Solicitors
info@metrolaw.co.uk 020 8590 1100 92 Goodmayes Rd, Ilford IG3 9UU
Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
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Client Pricing Information

Although we provide a far wider range of services than those below, we are required by our regulators, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), to publish our prices as follows:

(Prices shown below are our prices for standard, and not for overly complex, work in each of the areas, and, typically, cover all the work, and, so, there will, typically, not be any extra fees required. Please note that our current hourly rates are as follows, but that the prices shown are on a fixed fees basis:

Senior Solicitors (3 years post qualified) £275.00 + VAT
Solicitors £250.00 + VAT
Trainee Solicitors, Paralegals £175.00 + VAT

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Land Registry fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Please Note: The prices shown, especially for disbursements, may change. Whereas we endeavour to always keep the prices shown below updated, we may not always be able to do this in a timely manner. Please ask us to confirm prices, which we also will do via a client care letter to those who instruct us.

The services in relation to individuals are:

1. The conveyance of residential real property or real estate

Which comprise: (i) freehold or leasehold sales or purchases; or (ii) mortgages or re-mortgages.

The team has particular expertise in high value properties and multiple purchases.

We have 12 members of the team who may work on your matter under the supervision of Manesha Stella Fernando, Senior Solicitor, Director and Head of Conveyancing, who started dealing with residential conveyancing in 2010.

We are required by the SRA rules to provide price information regarding the conveyance of residential property that is:

  • Freehold sale or purchase
  • Leasehold sale or purchase
  • Mortgages or re-mortgages

However, we provide a much wider range of services to do with residential (and commercial) conveyancing. We are able to assist you if you are a first time buyer or even a seasoned property investor. We can then give you independent advice in connection with surveys and valuations, mortgages, re-mortgages, deposits, transfers of equity (e.g. in divorce proceedings where the property is transferred from joint names into one of the parties’ name as part of the financial settlement), leasehold matters, estate agent and a number of other features about which you will need to know. With vast experience of conveyancing, we offer a wide range of professional legal advice on buying and selling residential property. We also deal with re-mortgages, transfer of equity, plot sales, right to buy and buy to let.

Area Our Fees (excluding VAT @ 20%) Prices Starting From £ Expected Disbursements £ Expected Timescales
Freehold Sale 750.00 24.00 4-6 months
Freehold Purchase 895.00 150.00 4-6 months
Leasehold Sale 850.00 150.00 4-8 months
Leasehold Purchase 995.00 200.00 4-8 months
Mortgages or re-mortgages 650.00 30.00 2-5 weeks

Example: Stages of the process

The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, below are examples of key stages that we include in our fees quoted to clients:

  • Take your instructions
  • Receive monies on account
  • Give you initial advice
  • Check that finances are in place to fund purchase and contact lender’s solicitors if needed
  • Receive and advise on contract documents
  • Carry out searches
  • Obtain further planning documentation if required
  • Make any necessary enquiries of seller’s solicitors
  • Give you advice on all documents and information received
  • Go through conditions of mortgage offer with you
  • Send final contract to you for signature
  • Agree completion date (date from which you own the property)
  • Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
  • Arrange for all monies needed to be received from lender and you
  • Complete purchase
  • Deal with payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (Stamp Duty) if the property is in England, or Land Transaction Tax (Land Tax) if the property you wish to buy is in Wales
  • Deal with the application for registration at the Land Registry

Factors that would typically increase the cost of our service are, for example, if the legal title is defective or part of the property is unregistered, if we discover building regulations or planning permission has not been obtained, and if crucial documents we have previously requested from you have not been provided.

Stamp Duty or Land Tax (on purchase) — This depends on the purchase price of your property. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC’s website (https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/calculate-stamp-duty-land-tax/#/intro) or if the property is located in Wales by using the Welsh Revenue Authority’s website (https://beta.gov.wales/land-transaction-tax-calculator).

How long will my house purchase take?

How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move in to your house will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 4-6 months.

