Legal Fees Solicitor: Legal Costs, Fixed Fees, Hourly Rates & Funding Options
Fixed legal fees, hourly rates and clear funding options to help you understand the legal costs involved in your case.
Legal fees and litigation can be expensive, and finding the right way to pay for legal services can be a significant obstacle when you need clear legal advice, representation and support.
MJR Solicitors is committed to helping you overcome that obstacle by offering transparent and competitive fixed legal fees wherever possible. We will explain the likely legal costs before work starts, including what is included in our solicitors’ fees, whether VAT applies, and whether any additional costs or third-party costs may be payable. This transparent pricing helps you make informed decisions from the outset.
Ultimately, we want to give you clear, practical legal advice and the strongest support we can provide for your situation. While our fees are competitive, we are always open to discussing manageable ways to pay, so you understand the best option for your case before the matter progresses.
Our funding options can help you plan for your legal costs, although not every option will be suitable for every type of case or court proceedings. Below, you’ll find information on our hourly rates, fixed fee costs, private fees and Legal Aid. Where we provide an estimate, we will aim to make clear the likely total cost, whether VAT is included, and the difference between our legal fees and any disbursements or additional fees.
Please remember that not all funding options are available for every type of case. We’ll explain the options that apply to your individual circumstances and help you make an informed decision. At the outset, you can ask about billing frequency, likely best- and worst-case cost scenarios, whether a cost limit can be agreed, and any additional costs. Disbursements are separate third-party costs, such as court fees, barrister’s fees or other payments made to third parties where relevant, and these usually remain the client’s responsibility.
Please see our Estate Administration fees page for further information on costs relating to wills, estate planning, inheritance tax, probate applications or lasting power of attorney services.
Honest advice
Personal one-to-one service
Dedicated firm
Local experienced team
Straightforward outlined costs
Hourly Rates and Guideline Hourly Rates
Paying an hourly rate is common, and you pay your solicitor for the time spent on your case. Hourly rates can vary depending on seniority, specialist expertise, location, the complexity of the legal work and which fee earners are involved. We can usually break the work down into key stages and give you a rough estimate of how many hours each stage is likely to take as the matter progresses.
For wider context, the guideline hourly rates for solicitors and legal executives in England and Wales vary by grade and location. These rates are used for court cost assessment and are not the same as a fixed quote for private legal services, but they can help clients understand why solicitors charge different rates. The Law Society also explains that costs for legal services can vary depending on the solicitor you choose. We will explain our hourly rate clearly before work begins, so you have a good idea of your likely legal costs.
Some firms bill in small time units or charge separately for calls, emails or urgent work outside normal business hours. If your matter involves a partner, experienced solicitor, legal executive, paralegal or trainee solicitor, we will explain who is handling the work and how this affects the estimate where relevant.
| Mark Riley or Jane Symonds | £300.00 per hour + VAT |
Fixed Fees and Cost-Effective Legal Work
Fixed fees can be a helpful and cost-effective way to agree how much you can spend on legal fees from the start, so costs do not spiral out of control. They are usually better suited to clearly defined legal work, while complex cases, specialist legal services or more complex transactions may need a tailored estimate or hourly rate.
We can outline your fixed fee based on what you need, what work is included, and whether any additional costs or disbursements may apply. Please contact us for more information.
Private Legal Fees
Crown Court
Fees based on your case, including early conferences with Counsel before any Crown Court appearance where required. Find out more.
Magistrates’ Court Hearings
Fees for undertaking Magistrates’ Court hearings on your behalf, including attendance at the final hearing where required. Costs may vary if the matter progresses or further court proceedings are needed. Find out more.
Police Station
Fees for initial advice and consultations before or after police station interviews. Find out more.
Second Opinions and Appeals
Fees for consultations where you need a second opinion on legal advice, or advice about an appeal after the result of a legal case. Find out more.
Legal Aid
Legal Aid is available in some limited areas, but it may not be available or suitable for every case. We can explain whether you may be able to make an application and, where appropriate, apply on your behalf. Find out more.
Why Choose MJR Solicitors?
Choosing a legal fees solicitor is not only about finding the lowest price or a small fee upfront. It is about understanding what you are paying for, what legal work is included, whether there are hidden charges, and whether your case will be handled correctly from the start, so you do not face a large bill unexpectedly.
At MJR Solicitors, we provide clear legal advice without unnecessary jargon. We will explain your funding options, hourly rates, fixed fees and any additional costs in plain English, so you can make informed decisions before committing to legal work.
Our team combines personal service with experienced legal support across criminal defence, professional and regulatory defence, wills, estate planning, estate administration and lasting powers of attorney. Whether your matter involves court proceedings, a police station interview, a second opinion, an appeal or a private fee arrangement, we will help you understand the likely legal costs and the best available option for your circumstances.
Summary
Legal fees can vary depending on the type of case, the complexity of the work, the experience of the solicitor and whether your matter is funded privately, through Legal Aid, by fixed fee or by hourly rate.
MJR Solicitors aims to make legal costs clear from the outset. Where possible, we will explain the likely total cost, what is included in our solicitors’ fees, whether VAT applies, and whether additional disbursements or third-party costs may be payable.
