Care Proceedings Fees
All figures below are exclusive of VAT unless stated otherwise. VAT is charged at the prevailing rate (currently 20%). These are guide prices for straightforward matters; every client is given a written estimate specific to their case before any chargeable work begins, in line with the SRA Transparency Rules.
Legal Aid Available
Care proceedings are unusual: legal aid is automatically available (non-means-tested) to parents where a local authority applies for a care or supervision order, and is often available during the pre-proceedings (PLO) stage too. Most parents in these cases won't be paying privately at all.
For clients who don't qualify for legal aid (e.g. some relatives, grandparents seeking Special Guardianship, or private applications), work is typically charged at the firm's standard hourly rates rather than a fixed fee, because the scope of care proceedings is not predictable in advance.
Fee Earner Hourly Rates
| Fee Earner | Rate (exc. VAT) |
|---|---|
| Director / Solicitor (8+ years) — Grade A | £319 per hour |
| Solicitor (4+ years) — Grade B | £262 per hour |
| Other solicitors — Grade C | £209 per hour |
| Trainee solicitors / Paralegals | £146 / £120 per hour |
Further fees can be discussed by calling our offices on: