At Band Hatton Button, we want to de-mystify the charges for legal work.  It is important to us that you understand how costs are incurred and how those costs can be met.  There has been a lot of discussion in the press about the “unbundling of legal services”  This just means that we can be involved in as much or as little as you chose.  We are here to help you and are happy to be involved in the whole process in part.  For example, you might only want us to be involved in the drafting of  legal documents following an agreement having been reached between yourself and your former partner.  We are happy to work with you in this way and will discuss fees and costs with you at the outset.

Because every case is different and the level of support and advice varies hugely from case to case, most solicitors work on the basis of an hourly rate which is charged based on the work done for you on your file.  At the outset of your case we will give you an indication of the likely costs you might incur and if that estimate changes during the course of your case, then we will revise that estimate and discuss this with you before taking any further steps.

We are constantly reviewing our fixed fees.  We currently offer the following by way of a fixed fee:

Initial Interview
We would like to meet you and give you some information and options. We offer an initial interview at fixed cost of £180 plus vat.  Our meeting with you can be for up to an hour, following which we can if you wish write to you and set out your options and issues discussed.

Divorce Proceedings
Providing your divorce proceedings are uncontested by your spouse, we are able to undertake this on your behalf at a fixed fee.  There are court fees that have to be paid to the County Court.  The fees were updated in March 2016.  There is now only one fee payable to the court at the beginning and on issue of your petition.  This fee now includes the fee for a decree absolute which used to be paid separately.  Our fixed fees are :-

Sometimes within the divorce process, you might need to prove to the court that the other party has received the proceedings, particularly if there is a refusal to acknowledge receipt of the proceedings. We may therefore with your agreement instruct a process server to hand deliver a set of proceedings to your partner to enable the proceedings to continue.  This will usually incur an additional cost of approximately £100.

Receiving Divorce Proceedings
If you are on the receiving end of a divorce petition, this can be a very worrying time.  You will need to deal with the proceedings quickly and obtain professional advice and guidance.  We will meet with you, or liaise with you by telephone or e mail if you prefer.  We will complete the process on your behalf and liaise with the solicitors for the other party in relation to any issue of costs. Providing the proceedings are uncontested we will undertake this for a fixed fee of £300 plus vat. If the issue of costs cannot be resolved by agreement then we will discuss with you how the next step.  The fixed fee does not include attendance at court on the issue of costs.