Compliance, Probate Pricing Policy & Resources

Compliance

Legal Notices

Ventura Law is a limited company registered in England and Wales with registration number 4621905 with its registered office at:

St Mary’s Court
The Broadway
Amersham
Bucks
HP7 0UT

A list of the members of Ventura Law is open to inspection at its registered office.

References to ‘partner’ or ‘partners’ of Ventura Law are references to a director or directors of Ventura Law and no such reference indicates that they carry on business in partnership under the Partnership Act 1890.

Regulatory information

Ventura Law is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority of England and Wales (with SRA Number 372124) and a professional code of conduct can be accessed at www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/handbook/code/content.page

Professional indemnity insurance

We maintain Professional Indemnity Insurance and we are covered in excess of the minimum SRA requirement of £3 million. This insurance covers all of our legal practice and work undertaken from any of our offices located in the UK.

Website and Social Media Content

Any content or commentary published on this website or on any of our social media platforms is for information purposes only and does not constitute specific legal advice. The information contained in this website is a non-exhaustive overview of a number of legal issues and specific legal advice should be sought should you require personal or business advice on a client-professional services relationship basis.

Every effort is made to ensure that any information is correct at the date of publication. However, any reliance on the information is solely at the user’s own risk.

Please note that Ventura Law omits all liability for the content of any third party website that is linked to its website.

Diversity Data

We have a strong commitment to creating a diverse workforce. Rather than scrutinise an individual’s background, our goal is to attract the best talent creating an outstanding working environment that people want to be part of and remain with throughout their careers.

The people at our firm come from a range of backgrounds, which we embrace. We treat everyone equally regardless of gender, race, colour, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, age, or sexual orientation.

Moreover we pride ourselves on our flexible working for employees to accommodate wide ranging personal circumstances.

Complaints Procedure

We always try and exceed expectations as far as possible. However, should there be any aspect of our service with which you are dissatisfied with, please do raise this with the solicitor with conduct of your file in the first instance.

At this time we will also send you a copy of our Complaints Handling Procedure. Your complaint will be handled in accordance with this procedure.

We have 8 weeks to try to resolve your complaint under the procedure and if you are still not satisfied then you have a right to complain to the Legal Ombudsman at PO Box 6806, Wolverhampton WV1 9WJ or on 0300 555 0333 or enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk

Please be aware that you have 6 months from the date you receive your final written response from us to raise your complaint with the Legal Ombudsman or you will need will need to bring the complaint to the Legal Ombudsman within 6 years of the act or omission about which

You are complaining occurring (or, if outside this period, within three years of when you should reasonably have been aware of it). After this time the Legal Ombudsman may not be able to deal with your complaint. For further information please contact the Legal Ombudsman directly or refer to: www.legalombudsman.org.uk. A copy of our Complaints Handling procedure is also available on request.

Our Commitment to providing excellent service

OUR COMPLAINTS HANDLING POLICY

Ventura Law Limited is committed to providing outstanding client services to all its clients and we do our utmost to treat all our clients fairly.

If you believe something has gone wrong or are dissatisfied with our service, we have a procedure to assist the early resolution of the problem. This gives us the opportunity to address the issue and to try to satisfy your concerns. It also helps us improve our standards. Please also use this complaints procedure if you have a concern or complaint about a bill.

Please ensure any concerns that you have are raised promptly. If no such concerns are raised, we will assume you are satisfied with the service you are receiving and any invoices raised.

