Solicitors charge on an item and hourly rate. An item is a letter or telephone call. The hourly rate is broken down into 10 units of 6 minutes each and covers attendance, preparation and travel. It is not possible to give a fixed fee as each case is unique. For example, one persons divorce and financial settlement might be agreed at an early stage of the negotiations and settled without the need for anyone to attend court whereas another case to get to the same settlement may require several court hearings, employment of a barrister and numerous items of correspondence. In short, the more you argue through solicitors the more it costs both of you. The more you agree on the less it costs you. We can help you to reach agreement by a referral to mediation and sensible negotiations. We are members of the Family Lawyers Group "Resolution" which seeks to resolve family disputes with the minimum of acrimony wherever possible. On the other hand, if you want to argue about everything, as you employ us to represent you, we will argue your case, whilst at the same time offering our advice and our opinion as to the likely outcome to any particular dispute. We have selected our staff so that we are able to provide specialist advice and if appropriate a team management of your case where appropriate delegating case preparation to suitably qualified support staff so as to minimise your costs. All charges are subject to VAT. We provide as a matter of policy a detailed break down of the work we have undertaken for you with each bill which we aim to issue monthly to assist with budgeting. We will also need from time to time to request costs on account to cover foreseeable disbursements such as Counsel's fees or significant costs likely to arise imminently due to a forthcoming hearing or detailed preparation for a hearing/meeting. Our bills are payable within 28 days of issuing. Should you have a complaint then we would ask you first of all to raise it in writing with the fee earner running your case. If the response does not satisfy you then a Partner who has not otherwise been dealing with your case will provide a written response to your complaint. If you are still not satisfied with the response you can then forward it to the OSS at | 
