Cost Information

Question Title

* 1. To help achieve Outcome 3.3 (Clients have the information they need to make an informed decision), we propose including an additional specific requirement at CoC 3(q) to state:

“You provide Cost Information on your website and by other reasonable means on request.”

‘Cost information’ means:

a)      the total cost of the service or, where not practicable, the average cost or range of costs;

b)      a description of the service offered;

c)       your fee, or where not practicable your average fee or range of fees

d)      whether your fees are determined as a fixed sum or by reference to hourly rates;

e)      a description and the value of disbursements, including Land Tax. Where the actual cost of a disbursement is not known, a range of the likely cost of that disbursement;

f)       whether VAT is payable on your fees or disbursements and if so in each case the amount of VAT payable;

g)      whether you have referral arrangements with third parties, whether a referral fee is paid and, if so, the fee or average referral fee payable.

‘Land Tax’ means Stamp Duty Land Tax payable in England or Land Transaction Tax payable in Wales.

Do you agree?

Question Title

* 2. To help achieve Outcome 3.3, we propose amending paragraph 8.4 in the Estimates and Terms of Engagement Code to state:

“8.4 a description of, and likely cost of, any disbursement likely to be included on the basis of the instructions received (with VAT separately itemised). Where applicable, Land Tax should be separately itemised.”

Do you agree?