Immigration

Fortis Rose has an excellent reputation for its immigration work. Our solicitors appreciate that having an unbalanced immigration status, or having a family member with an immigration problem can be extremely stressful. We at Fortis Rose take pride in offering efficient, caring and cost-effective legal assistance to our clients.

Fortis Rose provide assistance to its clients right from the point of entering, or settling in the UK whether it is to enter the UK to work, or set up your own business, or to study. We also assist with settlement application or to bring a family member to the UK.

Our immigration team have a huge range of knowledge and experience to provide the best solution to our clients’ requirements. Some of our specialisms are included below:

Applications to the UK Border Agency of all types.

Appearing before the  immigration tribunal  and higher courts

Business people, working in the UK under Tiers 1, 2 and 5 of the Points Based System

Businesses wanting to employ overseas nationals

Entrepreneurs and Investors under Tier 1 of the Points Based System

Countries covered by European Economic Area migration, including Turkey

ECAA applications, tribunal and high court proceedings

Family reunions

Students under Tier 4 of the Points Based System

Removal or deportation

Human Rights Act applications

Citizenship & Nationality

Immigration fees:

Our legal fees are charged on an hourly basis at the rates set out below and which appear in our terms and conditions. 

Our hourly rates are as follows:

£250 plus VAT  per hour - Partners/Directors

£200 plus VAT per hour - Solicitors/Legal Execs

£150  plus VAT - per hour - Other Fee Earners

£125 plus VAT per hour - Trainee /Paralegal

Other Fees To Note

These rates may be revised in urgent or unusually complicated matters. We will always advise you of any increased fees prior to any work being carried out by us.

We may need to call upon other partners, solicitors, trainees and clerks to assist the Legal Representative in the conduct of your matter.

Depending  your matter and the type of application you are making, obtaining an outcome can take around 6-12 months but in some cases the process can take several years.

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are that are payable to third parties in complex cases where expert opinion is required, such as Court, Counsel and/or search agent fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

These would be chargeable in complex cases or where an expert opinion is required and can range depending on the type of service required and the level of experience. Barristers charge at hourly rates between £150.00 + VAT to £500.00 + VAT. Disbursement costs can vary depending on the level of service and expertise required but we will always advise you of such costs before incurring them.

Most types of applications we undertake for example, British Nationality, EEA, Leave to Remain, visit visas, family reunion applications usually take between 8-20 hours to complete and can range between £1000- £2500.00 plus VAT depending on the seniority of the solicitor dealing with your matter. Appeals and court applications can take longer and the hours of work included in such matters can range between 20-100 hours and fees can therefore be increased to £4000+.

All costs above are exclusive of VAT.

Property Law

We understand that buying a home can be one of the most stressful and largest financial investments we will make. The process of dealing with estate agents, banks, surveyors and other related third parties can also become challenging and demanding. However, with the benefit of good quality legal advice from the beginning, you can be certain that your interests are being looked after and the process will be made simpler.

Our property department deals with the a wide range of matters with the combined experience of over three decades of acting for Sellers, Buyers and for some Banks and Building societies as mortgagees, with a careful eye on the client’s interest regarding the cost and expediency of the transaction and ultimately problem free purchase and sale of properties.

Residential:

1. Purchase/Sale of Long Residential Leases

2. Purchase/Sale of Freeholds (registered and unregistered)

3. Re-mortgages

4. Tenancy Agreements

5.  Lease extensions

6.  Powers of Attorney relating to sale/purchase of properties

7.  Statutory Declarations relating to properties

8.  Land and property disputes

Commercial:

1.  Purchase / Sale of Freehold and Leasehold (registered and unregistered) business  

    properties including restaurants, shops, offices, warehouses, factories, dry cleaners, etc.

2.  Lease extensions and renewals

3.  Rent reviews

4.  Land and property disputes

5.  Management Agreements

6.  Lockout/Exclusivity Agreements

7.  Applications/Appeals against refusal of Premises and Personal Licences

Individual advice should always be taken from us direct.

Residential property fees

Area of Service

Estimated  Fee

Acting on your behalf (sale/purchase)

£750.00-£1,500.00

Acting for your lender (purchase only)                                           

£200.00 - £300.00

Dealing with redemption of your mortgage (sale only)

£150.00 - £300.00

Electronic money transfer fee

£25.00 -£100.00

ID and AML check fee

£25.00 - £50.00

Postage Fee

£25.00

Estimated total fees (exc VAT)

£1175.00 – 2,250.00

Wills &Probate

Many of us make day to day plans to take care of our loved ones and our assets and yet only one in three of us have actually made a will. Whether you are a homeowner, a parent, a cohabitee, a spouse, a devoted follower of a particular faith or charitable cause, having a will has invaluable benefits. Whilst a will deals with the distribution of your assets, planning ahead for possible inheritance tax and avoiding family disputes, above all, it provides for assurance and peace of mind.

Do not presume that you are too young to make a will, you do not have sufficient assets or that your wishes will be met by your loved ones even without a will.

