02073666409
Contact Email
admin@jdssolicitors.com
Working Hours
Mon - Fri : 09:30-17:30
We publish information about our pricing for certain services that we provide to the public and to businesses as a law firm regulated by the SRA. The pricing information relates to advice we provide on immigration law (excluding asylum), employment law, probate & estate administration, and debt recovery & commercial collections.
Fees and costs stated in our pricing information are in relation to our experience of the likely cost of dealing with similar matters/our best estimate of the likely amount of professional time incurred. There may be need to revise our fees in some circumstances where for example your instructions change, or unforeseen or exceptional circumstances arise.
Other practice areas advertised on our site are quoted case by case, and we will confirm the likely cost basis in writing once we understand the details of the matter.
For complaints and regulatory information, see the Complaints Policy and our Solicitors & Staff page.
We offer an initial no obligation consultation which can either be in person or remotely via telephone, Zoom or any other agreed online platform. The cost of this service is between £150-£250 per hour excluding VAT depending on the year of experience of the solicitor or caseworker handling the matter.
All the prices quoted exclude VAT. This is charged at the prevailing rate and is payable on our fees and on most expenses which we are likely to incur on your behalf. VAT is payable subject to your immigration status in the United Kingdom.
Disbursements are costs related to a client's matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees, Home Office fees, or Barrister's fees and they are borne by clients. We will notify you of any disbursements and request that the fund is paid into the firm's account. Once we have received funds from you to cover the cost of any disbursement, we will handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process except the client instructs otherwise.
Prices quoted exclude VAT and may increase due to the complexity of the matter. Disbursements payable to third parties may change without our notice. Our hourly rates where a fixed fee is not agreed or where costs need to be assessed are as follows:
The fees will cover:
When a fixed fee is not agreed, hourly rates apply based on the lawyer handling your matter. Below are the specific hourly rates for each practice area:
Criminal Law: A.J. Offiah - £300 per hour
Immigration Law: Nneka Keazor - £300 per hour | Ighodaro Edokpolor - £300 per hour
Employment Law: Wilberforce Ehimika - £300 per hour
Civil Litigation Law: Wilberforce Ehimika - £300 per hour
Note: All hourly rates exclude VAT (20%). The actual fee charged will depend on the time spent on your matter. We will provide you with a clear estimate before commencing work and keep you informed of costs as the matter progresses.
| Service Type | Details / Thresholds | Fixed Fee (Excl. VAT) | Total Cost (Incl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Probate | Estate < £100,000; Valid Will; Adult beneficiaries; No property complications | £1,800 – £2,500 | £2,160 – £3,000 |
| Standard Probate (Option A) | Estate £100,000 – £500,000; Includes property; Up to 4 beneficiaries | £2,800 – £4,200 | £3,360 – £5,040 |
| Standard Probate (Option B) | Percentage based on estate value and beneficiary count | 2.0% – 3.5% (Min. £2,000 + VAT) | Varies by value |
| Complex Probate | Estate > £500,000; Overseas assets; Trusts; IHT planning; Disputes | £4,500 – £7,500 (or 3.0% – 4.5%) | Bespoke Quote |
JDS Solicitors has an experienced team of lawyers in delivering high-quality legal services in matters relating to Probate, Wills and Estate Administration.
A team member is earmarked for each case ensuring consistency and clear communication. Other members of the team would assist as necessary.
How We Can Assist
JDS Solicitors understand that dealing with the administration of an estate can be a difficult and emotional process. We can support you by:
Where you are the executor or administrator of an estate, you may wish to seek legal representation. Below is an overview of the services we offer and the likely fees.
This service is for clients who provide us with all necessary financial information, including:
We will:
VAT is a government tax that we are required to charge, and will usually be added at 20% to our fees and disbursements, except where we indicate the disbursements are outside the scope of VAT.
Our full estate administration service includes:
Our fees for full estate administration are typically based on a percentage of the gross value of the estate:
Rates reflect complexity: type and number of assets, inheritance tax matters, number of beneficiaries, and any cross-border or trust issues. A detailed cost estimate is provided before work begins.
Standard Cases
Grant of Probate: typically 3–6 months
Full administration: additional 6–12 months
Complex Cases
May take 18–24 months to conclude
JDS Solicitors will provide an estimated timeline for your circumstances at the outset.