Not every funding option is available for every case, but we will help you understand the options that apply to your individual circumstances before the matter progresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Legal fees are the charges you pay for legal advice, representation and legal work carried out by your solicitor or other fee earners. They may be charged as an hourly rate, a fixed fee or another agreed fee arrangement depending on the type of case.
Legal fees are the solicitor’s charges for handling your matter. Disbursements are separate third-party costs, such as court fees, barrister’s fees, Land Registry fees, property searches, office copies or other payments that may be needed depending on the type of case. Where a solicitor pays a disbursement on your behalf, it will usually be added to your bill.
No. Fixed fees are usually best suited to clearly defined legal work. Complex cases, urgent matters, court proceedings, a tribunal hearing or more complex transactions may require an hourly rate or a tailored estimate instead.
VAT is usually added to solicitors’ fees where applicable. We will explain whether VAT applies to your matter and whether the quoted fee includes or excludes VAT before work starts.
No. The Law Society provides public information about paying for a solicitor and understanding legal costs, while guideline hourly rates can provide context for court cost assessment. This information can give useful context, but most solicitors set their own fees based on the work required, the complexity of the case, who handles the matter and the fee arrangement agreed with the client.
Additional costs vary depending on the case. In court proceedings, they may include court fees, barrister’s fees, expert fees or, where a suitable conditional fee agreement applies, a success fee. In residential conveyancing, costs may vary depending on the property price, purchase price, mortgage offer, mortgage redemption, title deeds, local authority searches and any requirements raised by the seller’s solicitor. Costs can also differ for shared ownership, first-time buyer matters, existing Help to Buy equity loan matters or a residential leasehold property. They may include Land Registry fees, transfer fees, property searches, Stamp Duty Land Tax, management company fees, ground rent or service charges for leasehold properties.
Our happy clients are our results
"10/10 for everything. We were making simple wills and Mark was courteous, professional and gave us confidence in all he did. It was all straightforward."
Mr & Mrs Steele
"Having never used a Solicitor before we found the whole experience easy, relaxed and, although a legal matter, it was informal feel whilst being professional. Mark was friendly and welcoming and on a level with us, coming across as a nice person you can relate to. He is very knowledgeable and offers excellent advice and information, answering all our queries."
Mr & Mrs Sharp
"A massive thank you to Mark Riley and Beverley Rayner for allowing me to accompany them on a few occasions whilst they advised clients (in their capacity as duty solicitor) at the police station.
I’m currently working towards becoming an accredited Police Station Legal Representative, and so being able to observe Beverley and Mark in this role proved to be invaluable experience and an important addition to the personal study section of my portfolio. Thanks to their thorough, professional and sensitive approach with their clients, I have learned a huge amount. It has given me the grounding I need to continue towards my goal."
Mrs C
"10/10 to all questions"
Mr L
"Thank you for your good work"
Mrs D
"10/10 to all questions"
Mr B
"Quality service quick and easy advice. Fees are great and no messing around. MJR cut staright to the point Got a motoring offence ?! Easily sorted from overseas. Definitely would recommend"
Mr P
"Thanks for sorting out my will also power of attorneys. Not a pleasant subject having to think about when I die, but it was done in terms I understood and quickly now it's something I don't have to think about. Thank you again."
Mrs H
"10/10 for everything. Mark was very friendly and knowledgeable and explained everything simply in order for us to understand. Very efficient and helpful."
Mr & Mrs S
"Wouldn't use anyone else. Great help, advice and a superb professional service."
Mr R
"You have been very flexible regarding meetings.... and you have made a difficult time far less stressful. Very reassuring. Very straightforward and understandable."
Mr A
"Patient and Helpful" 10 out of 10 for all questions."
Mr S
"10 out of 10 to all questions."
Mrs E A Walters
"Definite 10 out of 10 to all questions, I think your service was excellent and I cannot think of how to improve it. Everything was dealt with most efficiently and my sister and I were very pleased."
Mrs E R Hector
"10/10 for everything. Mark was reassuring and efficient."
Mr B
"10/10 to all questions, thank you very much for your excellent service I will recommend you to all my friends."
Mr L
"We are so grateful to Mark for all his help and considerable patience regarding the recent preparation of our wills and for the invaluable advice concerning a Trust for our grandson. He took all the time that was needed to ensure that we understood the relevant aspects of this complex subject. He explained the legal ramifications in terms that a layman could understand and he made sure the resulting arrangement was fully in line with our intentions. It has set our minds at rest to know that this important matter has been so efficiently dealt with and thus we no longer need to feel concern over it. Full marks in all departments to MJR Solicitors; it is hard to see how such a friendly and professional service could be improved."
Mr & Mrs G
Would definitely recommend...very easy to contact and our Will was arranged and signed in a week!
Marie Pattenden
For your legal needs
We provide a unique and personal service by delivering the highest quality legal services and advice in a down to earth manner.
As your solicitors we will be at your side throughout your case, we will listen to you with care and understanding, and give you clear expert advice based on over 35 years’ experience in wills, probate and family law.
So, you can have complete confidence that you are receiving the best legal advice to achieve the best outcome in your case.
Middleton Office:
4 Bankside,
128 Middleton Road, Middleton-on-Sea, PO22 6DB
Littlehampton Office:
Arcade Business Centre, 2a Arcade Road, Littlehampton, BN17 5AR
Call us on: 01243 945054
Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm
Thanks for your message! We’ll be in touch soon.