Fees Title

News

Construction

Proposed changes to the construction adjudication process are contained in the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill. The Bill has now passed from the House of Lords to the House of Commons, where the second reading is scheduled for Monday 1 June 2009.

Employment Tribunals

Over two thirds of solicitors questioned in recent research conducted by the Law Society, indicated that they favoured the removal of the current £25,000 limit for breach of contract claims in employment tribunals.

Commercial Litigation Costs

A preliminary report on the subject of litigation costs has been published by Lord Justice Jackson. This report forms the first phase of an ongoing review which has now reached its consultation stages.

Internet Libels

A recent decision of the European Court of Human Rights (Times Newspapers Limited (nos 1 and 2) –v- the UK) has upheld the one year limitation period for internet libels and refused to hold that it is prima facie a breach of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Where articles are published and accessed online, there is in effect a separate publication on each occasion the article is accessed. This results in the limitation period for online publication being effectively extended indefinitely. The judgment, however, included comment that a significant lapse of time before libel proceedings are brought may well disproportionately interfere with press freedom under article 10.

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Fees


Lowry & Co is aware that clients have different needs and we would be pleased to discuss the many different and flexible charging plans that we have available. In all cases, we believe that you will find our fees to be extremely competitive, if not lower than conventionally structured law firms. In addition, the way that we work is structured to increase the savings that you can make, due to our use of technology, the lack of significant office overheads and our provision to you of a good deal of generic information, common to all matters, free of charge in the form of flow charts and diagrams etc. If you would prefer the majority of our meetings to be by use of web technology, then please feel free to suggest that and you will then save the time of travelling to meet us and we will have no travel costs to pass on to you, save where we meet in person. From our traditional hourly rates, to fixed fee arrangements, to bespoke annual membership plans, we will work with you to achieve the affordability, efficiency and transparent pricing of our services that will ensure that we work together for the long term. Please remember that the lawyer you engage from Lowry & Co. will be an experienced lawyer, with considerable commercial acumen, not a junior or trainee solicitor. This will create its own efficiencies. As any solicitor would advise, the difference between instructing an expert in a given field, or a solicitor who is either inexperienced, or relatively junior, could amount to a difference in wasted fees of several thousand pounds or more. This will also ensure that you achieve the best possible outcome to the legal issue you refer to us. Fees Options: Hourly Rates: Services are charged at an hourly rate. We have a flat rate across the firm, which currently is £145 per hour plus vat. This rate is valid to 4 April 2010 and is a fraction of comparable rates charged by our competitors for lawyers of equivalent experience and ability. You will only pay for time actually incurred. Where proceedings are issued and those proceedings continue past an agreed stage, then this rate will increase to the court guideline rate. Any such fees are usually recoverable from your opponent should the proceedings be successful. Daily Rates: Services can be charged on a daily rate, for a full eight hour day. The standard daily rate we provide is charged at £900 plus vat. This is a saving of slightly over 22% when compared to our standard hourly rates and this means that you could effectively have your own in-house lawyer, but only as and when required. Contingency Fees: These are available for employment tribunal work where we act for claimants. Fees are charged on this basis as a percentage of the monies awarded and our typical percentage fees are currently set at 35% plus vat. Conditional Fees: We are always willing to consider whether a conditional fee agreement is appropriate and whilst this is often referred to generally by others as a “no win-no fee” agreement, such agreements invariably exclude disbursements and/or legal costs insurance premiums, which remain payable. With a successful outcome in proceedings (other than some forms of tribunal – including employment - and adjudication) the disbursements and/or legal costs insurance premiums may well be recoverable from the other party. We can discuss full details if this method is appropriate. Fixed Fees: Services can be agreed at a fixed fee from the outset, or a combination of fixed fees and hourly rates for different stages of a project. This type of fee agreement is available particularly in contractual and drafting matters. Membership Plans: We offer certain services on an annual pricing basis, payable in monthly agreed instalments. Our plans allow you to obtain our services as and when required and have the benefit of what is effectively your own legal department, but without the associated overheads. Business Start-ups: We provide a full package of services designed for start up and new businesses, including company and partnership formation, contractual terms, advice on procedures etc. Please contact us to discuss our competitive and affordable pricing. Legal Costs Insurance: Members of our team have acted for various insurers under the terms of legal expenses insurance cover, across a broad range of matters. Please contact us if either you are unhappy with your existing solicitors, who may have been introduced to you by your legal expenses insurer, or you have a legal expenses insurance policy and wish us to act for you and liaise with your insurer. In many instances, we can replace your existing solicitor and offer you the benefits of having an experienced, approachable and knowledgeable solicitor at your side. One who achieves the results you require and is not a faceless junior employee of a firm who is dealing with hundreds of similar claims!