Legal Fees & Funding Options

At AM International Solicitors, we understand that obtaining specialist legal advice requires clarity and transparency regarding costs. We provide flexible funding options tailored to the needs of individuals, businesses and international clients.

Our approach is to provide clear information about fees at the earliest opportunity, ensuring that clients understand the likely costs, scope of work and available funding arrangements before legal services commence.

We act in complex matters involving:

• International litigation
• Criminal defence
• Extradition proceedings
• Business and commercial disputes
• Fraud and financial investigations
• Immigration and cross-border matters
• Family and international divorce disputes

Due to the specialist and often international nature of our work, fees are based on the complexity of the case, urgency, level of expertise required and the resources involved.

Private Funding

Most of our work is undertaken on a private funding basis.

Depending on the circumstances of your matter, we may offer:

Hourly Rates

Our current standard hourly rates are:

The applicable hourly rate will depend on:

• The experience and seniority of the lawyer handling the matter
• The complexity and value of the dispute
• The urgency of the work required
• The jurisdiction(s) involved
• The level of strategic input and responsibility required

Partner / Director Rate/ Senior Expertise and Complex Litigation

Our Partner rate reflects the level of expertise required for complex and high-risk matters, including:

• Extradition proceedings before Westminster Magistrates’ Court and the High Court
• Serious fraud and financial crime investigations
• VAT and tax fraud defence
• International commercial disputes
• Cross-border asset recovery
• Business crime and director liability matters
• Complex immigration and nationality matters
• International family and financial disputes

Many of these cases require coordination with:

• Leading Counsel
• Forensic accountants
• Foreign lawyers
• Expert witnesses
• International organisations

Our lawyers regularly handle matters requiring strategic advice, urgent applications and coordination with barristers, experts and overseas professionals.

Guideline Hourly Rates

The Judiciary publishes guideline hourly rates to assist courts when assessing recoverable legal costs between parties.

The guideline rates are not fixed solicitor charging rates and do not represent a cap on legal fees. They are primarily used as a reference point in costs assessments.

Our fees reflect:

• The specialist nature of our practice
• International and multi-jurisdictional experience
• The complexity of the issues involved
• The urgency and importance of the proceedings
• The seniority and expertise of the solicitor conducting the matter

For further information regarding judicial guideline hourly rates, please refer to the official guidance published by the Judiciary:

Judicial Guideline Hourly Rates

Fixed Fees and Initial Consultations

Where appropriate, we offer fixed-fee consultations and agreed-fee arrangements.

Examples include:

Initial Legal Consultation

A consultation allows us to:

• Understand your circumstances
• Review initial documentation
• Explain available legal options
• Provide strategic advice
• Identify the likely next steps

Following the consultation, we can provide a clearer estimate of costs for any further representation.

Legal Aid

AM International Solicitors accepts Legal Aid funding only in appropriate criminal matters, where the relevant statutory criteria are satisfied.

Legal Aid is not automatically available. Eligibility depends on:

• The type and seriousness of the criminal proceedings;
• The interests of justice test;
• The client’s financial eligibility and means assessment.

Where a client may qualify, we can advise on the availability of Legal Aid and assist with the application process.

Legal Aid is generally not available for private family, immigration, commercial, corporate or civil matters, which are undertaken on a private funding basis.

Motoring Offences – Pricing Information

If you have been charged with a motoring offence, obtaining specialist legal advice at an early stage can significantly affect the outcome of your case. We advise and represent clients facing a wide range of road traffic offences, from straightforward summary matters to complex and high-value prosecutions.

Our fees depend on the complexity of the case, the number of hearings, the volume of evidence, whether expert evidence is required, and whether the matter proceeds to trial.

Initial Legal Advice

Initial consultation and advice: £500 + VAT

This includes an initial review of your case, advice on the available options, the likely sentence, and recommended next steps.

Guilty Plea – Magistrates’ Court

Typical Fee: £1,500 – £3,000 + VAT

This may include:

• Initial consultation and advice
• Reviewing the prosecution evidence
• Advising on plea and likely sentence
• Preparing written mitigation
• Considering exceptional hardship or special reasons arguments
• Liaising with the CPS where appropriate
• Attendance and representation at one Magistrates’ Court hearing

Representation at a Non-Contested Summary Hearing

Typical Fee: £2,500 – £4,000 + VAT

Suitable for cases where the matter is resolved at a single hearing without a trial.

