Fees Policy

• Our Client Care Letter outlines a clear structure on fees that can be charged on a “Fixed Fee” or “Hourly Fees” depending on the terms agreed. 

a) Fixed Fee

This is a quote that will be provided based on the work that has to be done in total, how much this will cost you, and the overall amount that you will need to pay for the work that needs to be done. 

We try to accommodate fixed fees arrangements as much as possible, based on an estimate of hours of work that we will need to dedicate to your files. There are certain services and work, which Del Canto Chambers is competent to undertake, that cannot be covered by fixed fees agreements due to their extraordinary nature and complexity. 

Therefore, any other matter outside the scope of services specifically included in our Client Care Letter, and unless agreed otherwise, will be invoiced separately from hourly fees in accordance with our terms and conditions. Please see a partial list of some of the matters to be considered in this paragraph:

• Arbitration and Mediation dispute resolution services
• Tax and legal advisory services, and in particular review of previous years legal issues and procedures, accounting or tax matters, tax inspections, communications in writing and discussions of any sort with the HMRC or the Spanish Tax Office (AEAT).
• Non-Contentious employment disputes and shareholder dispute agreements.
• Preparation of Personal Income Tax returns and other matters of an extraordinary nature (such as corporate reorganisations, due diligence, mergers and companies divisions, Industrial Property, tax planning, increase of capitals, international tax advice and any other legal advice or legal representation outside our Client Care Letter scope of services which, and unless agreed otherwise, will be invoiced separately in accordance with our terms and conditions.

b) Hourly Fees and Rates

It is the value you receive, and not the time we spend, what really matters. For us, providing our services quickly and effectively is paramount. Please be aware that additional fees may be charged if the work carried out goes beyond the agreed scope of work . This will be invoiced according to time spent and agreed with the client.

As an indication of hourly rates based upon seniority, qualification and expertise, please find below our hourly fees:

• Senior Tax & Legal Counsel – £500 per hour
• International Tax & Legal Counsel – £350 per hour
• Registered European Lawyer / Senior Lawyer (Abogado) – £250 per hour
• Tax and Legal Officer – £125 per hour 

Our Hourly rates are based upon seniority, qualification and expertise- Please, contact us to ask for a quotation before engaging our services. 

In Del Canto Chambers we place a fundamental importance in being double qualified in taxation and law internationally.

The seniority of our international professionals is determined by qualifications and expertise and further details of their qualification and practicing certificate can be obtained from our clerk: 

• International Tax & Legal Senior Counsel: A qualified tax lawyer holding a practicing certificate in accordance with the Madrid Bar Associations rules and regulations. Senior Counsel is someone who has more than 10 years of post qualification experience (PQE) and fully qualified in at least another jurisdiction.
• International Tax & Legal Counsel: A qualified tax lawyer holding a practicing certificate in the UK, with more than 5  years of professional experience (PQE) and fully qualified in another jurisdiction.
• Registered International Lawyer: A lawyer qualified to practise with a home title in the UK in compliance with UK Regulations.
• Senior Lawyers: A lawyer qualified to practice in his or her domestic jurisdiction with more than 5 years of professional experience (PQE). Under 5 years experience we’ll use the title lawyer.
• Tax & Legal Officer: Qualified tax & legal assistants working under the supervision of a Lawyer and supporting other professionals by doing organisational, library, research and other paralegal activities.

c) Conditional Fee Agreements (CFAs)

• A CFA is often referred to as a “no win, no fee” arrangement. Extraordinarily, professional services may be carried out based on a “no win, no fee” case success. Prior to taking this work on CFA, we are entitled to charge an administrative fee in advance, and a percentage based on the merits of the case.

Services excluded from any Fixed Fees Agreement as per our Professional Client Care Letter

• There are numerous professional regulated and non-regulated services, which Del Canto Chambers could render and due to their extraordinary nature, cannot be covered by the fixed fees arrangements. Del Canto Chambers will bill for those services separately.
• Therefore, the services covered in this Client Care Letter, do not include, unless they have been agreed, dispute resolution services including litigation, tax advisory services, review of previous years accounting or tax matters, tax inspections, communications in writing and discussions of any sort with the Tax Administration (AEAT), employment disputes, shareholder agreements appeals to the Administration or Courts, preparation of Personal Income Tax returns and other matters of an extraordinary nature (such as corporate reorganisations, due diligence, mergers and companies divisions, Industrial Property, tax planning, increase of capitals, international tax advice, legal advice and legal representation by Counsel at Court and Arbitration), purchase or sale of properties and any other matter outside the scope of services specifically included in this Client Care Letter, which, and unless agreed otherwise, will be invoiced separately in accordance with our terms and conditions.

Expenses and disbursements

• Expenses and disbursements are not covered by these arrangements as bank, notary or administrative fees, as well as travel expenses or any other disbursements incurred in managing your file. We shall include a detail of those fees in our quarterly invoices.

Payment of Fees

• Payments of Fees are always payable in advance, and we are entitled not to deliver any work until fees have been fully settled. 
• Our Fees do not include VAT, Disbursements and other costs which will be charged separately, if applicable. 
• Del Canto Chambers reserves the right to apply a 5% late payment charge, plus legal interest. In the case of a dispute regarding our professional fees, these will be calculated on the basis of time spent.