Price and Service Information

The Legal Solutions Advocates & Solicitors T/A “Legal solutions”

Legal Solutions Team

Our highly professional legal conveyancing services are among the most recognised in the sector. We are committed to making the process of buying or selling your personal property as efficient and stress-free as it can be.

What is conveyancing?

Conveyancing is the term for the legal and administrative process that comes with buying, selling or mortgaging a property or piece of land. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, an investor, or someone looking to sell your home and move up the property ladder, here at Legal Solutions  we’ll provide the answer with our effective and efficient legal conveyancing services.

Our expert team progress our clients’ instructions for large numbers of  properties bought and sold each year, while our clients include private individuals, property investors, developers and lenders.

We are expert in all property matters from new homes under construction and characterful grade listed homes to houses, apartments and land dealings. We provide advice on matters ranging from easements and covenants to overage, tenancies or the wide range of aspects associated with leasehold ownership.

Our team has several years of collective experience in delivering high quality work.

The two members of the team are detailed below and regardless of who works on your matter; they will be supervised by Muhammad Ahmad Saeed, solicitor / director.

Muhammad Ahmad Saeed– Solicitor / Director

Mr Saeed is the head of the Property department and Immigration department.  He has experience of a wide spectrum of work in both areas, ranging from residential to commercial property work to visas for spouses, skilled workers, high net worth clients, students, individuals and asylum work. He also specialises in probate work.

He did LL.B Hons in 1993 & Bar in 1994. He was admitted as a Solicitor in January 2007. He has practiced in Pakistan & England & Wales in 2006.

Hourly charge out rate – £265 plus VAT (Total £318)

Sammer Khan– Solicitor / Associate

Mr Khan qualified as a Solicitor on 6 April 2023. He has experience of dealing with commercial and residential property, immigration, asylum and nationality laws. He also deals with family and Landlord Tenant matters

Hourly charge out rate – £130 plus VAT (Total £156)

Legal Services

Legal Solutions can assist in all areas of legal services as highlighted on its website.  We along with all law firms are required by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to provide clear guidance on the services and price for the following work as offered by the firm:-

  • Conveyancing (residential & commercial)
  • Probate (uncontested)
  • Immigration , Nationality and Asylum
  • Family/Matrimonial

For a quote and service information for work not listed above, please telephone the offices to discuss.

Fees and Disbursements

Please note that we are VAT (Value Added Tax) registered practice and charge VAT on all our fees except for certain immigration applications listed in the immigration section below. Current rate of VAT is 20 percent. Therefore, in addition to the fees you have to pay an additional 20 percent towards VAT. Our VAT registration number is 283 9717 56

Apart from our fees plus VAT there could be disbursements detailed below in each section of the services provided which are charged on actual basis meaning that you pay what we actually disburse on your behalf. Some disbursements include VAT while others are exempt from VAT

CONVEYANCING (residential)

Legal Solutions can assist with your freehold sale or purchase, leasehold sale or purchase or mortgage or remortgage. The fee charged is dependent upon the value of the property and enquiries involved.  Legal Solutions has substantial experience and expertise in all property related matters and below is the Legal Solutions fee structure detailing all key events and related costs involved. Please do not hesitate to contact us for a quote if the transaction you wish us to undertake is not covered here.

  • Legal fee – please refer to the table below
  • Search fees – residential approximately* £323 inclusive  of VAT for basic (Local, Environmental and D&W) and commercial approximately* £470 inclusive  VAT for complete pack (Local, Environmental, D&W, Chancel and Title Checker)
  • Fees for advising on or preparation of any other documents or deeds may be subject to an hourly charge.
  • HM Land Registry fee  – please refer to the table below
  • Electronic money transfer fee £30 plus VAT (Total £36)
  • AML Searches fee – £30 plus VAT (Total £36)
  • Land Registry Official copies of Titles, Plans,  Leases and Deeds – £3 each document
  • Official Priority Search – £3 each search
  • Bankruptcy search fee –  £2 each name
  • Copy, postage and petty incidentals – £30 plus VAT (Total £36)
  • Dealing with and filing Stamp Duty returns £100 Plus VAT (Total £120)
  • Mortgage redemption fee: £100 Plus VAT (Total £120)

