Competitive fees

… we are fair …
Let us start with a little self promotion. Our aim is to help people, and most of us do this work out of conviction. But we also have to eat and look after our families. Where we think it is better for you, we give you some pointers and send you in the right direction.

And because we have to live, we do charge for work that costs us time, sweat and tears. We give our help away too, through other channels.

Nationality/citizenship work — so how do we compare with others?
Comparing a final invoice, or a fixed-price package, is almost impossible. Why? Because every person, every nationality question and every destination carries a different level of complexity. So we advise you to compare hourly rates first. What someone charges tells you little about the knowledge and the skill behind it, but it does tell you where the market sits. Once you have compared hourly rates you can draw up a shortlist and look at the fixed-price packages, which are often better value for money. Do read them carefully: a package may carry conditions on the maximum time or the complexity it covers.

Country averages / what others charge

Habsburg & Kuijk Legal Services ltd — our own fees

Because Habsburg & Kuijk Legal Services ltd works with lawyers and partners in several countries, hourly rates differ. Not only because of exchange rates, but also because of what your case needs and the experience or speciality of the lawyer who does the work.

Every rate we charge is published in full on our fees page, country by country and service by service, together with a guide to how many hours that kind of matter usually takes. Look up your own case there before you contact us. And unless you live in the UK we add no VAT, courtesy of Brexit, which is good for something at last. We are often the cheaper choice, and still the right specialists, who listen.

Value Added Tax (VAT) / Belasting Toegevoegde Waarde (BTW) / Goods and Services Tax (GST) / Sales Tax
Every rate quoted above is exclusive of VAT, BTW, GST or sales tax. In the UK the standard VAT rate on legal services is 20%. Where we do not have to charge it, we are glad to pass the saving on to you.

• If you formally live outside the UK, we do not charge you VAT.
• If you live in the UK, we are required to charge you VAT. If you are moving abroad soon, tell us and we can discuss when we invoice you.
• UK companies can normally reclaim VAT. Companies outside the UK we do not charge VAT at all.

Always ask. It can save you money.

‘Ehm… why am I being charged more?’
You should not be surprised. We always discuss our rates and the likely cost with you before you become our client. And if complications arise that neither of us foresaw, we stop, explain the extra hours, and only carry on once you have agreed.

Government fees and other third-party costs are not included in our rates, unless we clearly say so in a fixed-price product. We will always set out the government or third-party fees you can expect before you become our client. We cannot work out every possibility in advance, and third parties change their prices over time.

As explained above, our base rate is not the only rate we have. Depending on the service, the country and the person assigned to your case, the rate can go up or down. Honestly: mostly up.

Above all we want you to have the best legal service at a reasonable price. It is not about the money; it is about finding the solution that works for you, and about your being satisfied at the end of it. If you are not convinced yet, at least talk to us. Ask around and shop around; we would do the same. We trust you will come back, if only to think it through with us.

What is the outcome worth to you?
In the end you are the one who weighs the outcome, its practical and emotional value, against the cost. Think it over: is this something I am comfortable with? Be realistic as well, and ask yourself whether you can afford it. Be honest with yourself, and with us.

I still cannot afford it!
Even though our rates are very reasonable and probably the cheaper option, there are people whose circumstances simply do not stretch to legal fees. What can you do? Talk to us. Explain your situation and we will try to think of something that works. Being honest about it early saves you trouble later.

We are here to help you.