Fixed fees for family

Co-operative Legal Services has called on all legal providers to introduce fixed fees for family law work. It has commissioned YouGov research which shows divorcing couples have little idea how much their separation is going to cost. Nearly two-fifths said legal proceedings cost more than they expected, with more than a quarter who were charged on a time-based rate not asking their solicitor questions or chasing them for fear it would increase the fee. Nearly one fifth admitted making decisions too quickly as they were worried about mounting costs. Nearly one in five divorcees paid more than £2,500 in legal costs and four per cent paid more than £10,000.