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?

Paid £10 for solicitor to witness probate.
But I went there rather than they visiting me.
£100 x 3 seems extortionate

Its because they're travelling to you so are charging a higher rate. If you can find a solicitor where you can go to their office it will be cheaper.

we charge £5.00 per document and £2 per exhibit for witness.

Notaries in our firm charge anything from £150 upwards
x

Well if anyone can recommend somewhere in the East Midlands, I'll bite their hand off!
I've called around A LOT and the majority is a straight "no we're not witnessing right now", I've got 2 that are coming back to me

If they're coming to you you're probably having to pay their hourly rate - regardless of whether they're travelling or witnessing, they are working and deserve to be paid for it. I certainly wouldn't travel 10 miles for £15.

we have a lawyer neighbour who has agreed to do witness some documents around claiming monies from financial institutes on the death of a Parent (no probate in place) £25 each - most solicitors can do this and have a stamp etc - its a way of easily earning a bit extra etc for them (especially if they are junior etc)

It must be the travel in this case and the Covid situation.

No, they’re taking the piss. Usually getting documents witnessed and nothing more should be a fiver or a tenner max. Any solicitor charging you more is one to avoid. Ring a few and get some prices.

I’m a solicitor and witnessed a few docs this week for £5 each I’m obviously a mug 🤣 that only sounds right to me if they are charging hourly rate for travel (should be an official invoice with vat added in my opinion not cash) or the document requires independent advice to be given.

Sorry, I voted YABU by mistake. It's only normal for a local firm which over-charges for tiny pieces of non work! Otherwise, it's ridiculous.

Assuming it takes 2 minutes per document (generous), thats an hourly rate of £3000!

Im assuming you're taking the documents in/dropping them off?

I agree with those who say you’re paying for travelling time (although not sure why you can’t go to him). Perhaps appeal on your local FB page for a solicitor who would do it? Although I wouldn’t have a stamp or seal even if I was in the office.

No! £5 per document and £2 per exhibit.

I paid £5 last year and that was put straight in a pot for a local charity.

Cost me a fiver when I went to them.

Counter with £110 for all 3.

£5 per doc and £95 travel time.

Ah, I see, if he has to travel, fair enough.

although not sure why you can’t go to him

I'd happily go to him - he's only 10 minutes away. But the firm's Covid protocol says they have to travel to us

It will take more than 2 minutes,you have to do the ID checks etc
£300 sounds high,but if that's the quote you can accept it or try and get someone cheaper

For swearing an oath it should be £5. Witnessing a signature is normally about the same price maybe a bit more. However, that's when you visit the office and it takes 5 mins. If a solicitor has to take an hour out of the office then they are likely to charge you their hourly rate or similar. I agree with pp that the solicitor is probably quoted you a fee that will make you go away!

Do you have a local facebook network? If so, post on there are you’ll probably find someone willing to do it for free, or certainly much less. I have done this for various friends and acquaintances for no charge!

@MassDebate

Do you have a local facebook network? If so, post on there are you’ll probably find someone willing to do it for free, or certainly much less. I have done this for various friends and acquaintances for no charge!

This is a good idea. I think I may try that!

MIL is charged £10 a document (she has to have documents notarised annually), that's in a Midlands city.

Oh, and that was still under covid restrictions.

We did this 3 years ago. Went to solicitors office, charged £20.00
I asked if I should pay at reception,
he said ‘no, I’m off down the pub with that tonight.’

Keep searching, £300 is a piss take even with travel.

Solicitors usually do it cheaply in person!

Notaries are much more expensive, though, that's because certain types of document are needed to be notarized (e.g. official docs to be sent abroad) and it's a specialist position, that will run in the hundreds especially if they come to you.

If all you need is a solicitor's witnessing it, then you probably can get it done much cheaper, or can you get it done online?

This isn’t technically swearing an oath though. It’s witnessing a document (though I always charge £5), so I suppose they can charge what they want.