Our first meeting with you is usually a 30 minute free no obligation consultation either face to face or over the phone and is the most important step. It’s where we listen, find out the facts, and can then explain your potential options and advise how to move forward should you wish to.

Following this initial discovery meeting, we would require more detail, depth and information. Below is a short, clear guide to help you prepare and to explain what will happen.

1. What is the purpose of the first meeting?

We’ll ask you to tell the story of what happened, review the key documents and explain the legal options, likely timescales and practical next steps. We’ll also talk about costs and how the matter might be funded (hourly, fixed-fee or conditional/no-win-no-fee) and any likely disbursements (for example, expert or court fees).

2. How should I prepare?

Bring anything that explains the problem or supports your case:

• Contracts, leases, medical records, emails, letters, invoices or court papers

• ID and contact details for witnesses (if relevant)

• A short timeline or bullet list of the main events

• Any questions you want answered

If you have documents ahead of the meeting you can email them to us — that helps us make the most of the time together.

3. How long will the meeting last?

Typical first meetings are around 30–60 minutes, depending on the complexity. We’ll confirm the expected length when we arrange the appointment. 

4. Will I be charged for the initial meeting?

We will always confirm any charge before the meeting. Some matters qualify for a free, no-obligation initial call or consultation; otherwise the meeting may be chargeable at our published hourly rate or, in some cases, offered at a fixed fee. We’ll make the arrangement clear when you book. (We regularly use hourly billing, fixed fees for discrete items, and conditional fee agreements for clinical negligence matters.)

5. What will the solicitor do in the meeting?

• Ask questions to understand what you want to achieve and the facts of the case

• Identify the legal issues, likely outcomes and risks

• Explain the funding options (hourly, fixed fee or conditional/no-win-no-fee) and any likely third-party costs

• Agree the next steps and what we will do for you if you instruct us

6. Will our conversation be confidential?

Yes. Communications with your solicitor are confidential and protected by legal privilege. We’ll also explain how we handle and store your information.

7. What happens after the meeting?

If you decide to instruct us we will send a written Client Care / Engagement letter that sets out: the scope of work, the fees and how they will be charged, who will handle your matter and how to contact them. We will only begin work after you have agreed the terms.

8. Can the first meeting be by phone or video?

Yes — we offer face-to-face, phone and video appointments. If you need an appointment outside normal hours or require an interpreter or any reasonable adjustments, please tell us when you book.

9. Helpful questions to bring

• What are my legal options?

• What are the likely outcomes and risks?

• How long might this take?

• How will I be charged, and what extra costs should I expect?

• Who will be working on my case and how can I contact them?

10. How do I book?

Call us on 01785 249033 or email info@horsleylaw.co.uk to arrange an appointment. If you prefer, send your documents first and we’ll suggest the best format for the meeting.

And please remember our initial consultation is 30 minutes and is free of charge so we can ascertain whether your case would be worth pursuing or if you have claim.

At Horsley Law we believe in simple, transparent fee arrangements. We’ll explain your options clearly at the start of your matter, and every fee arrangement is reviewed and agreed in writing before we begin.

How we charge

We usually charge on an hourly basis, with rates depending on the seniority and grade of the fee-earner handling your matter. Our client engagement documents explain how hourly billing works and the way fee bands are used to calculate charges.

Typical (illustrative) fee earner grades and rates

• Partner / Grade A — e.g. c. £350 per hour

• Litigation Executive / Grade B — e.g. c. £300 per hour

• Grade C — e.g. c. £225 per hour

• Paralegal / Grade D — e.g. c. £190 per hour

Fixed-fee work

For many straightforward or well-defined tasks we offer fixed fees, so you’ll know the price in advance. Typical examples include lease reviews, settlement-agreement advice and discreet contract reviews — these can all be provided on a fixed-fee basis where appropriate. Fixed-fee arrangements are set out in a short written agreement so you know exactly what is (and isn’t) covered.

Clinical negligence — “no win, no fee”

For clinical negligence matters we frequently offer conditional fee agreements (no win, no fee). These set out what happens if a claim is successful (including basic charges, disbursements, a success fee and any insurance premium) and what happens if a claim is not successful. All such arrangements, including any After-The-Event (ATE) insurance and limits on fees, are explained in the conditional fee agreement and agreed with you in writing before we proceed.

Agreeing fees and transparency

Whichever funding route you choose — hourly, fixed fee or conditional fee — we will always:

• Review your case and recommend the most appropriate charging method;

• Explain what is included and what additional costs (disbursements or counsel/expert fees) you might expect; and

• Confirm the funding arrangement and any price in writing before we act.

Competitive pricing

Horsley Law aims to provide high-quality legal services at competitive prices and, where possible, to offer lower fees than many competitors. We tailor our costs to each matter so you get value for money without compromising on service.

We know regular, clear communication is important. From the moment you instruct us, we’ll make sure you always know who is dealing with your matter, what’s happening and what to expect next.

How we start
When you instruct us we’ll send a Client Care / Engagement letter that explains the scope of work, who will handle your case, how we’ll communicate, and your responsibilities (for example, returning documents we ask for). You’ll be asked to sign and return the letter to confirm the terms.

Who you’ll hear from
The Client Care letter tells you the name of the partner or fee-earner who will handle your matter. We will also give you a contact within the team if different staff are dealing with day-to-day work.

How we’ll communicate
We will contact you promptly by telephone, email or letter and will use plain language to explain progress and options. Where appropriate we’ll give written updates so you have a clear record of events and advice. You can contact us whenever you wish.

What we’ll keep you updated about
We’ll tell you about important milestones, material developments, likely timescales and — where relevant — our assessment of your prospects of success. We’ll also provide regular updates on costs so you understand how fees and disbursements are building up.

Your responsibilities
To keep your matter moving we ask that you reply to our requests for information, provide documents we ask for and, if needed, attend court as a witness. The Client Care letter sets out these responsibilities and how they support timely updates.

Confidentiality
All communications are treated as confidential and, where appropriate, legally privileged. 

If you have questions or want more frequent updates
If you’d like more frequent contact or prefer a specific channel (phone, email or video), tell us and we’ll do our best to accommodate that. If you have concerns about communication at any time, your Client Care letter explains how to raise them.

Need to get in touch
You can call us on 01785 249033 or email info@horsleylaw.co.uk to speak to your contact or arrange an update.