RKM Law Price Transparency

Our fees for all immigration matters are highly competitive. We always make an attempt to agree a fixed fee except for Upper Tribunal matters in particular Judicial Review, permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal Civil Division and the Supreme Court where we charge on hourly rate depending on the particular solicitor’s post qualification experience. The amount of the agreed fixed fee depends on the circumstances of the individual and the complexity of the matter.

Hourly Charges 

Details of our hourly rates are as follows:

Hourly Rate of Principal Solicitor:                 – £350.00

Hourly Rate of Associate Solicitor:                – £250.00

Hourly Rate of Paralegal/Legal Assistant:      – £175.00

However, we are happy to discuss our fee estimates and hourly rates to you for a closer estimate of the likely costs bearing in mind the volume of documents to be considered and the complexity of the matter.

The exact number of hours depends on the circumstances of the case such as but not limited to the followings:

• The complexity of the matter
• Number of individuals in the matter
• The volume of supporting documentary evidence to be considered
• The native language or the main foreign language through which the client communicates
• The involvement of any expert

If the client is able to provide adequate and concise evidence at our first meeting and the Immigration Rules are fully and comprehensibly met, the legal costs are likely to be at the lower end of the estimated costs.

Disbursements are costs related to matters that are payable to third parties, such as Counsel/Barristers Fees, Home Office fees, court fees and expert fees. They are not included in the hourly and agreed fees.

The third party fee can include but not limited to the followings:

• Home Office immigration and nationality application fees.
• Home Office Immigration Health Surcharge, This is an additional fee levied to pay the IHS (Immigrant Health Surcharge).
• Home Office fee for biometric appointment (only when no free appointment is available within a reasonable time scale).
• Interpreter fees; the time needed will depend on the complexity of the case. Our firm speaks a number of languages and we only seek an interpreter where necessary.
• Independent expert reports; it may include but not limited to medical specialists, social workers, country experts. These are not required in many cases and we will let you know as soon as possible if we consider an expert report is necessary.
• Transcribers; when seeking permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal Civil Division transcript of the judgment will be required. You will be advised when that is required.

Services we provide are not limited to the followings:

• Discussing your circumstances in detail and confirming the most appropriate application for you to make and any other options available to you;
• Giving you advice about the requirements of the Immigration Rules and whether you meet the criteria;
• If you do not fulfil the criteria, the possible alternative route/s;
• Considering the supporting evidence, you have provided which could potentially take between 1-3 hours. The number 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;
• Where necessary, helping you to obtain further evidence (such as medical reports and records, bank statements), including taking statements of any witnesses;
• Preparing your application and submitting it on your behalf either by post or online;
• Giving you advice about the outcome of the application and any further steps you need to take.
• The entire estimated costs of the application.
• Any Home Office fees for making the application. You will pay this to the Home Office directly as part of the application process.
• Attendance at a Home Office interview if you are asked to attend an interview.
• Where the Home Office refuse your application, advice and assistance in relation to any appeal and related costs and disbursements.

We cannot guarantee how long the Home Office will take to process your application and we would refer you to the Home Office’s current standards and processing times. Once we have taken your instructions, received your full supporting documents and fees, we will be able to submit your application to the Home Office as quickly as possible. The time it takes will be subject to how rapidly all relevant information and documentation takes to collate. If there is a deadline in which you require an application to be submitted, then we would work with you to complete and ensure it is submitted in time.

The trial for Road Traffic Summary Offences is held in the Magistrates’ Court only. Normally summary only offences are dealt with two hearing in the Magistrates’ Court. At the first hearing, you will decide either to plead guilty and not guilty to the Road Traffic Offence. If you plead guilty, it is more likely that you will be sentenced straightway if the sentence involves a fine, penalty points on the driving licence and driving disqualification. For any case in which you want to plead guilty we can offer representation at a fixed fee between £1200 – 1500 + VAT depending on the allegation and subject to its complexity.

This level of representation includes but not limited to the followings:

• Untimed and unlimited consultations with your lawyers for advice and support;
• Meticulously prepared mitigation;
• A specialist Barrister/advocate;
• Thorough advice on supporting evidence to assist mitigation; and
• Thorough advice on court procedure and what you can expect on your day in court.

If you plead not guilty, the trial will be fixed at later date with case management directions. Cases relating to drugs or alcohol where you intend to defend the allegation can often last between 6 – 12 months and the total costs are likely to be between £5000 – £8000 + VAT. This estimate is for the total cost by the time your case concludes and will include but not limited to the followings:

• Your lawyer’s time for preparing the case charged at an hourly rate;
• Any expert witness costs;
• Barristers’/Advocates’ fees for each hearing
• Any other anticipated disbursements (e.g. Fees for obtaining medical records)

This fee is not taken from you in one lump sum but is paid in instalments whilst the case is ongoing. We require an initial payment of £1000 + VAT once you instruct us. This is an interim payment which is held on your client account towards the anticipated end-costs. As your case proceeds, work is conducted on your case that will incur fees. Once the monies in your client account are exhausted, further payment is then required to continue preparation of your case.

We have tried to anticipate as many eventualities as possible when estimating this quote to ensure that there are no hidden costs during or at the conclusion of your case. We try to be as flexible as we can when it comes to payment of our fees and we are often able to agree payment plans so you can spread the costs.

Each case is confined to their facts and the length of the court proceedings vary and therefore costs will reflect that.