is £300 normal for solicitor to witness a document?

[TennisBunny]

We're moving abroad, and the estate agent has sent us the documents to sign, which need to be witnessed by a solicitor.
The documents are straight forward enough, and all in English.

Because of the obvious, I had to call several solicitors who are local who'd be willing to do it.
This solicitor is about 5 miles away, and travels to us to conduct the deed outside our house. All Covid-safe.

The fee for this has come to £100 per document (there are 3 documents) = £300.

A quick google says that usually it's £5 per document, though I recognise its a different scenario because of the travel.

Does this seem normal?

No it doesn't. Usually about £25 at the solicitors we use - Surrey.

Perhaps try a small local solicitors office.

This seems completely mercenary. How long were they there for?

I suspect there aren't many solicitors who are open for witnessing or willing to travel so the cost is a reflection of the current market.

Does seem expensive to me but not my line of business so I may be wrong. Was you able to get quotes from anyone else?

@CareBear50

This seems completely mercenary. How long were they there for?

We haven't done it yet. I was shocked at the price so thought I'd ask around first. We'd like to get them done asap, as this is what the house move is waiting on - but £300 seems really high

I paid £5but went into the office. I guess you are paying for their time

Just witnessing and attesting (I.e. for moving abroad) are different, I had to get documents attested and it cost more.

Is it a notarisation? You say you are moving abroad so wondered if it may be in connection with paperwork for that. Sounds normal for notary fees.

That is an extremely high fee. But, as you said, it was hard to get someone to do it and travel to you is unusual.

I’d expect to pay their hourly rate plus travel costs / costs of incidentals so £300 could be realistic depending on what they normally charge. But wouldn’t expect it to be charged per document, just for overall time.

"This form is a legal document and must be signed where marked, as the Transferee(s) in the presence of an independent practising Solicitor or Notary Public.
Their stamp or seal must be applied by their signature on the second page."

It is just witnessing - no review or attestation needed

@emsyj37

Is it a notarisation? You say you are moving abroad so wondered if it may be in connection with paperwork for that. Sounds normal for notary fees.

This is a good point OP. If it needs to be a notary, a solicitor is not the right person for this job in the UK. You should check whether you actually need a notary. In some jurisdictions, Canada for example, all solicitors are also notaries, but that is certainly not the case in the UK, Notaries fees for this would be much higher than just a simple witnessing.

That is too expensive. I think I paid £20 last year

Cross posted. Sounds like a solicitor is fine, although solicitors here don't generally have stamps / seals.

Just witnessing £5 but perhaps you are asking them to approve the document? Maybe it is s document that they are not familiar with so they need to review it?

Are you asking them to verify your identity rather than just witness a signature?

Maybe they just don't want to do it! High quote = go away client.

A friend of mine who works for a large firm has to account for (literally in time and in terms of money) every 5 minute block of her day, which shocked me. Perhaps with the travel that’s how it’s worked out. If her time is costed at £300 per hour then a 5 minute document witnessing appt. normally would be £25. If it takes an hour rather than 5 minutes then there’s your £300.

I’d be terrible at it....”12.40 to 12.45, got bored of what I was doing, made another coffee, navigated away from complicated spreadsheet that is making my brain melt, fannied about on Mumsnet...etc etc”...but I guess that’s why I’m paid a pittance and they earn the big bucks!

Perhaps if you can travel to them & get them to sign outside their office you’d save £100’s!?

@TennisBunny £5 then

There is a fixed fee of £5 plus £2 per exhibit (if any) for swearing an oath, which some PPs have referred to. It's not clear to me whether this is what you need or if it's literally a signature and stamp which I am not aware has a fixed charge. I would call a few other places. If the solicitor is also a notary public they may be quoting you for notarisation? Best check with them what they think they are providing.

Does seem very high. Even if he charged £150 an hour in travelling. If you only wanted one page signed would they have charged £300 or £100?

Maybe they just don't want to do it! High quote = go away client.

Very true. I would not travel to witness a document for £25. The solicitor is probably charging her hourly rate. I would do the same.

I paid £10 in December. It was a two page document. Expected it to be more tbh.

@BestIsWest

I paid £10 in December. It was a two page document. Expected it to be more tbh.

With an oath to be sworn.

I paid £20 last week for 1 document

I would expect a discount for multiple documents too.

I've said I'll come to him, but that's not an option apparently.
He literally quoted per document.