Controversial Drive for Firms to Publish Fees Becomes Reality
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has submitted proposals to the Legal Services Board requiring all regulated firms to publish, on their website, prices for certain types of work undertaken.
The proposal, if passed, is due to come into force in December 2018.
The proposal followed a call by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for more transparency and help for consumers in choosing a legal services provider.
Responding to an SRA consultation, the Law Society said the CMA report had been a major driver of change and it acknowledged the importance of clients making informed decisions, but they also said that while perceived cost was a barrier to people accessing legal services, a blanket approach to publishing fees would do little to address this in practice.
All regulated firms will be required to post prices on what they cover for:-
- the Public: Conveyancing, Probate, Motor Offences, Employment Tribunals (claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal) and Immigration (excluding Asylum).
- for Small Businesses: Debt Recovery (up to £100,000), Employment Tribunals (defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal) and Licensing Applications (for Business Premises).
Temple Heelis aim to offer transparency on our fees from the outset. Often our fees are fixed or capped, but legal fees in certain cases are potentially a very complex subject especially when dealing with difficult disputes, for example.
To find out more please feel free to contact our team of expert Solicitors for a no obligation initial discussion in which we will aim to give you our estimate of fees for your particular matter.
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