Summary
- General hourly rates are $200–400 (US) or £150–280 (UK).
- Fixed fees are available for contracts, wills and conveyancing.
- Always get a written cost estimate with an approval cap.
- Read no-win-no-fee terms on disbursements and losing.
- Early advice is far cheaper than fixing a bad agreement later.
Quick answer
Lawyers charge roughly $200–500 per hour in the US and £150–350 per hour in the UK for everyday matters, with senior specialists well above that. Many common jobs — contracts, wills, conveyancing — are available at a fixed fee instead.
Typical 2026 fees
| Matter | US | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate, general practice | $200–400 | £150–280 |
| Hourly rate, specialist / senior | $400–800 | £300–600 |
| Initial consultation | $0–350 | £0–250 |
| Standard contract review | $400–1,500 | £300–1,100 |
| Employment contract drafting | $500–1,500 | £350–1,100 |
| Will | $300–1,200 | £200–900 |
| Residential property purchase | $1,000–2,500 | £800–1,800 + disbursements |
| Small claim / debt recovery | $500–3,000 | £400–2,200 |
| Company formation and shareholder agreement | $1,500–5,000 | £1,000–3,500 |
Fee models
Before the first meeting
Questions to ask
How to keep costs down
Summary
Expect £150–350 or $200–500 per hour for general legal work, with fixed fees available for most routine matters. Choose on relevant experience and clarity about cost, and insist on a written estimate before work starts.
Frequently asked questions
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