At Harrington Sinclair, we are committed to providing clarity and transparency about our pricing in compliance with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Transparency Rules December 2018. This information is intended to help both current and prospective clients make informed decisions about their legal representation and understand the pricing structure for the services we provide.
Our Costs
Fixed Rate under Damages-Based Agreement (DBA)
In cases where we act under a Damages-Based Agreement (DBA), our fees will be based on a fixed percentage of the damages or compensation we successfully recover for you. This percentage is agreed upon at the outset of the case and will only be payable if we win the case.
The following are typical percentages for DBA cases, though these may vary based on the specifics of the case:
- 20%–35% of the compensation (including VAT) – For most standard claims, our fee will be a percentage of the compensation recovered, usually in the range of 20% to 35%. This is a success-based fee, so no fees are payable if the claim is unsuccessful.
What We Charge Under a DBA
- Stage 1 – None Litigated
- between 15% and 30% plus vat based on the amount of redress you receive, this is in line with the SRA’s advice on following the FCA’s Fee charging rules, please see the below table in for more information (including monetary awards, balance reductions, or Off set balances).
- VAT on the above deduction.
| Band | Compensation Payout | Success Fee Percentage (plus VAT) | Maximum Success fee per band (plus VAT |
| 1 | £1-£1,499 | 30% | £420 |
| 2 | £1500 – £9,999 | 28% | £2,500 |
| 3 | £10,000 – £24,999 | 25% | £5,000 |
| 4 | £25,000 – £49,999 | 20% | £7,500 |
| 5 | £50,000 – N/A | 15% | £10,000 |
| Lower Example | Higher Example | |||
| Band | Compensation Payout | Success Fee | Compensation Payout | Success Fee |
| 1 | £100 | £36 | £1,499 | £504 |
| 2 | £1,600 | £537.60 | £9,999 | £3,000 |
| 3 | £12,000 | £3,600 | £24,999 | £6,000 |
| 4 | £30,350 | £7,284 | £49,999 | £9,000 |
| 5 | £55,000 | £9,900 | £100,000 | £12,000 |
Example of Cost- For example, if the agreed fee is 20% plus VAT and the redress, we receive for you is £1000, then the fee payable to us in successful cases would be £240 inclusive of VAT where applicable.
- Stage 2: Litigated
- a) 48% of any compensation awarded, including VAT.
- b) Travel expenses for court hearings at £0.45 per mile or the cost of a train ticket.
- c) Any costs (including fixed costs under Part 45 of the Civil Procedure Rules 1998) paid or payable by the Lender/Broker.
- d) Any disbursements we incur for court fees or counsel’s fees.
- Work undertaken under the terms of a DBA will be on a No Win, No Fee basis: If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not be charged any legal fees for the work we have undertaken on your behalf. Our payment is entirely contingent upon the success of your case.
- Additional Costs (Disbursements): Although our fee is based on the recovery amount, you may still be responsible for certain costs (disbursements) incurred during your case. These could include, but are not limited to:
- Barrister’s fees: £420–£3,000
- Expert reports: £450–£1,200
- Court fees (as outlined below)
These disbursements are charged in addition to the DBA fee and will be outlined in advance. We will seek to recover disbursements from the opposing party where possible.
- Court Fees
The court fees for bringing a claim depend on the value of your claim. Below is an example of typical court fees:
| Claim Value | Court Fee | |
| Up to £300 | £50 | |
| £300.01 – £500 | £70 | |
| £500.01 – £1,000 | £80 | |
| £1,000.01 – £3,000 | £115 | |
| £3,000.01 – £5,000 | £205 | |
| £5,000.01 – £10,000 | £455 | |
| £10,000.01 – £200,000 | 5% of the claim | |
| Over £200,000 | £10,000 | |
Standard Charges
Any work completed which is not covered under a DBA will be subject to our standard costs. This will be calculated based on time spent on your case, charged at an hourly rate plus VAT. The current VAT rate is 20%, which is subject to change in accordance with government regulations.
Hourly Rates
The fees we charge are based on the seniority and experience of the person working on your case. Our hourly rates are as follows:
- £272.00 per hour plus VAT – Solicitors or CILEX with at least 8 years post-qualification experience (PQE).
- £233.00 per hour plus VAT – Solicitors, CILEX, or Costs Lawyers with at least 4 years PQE.
- £193.00 per hour plus VAT – Solicitors, CILEX, or Costs Lawyers with up to 4 years PQE, and other staff with equivalent experience.
- £142.00 per hour plus VAT – Paralegals, trainees, or equivalent.
In certain circumstances, such as complex matters or high-value cases, our rates may be higher. We will notify you if your case falls into this category and will provide a revised quotation.
Complex Cases
If your case is deemed to be complex (due to factors like value, complexity, or the level of responsibility required), we will charge higher rates. The following rates apply for complex cases:
- £360.00 per hour plus VAT – Solicitors with at least 8 years PQE.
- £330.00 per hour plus VAT – Solicitors or CILEX with at least 4 years PQE.
- £275.00 per hour plus VAT – Solicitors with up to 4 years PQE and other staff with equivalent experience.
- £210.00 per hour plus VAT – Paralegals, trainees, or equivalent.
Complex cases are generally those where the claim exceeds £25,000, or the case is deemed to involve significant complexity, such as claims involving allegations of fraud or dishonesty, or multi-track cases.