You will also need to pay for disbursements — costs paid to third parties such as the Probate Registry. The likely disbursements are:
To protect executors from claims, the following may also apply:
| Service Category | Specific Visa / Service | Fixed Fee (Excl. VAT) | Total Cost (Incl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor Visas | Standard / Family / Business Visit | £650 | £780 |
| Family Visas | Spouse / Partner (Entry or Extension) | £950 | £1,140 |
| Settlement | Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | £1,100 | £1,320 |
| Nationality | British Citizenship / Naturalisation | £1,250 | £1,500 |
| Student Visas | New Application / Extension | £750 | £900 |
| Business Visas | Sponsor Licence Application | £1,400 | £1,680 |
| Work Visas | Skilled Worker Visa | £1,200 | £1,440 |
| Work Visas | Health & Care Worker Visa | £850 | £1,020 |
| Appeals | Administrative Review | £800 | £960 |
| Appeals | First-tier Tribunal Appeal | £1,800 – £2,500 | Varies |
Our Expertise
We offer a wide range of Immigration advice and our team of immigration lawyers are able to assist with various immigration matters.
Immigration and Asylum Law is vast and ever-changing; much change has been seen within the last few years especially.
Our experienced team advises on:
At JDS Solicitors, immigration applications are usually concluded within a 14-day period from the date we receive all supporting documents and payment in full. Timescales may be longer for complex cases — clients are kept updated at every stage.
We are unable to advise on how long the Home Office will take to decide a matter, as they have their own internal processes. Please check current processing times on their website:
gov.uk — Visa Decision Waiting Times ↗We may be able to make further representations to the Home Office on your behalf if they fail to decide your case within 6 months of biometric enrolment.
Information about the cost of any likely disbursements and Immigration and Nationality fees for all applications made from outside and within the UK can be found on the Home Office website:
gov.uk — Immigration & Nationality Fees Table ↗Note: Government fees are set by the Home Office and change periodically. Please verify current rates at gov.uk.
Not Included in the above fees:
VAT on Immigration Services:
VAT is charged at the standard rate of 20% where applicable. However, VAT treatment depends on your location and immigration status. We will confirm whether VAT is properly chargeable once we have been instructed and can assess your specific circumstances.
| Category | Service Type | Fixed Fee (Excl. VAT) | Total Cost (Incl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contracts | Standard Employment Contract | £350 | £420 |
| Contracts | Executive / Senior Role Contract | £650 | £780 |
| Contracts | Contract Review (for Employees) | £280 | £336 |
| Documentation | Staff Handbook / Policies | £500 | £600 |
| Settlement | Employee Representation | £750 – £1,200 | £900 – £1,440 |
| Settlement | Employer Drafting & Negotiation | £850 | £1,020 |
| Disputes | Initial Advice & Assessment | £250 | £300 |
| Disputes | Representation at Hearing (per day) | £600 | £720 |
| Disputes | Tribunal Claim Preparation | £1,200 – £1,800 | Varies |
| Negotiation | Settlement Negotiation (Fixed Fee) | £950 | £1,140 |
JDS Solicitors has an experienced team of lawyers in delivering high-quality legal services in matters relating to employment.
Legal Fees for Defending Claims for Unfair or Wrongful Dismissal
Simple Case
£800 – £3,500
+VAT £160 – £700
Medium Complexity
£2,500 – £10,000
+VAT £500 – £2,000
High Complexity
£10,000 – £25,000
+VAT £2,000 – £5,000
Issues That Could Increase Complexity
These fees are estimates based on anticipated time spent by appropriately legally qualified or non-qualified staff. We usually charge on a time basis and details of how we would charge in any particular case would be set out in our client care letter, as would details of the seniority and qualifications of persons carrying out the work.
In some very limited instances, we may offer to carry out work on a Damages Based Agreement (no win, no fee arrangement). In those cases, clients might be expected to pay disbursements liable to VAT including expert's fees, Counsel's fees, accommodation fees, and some photocopying charges; and disbursements not liable to VAT including travel costs and some photocopying charges.
Please note that VAT is a government tax that we are required to charge, and will usually be added at 20% to our fees and disbursements, except where we indicate the disbursements are outside the scope of VAT.
