Butterfly

We know separation can be a very stressful time. We understand costs can be an extra worry. We believe it is helpful for clients to know what their civil partnership dissolution will cost from the outset.

What is included in the Fixed Fee

  • All standard civil partnership dissolution casework from initial meeting with you through to pronouncement of the final Dissolution Order.

What is the Fixed Fee

For Applicants

Our charges are £675 plus VAT (£135)* and Court fee* presently £593, totalling £1,403 inc VAT.

The total of £1,403 is payable in three instalments:

First instalment of £550.00 at the first meeting when we take instructions,

Second instalment of £593.00 before we send the Application to the Court for issue,

Third instalment of £260.00 on the application of the Conditional Order.

* These will be charged at the rate they are from time to time.

VAT is charged at 20%.

What is not included in the fixed fees?

  • Amending the Application following issue or acting for you if the Application is defended.
  • The cost of getting a copy of your civil partnership certificate if you do not have the original
  • Any additional costs involved in serving the Application.
  • The cost of organising a Bailiff for personal service or for applying for deemed or substituted service of the Application if necessary
  • Any advice relating to financial settlement or children**
  • Protracted non routine negotiation.
  • Representation at Court in relation to the dissolution of the civil partnership. This is very rarely necessary.
  • Enforcing an Order for costs against your spouse or defending a claim for costs made against you.
  • Help with fee forms.

** We are very happy to advise on these aspects and they may need consideration as part of the breakdown of the civil partnership. The additional cost will depend on the complexity of your matter and your own circumstances. Advice on such matters will be charged at an hourly rate which we can discuss with you at our first meeting. 

What if I change my mind and decide not to go ahead?

We offer a one-off appointment for £210.00 including VAT payable in advance of the appointment. If you change your mind at any later stage we would charge you for all our work and disbursements incurred until that point on a time recorded basis, applying a standard reduced hourly rate of £260.00 but the amount you would pay will not exceed the amount due under the Fixed Fee scheme and may be less.

What if I only want general advice at initial consultation?

We understand that some people will not know whether they want to take steps to dissolve their civil partnership, until they have a better understanding of how that may leave them, their finances and their children. If you would prefer to have a general initial consultation on the law relating to the dissolution of a civil partnership, your financial circumstances, finance and/or children so that you can better form a view on how it may affect you we can arrange that.

We offer a one-off appointment for £175.00 plus VAT payable in advance of the appointment. Please note we will only be able to comment on the information before us at the appointment which may limit the advice we can give particularly in relation to financial matters.

If you then proceed to instruct us on the Fixed Fee basis the above payment terms will apply.

Head of department: Craig Petri - Managing Partner.


How to go ahead with a fixed fee civil partnership dissolution

Please call 01273 686811 and request an appointment with our specialist team, mentioning you are interested in a fixed-fee civil partnership dissolution. Alternatively you can use our online priority enquiry form, again please include in your enquiry that you wish to consider a fixed-fee civil partnership dissolution.


The statements and opinions expressed through the website are an overview and not intended to be definitive or taken as advice in any particular case. No liability is accepted for any reliance placed upon Fitzhugh Gates solicitors website articles. The law is both complex and changes quickly. Consequently, specific legal advice must be taken before taking any steps.

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