Contested Summary Trial – Magistrates’ Court

Typical Fee: £4,000 – £8,000 + VAT

This may include:

• Detailed review of the prosecution evidence
• Taking instructions and preparing the defence
• Witness conferences
• Case strategy
• Preparation of legal arguments
• Attendance at all case management hearings
• Trial preparation
• Representation at trial

Exceptional Hardship and Special Reasons Hearings

Typical Fee: £2,000 – £4,500 + VAT

Our work may include:

• Assessing the merits of your case
• Preparing witness evidence
• Drafting supporting statements
• Preparing legal submissions
• Representation at the hearing

Appeals

Typical Fee: £3,000 – £8,000 + VAT

We advise and represent clients appealing against conviction, sentence or disqualification before the Crown Court or by way of Case Stated or Judicial Review where appropriate.

Additional Costs

Where required, additional charges may apply for:

• Expert witnesses
• Accident reconstruction reports
• Forensic evidence
• Medical experts
• Interpreter or translation services
• Appeals
• Crown Court proceedings
• Judicial Review

Any additional costs will always be discussed and agreed with you before they are incurred.

Counsel

As a general rule, the fees quoted above include representation by Counsel where appropriate and where this has been agreed as part of your retainer. In particularly complex or lengthy proceedings requiring specialist King’s Counsel or multiple hearing days, additional fees may apply. Any such costs will be discussed with you in advance.

Disbursements

Our legal fees do not include court fees, expert reports, interpreter fees, travel expenses or any other third-party disbursements unless expressly stated in your Client Care Letter.

Timescales

The duration of a motoring matter depends upon:

• The nature of the allegation
• Court listing availability
• Whether expert evidence is required
• Whether the case proceeds to trial
• Any appeal process

Straightforward guilty plea cases are often concluded within a single hearing, whereas contested matters may take several months depending on the court timetable.

Fixed Fees and Hourly Rates

Where appropriate, we offer fixed-fee packages for motoring matters. For more complex cases or where the scope of work cannot reasonably be predicted, we may charge on an hourly basis. A clear costs estimate will always be provided before work commences.

All fees are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate.

Immigration Pricing Guide

Immigration fees vary depending on the complexity of the application, evidence required and whether international or business elements are involved.

Indicative Immigration Fees

What Our Fees Include

Subject to the scope of your instructions, our fees may include:

• Initial consultation and legal advice.
• Review of eligibility and immigration history.
• Advice on the relevant Immigration Rules.
• Preparing and submitting applications.
• Drafting witness statements and supporting representations.
• Reviewing and organising supporting evidence.
• Correspondence with the Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), sponsors and third parties.
• Advice on Home Office decisions.
• Representation in First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) appeals where instructed.
• Representation in Upper Tribunal proceedings where instructed.

What Is Not Included

Unless specifically agreed in writing, our fees do not include:

• Home Office or UKVI application fees.
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
• Tribunal or Court fees.
• Barristers’ fees.
• Expert reports.
• Interpreter or translation costs.
• Independent country expert reports.
• Medical reports.
• Travel or accommodation expenses.
• Judicial Review proceedings (unless separately instructed).

Disbursements

Disbursements are payments made to third parties on your behalf and are payable in addition to our legal fees.

Business Debt Recovery and Commercial Disputes Pricing

Fees depend on:

• The value of the claim
• Whether liability is disputed
• Number of parties involved
• Jurisdictional issues
• Enforcement requirements

Initial Advice and Strategy Consultation

From:

£545 + VAT

Letter Before Action / Initial Recovery Strategy

Typical fixed fee:

£1500–£2,500 + VAT

Contested Debt Recovery

Hourly rates or staged fees may apply.

Typical range:

£10,000–£25,000 + VAT

depending on complexity.

Complex commercial disputes involving:

• Shareholder disputes
• Director liability
• Fraud allegations
• International enforcement
• Asset tracing

will be quoted separately.

Disbursements

Our fees do not include third-party costs.

Depending on the matter, these may include:

• Barrister fees
• Court fees
• Expert witnesses
• Forensic accountants
• Medical experts
• Translation services
• Overseas lawyers
• Travel expenses

Clients will be advised before significant additional costs are incurred.

International Clients

We regularly assist clients based outside the UK and understand the challenges involved in instructing lawyers internationally.

We provide:

• Remote consultations
• Advice in English and /or Foreign language
• Cross-border legal coordination
• Assistance for overseas businesses and individuals

International clients may instruct us from any jurisdiction where UK legal advice is required.

Payments and Client Care

Before commencing work, clients receive:

• Clear engagement terms
• Information regarding fees and billing arrangements
• Details of the scope of work
• Regular updates regarding costs incurred

We aim to provide specialist legal services with transparency, professionalism and value.

Contact AM International Solicitors

If you require specialist legal advice in the UK or internationally, contact AM International Solicitors to discuss your matter and available funding options.