Family law legal fees

Wherever possible, our fees are shown inclusive of VAT so you can see the total cost more clearly. If a fee is shown “plus VAT”, VAT will be added at the prevailing rate, and we will confirm the full amount with you before you instruct us or any additional work is carried out.

If your matter is charged on an hourly basis, we will confirm the applicable hourly rate and explain how VAT applies. If anything changes that is likely to affect the overall cost, we will discuss this with you and provide an updated estimate so you remain in control.

Contact us for an accurate quote based on your circumstances.

Contributor: Kallum Andrews, Family Paralegal

Hourly rates vary depending on the experience and seniority of the person handling your matter. We will confirm the relevant hourly rate at the outset and explain how the work will be allocated, so you know what to expect.

Your case will be handled by an appropriate member of the family team, which may include a solicitor or another legal professional. Where work is carried out by someone who is training or less experienced, it will be supervised by a senior member of the team to ensure quality and consistency.

If your matter would benefit from a particular level of seniority (for example, where there is urgency, complexity, or safeguarding), we will discuss this with you and agree the approach before work begins.

Contributor: Leo Noonan, Family Solicitor

Family law costs depend on what needs to be resolved and how the matter progresses. The biggest factor is often whether both parties can reach agreement, or whether court involvement becomes necessary.

Costs can also change depending on urgency and deadlines, safeguarding concerns, the number of issues involved (for example, children arrangements alongside financial matters), and the complexity of documents and disclosure. A higher volume of correspondence, contested points, or additional hearings will usually increase the time required.

At the outset, we will explain the likely cost drivers in your situation and provide an estimate where work is billed hourly. If circumstances change, we will discuss this with you and update the estimate before significant additional work is carried out.

Contributor: Alex Adeyemo, Consultant Family Solicitor

What is included in our fees depends on your case. We will always explain the scope before you instruct us and provide options where available. Where relevant, this may involve:

Contributor: Emilia Borys, Family Solicitor

Our fees cover the legal work we carry out for you. They do not usually include disbursements, which are third-party costs paid to others as part of your case. Common disbursements in family matters can include court fees, barristers’ (counsel) fees, independent expert fees, and interpreter or translation costs.

Disbursements vary depending on the type of case and the steps required. For example, court fees depend on the application being made, and counsel or experts may be needed where a hearing is listed or specialist input is required. We will discuss any likely disbursements with you as early as possible and confirm the cost before we incur it, so you can make an informed decision.

Contributor: Leo Noonan, Family Solicitor

We keep costs under control by being clear about scope from the outset and keeping you updated as your matter progresses. Cases paid privately are usually billed hourly. We will confirm the hourly rate, provide an estimate, and explain what factors are most likely to affect the total cost.

Where appropriate, we can also agree priorities and a step-by-step approach, so you’re on terms you can afford.

Contributor: Charlotte King, Trainee Legal Executive

If you have any concerns about costs, progress, or the service you are receiving, we encourage you to raise this as early as possible. In most cases, issues can be resolved quickly by speaking to the fee earner handling your matter, who can explain the work carried out, discuss next steps, and clarify any estimates or likely additional costs.

If you would like to make a formal complaint, you can do so using our complaints procedure. We will acknowledge your complaint, investigate it fairly, and provide a clear response. Full details of how to complain, including relevant timescales and escalation options, are available on our website. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) requires firms to provide clear complaints information so clients know how concerns will be handled.

Contributor: Leo Noonan, Family Solicitor

Often, yes. If parts of your matter are straightforward or can be agreed without the need, for example a court hearing, the overall time required is usually lower. Where work can be scoped clearly, we may be able to offer a fixed fee for a specific stage or task.

If your case is billed hourly, we can also discuss a step-by-step approach so you prioritise the work that is most important to you. For example, some clients prefer focused advice on a particular issue first, followed by targeted negotiations, rather than progressing every point at once.

We will always discuss the most cost-effective approach for your situation, confirm the pricing structure in writing, and update you if the scope changes.

Contributor: Leo Noonan, Family Solicitor