It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are a first-time buyer, purchasing a new build property with a mortgage in principle, it could take 4-16 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 6-8 months.

2. Probate — collection and distribution of assets

The collection and distribution of assets belonging to a person following their death, where these are within the UK and the matters are not contested.

The team has particular expertise in high value estates and multiple benefactors.

We have 12 members of the team who may work on your matter. Regardless of who works on your matter, they will be supervised by Anupam Sood, a Senior Solicitor, who started dealing with probate matters in 1994.

The below are our fees for obtaining grant of probate only and not also for administrating.

Area Our Fees (excluding VAT @ 20%) Prices Starting From £ Expected Disbursements £ Expected Timescales
Probate Small Estates up to £325,000.00 2,250.00 c300** 8-10 months
Probate Medium Estates from £325,000.00 to £650,000.00 3,750.00 c300** 12-14 months
Probate Larger Estates above £650,000.00 5,000.00 or 1%, whichever is the higher 300.00** 14-18 months
Preparation and Execution of Deeds of Variation/Disclaimer 950.00 N/A 1-2 months

** Please note that the disbursements can vary and are dependent on various other matters such as the Local Newspaper publishing the advertisement and the number of copies obtained. In addition, please note that any property transfer fees and disbursements will be additional to those listed above and will be charged in accordance with our property fees and disbursements.

As part of our fixed fee, we will:

  • Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor to work on your matter
  • Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
  • Accurately identify the type of Grant of Probate application you will require
  • Obtain the relevant documents required to make the application
  • Prepare a full account of all assets and liabilities, and up-to-date statements of accounts
  • Maintain a full account of income and capital due to the beneficiaries
  • Complete the Probate Application and the relevant HMRC forms
  • Draft a legal oath for you to swear
  • Make the application to the Probate Registry on your behalf
  • Obtain the Probate and securely send a sufficient number of copies to you

Separate work: Collect and distribute all assets in the estate.

How long will this take?

On average, estates that fall within the small estate band are dealt with within 8-10 months, medium estates are dealt with usually within 12-14 months and larger estates are dealt with within 14-18 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 4-6 weeks. Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 8-10 weeks. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 2-3 weeks.

3. Immigration applications

The preparation and submission of immigration applications, excluding asylum applications.

The team has particular expertise in complex, poorly evidenced, applications for leave to remain.

We have 9 members of the team who may work on your matter. Regardless of who works on your matter, they will be supervised by Anupam Sood, a Senior Solicitor, who started dealing with immigration matters in 1994.

Area Our Fees (excluding VAT @ 20%) £ Expected Disbursements £ Expected Timescales
Applications for naturalisation under the British Nationality Act 1981 Naturalisation – 1,200.00
Registration – 800.00
1,735.00
1,214.00
1 week
Applications under EUSS Adult 1,000.00
Minor 500.00
The Home Office fees 1 week
Student and work experience visas 1,200.00 The Home Office fees 1 week
Visit visas (tourism, visiting friends/family) 1,200.00 Visa application fees 1 week
Spouse and partners applications, including fiancé(e)s 2,000.00 Visa application fees & IHS fee 1 week
Applications for work, business or study under the Points-Based System 2,000.00 HO fees & IHS fees 1 week
Dependent relative and family reunion applications 2,000.00 The Home Office fees 1 week
Ancestry visas 3,500.00 The Home Office fees 1 week

Latest Home Office fees may be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table/home-office-immigration-and-nationality-fees-1-july-2025

Our quoted fee includes:

  • Considering the supporting evidence you have provided
  • Attending upon you
  • Taking your instructions and providing advice including about the requirements of the Immigration Rules and whether you meet the criteria
  • If you do not fulfil certain criteria, advising you whether this can be overcome and how
  • Where necessary, helping you obtain further evidence (such as medical records and bank statements), including taking statements of any witnesses
  • Discussing your circumstances in detail and confirming whether this is the most appropriate application for you to make and what other options may be available to you
  • Preparing your application and submitting it on your behalf
  • Advising you on timelines and the outcome of your application and any further steps you need to take

Our fees do not include for attending interviews with you or where the Home Office refuse your application, advice and assistance in relation to any appeal. We will quote you separately for this work if you wish to instruct us.

