Transparent Pricing Policy

1. Introduction

This document sets out our pricing structure for legal services provided by Tom Street & Co. Solicitors. All fees are quoted exclusive of VAT unless otherwise stated. VAT is charged at the prevailing rate (currently 20%).

The fee arrangement for your matter will be confirmed in your engagement letter before we commence work.

2. Initial Consultation Fees

We offer fixed-price initial consultations providing direct access to a solicitor. These consultations are charged as follows:

Payment for consultations is required at the time of booking. Consultation fees may be offset against subsequent instruction costs at our discretion.

3. No Win No Fee Agreements (Conditional Fee Agreements)

3.1 Eligibility

We offer no win no fee agreements for cases that meet our internal risk assessment criteria. These agreements are subject to case merit evaluation and are offered at our sole discretion.

We reserve the right to decline cases on a no win no fee basis where the prospects of success do not meet our threshold requirements.

3.2 Fee Structure

Under a no win no fee agreement:

• No fees are payable if the case is unsuccessful
• Our success fee is 35% of damages recovered (inclusive of VAT)
• You retain 65% of any compensation awarded or agreed
• The success fee is deducted from your gross award before payment to you

3.3 Disbursements

We may require payment on account for disbursements including but not limited to:

• Barrister’s fees
• Tribunal or court fees
• Expert witness fees
• Medical reports

Alternatively, we may agree that disbursements are recovered from your damages at the conclusion of your case. This will be set out in your engagement letter.

3.4 Termination

If you terminate the agreement or withdraw instructions without good cause, you may be liable for our fees calculated on an hourly rate basis for work done to that point.

4. Fixed Fee Agreements

4.1 Application

Fixed fee agreements are offered for cases of defined scope where the work required can be reasonably estimated in advance.

4.2 Fee Range

Fixed fees typically range from £500.00 to £5,000.00 plus VAT. The specific fee depends on:

• The nature and complexity of the claim
• The volume of documentation to be reviewed
• Whether the matter will proceed to a hearing
• The number of parties involved
• The legal issues raised

4.3 Standard Case Assessment

A standard comprehensive case assessment (Full Paperwork Assessment and Phone Consultation) is charged at £650.00 plus VAT.

4.4 Payment Terms

Payment terms are agreed on a case-by-case basis. Typically, we require:

• Full payment in advance for fees under £1,000; or
• 50% payment in advance with the balance due on completion

4.5 Variation

If the scope of work changes significantly during conduct of the matter, we reserve the right to renegotiate the fee arrangement. Any variation will be agreed in writing before additional work is undertaken.

If a fixed fee arrangement becomes inappropriate, we may propose transitioning to an hourly rate basis. This requires your written consent.

5. Hourly Rate Agreements

5.1 Application

Hourly rate agreements apply to matters where the scope of work cannot be reliably estimated in advance, or where the complexity or risk profile makes other fee arrangements inappropriate.

5.2 Current Rates

Our hourly rates for 2025/26 are:

The specific rate applicable to your matter will be confirmed in your engagement letter and depends on the seniority and experience of the fee earner assigned to your case.

5.3 Time Recording

Time is recorded in units of six minutes (0.1 hours). All chargeable time is recorded including telephone calls, correspondence, research, drafting, and attendance at hearings or meetings.

5.4 Payment on Account

We require payment on account before commencing work on an hourly rate basis. The amount required will be specified in your engagement letter.

We will provide itemised bills at agreed intervals and will request further payments on account when your funds are depleted.

5.5 Billing Frequency

Bills are typically rendered monthly or at the conclusion of significant stages of work. You will receive itemised bills showing the work undertaken, time spent, and hourly rate applied.

6. Factors Affecting Costs

The following factors may increase costs beyond initial estimates:

6.1 Information and Documentation

Delays or additional work caused by:

• Incomplete or missing documentation from you or third parties
• Incorrect or inconsistent information requiring clarification
• Late provision of requested materials

6.2 Third Party Responses

Inadequate or delayed responses from:

• Your former employer or their representatives
• Witnesses
• Medical professionals or experts
• The tribunal or court

6.3 Increased Complexity

Unforeseen complexity arising from:

• Additional legal issues emerging during the case
• New evidence requiring analysis
• Unexpected defences or counterclaims
• Changes in applicable law or procedure

6.4 Notification

We will notify you promptly if circumstances arise that are likely to increase costs materially beyond any estimate provided. We will not undertake additional work likely to significantly increase costs without your prior written agreement.

7. Services Provided

Subject to the specific terms of your engagement letter, our services typically include:

7.1 Initial Assessment

• Review of your circumstances and documentation
• Preliminary assessment of claim merits
• Advice on funding options
• Provision of engagement letter setting out terms of business

7.2 Case Preparation

• Detailed review of all relevant documentation
• Obtaining further evidence as required
• Legal research and analysis
• Preparation of claim forms, witness statements, and supporting documents
• Correspondence with you, your opponent, and the tribunal/court

7.3 Representation

• Representation at preliminary hearings
• Representation at full hearings (or instruction of barrister as agreed)
• Negotiation of settlements
• Preparation of settlement agreements

7.4 Document Handling

You may provide documents by:

• Upload via our secure client portal
• Email to designated addresses
• Post to our office address

Do not send original documents. Send copies only and retain originals securely.

8. Team Qualifications and Experience

8.1 Legal Team

Cases are handled by qualified solicitors and barristers with 5 to 20 years of experience in employment law and civil litigation. All team members have substantial experience representing clients in employment tribunals.

8.2 Supervision

All matters are supervised by Tom Street, Principal Solicitor.

Tom Street
Solicitor (qualified 2003)
SRA Number: 566718
Experience: 19+ years specialising in employment law and civil litigation

9. Payment Terms

9.1 Methods of Payment

We accept payment by:

• Bank transfer (details provided on invoices)
• Debit or credit card
• Cheque made payable to Tom Street & Co. Solicitors

9.2 Due Dates

Unless otherwise agreed:

• Consultation fees are due at time of booking
• Payments on account are due within 7 days of request
• Invoices are due within 28 days of the invoice date

9.3 Late Payment

We reserve the right to charge interest on overdue amounts at 4% above the Bank of England base rate. We may also suspend work on your matter until outstanding fees are paid.

10. Additional Charges

10.1 Disbursements

Disbursements are costs incurred on your behalf payable to third parties. Common disbursements include:

• Barrister’s fees
• Tribunal or court fees
• Expert witness fees
• Medical report fees
• Courier or special delivery costs
• Travel expenses (where attendance in person is required)

You are responsible for all disbursements. We will seek your approval before incurring significant disbursements.

10.2 VAT

VAT is charged at 20% on our fees (except where VAT exempt services apply). VAT is not charged on disbursements paid directly to third parties.

11. Estimates and Budget Management

11.1 Cost Estimates

Where we provide a cost estimate, this is given in good faith based on information available at the time. Estimates are not fixed quotations unless expressly stated as such.

We will notify you if it becomes apparent that costs are likely to exceed any estimate provided by more than 20%.

11.2 Cost Monitoring

For hourly rate matters, we provide regular updates on costs incurred. You may request a costs update at any time.

12. Complaints

If you are dissatisfied with our fees or any aspect of our service, please refer to our complaints procedure, which is provided with your engagement letter and is available on request.

13. Review and Updates

This pricing policy is reviewed annually. We reserve the right to vary our fees with reasonable notice. Any variation will not affect matters where an engagement letter has already been issued, unless otherwise agreed.

Policy version: 2025.1
Effective date: 1 January 2025
Next review date: 1 January 2026