Terms and conditions and fee structure for the provision of medico-legal reports to 30th March 2024, updated April 2023

I will charge a fee that is fair and my fee structure is reviewed annually on 1st April. 

This fee structure forms a partnership between Dr MWM Upton Ltd and instructing parties and is binding. In joint instructions both parties are deemed jointly responsible. Fees are payable in full regardless of any later taxation by the Court. Please note that once instructed all work undertaken will be billed at Dr Upton’s current hourly rate.  

Hourly Rate:

£530 per hour plus secretarial expenses plus VAT at prevailing rate

Time incurred for production of report: 

Usually 6-18 hours.  It can be greater in more exceptional circumstances depending on the nature and extent of documentation that needs examining and analysing. I will assume all documentation sent to me is to be examined unless indicated.

All additional work:

Will be billed at hourly rate with minimum multiples of 6 minutes

Special requests for appointments

Domiciliary visits:  Fees by negotiation. Travel time is at hourly rate. Train fare in addition

London:  By negotiation. This is not my base. Travel time is added at hourly rate. Train fare in addition.

Very urgent new instruction:  Uplift - by negotiation

Conference with Counsel:

Billed at hourly rate for conference plus travel time and any travel costs 

Court attendance:

Billed at 4 hours per half-day (exclusive of preparation time) plus travel time and any travel costs.

Cancellation fees: 

Non-attendance

By Claimant with less than 1 days notice 8 hours charge (unless appointment can be re-allocated then no charge or reasonable explanation)

Court

Less than 3 days notice - 4 hours charge per day booked

Deferment of payment of fees:

Strictly by prior and written agreement.

Guide: 15% uplift for 6 months.  25% uplift for 12 months

Terms of business:  Payment within 60 days of presentation of invoice. In line with current government guidelines, interest will be charged at 8% above base rate on overdue invoices from time of submission to time of settlement. Further fees will be payable for compensation for debt as per late payments legislation. 

Fee limits: Where there is Court imposed restriction on total fees for a given case, the instructing solicitors must indicate what the total fee cap is and provide indication during the progress of the case sums remaining

Please sign below to agree to these terms. Once a signed agreement is received, an appointment will be confirmed.

I agree to the above terms and conditions (sign here) ……………………………………….

On behalf of (organisation) ` ……………………………………….

Dated ……………………………………….