FEES & TRANSPARENCY
We aim to provide clear and understandable information about our fees so that you can make an informed decision before instructing us. The amount you pay will depend on the type of legal service required and, where relevant, the complexity and circumstances of your matter.
The figures published on this page are intended to provide a realistic indication of our charges for the services described. We will confirm the fee, charging basis or costs estimate that applies to your individual matter before substantive work is undertaken.
VAT
Rahim Ahmed Solicitors is not currently registered for VAT. VAT is therefore not added to our legal fees. Some third-party charges or disbursements may themselves include VAT where charged by the relevant provider.
WHO WILL CARRY OUT YOUR WORK
Legal work is carried out or supervised by Rahim Ahmed, Solicitor and Director, who has worked in legal practice since 2011 and was admitted as a Solicitor of England and Wales in 2017.
IMMIGRATION & NATIONALITY FEES
The following figures are typical legal fee ranges for individual immigration and nationality matters. They are not fixed quotations. The appropriate fee within the range will depend on the circumstances and complexity of the application, the amount of supporting evidence, any previous immigration history and the work reasonably required.
We will confirm the fee or costs estimate that applies to your individual matter before substantive work is undertaken. The figures below are our legal fees only and do not include Home Office fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge or other third-party charges where applicable.
VISIT, STUDY & EUSS APPLICATIONS
TYPICALLY £600–£1,200
This may include Standard Visitor visa applications, Student visa applications and applications under the EU Settlement Scheme where the matter falls within this level of complexity.
FAMILY, SETTLEMENT & NATIONALITY
TYPICALLY £1,000–£2,000
This may include spouse or partner applications, family routes, indefinite leave to remain, long residence, UK Ancestry applications and applications for British citizenship or registration.
WORK & SPECIALIST VISA ROUTES
TYPICALLY £1,200–£2,500
This may include Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, High Potential Individual and Global Business Mobility routes, together with other specialist applications under the Immigration Rules.
OTHER INDIVIDUAL IMMIGRATION APPLICATIONS
TYPICALLY £1,000–£2,500
For other individual applications under the Immigration Rules that do not fall within the categories above, the fee will depend on the nature and complexity of the application.
NON-ASYLUM IMMIGRATION APPEALS
TYPICALLY £2,000–£4,000
This applies to appropriate First-tier Tribunal immigration appeals against Home Office visa or immigration decisions, excluding asylum appeals. Counsel’s fees and other third-party costs are not included and, where required, will be explained and confirmed separately in writing.
WHAT OUR IMMIGRATION FEE TYPICALLY INCLUDES
IMMIGRATION & NATIONALITY APPLICATIONS
For an application falling within the published fee ranges, our work will typically include:
- taking your instructions and advising on the relevant immigration requirements;
- reviewing the documents and information reasonably required for the application;
- advising you about supporting evidence and identifying any obvious evidential gaps;
- preparing or completing the relevant application;
- preparing appropriate written representations or a covering submission where reasonably required;
- submitting the application and supporting documents where we are instructed to do so;
- dealing with routine correspondence from the Home Office relating to the application; and
- advising you on the outcome once a decision is received.
TYPICAL TIMESCALE
Once we have received complete instructions and the documents reasonably required, we will usually aim to prepare an application within approximately 2–4 weeks. More complex matters, or cases requiring substantial additional evidence, may take longer. Home Office decision times are outside our control and can change. We cannot guarantee when a decision will be made.
NON-ASYLUM IMMIGRATION APPEALS
Where the published appeal fee range applies, our work will typically include:
- reviewing the Home Office decision and relevant documents;
- taking your instructions and advising on the merits and available options;
- preparing and lodging the appeal where instructed and within the applicable time limit;
- preparing the case and relevant documentary evidence;
- preparing appropriate written submissions and assisting with the appeal bundle where required;
- liaising with a barrister where counsel is instructed; and
- advising you following the Tribunal’s decision.
TYPICAL TIMESCALE
We will explain any applicable appeal deadline when we receive your instructions and will aim to lodge the appeal in good time where we are instructed to do so. The time taken for the Tribunal to list and determine an appeal varies and is outside our control. We will provide a more specific estimate as the matter progresses.
