FEES INFORMATION

Immigration

Our average range of costs for varied range of Immigration matters as below is an estimate only. Immigration is a complex are of law due to current and on-going frequent changes. Therefore, in the best interests of client, clear fee information can only be given upon a consultation with client in order to assess merits of each case, whether involves court process or dependants etc.

Fee range estimate:

These prices are subject to change and may vary after consultation analysis of client matter. The above fee quote will not include any disbursements and does not involve any tribunal or court matters including hearings. We will be unable to give an accurate estimate without more information or seeing any documents in each case. Please contact us today for detailed cost information in your matter.

a) the basis for our charges, including any hourly rates or fixed fees;

Firm’s fees are based on fixed rates depending on the merits of each case, number of applicants, complexity etc.; but if the matter prolongs, gets complex and lengthy the fees would be based upon our Principal Solicitor’s hourly rate of £350 and the staff at £80 (subject to review) and the client will be informed of this well in time.

b) the experience and qualifications of anyone carrying out the work, and of their supervisors;

The founder Principal Mrs Sebastian LLM has more than 15 years of PQE as a Solicitor

c) a description of, and the cost of, any likely disbursements, and where the actual cost of a disbursement is not known, the average cost or range of costs;

The most likely disbursements in immigration matters to include the fees of Home Office, Immigration Health Surcharge, Court, Barristers, Medical Expert Report and Interpretation or translation depending on each case and the number of applicants involved. The average range of costs would be in the region of £65 to £3000 per person. Please see following link of Home Office fees for various applications: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table/home-office-immigration-and-nationality-fees-6-april-2020

d) whether any fees or disbursements attract VAT and if so the amount of VAT they attract;

Firm does not charge VAT as it is not registered for same

e) details of what services are included in the price displayed, including the key stages of the matter and likely timescales for each stage, and details of any services that might reasonably be expected to be included in the price displayed but are not; and

Firm’s fees include for all the services provided from inception ranging from taking instructions, read and analyze all relevant documents, previous immigration history, back ground study and in-depth analysis of client backgrounds, family life circumstances etc, advising the client and dependants, making subject access requests, preparing the application to the Home Office, instructing and briefing barrister, experts for legal reps. The timescales with regard to Home Office applications are in the range of period of 3 - 6 months or even longer depending on the merits and complexity of each case or any other circumstances.

Residential Conveyancing – Sale/Purchase

Our fees cover the work for legal services provided to complete the sale/purchase of your residential property including dealing with registration at the Land Registry, dealing with the payment of stamp duty land tax, and all other due diligence & verification of clients and solicitors involved in the transaction.

The usual time taken to complete a residential transaction may depend on number of issues but on an average it takes between 6 to 8 weeks. The transaction can take longer time depending on the nature of the purchase for e.g. first time buyer, new build, mortgage etc. and if it is a leasehold property then whether it requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 4 and 6 months. In such a situation, additional charges would apply. 

Our average range of costs for Residential Conveyancing matters would be as below which is an estimate only. This area of law is a complex area of law and in the best interests of the client’s matter it is advised that you contact us for a consultation to obtain the exact charges involved according to each case and its own merits. The fee range would be from £1200 - £2000 for a residential freehold purchase £1200 – £2250 for a residential leasehold purchase. Our fee range for a residential freehold sale is from £1200 - £2200 and from £1200 - £2250. This does not include or cover any disbursements. We are unable to give an accurate estimate without more information or seeing any documents in your case. Please contact us today for detailed cost information in your matter.

• the basis for our charges, including any hourly rates or fixed fees;

Firm’s fees are based on fixed rates depending on a standard transaction and if any unforeseen or extra work arises due any complex issues and in the likelihood of any prolonged unexpected delay the fees would be based upon our Principal Solicitor’s hourly rate of £350 (subject to review) and the client will be informed of this well in time.

• the experience and qualifications of anyone carrying out the work, and of their supervisors;

The founder Principal Mrs Sebastian LLM has more than 15 years of PQE as a Solicitor

• a description of, and the cost of, any likely disbursements, and where the actual cost of a disbursement is not known, the average cost or range of costs;

The likely disbursements residential property transactions would include local authority, water & drainage, environmental, land registry fees, bankruptcy etc. again depending on the value, nature and locality of the property. The average range of costs for disbursements would be in the region of £200 to £600 (excluding stamp duty as that would depend on the purchase price).

Estimated disbursements: Sale of Freehold residential

• Bank Telegraphic Transfer Fee (each) £35.00

• Anti-Money Laundering ID Check Fee £14.00

• Land Registry fee for up to date copies of the Register of Title £6.00 

Estimated disbursements: Sale of Leasehold residential 

  Same as above except for:

• Land Registry fee for up to date copies of the Register of Title £12.00

• Fees to managing agents for management information £ to be advised 

Estimated disbursements: Purchase of Freehold residential

• Bank Telegraphic Transfer Fee (each) £35.00

• Anti-Money Laundering ID Check Fee £14.00

• Search fees £460.00

• HM Land Registry fee £135.00

• Land Registry fee for up to date copies of the Register of Title £6.00

• Stamp Duty/Land Tax: This depends on the purchase price of your property. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by referring to HMRC's website https://www.gov.uk/stamp-duty-land-tax/residential-property-rates

Estimated disbursements: Purchase of Leasehold residential 

          Same as above and in addition the following may be anticipated: 

• Notice of Transfer fee – this fee, if chargeable, will be set out in the lease or advised by the managing agents.

