Family / Divorce

We are accredited with the Solicitors Quality Mark for family, which means that we are recognised for providing high standards of specialist advice and client care in family matters.

We are authorised by the Legal Aid Agency to provide family advice to those eligible to receive public funding. So, if you are eligible for legal aid, then we will assess you immediately and complete any necessary forms with you.

If you are not eligible to receive legal aid, we offer very competitive rates and fixed fee packages to give you the flexibility to pay for only the services you want, at a fixed price or an agreed top end limit.

What is a fixed fee?

We recognise that family disputes are difficult to deal with, without the additional worry of how much the legal fees will cost. At DR&N we aim to provide transparency with our services and fees; and have a range of fixed fee packages available for all of our clients.

	£	VAT	Court Fees	Total
An initial consultation and Case Assessment	100.00	20.00	nil	120.00
One to one consultation with a qualified Solicitor, where we will discuss your circumstances and explain relevant issues. You will be provided with written confirmation of instructions given and legal advice provided together with any relevant costs implication.

Separation

	£	VAT	Court Fees	Total
Undefended Divorce/Dissolution of Civil Partnership (Petitioner)	500.00	100.00	550.00	1150.00
(Includes first half hour face to face appointment with Solicitor, completing Divorce Petition, issuing Petition, obtaining Decree Nisi and Decree Absolute. Does not include any additional applications to deem service, trace, and translation of Marriage Certificate or advertise service of Petition).
Undefended Divorce/Dissolution of Civil Partnership (Respondent)	300.00	60.00	nil	360.00
(Includes initial half hour consultation with Solicitor, assistance with completing Acknowledgement of Service and filing with Court. Advice in relation to divorce proceedings).
Divorce - Initial attendance and advice/provision of documents	150.00	30.00	nil	180.00
(Includes initial half hour consultation with solicitor, provision divorce forms to client. Does not include any children or financial advice).
Preparing Petition for Divorce – Adultery	150.00	30.00	nil	180.00
Preparing Petition/Dissolution of Civil Partnership on Unreasonable behaviour	200.00	40.00	nil	240.00
Preparing Petition/Dissolution of Civil Partnership on Desertion	150.00	30.00	nil	180.00
Preparing Petition/Dissolution of Civil Partnership on 2 or 5 years’ Separation	150.00	30.00	nil	180.00
Checking Divorce Petition/Dissolution of Civil Partnership Petition	100.00	20.00	nil	120.00
Completing Acknowledgement of Service	120.00	24.00	nil	144.00
Checking Acknowledgement of Service	100.00	20.00	nil	120.00

Financial and Property Disputes

	£	VAT	Court Fees	Total
Initial appointment and drafting Consent Order no assets. Prices From	300.00	60.00	50.00	410.00
Initial appointment and drafting Consent Order agreed division of assets. Prices From	500.00	100.00	50.00	650.00
Initial appointment and drafting Separation Agreement. Prices From	500.00	100.00	nil	600.00

Children Disputes

	£	VAT	Court Fees	Total
Drafting Parental Responsibility Agreement	200.00	40.00	nil	240.00
Liaising with relevant parties for completion of the Agreement and submission of the Parental Responsibility Agreement to the Principal Registry
Initial consultation and letter to other parent	125.00	25.00	nil	150.00
Initial consultation and referral to mediation Mediation fees not included	125.00	25.00	nil	150.00
Initial consultation and provision of Court forms Together with information for lodging forms at court (Applicant)	125.00	25.00	nil	150.00
Initial consultation, completing Application forms Together with information for lodging forms at court (Applicant)	250.00	50.00	nil	300.00
Initial half hour consultation advising in relation to Court Application (Respondent)	150.00	50.00	nil	200.00
Initial attendance, completing forms, issuing application in Court, attendances at first appointment (Applicant)	600.00	120.00	215.00	935.00
Fixed fees for additional hearings can be agreed. Does not include substantive hearings, finding of fact/final hearings. (£350 plus vat for 1½ hours which includes the hearing time and if it goes over that than we will charge £150 per hour at Court)

Non-Molestation Applications/Protection from Harassment

	£	VAT	Court Fees	Total
Initial consultation and warning letter	125.00	25.00	nil	150.00
Initial consultation and preparation of Court documents, including attendance at any urgent hearing	600.00	120.00	nil	720.00
Fixed fees for Court representation at return dates and other hearings to be agreed thereafter.

Other

	£	VAT	Court Fees	Total
Change of Name Deed	100.00	20.00	nil	120.00

Situations often arise which are unforeseen and can involve additional work being incurred. On these occasions, clients will be advised immediately and no further expenses will be incurred until matters have been discussed and further fixed fee arrangements agreed.

The work stipulated in fixed fees does not include disbursements unless expressly stated. Disbursements include but are not exclusive to Court Issue fees, Process Server fees, Oath fees, translation of documents, Experts’ fees, disclosure or tracing fees.

The fixed fees also do not include any correspondence over and above routine correspondence which will be set out at the initial appointment, considering voluminous documents, drafting, advice or advocacy which is requested other than that provided for in the fixed fee levels. Any additional work incurred on this basis will not form part of the fixed fee package and will be subject to a separate invoice.