Fees for Mediation of Contentious Probate Disputes
Bactrain Package (two hump camel)
Most disputants want my no-fuss-all-inclusive Bactrain package. Then everyone knows where they stand and I can work with unlimited paperwork (within reason) and include travel time and accommodation at a competitive but market rate.
Arabian Camel Package (one hump camel)
My Arabian Camel Package (one hump camel) is tailored to offer cheaper-than-market-rate prices for less complicated mediations. It is for mediations with limited paperwork and when in person, limited travel time. This keeps prices down for more modest Estates, and rewards disputants who have taken steps to keep the dispute and paperwork to a few key areas.
Arabian Camel Package with added packs
Sometimes, you need a hybrid approach. I can offer this through the cheaper Arabian Camel Package with add-on packs (supplements).
NB: Like when choosing a set-menu over à la carte, the packs give you options, but might end up more expensive or fussy to organise with the other party than the Bactrain package. But I'm all about making this your process, so you decide what suits you best.
Half Day v Full Day
Only simples disputes can be solved in less than five hours. You will add another layer of stress to your day if timing is tight. Until the day, you know your dispute better than I ever could. Choose your timing wisely. To think through what's best for you, here's a page I prepared earlier.
I can offer a 10% discount for two or more half-days booked for the same dispute providing all are booked at the same time, and all booked sessions are booked in advance (no more than two weeks apart).
The fees quoted in the table below are per party.
You can book online. You can also visit the FAQ page before booking, or contact me with questions.
Dates can be held for up to 48 hours.
Bactrain (two humps) Fee Package
What Format and Length of Time suits you best?
- Up to 5 hours
- Start time to suit you
- Incl. preparation calls
- Incl. <300 page bundle
- Incl virtual hosting
£750*
per party
- Up to 10 hours
- Start time 8am - 10am
- Incl. preparation calls
- Incl. <300 page bundle
- Incl virtual hosting
£900* + VAT
per party
- Up to 5 hours
- Start time 8am - 11am
- Incl. preparation calls
- Incl. <300 page bundle
- Incl. all expenses
- Limited postcodes
£650* + VAT
per party
- Up to 10 hours
- Start time 8am - 10am
- Incl. preparation calls
- Incl. <300 page bundle
- Incl all expenses
- Limited postcodes
£1,100* + VAT
per party
Arabian (one hump) Fee Package
What Format and Length of Time suits you best?
- Up to 5 hours
- Start time to suit you
- Incl. preparation calls
- Incl. <100 page bundle
- Incl virtual hosting
£450* +VAT
per party
(supplements may apply. See below)
- Up to 10 hours
- Start time 8am - 10am
- Incl. preparation calls
- Incl. <100 page bundle
- Incl virtual hosting
£750* + VAT
per party
(supplements may apply. See below)
- Up to 5 hours
- Start time 8am - 11am
- Incl. preparation calls
- Incl. <100 page bundle
- Incl. limited travel time
£650* + VAT
per party
(supplements may apply. See below)
- Up to 10 hours
- Start time 8am - 10am
- Incl. preparation calls
- Incl. <100 page bundle
- Incl limited travel time
£900* + VAT
per party
(supplements may apply. See below)
Want à la carte supplements?
Extra Hours Pack
Standard:
up to 5 hours (half-day) and 10 hours (full day)
Need more time securing?
- £240 + VAT per hour, per party
Extra Parties Pack
Standard:
2 party mediation
Add 1 party
- £500 + VAT (full day only)
Add 2+ parties
- Fee on application
Extra Travel and Accommodation Pack
Standard:
Most postcodes in Manchester, Stockport, High Peak and Sheffield.
Need me further afield?
- Travel time and expenses capped at £100 per party.
- Hotel expenses capped at £100 per night per party.
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Sounds Complicated?
It's not.
Most participants just want to book the Bactrain package. It's no fuss, and 90% of mediations will be best served through this package.
So maybe start with that. But then if costings are important and you feel you won't need all that I offer within the Bactrain package, think about whether Arabian - or Arabian with packs - will serve you better.
Where the Arabian package (with or without packs) can save you funds are where:
- You could mediate with a smaller bundle.
- You could base the mediation near to my locality (Stockport)
- You're dispute is centred around just one issue so if it doesn't settle in four hours, it surely will soon afterwards, and definitely won't need a full day (are you sure?).
- You've a draft agreement drawn up already which should save a few hours off.
- You're doubtful mediation will work and want to trial it and then come back for more if you're pleasantly surprised.
Want more detail on the packages?
Half Day: 5 hours of mediation time
30 minutes (x2) - pre-mediation call with each party
Once you're all booked in, we'll meet for a pre-mediation call via zoom or telephone. Having this conversation prior to the mediation day allows us all to hit the ground running on the day.
Calls usually begin with any legal representatives first for ten minutes to cover any more legal points and then you join. Sometimes the legal representatives stay, sometimes they leave. it's your choice.
4 hours - mediation on the day
We can begin at any time that day to suit you and your legal representatives as long as we begin by 1pm. I recommend starting earlier than 1pm in case of overrun.
Full Day: 10 hours of mediation time
1 hour (x2) - pre-mediation call with each party
Once you're all booked in, we'll meet for a pre-mediation call via zoom or telephone. Having this conversation prior to the mediation day allows us all to hit the ground running on the day.
Calls usually begin with any legal representatives first for thirty minutes to cover any more legal points and then you join. Sometimes the legal representatives stay, sometimes they leave. it's your choice.
8 hours - mediation on the day
We can begin at any time between 8am - 10am to suit you and your legal representatives. I recommend starting earlier than 10am in case of overrun. If we are starting at 8 am, then the eight hours will expire at 4pm.If we are starting at 10am, then the eight hours will expire at 6pm.
If you wish me to do so, I will continue to act as your mediation after the expiry of eight hours on my overrun hourly rate, invoiced and split equally between the participants. If we are to in-person-mediate past 9pm, an accommodation fee capped at £100 will apply. I cannot guarantee that I will be able to mediate past 9pm.
Postcodes: Where I can mediate in-person
I can mediate anywhere on-line.
I an mediate anywhere in-person but extra costs may apply.
In my set fees I presume a locality of around 60 miles from my home town of Marple, Stockport.
Marple is an easy train ride to Manchester Piccadilly and a not-to-far car commute to towns like Bramhall, Cheadle, Didsbury, HazelGrove, Poynton, Romiley, Buxton, Glossop, Edale, Castleton. I include any of the below postcodes in my fee structure.
SK1 - SK23 (Stockport and Cheshire)
M1 - M50 (Manchester)
S12, S18, S33, S40, S41, S42 (North East Derbyshire)
S1 - S11 (Sheffield)
Outside of these postcodes, I charge an add-on fee of up to £100 per party. If I will need to begin travelling to reach you before 6am, an accommodation fee capped at £100 per party will apply.