• Notice of charge fee (if the property is being mortgaged) – this fee will be set out in the lease or advised by the managing agents.

• Deed of Covenant fee – this is fee is payable to the management company and the amount will be advised by the managing agents.

• Certificate of Compliance fee – to be confirmed upon receipt of the lease or advised by the managing agents.

These fees vary from property to property and can, on occasion, be significant. We can give you an accurate figure once we have sight of your specific documents. You should also be aware that ground rent and/or service charges are likely to apply throughout your ownership of the property. We will confirm the ground rent and the anticipated service charge as soon as we receive this information.  

• whether any fees or disbursements attract VAT and if so the amount of VAT they attract; 

Firm does not charge VAT as it is not registered for same 

• details of what services are included in the price displayed, including the key stages of the matter and likely timescales for each stage, and details of any services that might reasonably be expected to be included in the price displayed but are not; and 

a) Sale of a freehold residential: 

• Take your instructions and give you initial advice • Prepare contract documents

• Obtain further planning and/or other documentation, if required • Answer any necessary enquiries of buyer's solicitor • Send final contract to you for signature • Agree completion date (date from which you will sell and have to vacate) • Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened • Prepare statement to you detailing the net funds due to you on completion • Complete sale • Repaying your mortgage, if any, and paying agents fees, if any. 

b) Purchase of freehold residential: 

• 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 • Agree completion date (date from which you own the property) • Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened • 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 

c) Sale of leasehold residential: 

• Take your instructions and give you initial advice • Prepare contract documents • Obtain further planning and/or other documentation, if required • Answer any necessary enquiries of buyer's solicitor • Send final contract to you for signature • Agree completion date (date from which you will sell and have to vacate) • Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened • Prepare statement to you detailing the net funds due to you on completion • Complete sale • Repaying your mortgage, if any, and paying agents fees, if any • Paying any arrears of ground rent and service charges • Retaining any agreed funds to deal with excess service charges 

d) Purchase of leasehold residential: 

• 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 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 

• timescales of transactions

Residential conveyancing average process will depend of factors and can take anytime between 6-10 weeks. It can also depend on the parties in a chain and nature of transaction (mortgage involved). For someone buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, which can take significantly longer. In such a situation, additional charges would apply.

Complaints Information

Firm’s complaints handling procedure including, details about how and when a complaint can be made to the Legal Ombudsman and SRA

Indralogini Sebastian Solicitors is committed to high quality legal advice and client care. If you are unhappy about any aspect of the service you have received please contact Mrs Indralogini Sebastian on 020 8427 3303 and info@indrasebastian.co.uk or by post to our office at 1 Church Parade High Street Wealdstone Harrow HA3 5DL. A copy of our complaints policy is available on request via: Indra Sebastian Solicitors 1 Church Parade High Street Wealdstone Harrow HA3 5DL and at info@indrasebastian.co.uk and by fax on 0208 427 3313. Upon receiving a complaint, we will send you a letter acknowledging receipt of your complaint within five days of your raising your concerns, enclosing a copy of this procedure. We will then investigate your complaint. This will normally involve passing your complaint to our client care partner, Mrs Indralogini Sebastian, who will review your matter file and speak to the member of staff who acted for you. Mrs Indralogini Sebastian will then invite you to a meeting to discuss and, it is hoped, resolve your complaint. She will do this within 14 days of sending you the acknowledgement letter. Within three days of the meeting, Mrs Indralogini Sebastian will write to you to confirm what took place and any solutions she has agreed with you. If you do not want a meeting or it is not possible, Mrs Indralogini Sebastian will send you a detailed written reply to your complaint, including his/her suggestions for resolving the matter, within 21 days of sending you the acknowledgement letter. At this stage, if you are still not satisfied, you should contact us again to explain why you remain unhappy with our response and we will review your comments, only if necessary. We will write to you within 14 days of receiving your request for a review, confirming our final position on your complaint and explaining our reasons.

If you are still not satisfied, you can then contact the Legal Ombudsman at PO Box 15870, Birmingham B30 9EB or call 0300 555 0333 about your complaint. Any complaint to the Legal Ombudsman must usually be made within six months of your receiving a final written response from us regarding your complaint. The Legal Ombudsman has provided further guidance on its service at www.legalombudsman.org.uk. If we have to change any of the timescales above, we will let you know and explain why.

For some types of complaints about solicitors you can contact the Solicitors Regulation Authority, (SRA) the regulatory body authorizing and regulating law firms in UK. https://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/problems/report-solicitor/