Not Included in the above fees:
For matters relating to civil litigation our general pricing fees apply, except Debt Recovery where the below fees apply.
All fees are exclusive of VAT (20%) unless stated otherwise. Disbursements (third-party costs) are additional and explained clearly. No hidden charges – all costs agreed in writing before work begins.
We offer three pricing options so you can choose what suits your case:
Best for standard, undisputed debts under £10,000
| Service | Fixed Fee + VAT | Total Cost (incl. VAT) | What is included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Letter Before Action (LBA) | £250 + VAT | £300 | Review documents, draft & send formal legal notice, handle initial response |
| Issue County Court Claim | £550 + VAT | £660 | Prepare & file claim form, serve on debtor, handle court correspondence |
| Draft Defence / Response | £400 + VAT | £480 | For debtors: prepare formal response to claim |
| Negotiate Payment Plan | £350 + VAT | £420 | Agree & document binding repayment terms |
For debts over £10,000 or where ongoing collection/action is required
Fee calculated on the amount successfully recovered for you:
✅No recovery = No fee (only disbursements/court costs you agreed to pay)
✅Fee agreed in writing before starting work
✅Minimum fee applies: £300 + VAT
For complex, disputed, or high-value cases; multi-party claims; or insolvency work
•We provide a clear estimate of hours and costs before starting
•Monthly invoices with detailed breakdown of work done
These are fees paid directly to courts, officials, or third parties – we do not mark these up:
We will always confirm likely disbursements with you before they are incurred.
Funding for criminal matters is either private or legally aided, depending on individual circumstances. Where privately funded, our general fees apply. Where legally aided, the rules of legal aid will apply.
Where you are on a very low income, legal aid may be available for your case. This means you do not have to pay for your legal costs — the government pays. JDS Solicitors holds a contract awarded by the government to provide legal aid in criminal law.
While legal aid is available, it is subject to both a merits test and a means test before you qualify.
We will need to know about your case and whether it has a reasonable prospect of succeeding.
We will need to know about your income, savings, and any other source of financial support. Evidence will be required.
Check if you qualify for Legal Aid
To find out if your matter qualifies and whether you meet the tests, visit:
gov.uk — Check if you can get legal aid ↗We also advertise criminal, family, housing, property, litigation, welfare benefits and police station representation services on the website. Pricing for those matters depends on the facts, urgency and complexity of the case, so we provide a tailored written quote before work starts.
Key Stages: Identifying executors/administrators, identifying assets and liabilities, preparing inheritance tax forms, applying for Grant of Representation, collecting assets, paying liabilities, preparing estate accounts, and distributing the estate.
Timescales: On average, estates that fall within the simple range are concluded within 4-8 months. Standard estates usually take 6-12 months.
Key Stages: Initial consultation and assessment of eligibility, comprehensive document review, preparation and submission of the application, and ongoing communication with the Home Office until a decision is reached.
Timescales: Standard visa applications typically take 8-12 weeks from submission. Complex cases or appeals can take 6-12 months.
Key Stages: Initial assessment and advice, ACAS early conciliation, drafting and filing the claim (ET1) or response (ET3), document disclosure, witness statements, and representation at the hearing.
Timescales: Simple claims may take 4-6 months. More complex claims involving longer hearings can take 12 months or more.
All work is supervised by our Principal, Mr. A. J. Offiah (MA), who has over 27 years of post-qualification experience as a Solicitor.
Probate & Estate Administration: Handled by Wilberforce Ehimika (Solicitor, 18 years PQE) and team, supervised by A. J. Offiah.
Immigration Law: Handled by Nneka Keazor (Civil Law Specialist) and Ighodaro Edokolor (Solicitor/Legal Consultant), supervised by A. J. Offiah.
Employment Law: Handled by Wilberforce Ehimika (Solicitor, 18 years PQE) and team, supervised by A. J. Offiah.
Debt Recovery & Commercial Collections: Handled by Wilberforce Ehimika (Solicitor, 18 years PQE), supervised by A. J. Offiah.
You can view detailed profiles of our team members, including their full qualifications and experience, on our Solicitors & Staff page.
Note: All fees are subject to change. Please contact us for a personalized quote and to discuss your specific requirements. VAT is charged at the standard rate of 20%.