OTHER COSTS AND SERVICES QUOTED SEPARATELY
THIRD-PARTY COSTS AND DISBURSEMENTS
Third-party costs, sometimes called disbursements, are payments to other organisations or professionals and are separate from our legal fees.
Our legal-fee ranges do not include Home Office application fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge, biometric appointment charges, Tribunal fees or other third-party charges. Where applicable, these are normally paid directly by you at the current rate charged by the relevant provider.
Translation, interpreting, expert evidence or counsel’s fees are not required in every matter. If any such cost is likely to be required, we will explain it and provide the available quotation or estimate in writing before it is incurred.
SERVICES QUOTED SEPARATELY
The published immigration fee ranges apply only to the categories described above. Asylum and protection matters, human rights and private-life applications, statelessness applications, immigration bail, judicial review and other work falling outside those ranges will be quoted separately.
Business immigration work, including sponsor licence applications, sponsor compliance work and the allocation or assignment of Certificates of Sponsorship, will also be quoted separately.
If the scope or complexity of a matter changes materially, we will explain any additional work and provide updated costs information before carrying it out, where practicable.
Last updated: 19 September 2026
EMPLOYMENT LAW FEES
Rahim Ahmed Solicitors advises employees, workers and employers on workplace disputes and Employment Tribunal proceedings. The fee information below covers employees bringing, and employers defending, claims for unfair dismissal or wrongful dismissal.
Employment Tribunal work is normally charged at £288 per hour. The fee ranges below are estimates, not fixed fees, and the final cost will depend on the work reasonably required.
SIMPLE UNFAIR OR WRONGFUL DISMISSAL
TYPICALLY £2,000–£4,000
This may apply where the factual and legal issues are relatively straightforward, there is a limited amount of documentary evidence and the hearing is expected to be short.
MEDIUM COMPLEXITY UNFAIR OR WRONGFUL DISMISSAL
TYPICALLY £4,000–£8,000
This may apply where there are disputed factual issues, several witnesses, a larger amount of documentary evidence, preliminary issues or a longer Tribunal hearing.
HIGH COMPLEXITY UNFAIR OR WRONGFUL DISMISSAL
TYPICALLY £8,000–£15,000
This may apply where the case involves substantial evidence, numerous witnesses, complex preliminary or procedural issues, lengthy hearings or other features requiring significantly more work.
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS
£500 FOR A STANDARD AGREEMENT
Our fee for advising on a standard employment settlement agreement is £500. This applies where the agreement is reasonably straightforward and does not require substantial negotiation, extensive additional documentation or unusually complex advice. If additional work is required, we will explain this and agree the basis of any further charge with you before undertaking it.
WHAT OUR EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL FEE TYPICALLY INCLUDES
KEY STAGES
Where we are instructed to act throughout an unfair or wrongful dismissal matter, our work will typically include:
- taking your initial instructions, reviewing the relevant papers and advising on the merits of the claim or defence and, where applicable, likely compensation;
- advising on and dealing with ACAS Early Conciliation where required;
- preparing or reviewing the Employment Tribunal claim or response;
- advising on the other party’s claim, response and relevant correspondence;
- complying with Tribunal case-management directions and preparing for any preliminary hearing where required;
- exchanging relevant documents and preparing or agreeing the hearing bundle;
- preparing witness statements and reviewing the other party’s witness evidence;
- preparing or considering a schedule of loss where applicable;
- exploring settlement and negotiating where appropriate;
- preparing the case for the final hearing; and
- attending or arranging representation at the final hearing where this forms part of the agreed scope of our work.
SERVICES NOT INCLUDED
The published estimates do not include Employment Appeal Tribunal proceedings, separate discrimination claims which materially increase the scope or complexity of the case, enforcement proceedings following judgment, or substantial additional work arising from matters outside the anticipated scope. If additional work becomes necessary, we will explain this and provide an updated costs estimate before undertaking it where practicable.
