Solicitor costs in relation to Uncontentious Patient work

Category I Work up to and including the date upon which the Controller is appointed £1368.00 (plus VAT and outlay).

Category II Preparation and lodgement of a Controllership account £363.00 (plus VAT and outlay).

Category III General Management work in the second and subsequent years where the Controller is a solicitor £1187.00 (plus VAT and outlay).

(Note: Categories II and III may be claimed together).

Category IV Conveyancing - value element of 1% of the consideration, with a minimum sum of £675.00 (plus VAT and outlay).

Category V All work in relation to the preparation, lodgement and execution of a Statutory Will application £1096.00 (plus VAT and outlay).

If a solicitor does not accept the costs as set out in this guide he/she may submit a bill of costs per Order 62 of the Rules of the Court of Judicature (NI) 1980 setting out the nature of the work undertaken; hourly rate of solicitor/other; any % mark-up sought; outlay plus VAT. It would be helpful for a brief outline of any complications which may seek to explain why the bill exceeds OCP guidance.

Please note this document is for guidance only. All submitted costs may be subject to consideration and direction by the Master [Care and Protection].

The attention of the legal profession is also drawn to Order 109 Rule 75 and Rule 77 of the Rules of the Court of Judicature (NI)1980.

This guidance is based upon a Solicitor’s hourly rate of £155.00 per hour for work done on or after 1 June 2025 and will be revised as and when the Solicitor’s hourly rate is changed.

All work done prior to 1 June 2025 will continue to attract the following fees

Category I Work up to and including the date upon which the Controller is appointed £900.00 (plus VAT and outlay).

Category II Preparation and lodgement of a Controllership account £239.00 (plus VAT and outlay).

Category III General Management work in the second and subsequent years where the Controller is a solicitor £781.00 (plus VAT and outlay).

(Note: Categories II and III may be claimed together).

Category IV Conveyancing - value element of 1% of the consideration, with a minimum sum of £444.00 (plus VAT and outlay).

Category V All work in relation to the preparation, lodgement and execution of a Statutory Will application £721.00 (plus VAT and outlay).

This is based upon a Solicitor’s hourly rate of £102.00 per hour