The Procedure

  1. You may complain either to the lawyer handling your matter or directly the director managing your relationship with the firm.
  2. Within 7 days we will acknowledge receipt of your complaint and tell you who is dealing with it. We will also supply a copy of this procedure to you.
  3. We will usually need to ask you for further details or clarification about your complaint. You must promptly reply to any such requests in as much detail as possible.
  4. It might be possible to offer a solution at this stage and we will write to you to ask whether the solution is acceptable.
  5. If no solution is offered by or agreed between us, then we will investigate your complaint. You will not be charged by the firm for our investigation of your complaint.
  6. We will invite you to a meeting to discuss and hopefully resolve your compliant. This could take place remotely. We will do this within 21 days of receipt of your reply as per paragraph 3 above.
  7. Within 7 days of the meeting, we will write to you to confirm any solutions offered or agreed with you.
  8. If a meeting is not possible or appropriate, we will send you a written reply to your complaint, including suggestions for resolving the matter.
  9. If you are still not satisfied with the outcome you should contact us again and put forward your proposals or suggested solution and we will carefully review any such proposals or suggested solutions and respond within 7 days.
  10. If you are still not satisfied, you can ask the Legal Ombudsman at PO Box 6806, Wolverhampton, WV1 9WJ to consider your complaint. Normally you need to bring a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman within 6 months of receiving a final written response from us about your complaint or within 6 years of the date of the act or omission about which you are complaining (or 3 years of the date you should reasonably have known there were grounds for compliant if the act or omission was more than 6 years ago). For further information you should contact the Legal Ombudsman on 0300 555 0333 or refer to www.legalombudsman.org.uk

Terms of Business

Ventura-Client-Care-Terms-of-Engagement

Price Transparency

Litigation Costs

Ventura Law Litigation Pricing Policy

Our Charges

The firm’s charges are generally calculated by reference to the amount of time spent by the fee earner(s) dealing with the matter. This includes advising you, attending upon you, time spent on your matter, meeting or corresponding with any third parties, dealing with papers, correspondence and telephone calls, travelling and waiting time.

Each fee earner working on your case has an hourly charging rate and our charges are calculated in accordance with the time spent by fee earners at their respective hourly rates.

Agreed hourly rates and “fixed” or agreed fees

The hourly rates for fee earners of our firm are as follows:

Director in charge: £360.00 per hour plus VAT
Assistant Solicitors: £280.00 per hour plus VAT
Trainee Solicitors: £180.00 per hour plus VAT
Paralegals: £180.00 per hour plus VAT

Estimate of Fees/Costs Budget for Costs Management

Any estimate of work provided does not cover fees of third parties, such as experts or barristers or any other disbursements.

Any estimates given are given with the following assumptions:

  • the matter proceeds smoothly and will be completed in reasonable time;
  • the nature and extent of your instructions will not change as the matter progresses;
  • other parties involved in the matter with whom we must correspond deal with matters expeditiously;

d) generally, there will not, for reasons outside of our control, be significantly more work involved required that it is not possible for me to anticipate.

If any of these assumptions turn out to be wrong, we reserve the right to charge additional fees for any resulting extra time which we are obliged to spend on the matter at our normal hourly rates. If the matter is not carried through to completion, we will charge an amount less than the estimate given above for the work which has been done, calculated at our normal hourly rates.

You may stipulate a limit on the costs which may be incurred by you. If you wish to impose such a limit you must do so in writing to this firm prior to costs exceeding this limit being incurred by us on your behalf.

Court Costs

If you are unsuccessful you will be liable to pay disbursements. You may also be liable to pay the defendant’s costs.

If you are successful in the County Court the other party will usually be ordered to pay a proportion of our costs including your disbursements. The balance will be due from you.

Employment Costs

Employment Tribunal – Estimate of Costs

Our pricing for bringing and defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal

Simple case: £2,500 – £12,000 (excluding VAT)*
Medium complexity case: £10,000 – £22,000 (excluding VAT)*
High complexity case: £19,000 – £40,000 (excluding VAT)*
*These figures are based on our current hourly rates.

Any estimates are given with the following assumptions:

  • the matter proceeds smoothly and will be completed in reasonable time;
  • the nature and extent of your instructions will not change as the matter progresses;
  • other parties involved in the matter with whom we must correspond deal with matters expeditiously;
  • generally, there will not, for reasons outside of our control, be significantly more work involved required that it is not possible for us to anticipate.

You may stipulate a limit on the costs which may be incurred by you. If you wish to impose such a limit you must do so in writing to this firm prior to costs exceeding this limit being incurred by us on your behalf.

