Who does the work
All work is done by me, Sadik Bugra Isler, a solicitor of England and Wales. I do not delegate your matter to a team, trainees or paralegals.
VAT
I am not currently registered for VAT, so no VAT is added to my fees. If that changes, VAT will be added only where applicable, at the rate then in force, and I will tell existing clients before it applies.
Fees by service
Debt recovery
| Debt recovery pre-action package | £1,400No VAT charged — I am not currently VAT-registered (VAT added only if applicable in future, with notice). Includes
Not included
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Employment and settlement agreements
| Standard employee settlement agreement advice | £1,050No VAT charged — I am not currently VAT-registered (VAT added only if applicable in future, with notice). Includes
Not included
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Your employer may agree to contribute to the cost of independent advice on a settlement agreement. That is a matter for your employer, and if any contribution does not cover my fee, the balance is payable by you as agreed in advance.
Commercial, corporate and landlord and tenant matters
| Initial focused advisory review (commercial, corporate and landlord and tenant matters) | £700–£1,400 estimate for 2–4 hoursNo VAT charged — I am not currently VAT-registered (VAT added only if applicable in future, with notice). Includes
Not included
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Document certification
| Certification — first straightforward document | £30No VAT charged — I am not currently VAT-registered (VAT added only if applicable in future, with notice). Includes
Not included
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| Certification — each additional straightforward document at the same appointment | £15No VAT charged — I am not currently VAT-registered (VAT added only if applicable in future, with notice). Includes
Not included
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Hourly rate and initial discussion
| Hourly rate | £350 per hourNo VAT charged — I am not currently VAT-registered (VAT added only if applicable in future, with notice). Includes
Not included
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| Initial suitability discussion (up to 15 minutes) | Free Includes
Not included
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Debt recovery for businesses: stages, costs and timescales
Debts are recovered in stages. You decide at each stage whether to continue, and I give you a fee and disbursement estimate before each stage starts. Court fees are set by HM Courts & Tribunals Service and change from time to time; I quote the current fee when the stage is reached.
| Stage | My fee (estimate) | Likely disbursements | Typical timescale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Review and letter before action | Fixed fee package (above) | None usually | Typically 2–6 weeks including the debtor’s time to respond |
| Further negotiation after the letter before action | Hourly rate, or a fixed fee agreed in advance | None usually | Depends on the debtor's response |
| Issuing a County Court claim and obtaining judgment if undefended | £1,500–£2,500 | Court issue fee: £35–£455 for claims up to £10,000; 5% of the claim for £10,000–£200,000 | Usually 6–10 weeks from instructions to judgment in default |
| Defended claim through to a final hearing (straightforward small claims, fast or intermediate track) | £3,000–£5,000 | Hearing fee; counsel's fees if an advocate is needed (estimated in advance) | Often 6–12 months, depending on the court |
| Enforcement of a judgment (per method) | £1,500–£2,500 | Court enforcement fees, e.g. order to obtain information £69, warrant of control £96, attachment of earnings / charging order / third-party debt order £139 | Weeks to months, depending on the method |
These ranges are for straightforward business debt claims up to £100,000. Complex matters — for example where the debt is disputed on several grounds, there are counterclaims, expert evidence or several parties — are quoted individually. Court fees are set by HM Courts & Tribunals Service (figures from its fee list EX50, checked 26 October 2026) and may change; I confirm the current fee before each stage.
Winning a claim does not guarantee that you recover your legal costs from the other side. On the small claims track, recoverable costs are very limited; on other tracks they are often fixed or partial. A judgment is only as good as the debtor’s ability to pay.
Conditional fee arrangements
Conditional fee arrangements may be considered for suitable debt recovery matters following an individual assessment.
Under a conditional fee agreement (“CFA”) some or all of my fees are payable only if the claim succeeds, as defined in the agreement. If it succeeds, a success fee may be added to my normal fees. By law the success fee cannot exceed 100% of those normal fees; the actual percentage is agreed for each matter and reflects its risk. The success fee is payable by you and is not usually recoverable from the other side.
Before you agree, I will explain in writing:
- what counts as success, and what you pay if the claim fails or ends early;
- that disbursements such as court fees and counsel’s fees may still be payable whatever the outcome;
- that you may have to pay the other side’s costs if the claim fails, and whether insurance against that risk is available;
- what happens if you end the agreement, or if I do.
A conditional fee arrangement is not offered for every matter and is not a promise that you will pay nothing.
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs paid to third parties, such as court fees, counsel’s fees, tracing agents and enforcement agents. I tell you about them before they are incurred. I do not hold client money, so disbursements are paid by you directly to the court or other third party.
Payment
Online payment is not available through this website. Payment arrangements are set out in my engagement letter.