For many years our dedicated team have provided an accessible service to hundreds of people giving them peace of mind and ensuring that their wishes are met after their death with the existence of a well drafted will.

Probate

At a time when you are dealing with bereavement over a loved one, meeting the demands of administering an estate can be daunting and incredibly stressful. Administering an estate and dealing with probate often involves locating and identifying the assets and liabilities of the estate, sorting out the deceased’s financial affairs, filing detailed inheritance tax forms, collecting the assets and generally dealing with the administration of the estate according to the will and the law.

Again our commitment to quality and years of experience has provided an accessible service to executors and administrators of estates. We aim to provide vital support at a time when bereavement is at the forefront of your mind and also to ensure that all procedures are followed in accordance with the deceased’s wishes.

Intestacy

When an individual dies without leaving a Will, they become intestate, which means the estate will be distributed under the Rules of Intestacy.

More often than not, this is not an ideal situation as it may cause family members, friends, and organisations to miss out on what would be the wish of the deceased. It can also create headaches for those left behind to deal with the estate, though with over two-thirds of people without a Will, this is unfortunately a common occurrence.

If you don’t have a Will, you should strongly consider making one – it might seem like a morbid task that you don’t wish to consider, but ensuring that you don’t die intestate will give you the peace of mind of knowing that your loved ones will be taken care of after you are gone.

There are a number of options available for anyone looking to put together a Will, and you can get reputable guidance at a reasonable price. Visit our Wills section to learn more.

Uncontested Probate Fees for UK Assets only:

1. Application for Grant only (estate is under the inheritance tax band threshold) Our fee is fixed at £950 plus VAT and there is a disbursement of £158.00 for the Court Application Fee.

2. Application for Grant only (estate is over the inheritance tax band threshold). Our fee is fixed at £1350 plus VAT and there is an additional disbursement of £158.00 for the Court Application Fee.

3. Application for Grant only (estate is over inheritance tax band and a full Inland Revenue Account IHT400 will be required) Costs start from £2500 plus VAT but can increase up £5000 plus VAT depending on the complexity of the matter. The precise cost will be dependant upon the individual circumstances of the case and the number of assets involved. We can provide you with an accurate quote at your first meeting with one of our Probate Solicitors once they are given details of the estate in question and full facts and circumstances of your case

Litigation

Being involved in a dispute can be stressful, time consuming, expensive and, in some cases, catastrophic for you or your business. However, disputes are a fact of modern business life, particularly in the current economic climate. Understanding and dealing with disputes in a professional and commercial way has never been more important.

You need a legal advisor who understands you, your concerns and your goals. Someone who can give you clear advice, who can explain clearly and coherently your legal options, including strategy and costs. We are here to help.

Our team of dispute resolution lawyers have a proven track record of winning cases and achieving fair and just results for our clients.

We will explain your funding options and the likely costs involved in managing your case at each stage. We will discuss the most appropriate ways to deal with and resolve your dispute as quickly and as cost effectively as possible, and this will include the various methods of alternative dispute resolution available, such as mediation and ADR.

It may be that litigation is unavoidable, in which case, we shall fight your case making use of the various procedures open to you. Our broad experience and the depth of our practice areas ensures we can put together multi-disciplined teams to provide you with the most comprehensive advice and representation.
 

Debt Recovery (for business customers, in claims up to £100k):

Our legal fees are charged on an hourly basis at the rates set out below and which appear in our terms and conditions. The rates are updated in July each year and at present can range between £1,000.00 - £3,000.00 + vat

Our hourly rates are as follows:

£250 plus VAT  per hour - Partners/Directors

£200 plus VAT per hour - Solicitors/Legal Execs

£150  plus VAT - per hour - Other Fee Earners

£125 plus VAT per hour - Trainee /Paralegal

Other Fees To Note

These rates may be revised in urgent or unusually complicated matters. We will always advise you of any increased fees prior to any work being carried out by us.

We may need to call upon other partners, solicitors, trainees and clerks to assist the Legal Representative in the conduct of your matter.

Usually, debt recovery or money claim matters take around 6 months to conclude depending on the courts timings and other parties but in extreme cases the process can take several years.

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are that are payable to third parties in complex cases where expert opinion is required, such as Court, Counsel and/or search agent fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

These would be chargeable in complex cases or where an expert opinion is required and can range depending on the type of service required and the level of experience. Barristers charge at hourly rates between £150.00 + VAT to £500.00 + VAT. Search Agents may be necessary to instruct an investigator or search agent to locate a debtor. Costs can vary depending on the level of search required, i.e. simple computer search, doorstep search, surveillance, location etc and can range from £150.00 + VAT to £500.00 + VAT.

If any other disbursements are required, you will be advised before they are incurred.

