At Del Canto Chambers, we provide a clear and transparent fee structure, always set out in our Client Care Letter. The scope of work, fees, and timeframe must be expressly agreed with you in advance, so that you know exactly what to expect. Our work is regulated either by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) in England and Wales or by the Ilustre Colegio de la Abogacía de Madrid (ICAM) in Spain, depending on where the services are provided and the terms agreed with you.
1. Fixed Fees
Where possible, we agree a fixed fee covering the total cost of the work required. This provides certainty on overall fees. However, certain complex or extraordinary matters cannot be covered by fixed fees and will be billed separately.
2. Hourly Rates
Where work falls outside a fixed-fee agreement, we charge by the hour:
Senior Tax & Legal Counsel – £500 per hour
International / European Tax & Legal Counsel – £350 per hour
Senior Lawyer (Abogado) – £250 per hour
Tax & Legal Officer – £125 per hour
Our rates reflect the seniority, qualification and expertise of the professional engaged.
3. Conditional Fee Agreements (CFAs)
Exceptionally, services may be carried out under a “no win, no fee” arrangement. These require an advance administrative fee and an agreed success uplift, depending on the merits of the case.
4. Excluded Services
Unless a service is expressly included within the agreed scope of work in the Client Care Letter, all other services will fall outside any fixed-fee arrangement and will be invoiced separately in accordance with our standard hourly rates and terms:
Litigation and Court representation (including appeals and enforcement).
Arbitration, mediation and other dispute resolution services.
Tax inspections and disputes with HMRC, the AEAT, or other tax authorities.
Tax advisory work including review of prior years’ filings, restructuring, planning, and international tax advice.
Employment disputes and related settlements.
Shareholder disputes and shareholder agreements.
Corporate reorganisations, mergers, divisions, or capital increases.
Due diligence exercises and business acquisition work.
Property transactions, including purchase, sale or lease of real estate.
Industrial and intellectual property services.
Preparation of personal income tax returns and other compliance services not expressly included in your Client Care Letter.
Extraordinary advisory work requiring the intervention of specialist Counsel or external experts.
5. Expenses and Disbursements
In addition to professional fees, you may be charged for expenses and third-party disbursements incurred in handling your matter. Examples include:
Court and arbitration fees.
Notary and registry fees.
Stamp duty, transfer taxes or government levies.
Bank charges and financial transfer fees.
Translation, interpreter or transcription services.
Travel, accommodation and subsistence expenses.
Courier, secure postage and document handling.
Specialist expert reports or consultancy fees.
Electronic filing, search or data room charges.
All disbursements will be itemised and included in our invoices.
6. Payment of Fees
- Fees are payable in advance. Work will not be delivered until payment has been received.
- All fees are exclusive of VAT and disbursements, which will be charged separately where applicable.
- Del Canto Chambers reserves the right to apply a 5% late payment charge plus legal interest on overdue balances.