*this may vary depending on the local authority’s charges

Legal Solutions fixed fee structure:

Property value Fee Sale / freehold
Fee – Sale / leasehold
Fee – Purchase / freehold
Fee – Purchase / leasehold
Less than £200,000 695 +VAT(Total £834)795+VAT(Total £954)795+VAT(Total £954)895 +VAT(Total £1074)
£201,000-£350,000 795+VAT(Total £954)895+VAT(Total £1074)895 +VAT(Total £1074)995+VAT(Total £1194)
£351,000-£500,000 895+VAT(Total £1074)995+VAT(Total £1194)995+VAT(Total £1194)1095+VAT(Total £1314)
£501,000- £750,000 995+VAT(Total £1194)1195+VAT(Total £1434)1195+VAT(Total £1434)1295+VAT(Total £1554)
£751,000-£1m 1195+VAT(Total £1434)1295+VAT(Total £1554)1295+VAT(Total £1554)1395+VAT(Total £1674)
Over £1mi-£1.5m
Over £1.5m-£2m
Over £2m-£3m
1695+VAT(Total £2034)
1995+VAT(Total £2394)
2295+VAT(Total £2754)
1995+VAT(Total £2394)
2295+VAT(Total £2754)
2595+VAT(Total £3114)
1995+VAT(Total £2394)
2295+VAT(Total £2754)
2595+VAT(Total £3114)
2195+VAT(Total £2634)
2495+VAT(Total £2994)
2795+VAT(Total £3354)

Our fee is based on your transaction not being or becoming unduly complex or protracted.  The following are examples of factors that are likely to increase the cost of the service:

– if legal title is defective or part of the property is unregistered

– if you discover building regulations or planning permission has not been obtained

– if crucial documents you have previously requested from the client have not been provided

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Land Registry fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

So the fee for your purchase is dependent upon the value of your Property plus the disbursements outlined above.

Disbursements

As stated above, the Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as search fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Leasehold disbursements – There are certain disbursements which will be set out in the individual lease relating to the Property. The disbursements which we anticipate will apply are set out separately below. This list is not exhaustive and other disbursements may apply depending on the term of the lease. We will update you on the specific fees upon receipt and review of the lease from the seller’s solicitors.

Other Anticipated Disbursements*

  • Notice of Transfer fee – This fee if chargeable is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £40 to £100 plus VAT.
  • Notice of Charge fee (if the property is to be mortgaged) – This fee is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £40 to £100 plus VAT (Total £48 to £120)
  • Deed of Covenant fee – This fee is provided by the management company for the property and can be difficult to estimate. Often it is between £50 to £200 plus VAT (£60 to £240)
  • Certificate of Compliance fee – To be confirmed upon receipt of the lease, as can range between £20 to £100 plus VAT (Total £24 to £120)

*These fees vary from property to property and can on occasion be significantly more than the ranges given above. We can give you an accurate figure once we have sight of your specific documents.

You should also be aware that ground rent and service charge are likely to apply throughout your ownership of the property. We will confirm the ground rent and the anticipated service charge as soon as this we receive this information.

Land Registry’s registration fees can be seen from the HM Land Registry Website https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hm-land-registry-registration-services-fees

Stamp Duty or Land Tax (on purchase)

This depends on the purchase price of your property. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC’s website or if the property is located in Wales by using the Welsh Revenue Authority’s website here.

How long will my house purchase take?

How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move in to your house will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 4-6 weeks.

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 take 4 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 6 and 3 months. In such a situation additional charges would apply.

