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Fees Policy

At Descartes, Solicitors we understand that the cost of legal services is a significant consideration for our clients. We are therefore clear about costs and work in ways that provide value for money and agree our fees on a fixed fee basis.

Fees Policy

At Descartes, Solicitors we understand that the cost of legal services is a significant consideration for our clients. We are therefore clear about costs and work in ways that provide value for money and agree our fees on a fixed fee basis.

Call 0208 995 3556 to speak to one of our advisors

Fees Policy

At Descartes, Solicitors we understand that the cost of legal services is a significant consideration for our clients. We are therefore clear about costs and work in ways that provide value for money and agree our fees on a fixed fee basis.

You can read the reviews of some of our clients here

Our Team

Our team is made up of qualified solicitors and specialist legal advisors supervised by Ms. Behice Tural and Mr. Shwan Sharif. Both have over 14 years’ experience in the field of Immigration, Nationality and Human Rights Law.

We recognise that similar cases can often present with different levels of complexity and even cases that seem straightforward can, sometimes, take several months to make sure everything is done properly.

It is for this reason that we encourage you to contact us so that we can provide you with a realistic estimate of costs to make sure that you receive the right amount of support to meet your individual circumstances. We will agree costs with you for specific aspects of your case so you can stay in control throughout.

Descartes Solicitors does not carry out any publicly funded work. If you require Legal Aid assistance, please contact The Law Society on 020 7320 5650 Monday-Friday between 9.00 and 17.00 or by using their online ‘Find a Solicitor’ Directory at http://solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk/.

Value Added Tax (VAT)

VAT is payable subject to your immigration status in the UK so please contact us so that we can provide you with an individual quote based on your specific circumstances.

Initial Consultations

We offer an initial no obligation consultation which can either be in person, by telephone or by email up to an exchange of 6 emails. The cost of this service will be £250 ( plus VAT  if applicable) .

IMMIGRATION LAW

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.

POINTS BASED SYSTEM
TIER 1
 
Tier 1 (Investor) Extension 6,000-10,000 per main applicant
Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Extension 6,000-10,000 per main applicant
Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) 5,000-7,000
Tier 1 (General) – dependant 2,000 per dependant
Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) – initial application 5,000
Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) – dependant 1,500 per dependant
   
   
Business plans 4,000 – 6,000
   
TIER 2  
Tier 2 (General) / Skilled  worker 3,500
Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) 3,500
   
TIER 4 2,500
   
TIER 5 2,500
   
Sponsor licence Application  3000-5000
VISAS FOR TURKISH NATIONALS
   
ECAA (Turkish businessperson) Extension 2,000-5,000
   
Turkish worker Extension 2,000
   
   
FAMILY VISAS
   
Fiancé(e) 1,500-3,500
Spouse/Civil partner visa 1,500-3,500
Spouse Extension Applications 2,500 – 3,500
Child (sole applicant) 2,500 – 3,500
Dependant on main applicant 500 per dependant
   
Dependant Relative 3,500- 5,500
   
Family Reunion 1,500- 2,500
Dependents 500 per dependent
 
VISIT VISAS
   
Standard Visitor (Tourism) 1,500-3,000
Visit Visa Extension Application 1,500-3,000
Paid Permitted Engagements (academic, legal, sports, creative) 2,500
Private medical treatment 2,500
Marriage/civil partnership 2,500
   
LONG RESIDENCE
   
10 years 2,500-4,500
20 years 2,500-5,500
   
OTHER CATEGORIES
   
Ancestry Visa 5,000
Representative of an overseas business Extension 5,000
Dependents 500 per dependent
Asylum Application 5000
Human Rights Application 3500

 

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;
  • advising you as to 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
  • considering the supporting evidence you have provided
  • 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
  • advertising you about the outcome of the application and any further steps you need to take.

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as the Home Office, court and interpreting and translation fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a seamless process.

Interpreters’ fees are agreed in advance on a fixed fee basis depending on the complexity of your case. Some, however, charge an hourly rate ranging from £15-£20 per hour. 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.
  • Fees for attending an interview or other appointments
  • Where the Home Office refuse your application, advice and assistance in relation to any appeal

Factors likely to increase costs of your matter

The following factors are likely to increase the cost of your matter:

  • Not having all of the paperwork available, or having missing or incorrect information that needs investigation and correction
  • Third parties not responding to our communications promptly
  • Dealing with unusual or complex circumstances

As soon as any complications arise we will discuss these with you and agree on the fee for the additional work being carried out in advance of any additional work being undertaken.

How long will my application take?

We cannot guarantee how long the Home Office will take to process your application. You can read more about the current processing times here

 

Disbursements

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 seamless process.

Counsel’s fees are estimated from £1,500 to £2,000 per day (depending on the experience of the advocate) for attending a Tribunal hearing (including preparation)

Key Stages

The fees set out above cover all of the work in relation to the following key stages of a claim:

Taking your initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising you on merits and likely compensation (this is likely to be revisited throughout the matter and subject to change)

  • Entering into pre-claim conciliation where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached;
  • Preparing a claim or response
  • Reviewing and advising on claim or response from other parties
  • Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process
  • preparing or considering a schedule of loss
  • Preparing for (and attending) a Preliminary Hearing
  • Exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing on a bundle of documents
  • Taking witness statements, drafting statements and agreeing their content with witnesses
  • preparing a bundle of documents
  • Reviewing and advising on the other party’s witness statements
  • agreeing to a list of issues, a chronology and/or cast list
  • Preparation and attendance at Final Hearing, including instructions to Counsel

The stages set out above are an indication and if some of the stages above are not required, the fee will be reduced. You may wish to handle the claim yourself and only have our advice in relation to some aspects of the stages. This will be tailored to your individual needs.

How long will my matter take?

The time that it takes from taking your initial instructions to the final resolution of your matter depends largely on the stage at which your case is resolved and the Tribunal diary. If a settlement is reached during pre-claim conciliation, your case is likely to take 4-8 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a final hearing, your case is likely to take 12-36 weeks.

This is just an estimate and we will, of course, be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the matter progresses.

Contact Us

DESCARTES SOLICITORS is recognised as one of the leading multi-practice firms in the UK. Our specialist lawyers can be contacted on 0208 995 3556 / 0844 556 9901 or e-mail info@descartessolicitors.co.uk.

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Call 0208 995 3556 to speak to one of our advisors.

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