Factors that could make a case more complex:

  • If it is necessary to make or defend applications;
  • Amend claims or to provide further information about an existing claim;
  • Defending claims that are brought by litigants in person;
  • Making or defending a costs application;
  • Complex preliminary issues such as whether the claimant is disabled (if this is not agreed by the parties)
  • The number of witnesses and documents;
  • If it is an automatic unfair dismissal claim; and
  • Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal.

There will be an additional charge for attendance of a Tribunal Hearing (see below).

Generally, we would allow 1-5 days depending on the complexity of your case.

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Counsel’s fees are estimated as follows:

  • Brief fee – £1,000 – £3,000 plus VAT
  • Between £750 to £1,000 per day (depending on experience of the advocate) for attending a Tribunal Hearing (including preparation).
  • Refreshers fee (additional days at hearing).

The fees set out above cover all of the work in relation to the following key stages of a claim:

Taking your initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising you on merits and likely compensation (this is likely to be revisited throughout the matter and subject to change)

Entering into pre-claim conciliation where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached;

  • Preparing claim or response
  • Reviewing and advising on claim or response from other party
  • Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process
  • preparing or considering a schedule of loss
  • Preparing for (and attending) a Preliminary Hearing
  • Exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle of documents
  • Taking witness statements, drafting statements and agreeing their content with witnesses
  • Preparing bundle of documents
  • Reviewing and advising on the other party’s witness statements
  • Agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and/or cast list
  • Preparation and attendance at Final Hearing, including instructions to Counsel

The stages set out above are an indication and if some of stages above are not required, the fee will be reduced. You may wish to handle the claim yourself and only have our advice in relation to some of the stages. This can also be arranged on your individual needs.

How long will my matter take?

The time that it takes from taking your initial instructions to the final resolution of your matter depends largely on the stage at which your case is resolved. If a settlement is reached during pre-claim conciliation, your case is likely to take 6-10 weeks.

If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take 6-18 months. This is just an estimate and we will of course be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the matter progresses.

Recovery of costs from other parties in employment tribunal proceedings

If your case involves Employment Tribunal Proceedings, you should be aware that the Tribunal seldom makes an order that one party must pay all or part of the other party’s legal costs.

This means that even in the event of a “win” at the Tribunal, your legal costs are your own responsibility.

A Tribunal nevertheless has the power to make orders for costs in certain circumstances. Accordingly, it is possible (although very unlikely) that you may become liable to pay the other party’s legal costs in addition to your own.

You must discuss this with us if you have any queries or concerns. Our firm’s charges are based on a number of different factors.

The most important of these factors is the amount of time spent by members of the firm in dealing with your case. All such time spent is recorded in 6 minute units and charged at an hourly rate based upon the seniority and experience of the person undertaking the work.

One standard letter, therefore, will cost you 1/10th of the relevant hourly rate. The charge for longer letters and telephone calls will be calculated on the time basis of the applicable hourly rate.

We will seek prior approval from you for any disbursements that are likely to be more than £1,000.00 plus VAT at a time. Disbursements are payable in advance of these being incurred.

Probate Costs

Obtaining Probate and the Administration of an estate – Estimate of Costs

The following fees are price guides for the applying, collecting and distributing of assets for an Estate.

We can handle the full process from start to finish for you.

We do not charge a percentage of the Estate.

All our work is based on the number of hours spent on the matter at our hourly rate and are estimated as follows:

Taxable Estate

For the work carried out up to and including the Grant of Probate – £2,500.00 – £3,750.00 plus VAT; and

For work carried out post obtaining the Grant of Probate to finalising the administration of the Estate – £2,000.00 – £4,000.00 plus VAT.

Non-Taxable Estate

For the work carried out up to and including the Grant of Probate – £900.00 – £1,200.00 plus VAT; and

For work carried out post obtaining the Grant of Probate to finalising the administration of the Estate – £750.00 – £1500.00 plus VAT.

The quotes above cover Estates where:

There is a valid will;

  • There is no more than one property;
  • There are no more than 5 bank or building society accounts;
  • There are no other intangible assets;
  • There are 1 – 5 beneficiaries;
  • There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs; and
  • There are no claims made against the estate.