4. Immigration Appeals

The provision of advice and representation at the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) in relation to appeals against Home Office visa or immigration decisions, excluding asylum appeals.

Area Our Fees (excluding VAT @ 20%) £ Expected Disbursements £ Expected Timescales
Taking instructions, studying documentation, preparing basic grounds of appeal and lodging the appeal 2,000.00 Court fee: 140.00 per applicant 1 week but before deadline
Preparing skeleton argument, witness statement, bundle and brief to Counsel 2,000.00 (to include Counsel’s fees) Expert Reports TBA if applicable 2-3 weeks but before due date

5. Summary only road traffic offences

The provision of advice and representation at the Magistrates Court in relation to summary only road traffic offences dealt with at a single hearing.

The team has particular expertise in challenging the police and Crown Prosecution Service in evidence provision.

We have 10 members of the team who may work on your matter. Regardless of who works on your matter, they will be supervised by Timothy John Spooner, a Senior Solicitor and our Crime Supervisor, who started dealing with motoring offences in 1979.

Area Our Fees (excluding VAT @ 20%) Prices Starting From £ Expected Disbursements £ Expected Timescales
Representations to the CPS/Court 800.00 N/A 1 – 2 months
Guilty Plea – with mitigation 1,900.00 1,000.00 2 – 3 weeks
Not Guilty Plea – First Appearance to trial 3,500.00 2,000.00 2 – 4 months
Sentencing 750.00 750.00 4 – 6 weeks
Additional Hearings (if applicable) 750.00 750.00 – 2,500.00 depending on seniority of Counsel  

Unless stated as a specific exclusion, the price displayed includes:

  • Considering evidence
  • Providing advice in relation to plea and likely sentence
  • Where we cannot anticipate the likely sentence, advice on the options available to the court in relation to sentencing
  • Where appropriate, advice on whether an exceptional hardship, or special reasons argument should be made
  • Representation at a single hearing

The fee does not include:

  • Instruction of any expert witnesses
  • Taking statements from any witnesses
  • Advice and assistance in relation to a special reasons hearing
  • Advice or assistance in relation to any appeal

6. Employment Tribunal – Employees

We do not, currently, offer this service.

7. Employment Tribunal – Employers

We do not, currently, offer this service.

8. Debt recovery up to £100,000

The team has particular expertise in all aspects of private and commercial civil litigation.

We have 9 members of the team who may work on your matter. Regardless of who works on your matter, they will be supervised by Anupam Sood, a Senior Solicitor, who started dealing with debt recovery matters in 1994.

Debt value Our Fees (excluding VAT @ 20%) Prices Starting From £ Expected Disbursements £ Expected Timescales
Up to £5,000.00 1,750.00 Court fee dependant on claim value, plus Counsel fees 1-2 weeks
£5,001.00 to £10,000.00 2,700.00 Court fee dependant on claim value, plus Counsel fees 1-2 weeks
£10,001.00 to £50,000.00 4,750.00 Court fee dependant on claim value, plus Counsel fees 1-3 weeks
£50,001.00 to £100,000.00 7,000.00 Court fee dependant on claim value, plus Counsel fees 1-3 weeks

Anyone wishing to proceed with a claim should note that:

  • The VAT element of our fee cannot be reclaimed from your debtor.
  • Interest and compensation may take the debt into a higher banding, with a higher cost.
  • The costs quoted above are not for matters where enforcement action, such as the bailiff, is needed to collect your debt.

Our fee includes:

  • Taking your instructions and reviewing documentation
  • Undertaking appropriate searches
  • Sending a letter before action
  • Receiving payment and sending onto you, or if the debt is not paid, drafting and issuing claim
  • Where no Acknowledgment of Service or Defence is received, applying to the court to enter Judgement in default
  • When Judgement in default in received, write to the other side to request payment
  • If payment is not received within the time specified, providing you with advice on next steps and likely costs

Matters usually take 10 – 18 weeks from receipt of instructions from you to receipt of payment from the other side.

