Subject to any particular arrangements with clients, Winchester Young + Maddern Solicitors charges fees for professional services on a time costing basis.

Except for our law clerks and paralegals, generally there is no charge for the services of non-professional staff. However searches, filing, service, delivery and like attendances performed by our law clerks or paralegals will be charged.

Depending on the complexity or urgency of the case, additional charges may apply, however these will be discussed with you at the time of taking instructions.

Where other consultants such as Barristers, Accountants, Town Planners, etc. need to be engaged, their fees will be included as an outlay and charged to you. Where a payment by us is made as your agent then no GST will be added and a tax invoice may be arranged with the supplier for clients registered for GST.

Any other costs properly incurred in the performance of work will be charged in addition to the fees described above for professional time. These charges will include photocopying, facsimile transmissions, e-mail, bank charges, CITEC searches, search fees, couriers and other expenses. Where such reimbursements require that we remit GST on those supplies to you we will add the GST payable to our costs payable by you.

Depending on the type of matter, we will require advance payment for certain work and outlays. For example, we will require stamp duty paid in advance of our making any payment to the Office of State Revenue.

In some types of work we can provide a fixed price, however in all types of work we can provide you with a budget estimate based on the brief provided by you. The budget estimate will not be binding on this firm, and is indicative only. Please discuss your needs with us before confirming your instructions for us to undertake work.

An example of fixed fees is our conveyancing service where we provide a guide to the likely cost and after reviewing your contract and discussing your requirements and any peculiarities with your property/ the property being purchased (e.g. particular use, intentions for future development or just eligibility to any concessions for stamp duty) we can quote a fixed fee for the agreed services.

Our fees are reviewed annually. In the event of any change in our fees, these will be notified, however the fees may be subject to change at any time. Where a costs agreement has been entered into, any change in the fee scales will be discussed and will be subject to agreement in that specific case.