Stages of the process

The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages that you may wish to include:

  • Take your instructions and give you initial advice
  • Check finances are in place to fund purchase and contact lender’s solicitors if needed
  • Receive and advise on contract documents
  • Carry out searches
  • Obtain further planning documentation if required
  • Make any necessary enquiries of seller’s solicitor
  • Give you advice on all documents and information received
  • Go through conditions of mortgage offer with you
  • Send final contract to you for signature
  • Draft Transfer
  • Advise you on joint ownership
  • Obtain pre-completion searches
  • Agree completion date (date from which you own the property)
  • Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
  • Arrange all necessary indemnities (if so required)
  • Arrange for all monies needed to be received from lender and you
  • Complete purchase
  • Deal with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax
  • Deal with application for registration at Land Registry

The precise stages involved in the sale of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages that you may wish to include:

  • Take your instructions and give you initial advice
  • Our due diligence and client care
  • Deducing title and preparation of Draft Contract pack
  • Issuing draft contract pack
  • Dealing with the purchasers pre-contract enquiries
  • Dealing with the purchasers lenders enquiries
  • Approving Contract and Transfer
  • Obtain planning documentation if required
  • Send final contract to you for signature
  • Agree completion date (date from which you own the property)
  • Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
  • Complete purchase
  • Arrange for all monies needed to be paid to your lender (if any)
  • Arrange for all other sums, fees or arrears payable on your behalf
  • Arrange payment of balance to you
  • Send out original transfer and related deeds to the purchasers conveyancers

Services included are:

. Advising you on all aspects of the buying, selling, mortgaging and leasing the property

. Drafting and approving documents such as commercial and residential contracts, transfers, assignments

.Raising and answering all enquiries in relation to the property being purchased or sold with the Buyer or Seller Solicitor or landlord solicitor

.Doing property searches

.Dealing with the mortgage Lender if we are on their panel or their solicitor if they appoint another solicitor to act for them

. Calculating and paying stamp duty to HMRC. Dealing with all SDLT forms in this behalf

. Upon completion of the purchase or sale dealing with post completion matters such as registering new ownership, mortgage/charge or surrender of existing lease with the HM Land Registry

.providing reports on title and signing certificates of title

.giving independent legal advice on property documentation

.get indemnity quotes for any defects in the property such as chancel indemnity, lack of planning or building regulation indemnity, indemnity for restrictive covenants, solvency indemnity

Our fee assumes that:

  1. this is a standard transaction and that no unforeseen matters arise including for example (but not limited to) a defect in title which requires remedying prior to completion or the preparation of additional documents ancillary to the main transaction
  2. for leasehold transactions this is the assignment of an existing lease and is not the grant of a new lease
  3. the transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complication arise
  4. all parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation
  5. no indemnity policies are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required.

PROBATE 

Range of costs

Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets

We anticipate this will take between 5 to 20 hours work at £250 per hour plus VAT (Total £300). Total costs estimated are between £1250 to £5000 plus VAT ( Total £1500 to £6000) plus disbursements.

The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter. For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property, costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and multiple bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end.

We will handle the full process for you. This quote is for estates where:

  • There is a valid will
  • There is no more than one property
  • There are no more than 2 bank or building society accounts
  • There are no other intangible assets
  • There are 1-3 beneficiaries
  • There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs
  • There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC
  • There are no claims made against the estate

Disbursements included in this fee:

  • Probate application fee of £273 for estate having value of over £5000. There is no fee if value of estate is £5000 or less
  • £10 Swearing of the oath (per executor)
  • Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£2 per beneficiary)
  • £98.40 in The London Gazette – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors.
  • £50-£100 Post in a Local Newspaper – This also helps to protect against unexpected claims.

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.

Potential additional costs

  • If there is no will or the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds) there is likely to be additional costs that could range significantly depending on the estate and how it is to be dealt with. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
  • If any additional copies of the grant are required, they will cost £10 (1 per asset usually).
  • Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.

How long will this take?

On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 3 to 6 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 2 to 4 weeks. Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 4 weeks to 3 months. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 4 weeks to 3 months.

