Family law
How much will it cost? - Public Funding
The Legal Services Commission has introduced a system of fixed fees for publicly funded work. This is divided into four levels, depending on how far matters proceed:
Level 1 - Legal Help
This covers initial advice at the first meeting and any subsequent correspondence.
Level 2 - Family Help (Lower)
This covers when the matter proceeds to a "significant family dispute" for which additional work is required.
Level 3 - Family Help (Higher)
This covers work within Court proceedings up to but excluding a final hearing.
Level 4 - Legal Representation
This covers work from the preparation for a final hearing up to and including work required to conclude the case.
Children Matters
If your matter concludes at level 3, then the costs will be in the region of £392 + VAT and disbursements. Further fixed costs may also be incurred in relation to individual hearings of approximately £191.55 for each hearing lasting up to 2.5 hours. If your matter proceeds to level 4, then costs will be in the region of a further £279 + VAT and disbursements and approximately £485.25 for the final Court hearing.
Financial Matters
If your matter concludes at level , then the costs will be in the region of £523 + VAT and disbursements. Further fixed costs may also be incurred in relation to individual hearings of between £175.50 and £280.80 for each hearing lasting up to 2.5 hours. If your matter proceeds to level 4, then costs will be in the region of a further £346 + VAT and disbursements and approximately £493 for the final Court hearing.
Domestic Abuse
This can only be dealt with at level 4. The costs will be in the region of £563 + VAT and disbursements. Further fixed costs may also be incurred in relation to individual hearings of between £226.40 and £401.30.
In the vent that the costs incurred in your case exceed 3-times the fixed fee, we will be paid for the actual costs incurred in dealing with your case on an hourly basis, as follows:
| Attendance |
£61.00 per hour |
| Preparation |
£61.00 per hour |
| Letters out |
£6.00 |
| Letters in |
£3.00 |
| Telephone calls |
£6.00 |
Advocacy (representing
you at Court) |
£63.00 per hour |
Attending Court
(with Counsel) |
£36.00 per hour |
| Travel |
£31.00 per hour |
| Waiting |
£31.00 per hour |
VAT is added to all rates.
Important Information
It is important that you keep us updated with regard to any changes at all in your personal or financial circumstances, no matter how small you think the change is. We have a duty to protect the public fund and have to be sure that all clients continue to be entitled to receive public funding. From time to time, we may therefore ask you to provide documentary evidence to support the fact that you are still entitled to receive public funding.
If you do not provide us with all of the documentary evidence requested on time, then it may result in your public funding being withdrawn.
The Legal Services Commission also, from time to time, carry out spot checks on clients who have the benefit of a public funding certificate. If you do not provide the documents requested by the Legal Services Commission then they will take steps to revoke your certificate and you will have to represent yourself.
If the Legal Services Commission revoke your certificate, they will pay my fees and then look to you for reimbursement to the public fund of those fees.
Please do not ignore any correspondence received from either my office or the Legal Services Commission with regard to reassessment of your means for eligibility to continue to receive public funding.
If you have any questions or need any further advice, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to accommodate you.
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