9. Licensing applications for business premises

The team has particular expertise in applications for premises licences and representations against revocation of premises licences.

We have 10 members of the team who may work on your matter. Regardless of who works on your matter, they will be supervised by Anupam Sood, a Senior Solicitor, who started dealing with licensing matters in 1994.

Area Our Fees (excluding VAT @ 20%) Prices Starting From £ Expected Disbursements £ Expected Timescales
Applications for a premises licence under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 2,750.00 TBC 3-4 Months
Applications to vary a premises licence under Section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003 1,955.00 TBC 3-4 Months
Representations at initial review hearing of a premises licence that is being suspended or revoked 2,250.00 TBC  

Our normal range of costs for cases of different complexity is as follows:

  • Simple application: £2,750 plus VAT (based on 10 hours at an hourly rate of £275 plus VAT)
  • Medium complexity: £3,850 plus VAT (based on 14 hours at an hourly rate of £275 plus VAT)
  • High complexity: £4,125 plus VAT (based on 15 hours at an hourly rate of £275 plus VAT)

Experience and Qualifications

Team Member Job Title Areas Date Qualified Cases % Time Complexity
Harjinder Singh Johal Solicitor (Qualified to Supervise) Not shown above 15/02/02 c1,420 40% Varying complexity
Manesha Stella Fernando Solicitor – Supervisor 1 17/01/11 c1,350 100% Varying complexity from simple cash purchases to 7 figures off-plan new builds
Jaskuren Singh Thiara Solicitor (Qualified to Supervise), Accredited Mediator 1,2,5,6,7,8,9 01/07/13 c2,650 100% Varying complexity from Low to High with High Value litigation matters
Muhandiramge Antoinette Rochelle Fernando Solicitor (Qualified to Supervise) 1 01/04/11 c785 100% Varying complexity
Sumair Iqbal Solicitor (Qualified to Supervise), Accredited Mediator 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 15/09/15 c2,975 100% Varying complexity from Low to High
Anupam Sood Solicitor – Supervisor and Supervisor of Supervisors, Accredited Mediator 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 15/03/96 c10,000 70% Varying complexity from Medium to High
Sandip Kaur Shergill Solicitor (Qualified to Supervise), Accredited Mediator 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 02/05/06 c3,150 100% Varying complexity from Medium to High
Benison Chacko Thandieckal Solicitor (Qualified to Supervise) 1 01/04/04 c1,475 100% Varying complexity
Zarina Gani Solicitor (Qualified to Supervise) 5 01/11/91 c10,650 100% Complex fraud; serious organised crime; all aspects of crime and motoring offences
Timothy John Spooner Solicitor – Supervisor 5 01/04/81 c10,775 100% Complex fraud; serious organised crime; all aspects of crime and motoring offences
Palamandadige Sudhara Dhanuri Ariyananda Solicitor 1,2,3,4,5,6,8,9 18/10/22 c80 95% Varying complexity
Kariyakarawanage Agnes Malani Fernando Paralegal 3,4 01/05/95 c4,975 100% Varying complexity
Kalyani Sarasi Sumanasena Paralegal (Awaiting Admittance on the Roll) 3,4 01/07/97 c1,550 100% Varying complexity
Eljona Rexhaj Paralegal 5 17/01/17 c230 10% Varying from driving without proper licence to dangerous driving
Ashok Chindham Paralegal 1,2,8 15/04/24     Varying complexity
Sahil Ohylan Paralegal 1,8 16/10/23     Varying complexity
Mehrin Nazmin Paralegal 5 08/05/24     Varying complexity
Piumika Kesharee Rajapakse Paralegal 1,2,3,4 12/08/24     Varying complexity
Jalwa Paralegal 1,3,4 10/02/25     Varying complexity

Ready to assist you in resolving any legal issues you may have.