Family Law - Additional Information

Reduced Rate Advice and Assistance Scheme (for middle income privately paying clients)

At Bird & Co. we know that when couples separate or there are family difficulties the last thing you want to worry about is seeing a solicitor - after all, you’ve got so many other things on your mind.  Solicitors cost money and this adds to the other financial concerns that you have at such a stressful time.

You may know that the Legal Services Commission offers “Legal Aid” to certain people depending on their financial circumstances, thereby providing them with free or subsidised legal advice.  However, not everyone fits the LSC’s criteria, and those who don’t, maybe like you, are left with the following two options. You can either navigate your way through a possible legal minefield alone, or alternatively you can employ a solicitor to help you, even though you may not be able to afford it.

Our Firm sees many clients who are not eligible for “Legal Aid” and who cannot afford to pay privately for legal advice but who desperately need that advice. It is this experience which has led our Firm to offer an alternative and financially more attractive way of paying for legal advice.

The Reduced Rate Scheme

For those clients who are not eligible for public funding, but are unable to afford a solicitor on a private basis, Bird & Co. will offer advice and assistance at a reduced hourly rate, subject to certain conditions and proof of financial eligibility. Essentially we will assess a client’s financial eligibility, regarding both income and capital, in a manner similar to that of the Legal Services Commission, but using a far more generous approach due to the application of higher income limits.

Illustration:
Imagine that you satisfied eligibility conditions and wished to take advantage of our Scheme, then you would be required to pay £200 on account. This initial payment would cover costs at the outset of your case. The payment of any disbursements, e.g. the divorce petition issue fee must be made in addition to all other payments and in advance of us incurring that disbursement. You would then be required to pay £100 by direct debit each month until your case was concluded.

You would be kept fully informed throughout concerning your legal costs - an account being submitted to you every three months, together with future costs projections. Any accounts rendered would need to be settled in full within 28 days, otherwise work on your case would be likely to be suspended. Furthermore failure to make any of the monthly direct debit payments would also result in work being suspended. You will be required to settle any invoices in full within 28 days in addition to the £100 paid on account each month.

Savings:
Under this Scheme savings will be considerable. The hourly rates of the Firm’s solicitors and caseworkers range from £90.00 to £160.00, depending upon their legal experience and seniority. However, clients who participate in the Scheme will be charged at a flat rate of £90.00 per hour regardless of who is handling the casework.

Further Information
If you would like any further information about the above or would like to know whether you are eligible for the Scheme please contact our Family Law Department at Grantham on 01476 591711 or at Newark on 01636 650880. Alternatively you may prefer to e-mail the Firm.

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