TYPICAL TIMESCALE
The time required will depend substantially upon the stage at which the matter is resolved and the Tribunal’s listing timetable. A matter resolved during ACAS Early Conciliation may conclude within a number of weeks. Where proceedings continue to a final hearing, a matter may commonly take approximately 6–18 months or longer. Tribunal listing dates and decision times are outside our control. We will provide a more specific estimate as the matter progresses.
DISBURSEMENTS
Where a barrister is instructed, their fee will be separate from our legal fees. Barristers’ fees will typically range from £750 to £5,000 per hearing day, plus VAT where charged by the barrister, depending on the barrister’s experience and the complexity and length of the hearing. We will agree the fee with you before the barrister is instructed.
Last updated: 19 September 2026
DEBT RECOVERY FEES
These fees apply to business debt recovery claims of up to £100,000. Straightforward, undisputed claims may be charged at the fixed fees shown below. Other work, including disputed claims, is normally charged at £288 per hour. We will confirm the charging basis and provide a costs estimate after reviewing the matter and before substantive work begins.
PRE-ACTION STAGE UP TO £25,000
FIXED FEE £750
TOTAL LEGAL FEES £750
This fixed fee applies to a straightforward, undisputed business debt of up to £25,000 against one debtor in England and Wales. It includes reviewing the essential documents, providing initial advice, calculating any applicable interest and sending one letter before action. It does not include debtor tracing, substantial negotiations, disputed claims, court proceedings or enforcement.
UNDEFENDED CLAIMS UP TO £10,000
ADDITIONAL FIXED FEE £1,000
TOTAL LEGAL FEES £1,750
If proceedings are issued after the £750 pre-action stage and the claim remains undefended, this fee includes preparing and issuing the claim and requesting default judgment. Court fees and other disbursements are payable separately. Defended claims, hearings, enforcement and other additional work are charged at £288 per hour after we provide a revised estimate.
UNDEFENDED CLAIMS £10,001–£25,000
ADDITIONAL FIXED FEE £1,500
TOTAL LEGAL FEES £2,250
If proceedings are issued after the £750 pre-action stage and the claim remains undefended, this fee includes preparing and issuing the claim and requesting default judgment. Court fees and other disbursements are payable separately. Defended claims, hearings, enforcement and other additional work are charged at £288 per hour after we provide a revised estimate.
OTHER DEBT RECOVERY WORK
Defended claims and other work outside the fixed-fee scopes above are charged at £288 per hour.
For defended claims up to £25,000, work charged by the hour will typically require 5–25 hours, giving estimated legal fees of £1,440–£7,200. For debts between £25,001 and £100,000, work will typically require 10–50 hours, giving estimated legal fees of £2,880–£14,400.
The final cost will depend on the complexity of the matter, the volume of documents, the number of parties and whether negotiations, applications or hearings are required. These estimates do not include any fixed-fee stage, court fee or other disbursement. We will provide a tailored estimate before substantive hourly work begins.
KEY STAGES AND TYPICAL TIMESCALES
The stages undertaken will depend on the agreed scope. Typical stages and estimated timescales are:
- reviewing the documents and sending the letter before action — normally within 10 working days after receiving complete instructions and documents;
- allowing the debtor an appropriate period to respond — usually 14–30 days, although a longer period may be required;
- issuing an undefended claim and requesting default judgment — usually 6–12 weeks from issue, depending on service and court processing; and
- progressing a defended claim to a final hearing — commonly 6–18 months or longer, depending on the court’s timetable and the complexity of the matter.
These timescales are estimates only and may be affected by the debtor, the court or other matters outside our control. Enforcement is a separate stage and is not included in the fixed fees displayed above.
COURT FEES AND OTHER DISBURSEMENTS
Court fees are payable in addition to our legal fees. For claims covered by this section, issue fees currently range from £35 to £455 for claims up to £10,000 and are 5% of the amount claimed, including interest, for claims over £10,000. If a claim is defended, a hearing fee may also be payable and currently ranges from £27 to £1,334, depending on the value and track. Court fees may change.
Last updated: 19 September 2026
Court fees and other disbursements are not included in our legal fees. If any further court fee or third-party cost is likely to be required, we will provide the best information available about the amount before it is incurred, where practicable.