We are also happy to discuss capping our fees at a fixed fee level to provide certainty to you if you prefer (this will usually fall in the middle to upper level of the relevant price sum).

Summary of work we would carry out in the full administration of an Estate:

  • Meet with you to advise on the terms of the deceased’s Will and discuss the duties of the executors.
  • Obtain valuations of the estate assets and liabilities.
  • Write to utilities, council tax, house insurance and share registrars if applicable.
  • Once the value of the assets has been received, prepare the Inheritance Tax form (either IHT400 and Schedules or IHT 205), Oath for Executors (application for the Grant) and ascertain the Inheritance Tax payable in the Estate.
  • Submit the Inheritance Tax to HMRC, or directly to the court if a non-taxable estate and arrange the first payment of Inheritance Tax from the assets of the estate.
  • Once the IHT receipt is received from HMRC (if a taxable estate), submit the application to the Probate Court and lodge the papers to obtain the Grant of Probate.
  • Send the Grant of Probate and letters of authority to the financial institutions, collect the assets in and pay any liabilities.
  • Any correspondence with HMRC regarding the Inheritance Tax Account, in particular the property valuation, liaising with the District Valuer, ensuring the Inheritance Tax is discharged and obtain a clearance certificate from HMRC (if applicable).
  • Arrange Statutory notices for creditors in the London Gazette/Local magazines
  • Correspond with beneficiaries regarding the distribution of the estate, pay any interim legacies or any pecuniary legacies that are due under the Will.
  • Prepare Estate Accounts for executors.
  • Carry out Bankruptcy checks for beneficiaries.
  • Distribute the final amounts from the estate.

Disbursements will also apply in this matter:

  • Probate application fee of £155
  • Copy of Grant of Probate £0.50 per copy
  • £7 – 9 Swearing of the oath (per executor)
  • Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches
  • Advert in The London Gazette – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors – estimated circa £100
  • Advert in a Local Newspaper – This also helps to protect against unexpected claims.

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

How long will this take?

On average, a non taxable estate that fall within the range are dealt with within 3- 9 months.

On average, taxable estates that fall within the range are dealt with within 6-12 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 3- 6 months. Collecting assets then follows, which can take up to 5-8 months. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 2-4 weeks.

Exclusions to the above:

  • Any legal work relating to the sale of the deceased’s main house
  • Any interest in the property owned by the deceased outside the jurisdiction of England and Wales.
  • Changes to legislation during the course of estate administration.
  • Trusts in which the deceased was a beneficiary at the date of death.
  • Trusts set up by the deceased under the Will.
  • Deeds of Variation for the beneficiaries.
  • Financial advice on the suitability of the disposal of assets in the estate.
  • Personal Taxation of estate beneficiaries.
  • The sale of the deceased’s interest in a business or farm.
  • Restitution for long term care funding incorrectly paid by the deceased.
  • Income tax returns/tax declarations up to the date of death and during the administration period.

If the nature or extent of your instructions changes or we consider that your objectives will not be achievable in the time frame you wish us to work to or if the fees we intend to charge you differ from our estimate we will notify you in writing.

If the matter is not carried through to completion, we will charge an amount less than the estimate given above for the work which has been done, calculated at our normal hourly rates.

Any estimates are given with the following assumptions:

  • The matter proceeds smoothly and will be completed in reasonable time;
  • the nature and extent of your instructions will not change as the matter progresses;
  • other parties involved in the matter with whom we must correspond deal with matters expeditiously;
  • generally, there will not, for reasons outside of our control, be significantly more work involved required that it is not possible for us to anticipate.

You may stipulate a limit on the costs which may be incurred by you. If you wish to impose such a limit you must do so in writing to this firm prior to costs exceeding this limit being incurred by us on your behalf.

Resources

You may find useful information or services on the following websites. Please note that we do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or content of any external website.

Professional Bodies

Cases, Statutes, Parliament

Company / Corporate

Government / Regulatory Bodies

Journals / News