IMMIGRATION

We can assist with:-

  • Applications for Entry Clearance for spouse, skilled worker, and student visas
  • Applications for naturalisation or registration under the British Nationality Act 1981
  • Applications on behalf of European Economic Area (EEA) nationals and their family members under the applicable EEA Regulations or Immigration Rules, including applications for permanent residence, residence cards, and registration certificates
  • Applications under the Immigration Rules, including:
    • student and work experience visas
    • visit visas (for tourism, or visiting friends / family)
    • spouse and partners applications, including fiancé(e)s or proposed civil partners
    • applications for work, business or study under the Points-Based System;
    • dependent relative and family reunion applications
    • ancestry visas
    • other categories, such as applications on the basis of long residence

Range of costs

We provide an example of our service and price using an instruction to make an Application for leave to remain

We charge for immigration work on an hourly rate basis. Our hourly rate is £250 plus VAT (Total £300).

On average, this type of work takes between 5 to 10 hours to complete. This means that on average costs are between £1250 to £2500 plus VAT (Total £1500 to £3000) plus disbursements such as Home Office Fees, Tribunal/Court Fees, Counsel Fees, Expert Reports Fees. Kindly note that Home Office Fees & Tribunal Fees do not attract VAT but Counsel Fees and Expert Reports fees are subject to VAT

Please note that Entry Clearance applications to come into the UK from abroad and applications from within the UK by applicants who have no legal status to reside in the UK do not attract VAT and hence for these applications we do not charge VAT either

The exact number of hours it will take depends on the circumstances in your case.

Such as:

  • The amount of supporting evidence that we need to consider
  • Which language(s) you speak
  • Whether you are applying with other dependants

If you are able to provide sufficient evidence at our first meeting and clearly meet the applicable Immigration Rules, the cost is likely to be at the lower end of this range.

What services are included:

The work will involve:

  • discussing your circumstances in detail and confirming whether this is the most appropriate application for you to make and what other options may be available to you;
  • giving you advice about the requirements of the Immigration Rules and whether you meet the criteria.
  • if you do not fulfil certain criteria, whether this can be overcome and how, which on average takes 2 hours;
  • considering the supporting evidence you have provided, which we anticipate will take 2 to 5 hours*;
  • where necessary, helping you obtain further evidence (such as medical records and bank statements), including taking statements of any witnesses;
  • preparing your application and submitting it on your behalf, which we anticipate will take 2 to 4 hours;
  • Attendance at a Home Office interview: if the Home Office ask you to attend an interview, we will give you clear advice (and discuss the possibility of us attending with you) at the appropriate time. This could be between 1 and 3 hours of work.
  • giving you advice about the outcome of the application and any further steps you need to take.

*the amount of hours depends on the number of documents, whether they need to be translated, whether anything is missing and how long it will take to obtain the missing documents Disbursements (not included in costs set out above):

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as visa fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

  • Interpreter’s fees charged at an hourly rate.  You may not require an interpreter but if you do we estimate that this kind of application will normally require between 2 to 5 hours with an interpreter, depending on the complexity of your case.  You do not have to use an interpreter that we recommend.
  • Independent expert reports e.g. medical experts. These are not required in many cases: we will let you know as soon as possible if we consider an expert report is necessary.
  • If there is an interview and we do attend with you, there will be additional disbursements in respect of our mileage/travel expenses.

The costs quoted here do not include:

  • Any Home Office fees for making the application. You will pay this to the Home Office directly as part of the application process.
  • Where the Home Office refuse your application, advice and assistance in relation to any appeal
  • Interpreters fee (if applicable)
  • Independent expert report (if applicable)

How long will my application take?

We cannot guarantee how long the Home Office will take to process your application. We suggest you refer to the Home Office guidance available online on its current processing times

We will normally be able to submit this type of application within 4 weeks of you instructing us, but we will let you know at the earliest opportunity if it is likely to take longer than this.

Please note the anticipated number of hours and fees are an estimate based on the facts above. All applications are likely to vary and of course, we can give you a more accurate estimate once we have more information about your specific case.

FAMILY

Consented Divorce fee range £500 to £1000 plus VAT (Total £600 to £1200) plus disbursements

Petition Court Fee/Disbursement £593. Note there could be further court fee/disbursements for each additional application

Consultation at hourly rate of £265 plus VAT (Total £318)

OATHS & STAUTORY DECLARATIONS

Swearing £10 to £20 including VAT

Drafting £50 including VAT