Court fees:

Claim amount                             Paper form fee                Online claim fee

Up to £300                                  £35                                     £25

£300.01 to £500                         £50                                     £35

£500.01 to £1,000                      £70                                     £60

£1,000.01 to £1,500                   £80                                     £70

£1,500.01 to £3,000                   £115                                   £105

£3,000.01 to £5,000                   £205                                   £185

£5,000.01 to £10,000                 £455                                   £410

£10,000.01 to £100,000 5% of the claim                           4.5% of the claim

£100,000.01 to £200,000          5% of the claim                You cannot make an online claim

More than £200,000                  £10,000                             You cannot make an online claim

Landlord and Tenant

For many of us, renting a property is an investment and can offer many advantages. However, aside from being an investment, being a landlord carries important legal responsibilities, especially when a tenant discovers a problem with the property and expects the landlord to put things right. Disputes may arise and you may have a tenant who is not paying rent on time or at all, causing nuisance to other occupiers or refusing to leave the property on the expiry of any notices served.

From a tenant’s point of view, you may have moved into your property and discovered there are problems with repairs. Alternatively, you may fall into arrears with your rent, you may be in a house share and experience problems with neighbouring tenants or your landlord may wish to repossess the property leaving you with nowhere else to go.

All landlords and tenants should ensure that they enter into a written tenancy agreement in order to minimise problems and disputes which may arise. The agreement should clearly state all the terms that have been agreed between the parties and any deposit taken in advance from a tenant should be placed into a protected tenancy deposit scheme. Registering a tenants deposit is now a statutory requirement and not doing so within the prescribed time limits can result in financial penalties against a landlord.

We deal with the following Landlord and Tenant matters;

1.            Drafting Tenancy Agreements and advising on Landlord status

2.            Advising on Tenancy Agreements, Tenancy status

3.            Serving and the correct Notices

4.            Representation at court for landlords in possession proceedings

5.            Representation at court for tenants defending  against possession proceedings

6.            Representation at court for disrepair

7.            Injunction applications

At Fortis Rose Solicitors we are experienced in representing both landlords and tenants and we will be able to advise on what legal options are available to suit your specific circumstances. We aim to achieve the most expeditious way to get results which may include transferring the matter to the High Court as we know that time is very valuable when your livelihood or home is at risk.

The information on our website is of a general nature and is subject to changes and updates.

Individual advice should always be taken from us direct.

Family Law

Family breakdown is probably one of the most devastating things any of us will go through.  Unlike anything else, we are talking about affairs of the heart.  We feel that our world has turned up-side-down. Where will I live?  What will happen to my children?  What are my rights?  How can I protect my interests and how much will it cost?  These are just a few of the questions that will go through your mind.  

You may have been the victim of domestic violence, or a desperate grandparent wanting to see your grandchildren.  Your child may have suddenly been removed from your care by Social Services.  What happens next?  

Your family and friends may have shared their experiences with you, as well as their understanding of your legal position, leaving you utterly confused.  What is clear, is that it is important for you to obtain expert legal advice on your legal position. Fortis Rose can provide you with that advice.

Our Family Department was established in January 2012. We are able to assist you in connection within:

1.            Divorce and dissolution of civil partnerships

2.            Cohabitee dispute

3.            Financial issues

4.            Children

5.            Injunctions

We act for divorcing and unmarried couples, those in heterosexual and same sex relationships, parents and grandparents.  We welcome the diversity of cultures and religion in our community and recognise the impact this may have on family life and are sensitive to these. Language and disability is not a problem for us.  We regularly work with interpreters.

Within divorce and the dissolution of civil partnership proceedings, we will advise you about the factors you must prove for your marriage or civil partnership to be dissolved, draft the necessary documents and guide you through the procedure to its conclusion.

Financial issues on divorce and separation is a major source of concern.  Your legal position varies according to whether you are married or cohabiting.  It includes maintenance, lump sum payments, the family home, capital, assets, and business interests and pensions to name a few.  We will advise you about your legal position, the options available to you and the procedures involved.  We can provide you with advice about protecting your interests and applying for an injunction if this is necessary.  We can assist you in connection with the preparation of pre-nuptial agreements and separation agreements.  Our commercial, litigation, probate and wills and conveyancing departments are available to provide additional support if required.

Our children are often the most special persons in our lives.  You may have lived with them all their lives or had the benefit of regular visiting and/or overnight contact until recently.  What is to happen in the future?  Where should they live and how much contact are they to have with the non-resident parent or even grandparents?  Where should they go to school and who can make decisions about their future?  Has your child disappeared and is this preventing you having contact?  These are all difficult questions to answer.  Where possible, we encourage parents to try to reach agreement and may even refer you to mediation if you have difficulty talking.  If this is not possible, we can assist you in court proceedings including those cases where the Local Authority has issued care proceedings.

If you are the victim of domestic violence, threats or abuse, we can assist you by applying to court for a Non-Molestation injunction to stop this type of behaviour.  If you have been thrown out of your home and want to resume occupation, or you would like your partner to leave the family home because of the way he or she treats you and/or your children, we can assist you to apply for an Occupation Order.  In serious cases, an urgent application can be made to the court, even without notice of the hearing being given to the other party.

Fortis Rose is committed to conducting all family matters in a non-confrontational way as much as possible without contested court proceedings.  If this is not possible, court proceedings will be conducted in a proactive and efficient manner with the objective to bring your case to a speedy conclusion.