Fees

Pattison & Co. are committed to providing clear and transparent information about the fees that we charge, how these are calculated, and how the fee structure differs depending on the different types of work that we undertake. Some legal work, such a house purchase, involves a reasonably predictable amount of work and therefore we are able in most cases to quote a fixed fee that will apply unless there is an unforeseen problem with the transaction. Other work can be completely unpredictable, and so for that type of work we have to charge a fee based on the amount of time spent working on the case. In all cases please note that the fee is subject to VAT, and outlays incurred are charged in addition to the fee + vat.

Please note that we do not undertake any legal aid work. If you think you qualify for legal aid, or your circumstances change so that you might qualify, you must bring this to our attention immediately. You can use an online calculator on the Scottish Legal Aid Board website to check: www.slab.org.uk

If you would like a free quote for conveyancing, please click here. For all other fee quotes, please get in touch by email to hello@pattisonandcompany.com – or by ‘phone on 0141 889 3296 or 0141 334 7706 – or call in to one of our offices

On this page we have set out an indication of our fees for some common types of work. Please note that these figures are indicative only, are not a substitute for a fee quote, and we are not bound by them.

Estate Agency

We charge commission which generally is a percentage of the sale price of the property. The percentage commission varies depending on the type and value of the property. This is a matter that we discuss with individual clients when we are valuing the property. VAT is due on the commission. Our standard marketing packages include advertising on Rightmove, Onthemarket, our own website and social media sites; photographs and schedule preparation; ‘for sale’ board (where appropriate); and advertising in the window of our office on Byres Road. We do not charge for accompanied viewings.

Virtual Video Tours and Virtual Viewings of properties can be arranged.

Property Purchase Conveyancing

The legal fee for an average domestic property is £795 + vat + outlays. The outlays may include Land & Buildings Transaction Tax depending on the purchase price. Outlays will also include the charge made by the Land Register (the government department that records property ownership) for ‘recording’ the ownership document in your favour. For illustration, the total fees, vat, & outlays for a purchase where the purchase price is £125,000 would be £1,333.75 made up as follows:

We know that getting on the property ladder is expensive for first time property buyers, so in line with the Scottish Government’s recent Land and Buildings Transaction Tax relief now available to first time buyers purchasing a property under £175,000, we are happy to reduce the fee to £650 + vat + outlays provided that the purchase price of the property is £175,000 or less. In the example above, the total would come down to £1,152.50.
Remember that the cost of a purchase will increase, sometimes dramatically, if you are paying Land & Buildings Transaction Tax. For an indication of the applicable tax you can use an online calculator. Also, the registration dues increase as the property value increases. If we are instructed to act in the purchase of a property where the value exceeds £350,000 the fee increases to £925, and to £1,375 if the value exceeds £600,000.
If you are purchasing a New Build property, please contact us for a detailed fee quotation.

If the value of the property you wish to purchase exceeds £1,000,000, please contact us for a detailed valuation.

Sale Conveyancing

Our standard fee for conveyancing for the sale of a domestic property is £745 + vat + outlays. When you’re selling a property you have to pay a number of outlays for bringing reports up-to-date and you have to pay dues to record a discharge of your existing mortgage document (standard security.) A typical fee (with vat + outlays) for sale conveyancing would be as follows:
In executry cases (winding up of estates), we will have the commission and fees fixed by the Auditor of Court, as we do with the other fees in executry matters.

As with purchase transactions, our fees will increase if the value of the property is higher. So, in transactions where the sale price of the property exceeds £350,000, the fee will be £895, and will be £1,325 if the sale price exceeds £600,000 (all fees subject to VAT.)

If the value of the property you wish to purchase exceeds £1,000,000, please contact us for a detailed valuation.

Personal/Forward Planning Wills

Our fee for a standard will is £175 + vat. Please note however if you require Inheritance Tax planning advice, we will charge an hourly rate (see below.)
If we have to make a home visit to arrange the preparation of the Will, our fee will be £200 + vat. We can also assist in the preparation of a Living Will, and our fee for a standard Living Will is £175 + VAT

Powers of Attorney

Our fee for a standard Power of Attorney is £240 + vat + outlays (there is an outlay to be paid, being £87 To the Office of the Public Guardian for registering the Power of Attorney.) Should we require to meet with you outside of the office (e.g. at home or at hospital), then our fee will increase to £300 + VAT.

Executries

Winding up the affairs of a deceased person can be a complicated matter, and the fee will reflect both the amount of the work done, and value of the deceased’s property (known as their ‘estate.’) Often, the deceased person will have, in addition to their house, numerous different bank and savings accounts, premium bonds, and shares, for example. There may be pension sums to be engathered. It is very difficult to estimate the cost of winding up an estate. When the work is complete, we will send our file for the matter to an independent assessor, known as the ‘Auditor of Court.’ The Auditor is appointed by the local Sheriff Court to independently assess the value of work done by solicitors and to fix a fair fee. The Auditor will assess the file and fix the fee, and issue an ‘audit certificate’. Because it can take months to wind up an estate, we may issue interim fee notes as the matter progresses.

Agency Cases

We charge £45 + vat per appearance in the ordinary, summary cause, small claims court and simple procedure court. If the hearing lasts more than 15 minutes (i.e. and opposed motion) we charge £25 per quarter hour thereafter. Our fees for discharging a proof or debate are £60 + VAT. Please note that we may charge waiting time at £25 per quarter hour if the hearing does not commence within 15 minutes of the time allocated.

Hourly Rate & General Work

Our current hourly rate, for work carried out by one of our lawyers, (at April 2024) is £250 per hour + VAT. All work other than the work for which we have a special fee rate, or have quoted a fee, is charged at this rate.