Billing Process
How We Bill at Kayson Solicitors
At Kayson Solicitors, we believe in providing clear, transparent pricing to help you manage your legal costs effectively. From the outset, we’ll give you an estimate of the costs involved after your initial consultation. As your case progresses, we’ll update you on the expected work and associated costs, and we’ll provide a fully itemised invoice for your peace of mind.
Helping You Manage Your Costs
We know that legal services can sometimes feel overwhelming, so we strive to make the billing process as straightforward as possible. Depending on the nature of your case, we’ll work with you to explore different payment options, such as fixed fees or hourly rates, to help you plan and manage your budget.
How We Charge
At Kayson Solicitors, we charge for our services based on the time spent working on your case. To make this clearer, we break down the time into smaller increments called “units”. Here’s how it works:
Our Billing Units
- Hourly Rate: Our solicitors charge an hourly rate for the time spent working on your case.
- 1 unit = 6 minutes of work
For example, if a solicitor works for 12 minutes, that would be charged as 2 units.
Charges for Different Tasks
- Short letters or emails: Charged as 1 unit (6 minutes).
- Short telephone calls: Also charged as 1 unit (6 minutes).
- Longer letters, emails, or phone calls: Time will be calculated based on actual minutes worked, rounded to the nearest unit.
Example of Billing Breakdown
Let’s assume our solicitor’s hourly rate is £300 per hour. This equals £30 per unit, since there are 10 units in an hour.
Billing Examples
| Task | Time | Units | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Writing a short letter/email | 6 mins | 1 unit | £30 |
| Phone call with the client | 12 mins | 2 units | £60 |
| Reviewing a contract | 30 mins | 5 units | £150 |
| Attending a meeting | 45 mins | 8 units | £240 |
| Total Cost for These Tasks | £480 |
Why We Use Units
We use units to break down the time spent on each task so you can see exactly what you’re paying for. Instead of being charged for an hour of work, you pay for the actual time spent on your case, down to the minute.
This system gives you greater transparency and ensures you’re only billed for the time that’s truly necessary.
Monthly Billing and Transparency
You’ll receive an itemised invoice that shows:
- The total time spent on your case (in units).
- A detailed breakdown of the tasks completed (e.g., writing emails, attending meetings, making phone calls).
- The total cost for the time spent and any additional costs (like photocopying or external fees).
Monies on Account
When you first instruct us, we’ll ask for an upfront payment, known as “monies on account.” This helps us start work on your case and covers any external costs, such as court or expert fees, that might be incurred on your behalf.
Throughout your case, we may request additional funds on account. Your solicitor will explain these requests in detail and help you clearly understand why these funds are necessary.
Any funds paid in advance will be held securely in our client account. These funds may be used to cover any outstanding bills, and you might be asked to provide further monies on account as the case progresses.
We’ll give a full breakdown of all payments made to ensure complete transparency.
At Kayson Solicitors, we are committed to helping you manage your costs effectively. By providing clear estimates, transparent billing, and easy-to-understand time units, we ensure you’re never in the dark about the costs of your case.
If you have any questions or want further clarification, feel free to get in touch.