Commercial Litigation Fees & Pricing
Transparent, proportionate pricing for commercial dispute resolution. Fixed fees, capped fees and conditional arrangements — with no surprises.
In line with SRA transparency requirements, the following gives an indication of typical costs. All fees are subject to VAT at 20% unless otherwise stated. A clear written estimate will be provided before you instruct us.
SRA Transparency Notice: All fees shown are indicative and exclusive of VAT at 20%. Actual costs depend on the complexity, value and duration of your matter. A clear written estimate will be provided before you instruct us. Disbursements (court fees, counsel fees, expert fees) are additional.
Pre-action & Initial Advice
Early advice and pre-action correspondence — often the most cost-effective stage of any dispute.
| Service | Indicative Fee |
|---|---|
| Initial consultation (up to 1 hour) | Free |
| Pre-action letter of claim (standard) | £350 – £750 + VAT |
| Pre-action letter of claim (complex) | £750 – £1,500 + VAT |
| Response to letter of claim | £350 – £750 + VAT |
| Initial risk assessment & strategy advice | £500 – £1,500 + VAT |
Commercial Debt Recovery
Business-to-business debt recovery — from pre-action demands through to court enforcement.
| Service | Indicative Fee |
|---|---|
| Debt recovery — undisputed, up to £5,000 | £350 – £750 + VAT |
| Debt recovery — undisputed, £5,001–£10,000 | £500 – £1,200 + VAT |
| Debt recovery — undisputed, £10,001–£50,000 | £1,000 – £2,500 + VAT |
| Statutory demand preparation | £350 – £600 + VAT |
| County Court claim — defended | £2,500 – £6,000 + VAT |
| Enforcement (charging order, attachment of earnings) | £500 – £1,500 + VAT |
Court issue fees are additional — see disbursements below.
Contract Disputes & Mediation
From initial advice through to court proceedings — indicative costs for contract dispute work.
| Service | Indicative Fee |
|---|---|
| Contract dispute — initial advice & strategy | £500 – £1,500 + VAT |
| Without-prejudice negotiation (per stage) | £750 – £2,000 + VAT |
| Mediation preparation & attendance (half day) | £1,500 – £2,500 + VAT |
| Mediation preparation & attendance (full day) | £2,500 – £4,000 + VAT |
| County Court proceedings — straightforward | £3,000 – £8,000 + VAT |
| High Court proceedings — complex | £10,000+ + VAT |
Shareholder & Director Disputes
Indicative costs for shareholder dispute work — from initial advice through to unfair prejudice proceedings.
| Service | Indicative Fee |
|---|---|
| Shareholder dispute — initial advice & strategy | £750 – £2,000 + VAT |
| Negotiated buy-out (straightforward) | £2,500 – £5,000 + VAT |
| Unfair prejudice petition — preparation | £5,000 – £15,000 + VAT |
| Director removal — advice & correspondence | £1,500 – £3,500 + VAT |
Disbursements & Third-Party Costs
Disbursements are costs payable to third parties — they are in addition to our professional fees and are passed on at cost.
Court issue fees
Set by HMCTS — dependent on claim value (e.g. £455 for claims £5,001–£10,000; £1,080 for claims £25,001–£50,000)
Barrister / Counsel fees
Dependent on seniority and hearing length — we will advise before instructing. Typically £1,500–£5,000 per day
Expert witness fees
Case dependent — typically £1,000–£5,000
Process server fees
Typically £100–£300
Land Registry / Companies House searches
Typically £5–£50 per search
Mediation fees (mediator)
Typically £1,500–£3,000 per party for a full-day mediation
Funding options
We offer a range of funding arrangements to make commercial litigation accessible and proportionate.
Fixed-fee stages
Pre-action letters, initial advice and defined stages at a fixed cost. You know exactly what you will pay before we start.
Capped fees
A maximum cost agreed in advance for defined work. We will not exceed the cap without your agreement.
Conditional fee arrangements (CFA)
Where the merits justify it, we may be able to act on a "no win, no fee" basis. We will advise on eligibility at the outset.
Hourly rate
For complex or unpredictable matters, with regular cost updates and no surprises. Our hourly rates range from £200–£350 + VAT depending on the solicitor.
After-the-event (ATE) insurance
Protects you against the risk of paying the other side's costs if you lose. We can advise on whether ATE insurance is appropriate for your matter.
Third-party litigation funding
For high-value claims, third-party funders may finance your litigation in exchange for a share of the recovery. We can advise on eligibility.
Fees — Common Questions
Get a clear fee estimate
Tell us about your dispute and we will provide a clear, written fee estimate — with no obligation. Free initial discussion available.
All enquiries strictly confidential · SRA regulated · Chester-based, acting nationwide