannot attend our first meeting in person (i.e. disability related reasons) we may not be able to accept instructions. 

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